MLB.com: Bradley correct in protest of BAD CALL

"In the official announcement of the penalty, the reason for the suspension is explained in this way: "Bradley aggressively argued balls and strikes and made contact with Umpire Larry Vanover."

That is not an inaccurate portrayal of what occurred, but it does not offer a comprehensive context. Bradley did certainly and aggressively argue balls and strikes. The contact that occurred between the umpire and the outfielder appeared to be both slight and incidental, although even that sort of thing is punishable.

But Milton Bradley was right. The pitch in question was not a strike. There ought to be some sort of defense that works for Bradley here. How about the truth? What a novel concept.

The stereotypical "he-needs-anger-management-training" response to a Milton Bradley episode does not fit here, does not work here. This is more like: "Hey, he had a valid point there."

Milton Bradley's personal history should not be any kind of factor in the disposition of this case. All he is guilty of here is vehemently arguing a demonstrably bad call."

6 months ago Ivy Walls 19 comments 1 recs |

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so....no suspension?

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Apr 19, 2009 12:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

appeal will probably cut it to one

reduce fine….Bradley will blow off some steam.

Piniella has to make it a club policy only he argues with the umps…..

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Apr 19, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why?

If they’re right — like Bradley was — then they SHOULD argue the call. Bring some freakin’ attention to the fact that the umps — especially for this series, but certainly in general — suck. I’d love to see Dome up there cursing in japanese (although that would be a very unDome-like thing to do).

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Apr 19, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dome's the master of the dirty look. No words needed.

by Emelie on Apr 19, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

they may be right...

… but they’re going to be missing games. Like it or not, MLB has policies regarding arguing balls and strikes. Sometimes the umpire is right and sometimes the umpire is wrong and in the heat of the game, we don’t need our players arguing every time they think that the umpire makes a bad call. We don’t need Cub players being kicked out of games and we certainly don’t need suspensions. Worst of all we don’t need the Cubs to have a reputation around the league and have umpires with a grudge against the team.

I am glad that Bradley has the passion and in a key situation like that, I am fine with his blow-up. But his blow-up put him in position to have the umps and the league exaggerate what did happen. I respect that Milton wants to make a point here but he didn’t start yesterday and likely won’t today. Get the damn suspension over with so the team isn’t a player short when MLB has time to rule on the suspension.

by dmlichte on Apr 19, 2009 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's more than a point

The union wants people to appeal. He is facing pressure.

And not for nothing, but he doesn’t get paid when he’s suspended.

People keep acting like he’s going to be suspended for a key Brewers game in September. This will be ruled on by the middle of May.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Apr 19, 2009 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know about other people

but I know that right now he’s not 100%. I don’t care if the game(s) down the line are key or not, but right now he’s not starting. Everyone thinks the suspension is BS. His teammates think its BS. Take one for the team and lets move on so whether its a game or two against the Brewers or a game or two against the Nationals, we have our starting right fielder.

by dmlichte on Apr 19, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fine...

You want to reimburse his salary for the game missed?

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Apr 19, 2009 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also, consider the long term

If the suspension is not appealed, I’d imagine it basically stands as is in the MLB files. Let him make an argument about the fine and suspension. Even if he is hurt and can’t play for two games anyway, even if he doesn’t care about the fine, you don’t want one more thing on your record branding you a troublemaker and an agitator.

My personal feeling is that he should have been run; rules are rules, and I accept that (as I’m sure Bradley does). But a fine and suspension? Absolutely nuts. I’m still not convinced he made any contact, but I’ll take the word of those that seem sure of it. But as Al and others have said several times, it couldn’t have been very much or intentional – blue’s hat didn’t even move.

Principles are the only thing you ever really can call your own. Fight for them, Milton.

Jackie likes the smell of cut grass, he used to play ball on Saturdays, Playin in the sun...

by PacificCub on Apr 20, 2009 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

Rec'd

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 20, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wish ALL players

would get that fire, not just Cubs. The umps have grown to feel that they have no accountability. There’s no checks and balances that I can see. As I said in the recap thread, CB Bucknor is one of the worst umps in baseball — and yet, he continues to be an ump.

It’s time to make that change.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Apr 19, 2009 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

make Umps do post game interviews

and show them replays, then ask them questions about it

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Apr 19, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bad idea...

I understand your logic, but I think giving the umps that kind of attention will make them worse than they are now.

by kanderber on Apr 20, 2009 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

Umpires do have to be made accountable, but that’s not the way to do it.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 20, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

they should suspend the Ump and fine him as well

for being this bad

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Apr 19, 2009 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The author makes very good points

but, like I’ve said many times here, the offender’s name is Milton Bradley and he carries a large bulls-eye on his back. MLB won’t let it slide.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Apr 19, 2009 2:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

VERY POOR CALL.......

Have looked at it numerous times …A poor call no logic to it…Have to agree Bradley has a target on his back….When MLB takes a look at it they will wonder also….

by cubs north on Apr 19, 2009 5:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah it was a bad call

So what. It happens every game and most players understand it’s part of the game. He isn’t starting now so it’s better to just get it over with and move on. And while the touching was minor and incidental, he should not have been so close that it did happen.

If you like Selig's handling of the steroid issue, you'll love his choice for next Cub owner.

by tharr on Apr 19, 2009 5:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs