The Cubs agreed to a three-year deal with Milton Bradley.
So who has the most combustible personality on the Cubs now: Bradley or Carlos Zambrano? That could be fun in the dugout if things go south.
Bradley hit .321 with 22 home runs last season for Texas. He's a switch-hitter and talented guy.
But he's also been a volatile presence in the clubhouse. Check out the following list compiled by one of my colleagues:
June 2008 | After hearing what he considered derogatory
remarks on a game broadcast, Bradley sought to confront Royals announcer Ryan Lefebvre. General manager Jon Daniels and manager Ron Washington stopped Bradley before he had a chance to reach Lefebvre.
September 2007 | Tore the ACL in his right knee when he was spun to the ground by Padres manager Bud Black, who was trying to keep him from umpire Mike Winters. Bradley claimed the umpire baited him into the confrontation and swore at him.
August 2005 | Accused Dodgers teammate Jeff Kent of a lack of leadership and an inability to deal with black players.
Oct. 2004 | Calls a Los Angeles Times reporter an ''Uncle Tom'' during a day off of the NLDS.
Sept. 28, 2004 | Suspended for the final five games of season after he slammed a plastic bottle at a fan in Dodger Stadium after someone threw it on the field.
June 1, 2004 | Suspended for four games for tossing a bag of balls onto the field after an ejection.
April 1, 2004 | Left Indians spring training after being removed from a game for not running hard on a second-inning pop-up. This led to a dugout confrontation with manager Eric Wedge. He soon was traded to the Dodgers.
You ready for this guy?
Is Hendry related to Anjelo and Paxon?
Seems like it.
There's $30 million smackers you can kiss goodbye.
Roman-
You say he's a volatile presence in the clubhouse although none of those incidents (but for the Jeff Kent episode) occurred with a teammate. And he's not the first team mate to call out Jeff Kent. Finally, you did not mention that the umpire involved in the Sep 2007 incident was fined and/or suspended for improper conduct. Take a look at what his former teammates and managers say about him (good heart, wants to win, great teammate) and it's about 180 degrees counter to this obvious headline inspired article you wrote. Frankly I think it will be good for this team to have a lightning rod other than Zambrano (who does most of the arguing with himself).
Roman responds: Gary, you make a good point. I have heard he's a good teammate. And not only was the umpire in the wrong, but I don't know that Bud Black had to spin him to the ground. I actually felt bad for him. But incidents like the ones above can be a huge distraction to a team trying to win a World Series. Being on something like 7 teams in 9 years is not a coincidence.
nothing like giving a guy a fresh start!
I hope this signing works out for both Bradley and the Cubs. I am not nearly as worried about his temperment as I am about his ability to stay healthy. If he can stay healthy I think he will be a great addition to the lineup and play a steady RF. Hopefully be giving him a few days off with Kosuke, Gathwright and Johnson in the outfield he can avoid the DL and keep his mind fresh.
I am curious if Hendry explored what it would take to bring Adam Dunn to the Cubs. I know he strikes out a lot, but he also takes a lot of walks and has had an OBP of over .385 for the last few years. His defense may not be great, but I don't think Bradley is going to win a Gold Glove and Dunn has shown to be durable if nothing else.
I really think this is a good move along w/ Miles. Even though DeRosa was a valuable part of the team and a great clubhouse personality by being unselfish, the Dodgers exposed a huge flaw and if Miles, Bradley, and hopefully Fukudome play to their potential hitting from the left side wont be a problem. If Bradley can also stay healthy and protect the middle part of the lineup then we will have a formidable offense that can easily get us into the post season.
Wait, the guy complains about the broadcasters
He belongs on the Dusty Baker Cubs team, bunch of whiners.
Just play well and the rest will take care of itself.
Critics and Cubs fans accused Dusty Baker of not being willing to give young players a chance.....Well, under Lou Pinella the Cubs have now spent $75 million on left handed hitting right fielders and Felix Pie has not yet received 200 AB in a season.
I would say the Cubs never gave Pie an extended chance. What would he have done last year with Fukodome's at bats?
What do they have to lose? Besides getting swept in the playoffs again.
