Bradley's Mom alleges teachers called his 3-year-old the N-Word
by Worf on Sep 23, 2009 9:52 AM CDT
Email
Print
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/deluca/1785487,CST-SPT-deluca23.article
Money quote:
During the Brandmeier interview, which Rector claims she thought was a phone conversation and not for broadcast, she tried to detail the key reasons behind her son's unhappiness in less than a season with the Cubs. She claimed Bradley's 3-year-old son faced a slew of racial slurs at his school.
''When racism hit his 3-year-old baby in school, he couldn't take that,'' Rector told Brandmeier. ''Parents, teachers and their kids called him the n-word. He didn't even know it was a bad word until his mom told him.''
Asked by the Sun-Times why Bradley didn't mention this during his several conversations with reporters this season -- a detail that might have gained him more sympathy in Chicago -- Rector said: ''Milton is a quiet person. Stuff like that, he keeps to himself. He doesn't want to talk about that because he doesn't think anybody cares. It is a heartbreaking situation.''
I call B.S.
1) Any parent worth anything would do everything but burn the damn school down if a TEACHER used this kind of language toward their child. We're expected to believe that Bradley stayed calm and collected and that this was ignored? Or resolved with such a minimum of fuss that it escaped attention?
2) Had Bradley revealed this (and given credible proof) -- and his advisers would have strongly advised him to -- "gain him more sympathy" is an understatement. We're talking about something that would have made international news here. Reporters covering the White House probably would have asked President Obama about this.
3) No other parent. No other colleague of this teacher. No one else heard any of this?
4) Bradley makes $10 million a year. Teachers and principals are deathly afraid of people who have the money to hire 207 lawyers and the temperament to do so. No way. No freaking way. This is probably a private pre-school. You think they are in the habit of insulting the paying customers like this?
This is just one more cynical, lousy attempt for someone to justify Bradley acting like an ass. And the quote comes from his mother saying he'd love to return to Chicago.
Really? You want to be in the city where teachers call your child the n-word?
So either you're a liar who plays the race card to get your way or you're a coward who won't stand up for your child.
Not someone I want on my team.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
195 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
What a horrible story overall
Either yes, it’s BS or there’s some serious issues with the Illinois public school system. Which is a shame because they taught me how to read and write (don’t worry, neither skill involved learning the n-word).
This is a 3-year-old from a rich family
I’d be stunned if this was the public school system. This was most likely a private pre-school or a daycare center.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Forget money no 3 year old is in a state system anyway
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Sep 23, 2009 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Point being
That it sickens me to think that this could potentially go on in any school public/private.
I would bet a large sum of money that this did not happen.
It’s completely illogical, unless Milton Bradley’s 3-year old is going to preschool in Mississippi in 1963.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
I agree
But it still bothers me that if this is false, it has to make it in the newspapers to begin with…
Blame the Bradleys.
This is about 10 steps over the line.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
I call BS
Milton likely got more crap for his name than any racial slurs. The sooner he’s no longer in baseball, the better.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
I'm going to (try to) make this my only comment in this post:
If this is true, and if ANY adult, regardless of their ethnicity, heard about this and didn’t do something about it, it’s deplorable.
It’s not impossible, but it seems implausible.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 23, 2009 10:01 AM CDT reply actions
Over/under on us losing this weekend?
I say at LEAST 10.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Ok, so you got me. . . I'll comment on this.
Sparty lost to Central Michigan, and I don’t think ND is that good. It’s a home game, too.
Having said that – they’ve got a few things to tighten up. Can’t play like they did against Wofford and hope to beat a Big 10 team.
I still think Bucky pulls out a close win . . . I’ll say 27-24.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 23, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions
Depends on which team shows up for the Spartans.
One could argue that we’re the best 1-2 in the country. To that, I say: Nope.
I saw CMU take it to us from the opening kick. We played like it was a scrimmage. We deserved to lose.
Against ND, I give the Spartans credit for not folding when it looked like the Irish would run us off the field at the start of the game. Now whether our comeback was us or the Irish just being, well you know, the Irish is open for discussion.
Our offense is pretty good. Our D is not. You’ll be able to throw on our secondary (esp. Chris L. Rucker) all day.
Traditionally we don’t play well in Madison, and you guys had last year’s game won in East Lansing until your coach had his brain fart meltdown. So I think it’ll be Wisky 38- MSU 31
"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)
Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...
I think Bielema learned from last year - and not just the MSU game
He’d better have . . . .
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 23, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh My God.
Please do not say “Wisky”.
BADGERS WIN OR I WANT BIELEMA’S HEAD
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
How aboot "Scotch"?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 23, 2009 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Wisconsin will fold under Big Ten pressure
If you give me those 7 points, I’ll take all the action you’ve got.
(I’ve been a UW-Madison prof for 30 years and UW is on the downhill slide again. Bret B’s gone next season.)
From one doc student to a doc...
…I hope to have your job in about 2 years. Me wants to be back @ my alum.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I think it'd take a REALLY bad season to cause Alvarez to make a change
He’s pretty patient. Of course, if BB hasn’t learned from his mistakes last year . . .
What do you teach?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 23, 2009 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions
A bad season by UW will equate to a
loss on 11/14. Would love to see a UM reprise of the 2008 one shining moment.
You guys certainly have a tough week to get MSU. Their fans want blood after letting ND slip away.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
The Badgers should want blood after blowing last year's MSU game
And UM, and OSU . . . .
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 24, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions
In that case, I never had a class that you taught.
Was Alvarez’ relationship as good with the colleges within the University as is reported?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 24, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Mr. Ward being one of those exceptions, I suppose.
Hey, can’t the school do something about the ES-FU chant?
Game day’s gotten better, but I thought that was lame 15 years ago when I sat in that section….
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 24, 2009 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions
I never go to UW football games
Drunken undergrads and alums in great numbers are to be avoided at all costs.
Hockey games, on the other hand…
Professor, with all due respect, you're overlooking the "Spartan" factor in football.
Don’t get me wrong, I bleed green. Maybe Dantonio can eventually change the football culture, but the Spartan’s lineage over the last 40 years has been more closely aligned with the Detroit Lions than the ’49ers, Patriots, Cowboys or other successful pro (or for that matter college) franchise.
"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)
Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...
So it will be a battle
to throw the game away. I’ll still take any Big Ten opponent of the Badgers + appropriate points.
We'll see. I don't think they're as bad as you think they are
But I also don’t think they’re conference title contenders.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 24, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Last I saw the line was 4 points with the Badgers favored...
"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)
Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...
I'd heard 3
Which essentially means they are evenly matched.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 24, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions
So Zeke's seven points are a good bet
(College football at this level is all fixed, anyway. Bret will get the call from the boys in vegas and he’ll do what he’s told.)
- ducking and running
Hey, I'll GLADLY eat a little crow for a win Saturday.
Wouldn’t be the first time. Won’t be the last ;)
"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)
Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...
Agreed.
It can happen, just because it’s private doesn’t mean that teachers who should otherwise be doing something else or in jail, don’t teach there. There’s a very large religious institution that has had serious issues with some of its clergy abusing kids, so I wouldn’t be totally shocked were this true.
That being said, I would like to hear the school’s response and whether there was or is an investigation as I’d expect such allegations to be taken seriously. If it happened that frequently then there ought to be some supporting evidence.
Now if you were aware tat this happened at the private school of your choosing, and you have substantial financial resources—AND you still did nothing because you like to keep to yourself? Then I’d agree with Worf about the cowardly angle. An highly skilled lawyer doesn’t have to hold a press conference and make an investigation like this a public issue, if one values privacy that much. And I can see why a person in that position would both want justice and privacy—and that person can easily afford both. Moreover, the last thing the school would want is for such an investigation to get to the media.
So, although I believe it can and does happen, the response or lack thereof is also disturbing and it gives me reason to doubt the credibility of the claim. But it’s out there now, so let’s find the truth. Hopefully the truth in this situation for MB is more compelling of an investigation then the one that OJ has been undertaking for these many years.
Had Bradley revealed this (and given credible proof) — and his advisers would have strongly advised him to — “gain him more sympathy” is an understatement. We’re talking about something that would have made international news here. Reporters covering the White House probably would have asked President Obama about this.
Bullshit.
He would have been accused of making it up, just like he has every other time he’s made any such claims. Even here it’s not even him making the claim – it’s his mother, and yet you’re still accusing her of lying.
I said "and given credible proof"
Yeah, if he would have just thrown it out there and then done one of his patented, “What else you got?” routines to any follow-up question, he wouldn’t be believed.
As far as his mother goes, she’s probably just relating what Bradley told her.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Spot on.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 24, 2009 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions
If Bradley...
…acted the way he did to that umpire (when he blew out his ACL), how do you think he would have reacted if this really happened to his son?
Bradley is your typical “victim personality”. He has to have a villain, and if he can’t find a real one, he’ll create one.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
by MPH73 on Sep 23, 2009 10:52 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Yes, we're expected to believe that Bradley resolved this quietly and quickly
Puh-leaze
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
This is probably actionable -- for the school.
I would not be surprised if Bradley’s mom gets a call from an attorney in short order, and a retraction (and a check) is issued post haste.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Sep 23, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
The only saving grace is that she didn't name the school
or if she did, the reporters didn’t publish it. And we really don’t want them printing the names of the players’ kids’ schools.
Libel requires three things: Identification, Defamation and Publication.
Identification would be difficult to prove.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
It would certainly be identifiable to the other parents at Bradley's school.
The argument would be that Bradley’s comments are damaging to the school’s reputation among the other families enrolled in the school.
I’m sure that there are at least a couple of parents at the school who know that Milton Bradley’s son is their kid’s classmate.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
That's true
Again, we’re almost certainly talking about a school that caters to the upper class. For all we know, it’s the go-to school for families of Chicago athletes.
No way will they want that reputation sullied.
We’ll see how it shakes out.
I don’t envy the media on this one. If you dig further, you’re really prying into personal lives, but if you don’t, you are just letting this hang out there unchecked.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
As an attorney, I'd dig into this situation, with relish.
My 3-year-old, for instance, goes to a school here in the city – and there’s no way in the world that they’d let this sort of accusation get published in the Sun-Times without an overwhelming response.
First, they’d talk to the Bradleys and ask for an immediate retraction. Then, they’d send out a school-wide email either publishing said retraction, or, if no retraction was forthcoming, stating that they are aware of, and categorically deny the accusations, reiterating the policy that any use of racial epithets is grounds for immediate firing, and making it clear that the school’s attorneys have contacted the reporter in question and the Bradleys, and that litigation was imminent.
Then, they’d be on the docket by the end of the week. And I’m sure that this school, while awesome and generally catering to families with some resources, isn’t on the same level as Milton’s kids’ school.
I imagine that Milton’s agent and attorneys have already been contacted. You can’t just let something like this slide — it’s one of the most vile accusations I have ever heard!
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
something smells fishy
and it ain’t the tuna.
But truth is often stranger than fiction.
I remember the disgusting incident with the inner city kids from Philadelphia who made the mistake of trusting a private swim club to actually let them swim in their pool. Names and ID’s came out quicker than snot out of my two year old niece’s nose in January.
Since human nature loves to dish out and dish up the spicy and scandalous among societal drama, I am highly skeptical this is on the up and up. Sorry, Mrs. Rector. If this really happened, both you and the Bradleys and Mrs. Rector must have REALLY screwed your lids on tight for some really unknown reason. Was it really because you were that worried that Milton would explode and melt down even as you were trying to distance yourselves from his past?
Is that what we are being asked to believe?
Color me skeptical.
Blue mountains high .. Blue valleys low
I don't know which way we will go ..
One summer dream .. one summer dream ..
coda
ELO, 1975
This.
The school/daycare and it’s teachers definitely have grounds for a lawsuit for defamation and slander.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Sep 23, 2009 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Congrats Jim Hendry
this is your $30MM outfielder. If anyone sees Hendry out at a steakhouse this offseason, he should be immedately detained to avoid more bad contracts.
by VillanuevaExperience on Sep 23, 2009 11:12 AM CDT reply actions
Or sit with him
He may give you 30 million based on a nice dinner you have with him.
by niuhuskie224 on Sep 23, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions
does it include a NTC
The official slogan of your 2009 Chicago Cubs:
Why?
by jesus christos on Sep 23, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions
LATENT RACISM!!
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 23, 2009 11:29 AM CDT reply actions
Wow...
I guess we can see from where Milton got his personality. What’s next? The ivy calling him racist, hiding the ball from him when he runs after it? The wind being racist for blowing in? The pitchers being racist for throwing right handed and making him bat lefty?
This whole thing has been a huge let down for me because I was a strong advocate for Bradley coming to Chicago. I thought he was exactly the kind of contact hitter that the Cubs needed in the midst of their lineup. His average was over .300 from the left side each of the last two years and I thought he was the best match of the available free agents. I thought that maybe he could come to Chicago where the fans would adore him, have a great experience and hit a ton. Then, virtually everything that could go wrong went wrong.
I know first hand that there is still racism in the world today, particularly in sports. I have seen it way too often, and in some ways it can be even uglier than it was 30-40-50 years ago. But to use this excuse over and over and over is just sad. He is looking for it, tuned in to hear it, and when he does he points his finger and says “See, see, they are all out to get me.”
This is grasping at straws. He realizes that he may have finally done something that will get him booted from baseball and now he is scrambling for excuses. For him to say “I would come back to the Cubs if they will have me” is desperation.
I feel sorry for him, but not sorry enough to want him on the Cubs. I do not wish him ill, but I don’t want him on my team, either.
I think I speak for everyone here when I say, "Wait, what the hell are you talking about?"
by Ross on Sep 23, 2009 11:29 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I still don't believe he's out of baseball
He will have one-year deals the rest of his career, but he’ll have a job next year.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
I suspect he's out of baseball at the end of the current contract.
Who would sign such a free agent after 2011, especially since he will turn 34 not long after the 2012 season begins?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
He's got 2 seasons
to prove something.
Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.
Some Team Will Sign Him
There “ain’t no” way he’s going to get another 3-year/$30 million contract. Some team will be misguided enough to sign him to a bargain basement 1-year contract after 2011. Don’t underestimate the poor judgment of certain general managers around MLB.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Agreed. Small market team with a
AA roster will jump at a bargain MLB proven player.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
This seems like a
situation where you search for something to gain sympathy and then when you read it in print you say “Oh shit.”
Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.
Oh boy...
This saga just keeps getting worse and worse. Stay tuned for the theater as reporters are sitting outside of the superintendent’s office and he/she calls ## on this story.
I am extremely skeptical of this story.
But like everything else in the world, there may be some true to it. Milton’s Mom was told this by Milton himself. Is it posssible that Milton told his mom some bs story awhile back because he is a victim of everything…maybe
Is it possible that he child was called the n word from everyone at the school, not impossible but extremely unlikely since if that story got out it would be automatic firing of the teacher and the really bad publicity for the school.
Or is it possible that the child heard the n word from one of the other kids and the Bradleys are overblowing this as an “everyone” said this thing…more likely from my standpoint.
I just don’t think it’s fair to pass judgement on something we don’t know all the facts of. Now if I was a sports reporter in Chicago, this would be a very good story to pursue. I would be interested in knowing all the facts. And then and only then will I pass judgement.
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
I think you nailed it
The “everyone” label (or something similar) could have been used when Milton explained this to his mother — when the comment came from one student. This looks, quite literally, like a game of telephone.
School staff calling a 3-YEAR-OLD the n-word in this day and age? That’s just very difficult to believe.
I can even believe that Milton's mother is misinterpreting Milton's words
He could have recounted the incident, mentioned the parents and teachers not caring (but not saying they actually used the word), and his mother could have misinterpreted the situation to mean that Milton’s kid was called the n-word by all the groups mentioned.
Wow...
She’s just as bad as her son. Teachers, parents and kids called the 3-year old the “N” word? Really? In the Chicagoland area in 2009? I call major B.S. There may be some scattered ignorant racists in our society these days, but this is just absurd.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Sep 23, 2009 12:21 PM CDT reply actions
This is so much bullshit...
I’m sick and damn tired of hearing about this piece of shit, Milton Bradley. Now his MOM comes out and accuses not only other kids, but their parents, and TEACHERS of calling MB’s 3 year old son the n word? Please. This is patently absurd.
I can't even comprehend...
How one of MB’s kid’s 3-year old classmates could even know what that word is or have heard it before.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Sep 23, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
You would be surprised to hear some of the stuff kids do say.
And you are assuming he is only exposed to other 3 year olds and not older 5-6 year olds too.
I’m not saying it happened, but it is not impossible for the kids to have said this either.
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
Kids say the darndest things...
No but really, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that a little kid said that word after hearing an ignorant parent say it at home. But for Bradley’s mom to allege that the kid’s TEACHER called him that?! In addition to other kid’s parents calling him that? That is the definition of ridiculous.
It's a tri-fecta of ridiculousness...
That parents, kids, AND teachers would target this little boy and harass him.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Sep 23, 2009 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions
+1...
for using “patently absurd” as a summary statement.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Sep 24, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Bullshit.
I’ve defended MB over and over but this is BS. I see where he gets his lying ways.
Btw, anyone know where the kid went to school? Because that school is going to have to come out and call BS on this as well.
How's this for the N word?
Notgonnaplayhereanymore.
by ErnieBanks on Sep 23, 2009 12:33 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
+1 for Office Space reference...
Sort of.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Sep 23, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Just saw this article on the web and came over here to check out the discussion
Took me a while to wash the bullshit off my shoes.
Don’t believe this, 100%.
To eliminate exclusion, we cut out the differences to feel like we belong.
Sigh...add my BS to the pile.
Look, this is a sad, confusing, increasingly bizarre situation,and I don’t want to get too much into the racism debate, but the mere idea that a three-year-old – A THREE-YEAR-OLD – would be called that derogatory term by parents, teachers and their kids is simply beyond belief.
