Olney on Bradley
Nothing groundbreaking but an interesting assesment
about 2 years ago
Doggie Stalker
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Thanks for posting this.
Here’s what people mean when they say Bradley was disruptive in the clubhouse:
His indignation never seemed to dissipate and he continued to be a distraction for teammates day after day, and in a sport where the players work to maintain an even temperament so that they can better handle the 0-fers and the other failures that are inherent in the sport, this was a problem. The Cubs had a terrible season for a lot of reasons, and the Bradley cloud that hung over the team was just one of them, which is why he was sent home at season’s end.
The title of Olney’s article is “Is Seattle Milton Bradley’s last chance?” I would say that it’s his last stop. Bradley turns 34 not long after the 2012 season begins. I can’t imagine anyone offering him a contract after the current one expires.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Really?
I can definitely see MB getting a contract after 2012. He’ll go to Seattle, lay low, produce good numbers, and be a DH somewhere.
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
We'll see about "laying low".
Didn’t work so well for him in SD or Cleveland.
I stand by my prediction: MB is done after 2011.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Overall (on SD)
from what I recall, it doesn’t seem like the SD experience was that bad for him in regards to the clubhouse. Every indication was that Bradley respected Bud Black, and as such, didn’t make that much of a fuss. There was the torn ACL on-field incident, but the injury came from Bud Black rushing to protect him, and the fault was put on the umpire, IIRC. I remember the interviews this offseason with Joe Maddon asking why he was willing to try MB, and I remember one of them was because he said Bud Black gave him a very positive report.
I have to say
after reading Olney’s description I can say that he’s a bad apple, yes, but really, is this all? How in the world can one player being moody have the effect the Cubs are claiming? There has to be something more. How in the world can a manager not get this under control if all it is is what Olney is saying?
"We’re going to come back here next year healthy and do what we’re supposed to do, and we’re going to be all right. That’s not Hendry’s fault. He thought it was the right move. It didn’t work out. But at the same time, he’s the same guy that put back-to-back championship teams together." - Aramis Ramirez
Maybe Lou tried to get it under control and failed.
“Look. What do you want me to do?”
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'm sure he tried something.
Do you really think this is all it was – that MB was Eeyore with a bad temper?
"We’re going to come back here next year healthy and do what we’re supposed to do, and we’re going to be all right. That’s not Hendry’s fault. He thought it was the right move. It didn’t work out. But at the same time, he’s the same guy that put back-to-back championship teams together." - Aramis Ramirez
After hearing Ryan Theriot on ESPN 1000 yesterday...
…I think that is a good assumtion.
I am paraphrasing here but he said that many Cubs tried to reach Bradley to no avail, including himself. He said that the whole team was always on eggshells and it really had an affect on thier focus
And THAT...
… is how Bradley’s presence worked as “clubhouse cancer”.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Not that easy when the individual is creating a negative atmosphere.
What part of “the whole team was always on eggshells and it had an effect on their focus” didn’t you understand?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Z's outbursts create a negative atmosphere too
Why are they always on eggshells? Ignore the guy. It’s not like another sport where you have to block for him or make sure to pass him the ball.
And had an effect on their focus? What a bogus excuse for poor play.
I have heard no evidence...
… that Z’s outbursts “create a negative atmosphere”. From what I’ve heard, his teammates laugh it off.
Easy for you to say it has no effect, sitting at your keyboard. It has to be different when you’re actually in the situation.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Alright, fine
Z’s outbursts have no effect. Then why do Milton’s?
Look, I don’t deny Milton’s a jerk, or whatever we’re labeling him these days. But why is it his outbursts caused Ryan Theriot to have an atrocious year, when big Z’s previous outbursts had no effect? Doesn’t make much sense to me.
Read the thread again.
They weren’t “outbursts”. “Outbursts” can be dealt with. A sullen attitude, rejecting offers of friendship, creating a tense atmosphere — those can have an effect.
Think about having someone like that working with you.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Still doesn't make sense to me
If a guy at my workplace kept flipping out in the middle of work, that would probably affect my concentration. But if a guy in the cubicle in the back never wanted to go get beers after work, well, then I ignore him. Maybe me and my office buddies joke about how much of a jerk he is. But I don’t see why that would “have an effect on my focus”.
Obviously a baseball clubhouse is different than where I work. But if a guy just wants to be left alone…then leave him alone.
Really though, my issue is just with Theriot trying to throw some blame for his (and almost everyone else’s) bad year at a guy who didn’t want to hang out. He’s responsible for his poor play, and no one else.
It wasn't just Theriot saying it was an issue.
Many players did.
As you said, a baseball clubhouse is different from your office. If players say it was an issue, I believe them.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Theriot had a bad year?