Well if you listen to all the media around town you would think this guy is satan. I wonder how long it will take for the great Cub fans in the bleachers to start calling him the "N" word. Cub fans are known for this on hot summer days when the beer is flowing and sitting right next to their kids. Just like LaTroy Hawkins, Jacque Jones, Dusty Baker and Corey Patterson he will be ran out of town after one year no matter what his numbers are because the Cub fans want some one who looks like them. (WATCH OUT D-LEE YOUR NEXT) They never said a word about a sorry OVERRATED MARK GRACE OR KERRY WOOD but just wait. I feel sorry for Bradley because he might as well be coming to Alabama in the 1950's. When you talk about Cub fans that how it is.......
Mike23 i agree with you about grace being a little overrated, but come on all the guys you mentioned deserved some of the banter they recieved. LaTroy blew games like it was his job, Jacque did not produce in 2006 until the Cubs were already out of it, although he did come through in 2007. and YOU know what DLee deserves some boos, in fact I think Cub fans have been too easy on the guy. Sure, he is a great fielder, but the fact is his numbers have gone down in the last couple of years. And the "bleacher bums" are idiots not racists they are brutal to alot of players not matter their skin color so quit using the race card...
the cubs are insane to sign bradley for all that money. i'm sick that in these tough economic times that a malingerer such as bradley with a history of injuries (real and imagined) would get such a contract!!! i am done being a cubs fan!!!!!i am done being a professional sports fan.
Yea Mike23 because all cubs fans hate ernie banks, billy williams, fergie jenkins, andre dawson, shawon duntson, etc... get a clue man...alot of those guys you mentioned did deserve the boos maybe not to the extent they got it but nontheless...and yea Grace who had the most hits in the 90s and Wood who was constantly battling legit arm problems when finally healthy had an allstar campaign and led the cubs to the 03 division. But no you're right just a bunch of racists...GET A CLUE!!!
If the Cubs are destined to never win a Championship, at least give us a team of great guys we can root for and pull for. Acquiring Milton Bradley is an example of this. A real sweetheart of a guy. Someone who loves the game and shows it with every one of the 21 teams he's been on. It makes another inevitable choke season a little more palatable. On the other hand maybe guys like Milton can shake this team enough to actually lead it to a World Seies appearance?
Anger management issues aside, I think the real key here is if the guy will be a cancer to the team and his injury history. If Jeff Kent is the only history he’s had with a teammate, then to me, that’s not a big deal because Jeff Kent has been a controversial figure in baseball himself for many years. Otherwise, I might also be concerned that he only really posted career batting numbers at an inflated hitting ballpark like Arlington, Texas, where it seems like just about anyone who plays there has always hit for some power and over .300. Bradley’s not a pure power hitter either, but I do love the on base percentage stats that he posted in his last 2 seasons. It’s just the injury history that concerns me the most. Hopefully there are some incentive clauses built in the contract to compensate for that. We’ll see, but getting someone like Bradley will sure be a target to the Cubs bashers out there if he doesn’t work out here. Just hit well, drive in and manufacture runs and then everything else will take care of itself. I would have preferred Adam Dunn because his career numbers at Wrigley are out of this world, but obviously we’re stuck with Soriano who occupies left field, like it or not, and Dunn can’t really play anywhere else on field.
7 teams in 9 years? Sure sounds like a good "clubhouse presence."
If he decks Zambrano in the clubhouse, then he's got my vote.
;-)
I think the Cubs just bought a soap opera for $30M. Have fun, Lou.
Sorry, but I predict the Cubs will come out flat this season after the failure of the last two seasons. Nonetheless, they can probably play .500 ball and still win the weak NL Central. Once again, they will get pasted in the playoffs.
Btw, 2008 was Dempster's career year. Don't look for him to repeat it in 2009.
I like today's comments. As Twain said, it's differences of opinions that make horse races. How big is Bradley? Could he take on Z. and win? Maybe Lou will become the old Lou and start kicking dirt on umpires to protect Bradley from suspensions. I am looking forward to this season and have better hopes of the World Series than I did last year. The key, as always, is staying healthy, but there is also some pretty solid depth. Fukudome should be better this year, and Lee is ready to get his power stroke back. DeRosa will be missed, but there are versatile subs available. How about a year of four guys having 30 plus home runs and pushing the 100 RBI level? With the pitching staff the Cubs have, they could win every game by three or more runs with that kind of production.