OK, maybe one of the other kids might pick the word up somewhere and mumble it a couple times. But, seriously, three years old is really young. I mean, kids are verbal but they’re not that verbal. And the parents and teachers?! I mean, geez, where was he sending his son to daycare?
My daughter was a 3-year-old just three years ago, and I can attest that daycare providers walk on eggshells to steer clear of the kind of legal liability behavior like this could create. And to think it would happen to the son of a local sports celebrity – I’m sorry, I just can’t buy it.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
I agree with you on all accounts
Save for having a 3 year old. That time is still a little off in the future for me.
To eliminate exclusion, we cut out the differences to feel like we belong.
we haven't heard the end of this story
and I will hold out from commenting my true thoughts until the facts are out.
It’s entirely possible that this did happen. And it’s entirely possible MB’s mom is exaggerating (or worse making it up).
As for those who cannot fathom that a kid of 3 years could say bad words, let me tell you my most personal embarassment as a father. I was getting my 4 year old and 2 year old in their car seats to drive them to day care. My daughter had her “dolly” and dropped it on the ground. I bent over to pick her up and spilled my coffee on my computer bag and files and down my pant leg. I said a nice robust, “F***!” After changing pants and attempting to clean up my bag, we were ready to leave.
No more than 500 feet down the road, my 2 year-old daughter asked my son, “What did dada scream?” “He yelled, F***!” said my son. “F***? Dada said f***?” my daughter replied.
At theat point I had to pull the car over and apologize for my language explaining the inappropriateness of my words and that I made a mistake. Worst move ever as a father and it still kills me today.
Are you taking notes Worf? :-D Anyway, it’s certainly within the realm of having a 3 year-old repeat something they heard to a classmate without truly knowing the what the word means. I apologize in advance for the vulgarities in this post.
If this is a made-up sympathy ploy by MB’s mom and it comes out, I will certainly have another post on the subject.
Oh, I have no problem believing
That a three-year-old classmate, or daycare center mate, or whatever, used that word.
I have no problem believing that classmate heard the word from his or her parents.
I could even believe that the classmate’s parents were using the word in reference to Bradley, as in “That overpaid N——r.” Kid overhears it and repeats it.
Where I call for the check is with the teachers…
Believe me, my language will be watched. Which means I might not be able to watch Cubs games in the presence of my child…
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Okay...
Now how about the teachers and parents?
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Sep 23, 2009 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions
to Worf & CubsBullsBears
yes, this is why I want to wait to hear the facts as we will certinaly hear more.
I find that pretty hard to believe and that’s why I wrote—exaggeration. If she’s stretching the truth or passing lies, then that’s a different can of worms.
I hope we do hear more...
Because these are serious allegations to make against a daycare or school, probably a private and prestigious institution if MB chose to place his child there. I hope the school comes forward with a response.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Sep 23, 2009 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I am so OVER Milton Bradley. Yawn.........
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
Bradley's Mom's allegation
it is proof that the nut does not fall far from the tree.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
The quicker he is out of Town
the better. This is why this man never should of been signed. Hindsight no, track record yes.
Please go away.
Seriously
What the hell was Jim Hendry thinking?
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
I will be glad when
this whole situation is over and done. I really hope Milton gets some much needed help for his sake and his family.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
by sue369 on Sep 23, 2009 4:55 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
That's the best thing I've heard said about this whole sad episode.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I read this today and just laughed
what teacher calls a 3 year old a n*****? No one. Espescially not in chicago. This is a lie.
4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42
Really?
http://cbs2chicago.com/investigations/Painful.Lessons.Abuse.2.931134.html
Teachers abusing students isn’t impossible. Even in Chicago. In fact… especially in Chicago. I’m sure MB’s kid wasn’t in a public / CPS school, and i’m inclined to believe this is some sort of embellished story or something of that sort, but don’t act like it couldn’t have happened with 100% certainty.
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Sep 24, 2009 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Bradley formally apologizes -- accepts suspension
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4498298
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
If this is true:
“Milton eats, sleeps and drinks baseball. He loves it. That’s all he wants to do,” Rector told the newspaper.
Then he has a funny way of showing it.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Of course he accepts it...
He’s still getting paid.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Sep 23, 2009 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions
the most telling statement
“No idea,” Hendry said. “Nothing to talk about now. He’s home for the rest of the year.”
Milton will not be back at any cost. Kind of a dick statement from Hendry. But what else could I expect at this point.
I thought that was a perfectly acceptable statement.
I hope he’s not back at any cost.
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
I get that sentiment
Hendry’s dismissive attitude after his apology sure isn’t the “player’s gm” that is thrown around when speaking of Hendry. I think Jimbo has done some serious damage to his “reputation” over this fiasco.
I disagree.