….284 .343 .369 and his carrer numbers are .288 .356 .369
That is Ryan Theriot, your not gonna get much better than that.
if they ignored him
he would probably have complained about that, too
Say no to Marlon Byrd, Scotty Pods, and Rick Ankiel.
by jesus christos on Dec 19, 2009 6:30 PM CST up reply actions
+1
If all Milton was was a thunderhead of a personality, the Cubs have no ability to manage people.
I understand how bad it can be. I understand how difficult it can be. But what does a manager do if managing people to maintain a good atmosphere and give people an environment to succeed isn’t his job?
"We’re going to come back here next year healthy and do what we’re supposed to do, and we’re going to be all right. That’s not Hendry’s fault. He thought it was the right move. It didn’t work out. But at the same time, he’s the same guy that put back-to-back championship teams together." - Aramis Ramirez
"Bradley is a reckless risk for Seattle"
Steve Henson, Yahoo sports writer has a pretty accurate take, IMO….
Milton Bradley does that to teams. Makes them lament their gullibility for believing he can change. Makes them furious at their tunnel vision, so certain it will be different in their organization, in their clubhouse, in their lineup. Makes them wonder why his ability to hit a baseball from both sides of the plate clouded their better judgment.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Dec 19, 2009 12:07 PM CST reply actions
in sEattle's defense
Carlos Silva was a waste of money … and he wasn’t good for their clubhouse (the rumors, iirc, suggested that Silva was the one bashing ichiro to the media a couple years back). Might as well see if you can get something useful if both are bad in some form.
Henson should know
He covered the Dodgers for the Los Angeles Times before going to Yahoo. He’s likely expressing what the Dodgers thought.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
I am with you Al
Why all of sudden after 10 years in the league this pain in the back side is going to change? His attitude remained on his parting shots out of town, he blamed the media, not himself. Same story for MB, Seattle is just another stop in his wonderful career.
Hendry saved Milton for 3 years, I would be willing to say if Hendry signed Milton for one year, last year would of been his last year. At least the last year with a guaranteed contract.
Maybe he will blame the rain in Seattle for his mood swings.
I can hear it now
“I mean look at the weather up, always cloudy and rainy. I mean I can understand why everyone here is depressed. I understand why Seattle never won a championship, I mean come on, no one is happy around. I go out there and try my hardest and the fans are never cheering enough for me. They cheer for Ichiro, they cheer for Griffey, but me, all I get is a little clapping and one or two shouts of encouragment. How do you expect me to succeed without undying and constant support from thousands of fans. I hope that game only last 9 innings so I can get out of there as soon as possible.”
That’s not true!!! WHY THE F*CK WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU AHOLE!! Ok maybe your right but you gotta give a little something here for it to work. I don’t know what I’m going to do this is the worst thing I’ve ever read, this day could not get any worse. Fine, F*ck it, you’re right.
by Ditkavsworld
by gaclaudy on Dec 19, 2009 1:42 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs
Here's why...
… if we can be honest with our selves, we have to acknowledge that the Chicago Cubs is quite possibly the worst place for Milton Bradley to play. Coming into this situation was just a terrible decision and Jim Hendry should have realized this. The Cubs are a pressure cooker situation. They haven’t won a World Series in forever. Its also a big market city with several newspapers that have beat reporters that follow the team. Add to that the two local sports stations along with WGN radio and the superstation. You’ve also got a small, cramped clubhouse and the bleacher fans in Milton’s kitchen. Philadelphia and New York may have been as tough on Bradley… maybe.
So you can now send him to Seattle where there isn’t the same pressure to win nor is there the media scrutiny. Milton can be Milton and he can have occasional temper tantrum but no one will really care that much and it won’t get the media attention. Milton can also play games at DH.
Of course, he may injure himself and miss 100 games, but the bottom line is that the conditions in Chicago set him up for failure and many of those don’t exist in Seattle.
I'm just maintaining a "wait and see" attitude....
A woman's guess is more accurate than a man's certainty.--Rudyard Kipling
Don't do that!
We need kneejerk reactions and strong predictions with no room for any sort of middle ground! Now!
oops....my reply is below :)
A woman's guess is more accurate than a man's certainty.--Rudyard Kipling
by cooliogirl47 on Dec 19, 2009 8:46 PM CST up reply actions
Bradley vs the Cubs?
Haven’t been able to read the 1000+ lines of Bradley comments, wonder if any one noticed that we play Seattle in June. Wonder if we should have a contest to see if we can guess what Bradley does. Kills us, bombs, or is on the DL at the time. My gut (or is it my experience) says he kills us with three HRS, about ten RBI’s including a GWinner.
im surprised
he gets another chance. but they are running out. 10 mill a year and your still unhappy.pretty sad.im thrilled we found a team to take this bad apple. but the teams willing to put up with his nonsense are diminishing.
I just had an idea...!!!
I think the Cubs can recoup every dime we spent on MB…
We send a bill to the USPS for the balance of his contract…
By signing MB we kept him from working for them and going postal…
- Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!
- Germans?
- Forget it, he's rolling.
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