This is the year!!! We deserve it after the Bears'collapse.
Some stats for those who do think Cubs fans are color blind when they boo:
Cubs Career La Troy Hawkins 99G 101 IP 2.76 ERA
Cubs Career Bob Howry 228 IP 3.91 ERA
Youre right seedy. Dempster reached his peak last year, but classic cubs to go out and give a guy a long term deal. And I just dont understand why Hendry did not pursue Bobby Abreu more. He is still adequate in the field, he has a great obp, and you know he will play a 160 games. Definitely a for sure thing, and it would not at all be a suprise to see Bradley go out with an injury in May. I like Jim Hendry in the fact that he has made some of the greatest trades in Cub history, but once again he has made a questionable decision in free agent signings.
Mike23, I have sat in the bleachers dozens of times and never the N word or any other racist slur uttered. Do you have proof that bleacher fans yell racial slurs at black players? If the answer is no, then shut your race baiting butt up and save it for the Nation of Islam rally or Obama fund raiser. I am sick of these racist blacks like Mike23 crying racism. Grow up!
Jeff what are you smoking??? The race card??? I hate when people say that crap. I dont play such a card. Did Jacque Jones and Latroy Hawkins get called these racist names??? YES, ITS WELL DOCUMENTED. I didnt make them say it they said it!!! Stop ignoring the obvious. I dont cry racism but dont ignore the facts, I just pointed out what some fans said. Typical lost Cub fan who cant read.
Jeff what are you smoking??? The race card??? I hate when people say that crap. I dont play such a card. Did Jacque Jones and Latroy Hawkins get called these racist names??? YES, ITS WELL DOCUMENTED. I didnt make them say it they said it!!! Stop ignoring the obvious. I dont cry racism but dont ignore the facts, I just pointed out what some fans said. Typical lost Cub fan who cant read.
Nation of Islam Rally or an Obama Fundraiser? I can see why you've never heard anyone uttering racists words since you don't hear yourself right now. I wanted to make a joke about board games but it was inevitable that someone was going to take that fun away. Obama fundraiser? Obama? Fundraiser? I'm totally lost on that one. I guess it was only African Americans in Grant Park on November 4th?
This is just the guy the Cubs need. Hendry is on his job. Cudly friendly candy-corn Cubs and their cute fans! Bunch of suckers. I WIIIIISSSSHHH! Kenny had signed him! Sox had a contemperous cantankerous surly disgruntled grizzle bear named Carl Everette! Carl didn't take no stuff! Turned over the buffet table after the game because like he said "they didn't deserve to eat". And the rest is 05 history.
Its a game......but sometimes somebody has to take care of bidness and remind everyone to do their jobs! Milton Bradley is his name - only.
Keith, I have to disagree with your implication that Carl Everett and Milton Bradley are very similar. I'd agree that they have similar on-field productions for a season or two along with a similar talent level even though Everett had a better history of performance.
HOwever, what I think really sets these two apart is the nature of their respective temperaments. Everett wanted to win at all cost however surly it came across! You could liken him a bit in that regard to Orlando Cabrera although "O" proved to be more "me-first."
MB? I don't think he has that same level of desire to win. I might pay Everett or O. Cabrera $10 million per season because they do have substantial desires to win (as well as avoid injuries and suspensions). I wouldn't pay MB $10 million. I think that's just throwing money around with a lot of hope and prayer.
Mark my words, the Cubs will regret this move.
Gig, I understand. I think MB is much better than Everett on the field. But Hendry had to do something about all that cotton candy in the clubhouse. Just too vanilla (and I mean temperment - not color). Too many Richie Cunninghams and Potsies)! Even if it all blows up on Hendry, he did right to roll the dice. Last years team had no business losing and getting the broom.
Not so sure it was Everett as much as Aaron Rowand. That guy was a nut and played hard. I think the Sox became cotton candy after his departure and have never found the toughness they had while Rowand was there. That's why Ozzie has had to call out his players publicly. If not him, then who? Gentleman Jim Thome? I don't think so.
Just one prediction --
At one point during the season, the Cubs will have the following players on the DL all at the same time:
Bradley
Lee
Soriano
Sweet dreams, Cub fans... sweet dreams.