I don’t see that as a “dismissive attitude”. We are talking about the reaction to ONE player. From what I understand, there were many incidents regarding MB all year, that were swept under the rug precisely because Hendry is a players’ GM. Other GMs probably wouldn’t have been as forgiving.
The statements MB made to Bruce Miles pushed Hendry to action.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I agree...
…Hendry looks bad here because he simply made a bad choice and used poor judgement considering the information he had at his disposal when he signed Bradley.
Trust me, Hendry didn’t want this to happen, because it does show his judgment can be off base, especially with a new owner coming in.
I am speculating that nothin signficant happened behind the scenes, but I’d bet the is a good chance Hendry should have been aggressive in addressing Bradley about his behviour earlier in the season.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
fine
Are we talking apples to apples here? I was referring to his reply after hearing about MB’s apology. Totally dismissive of MB. I don’t know how you can say it wasn’t.
I wish this community would quit focussing on the MB so-called situations that are swept under the rug. There are numerous situations by every player every year that don’t go reported or noticed.
If anyone doesn’t think Big Z needed to be reprimanded multiple times this year alone, you are fooling yourself. Or Marmol. Or Theriot. Dempster. Or even DLee. There are disagreements when you have 25 guys all from different backgrounds living in close proximity for 8 months in a row. It happens and is human nature. I’ve broken up fights on bus rides between guys that would never harm a fly.
I think, my opinion, that Hendry has changed the way he is viewed and I don’t think it’s for the better. He’s pointing the finger now and placing blame against the players trying to side with a fan base. I think this is the worst possible move a GM can make.
What did you expect him to say?
That it was all butterflies and rainbows with Milton? Obviously, there were incidents with Milton that Hendry never said anything about because he’s a player’s GM and he gives his players a lot of leeway. For someone like that to get pushed too far, the incidents must have been frequent and added up over the course of a long season, finally pushed over the edge with MB’s comments to Bruce Miles.
How do you know that all those other players haven’t been reprimanded in private? You don’t.
The Bradley situation was so far over the top, I think Hendry’s comments reflect only on Milton, not anyone else.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'm not going to change your mind
and that’s ok because I do not think Hendry is very smart, nor thinks through things well. He let his emotions get the best of him here.
I think it was a dick comment by Hendry. It had no class. Just how you typed out how you felt MB should have apologized, I could do the same for Hendry’s reply and it would have been drastically different.
“I am glad Milton showed some contrition and apologized. We are all frustrated with this season given our expectations and our fans expectations. We are going to focus on the remainder of the games this year and we’ll discuss Milton’s situation at a later date.”
That is a lot different than, "Nothing to talk about now. He’s home for the rest of the year."
I think Hendry has damaged his reputation. I don’t subscribe to knowing who was reprimanded for what. But I will be 100% certain there have been other issues in that clubhouse this year—as there have been in every other MLB clubhouse unequivocally. This was handled poorly for today and the future, in my opinion. Nothing has been offered to sway that opinion. And you don’t agree with my opinion—that’s cool. I repsect that and can understand what your view.
Thanks.
I suspect that Hendry’s comment was made as a reporter caught him in a hallway — an off-the-cuff remark, not intended to insult.
Bradley’s statement was just that, a prepared statement.
They are two different things. I don’t think this damages Hendry’s reputation at all.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I repsect that
I think we’ll find out this off-season what this episode means to the Cubs for 2010 and possibly beyond.
This could become a “reverse Peavy” situation where teams think they have JH by the nuts and low-ball him on offers and he just walks away and does not trade MB.
I think one other possible locale for MB is SFO. Bradley for Zito may be a nice swap. SFO has the WORST offense I can recall. Randy Winn, he of the .670 OPS and 2 HR in 516 at bats is the 3 hitter. With Molina walking, they are desparate for offense. Who knows?
Possible, I suppose.
Although, Zito has been very good lately; the Giants might just keep him.
If a deal like this does happen, I’d recommend to the Giants that they just leave him home for whatever games they play at Wrigley next year. Bradley appearing at Wrigley again could be a real ugly scene.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
To me he's standing up for the rest of the players. The team-not just one player.
I respect him more for it.
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
He's just a day late and a dollar short
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Sep 24, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't know if I agree with that.
Are you saying he should have suspended him sooner? Because if he did, people would have said he wasn’t giving Bradley enough of a chance. I think some people are as bound and determined to find fault with Hendry as some people are bound and determined to find fault with Bradley.
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
I'm speculating...
…but I’d bet that Hendry did not do enough early on to prevent this from getting to this point.
As with a lot of people, his strength is also his weakness, because he has usually bent over backwards to give players every opportunity to come around. At some point, certain players will recognize they can get away with things, and they will push the envelope. You have to be able to reconize when to nip things in the bud, so you aren’t forced to do something more drastic later.
To a lessor degree, I also think the Cubs have created a bit of the same situation with Zambrano. He has been shown he can get away with his goofy games for years now, and things may come to a head with him at some point as well.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
That's a interesting point
about not nipping it in the bud, I mean. Although I’m not sure what I think about it. Part of me agrees. It’s like when I wasn’t hard enough with my son about doing his homework until he was about to get an F. But part of me thinks, well… we are talking about a grown man that shouldn’t be trying to “get away with things.” Like with my son’s grades, there comes a time when he has to take responsibility for his own actions and mommy shouldn’t have to police him all the time. I don’t know.
Gosh, I hope you are wrong about Z, although I fear you may be right.
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
Maybe Hendry TRIED to nip it in the bud and failed.
We do not know how many private conversations he may have had with Bradley; I’ll bet there were several and each time Milton likely said, “I’ll do right from now on”, or words to that effect, only to have it happen over and over again.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You could be right...
…but the talking heads on radio are saying players are privately coming out with just how bad Bradley was from day one with the club (as in spring training).
I don’t usually put a lot of weight in what Kaplan says, but this time it does make sense.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
And I think my comment on Hendry may also be true.
Maybe he tried, after each incident, to fix it because he wants to be on the player’s side.
The statements made to Bruce Miles clearly pushed Hendry over the edge.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I think those statements pushed most everybody over the edge.
Except maybe Drew.
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
…
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 25, 2009 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Drat. I was trying to suggest no comment
but now I have to comment ;-)
He’s already over the edge on this one . . . just a different edge.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 25, 2009 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions
OK
I was just worried because I felt funny after posting that. I mean no disrespect to Drew or anyone else for that matter. It was meant more as an acknowledgement that I know there are still a few holdouts than to criticize him.
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
I probably should have left it alone - I was trying to be funny
I failed.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 25, 2009 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes, it makes sense b/c Kraplan has been the most ardent Bradley detractor from day one.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 25, 2009 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Yep, I think you are right.
Again it reminds me of when my son says he’s doing his homework and I keep catching him instant messaging, watching videos or playing games. He keeps saying he’s going to stop and then the next day he’s back at it. He’s overused the “I was asking them a homework question” and the “this is my homework-I’m writing about video games” excuses. His luck has run out. Don’t tell him, but there is a reflection of the computer screen in my front door window so I can see from the other room pretty much right away when he’s doing something else. He thinks I have eyes in back of my head and it frustrates him to no end that I have such good radar.
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
No, he would be as likely to come here
as he would be likely to admit that our polka collection is awesome.
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
I think he's spot on regarding Zambrano, unfortunately
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 24, 2009 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions
You've said this a couple of times
And I just really believe most players in the league know who Bradley is. I have to believe most of them could easily be persuaded that Bradley is at fault here.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
how do you care to repsond to
Torii Hunter? Curious.
If you don’t think the black players have a bond, then I don’t know what to say. They are what—10% of the total make-up of the game? They talk. Talk often. And the Cubs do not look good in this situation regardless. He got suspended for saying something to a reporter. This is the most over-blown reaction by a GM in history.
I can assure you the Latino players all hang out as well. I’ve been in clubhouses and witnessed it first hand. Guys hang with their own. And they have bonds and cliques just like everyone else. They will back him—that’s what players do versus management.
My understanding
was that Torii and Jacque Jones were friends and talked. To my knowledge, Jones didn’t have problems with Hendry. He had major problems with the fans, but with Hendry?
I don’t discount your worries, although I wonder if Hendry’s reputation as a Player’s GM is a bit overblown (overpaying and giving out NTCs are great ways to become players’ buddies)
We’ll just have to see. My pesonal opinion is that few guys will make Bradley their reason for not going anywhere.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
I can agree with that
The Cubs have been viewed as a “friendly” organization from the fans to Wrigley to Hendry. That has all changed since 2003. And especially some of the trangressions involving black players. So, when you ask, “but with Hendry?” I would say “yes.” Why? Because he is the “management” face of the organization who just did something that has never been done. The hostility felt by some players and now this saga is going to affect how players view the Cubs. I hope I am wrong. In the day when the Cubs were not a destination, for a variety of reason, David Mark Winfield felt important enough to send a letter to the Cubs and a few otehr teams to not even bother talking to him about his free agency. I want the best players to want to come play for us and be a part of that first championship team.
Saying something to
a reporter was the last straw. None of us know what all has transpired through the whole season but his comments to the reporter was not the only factor in his suspension. I have been a MB supporter but Jim Hendry is not in the wrong here.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
his handling it
was wrong. I do not agree with the public-ness of it.
It’s not a cut and dry situation.
No it wasn't.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
your opinion = no
my opinion = yes
Variety is the spice of life.
♪You say yes, Sue says no♫
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 25, 2009 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Yet you seem to think it is a cut and dry situation
with your pronouncement that Hendry handled it wrong.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Sep 25, 2009 7:54 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't believe I have taken that position
it fails on many parts and there could have been better decisions. It was an emotion-based reaction by Hendry.
In-house suspension? Placed him on the DL? $1MM fine? Benched? Private meeting with agents and Bradley?
Those all would have been better than going public with an over-blown reaction and suspending a guy for statements to a beat writer. Someting that has never been done in the history of the game.
When you let people inside your house, they find out what a mess it is. Hendry failed. As much as people against MB have stated, everyone already knows what a loose cannon and whacko he is, so why dignify his crap? Take the high-road?
No matter, it’s my opinion that within player cicles Hendry lost credibility and hurt the organization by pandering to the media and fan base. You don’t agree, fine. I accept that.
When you post
“Those all would have been better than going public with an over-blown reaction and suspending a guy for statements to a beat writer. Someting that has never been done in the history of the game” and "Hendry failed " you undercut your contention.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Sep 25, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions
The thing is...
… you don’t know how many other incidents happened during the year that Hendry DID handle privately.
This was the proverbial “tip of the iceberg”. I don’t see this as being handled incorrectly.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
it did not need to go public
that’s my position. Hendry was wrong for taking it public. My opinion.
so the media teachers 3 year olds umps and drunk frat boy cub fans are all out to get him
The official slogan of your 2009 Chicago Cubs:
Why?
Lets say this did happen.
So what? It’s a big deal, but it in now way explains why a) Milton has been a total asswhipe this season and b) he hasn’t had a good season performance-wise. He’s been this way his entire career, am I to assume that teachers have been berating his children in every other city he’s played in? Derrek Lee and Ryan Dempster have far more pressing issues, their children dealing with awful diseases/conditions, yet they’ve been nothing but class acts since they came to this town. Milton is a nutjob and is solely to blame for every problem he encountered this year. I’ve always believed that I don’t have much of a filter when it comes to speaking my mind, but Milton takes “no filter” to a whole other level.
by dakoose on Sep 23, 2009 6:51 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
And....
5) They get the attention they’re craving for by silly posts like this via hashing and re-hashing something someone allegedly said just because it’s a hot-button topic.
Yet again, this is another story about someone walking around just waiting to get offended so they can act all righteous by pointing their finger at someone else.
Just win the next game...!
I don't think MB cares about the pub he gets on a blog.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Sep 24, 2009 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions
He may be talking about me
I’m not sure. Anyway, someone who knows where blackhawk lives should go by and check on him. Apparently, someone has a gun to his head, forcing him to read posts.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Was just going to point that out.
Worf, you jerk. Stop forcing me to pay attention to your hot-button alleged righteous finger pointing posts!
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Sep 24, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Not forcing
just getting attention because it’s a hot button.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Sep 24, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Not you really
But if someone were pointing a gun to my head, they had better be prepared to use it.
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Sep 24, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
His mom, not him...
Just win the next game...!
by blackhawk24 on Sep 24, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
BS story. Milton Bradley needs professional mental health care
It just is. Pure and simple. Maybe the mom misunderstood something, but, you have to suspend all disbelief that everyone at this pre-school conspired against Bradley’s child. More like Milton was saying something to the woman that enabled him his whole life to be a a**hole.
I wonder how Bradley came to use this pre-school. Presumably it is used to high profile children, and quite possibly other pro athletes in Chicago use it and recommended it. I just don’t by the institutionalized racism Bradley is suggesting.
Remember, earlier in the year Bradley suggested there was racism directed towards him from the stands, when pressed he backed off. The Cubs said they weren’t aware of anything. Which means Bradley made it up as a cover. Ever notice how a lot of the security guys in the bleachers are Latino and African-American? Are we to believe they never heard anything and reported it?
We are hearing more from players about Bradley. It isn’t good. Bradley wasn’t suspended just for his interviews last week. There was a pattern going back all the way to Spring Training. The players were just staying mum about it, and keeping it in the clubhouse. Well, you haven’t seen a single guy come forward and give a strong personal statement supporting Bradley. That is the most damning thing in this case.
His agents issued a very nicely worded apology in Bradley’s name. It was good. It accepted some blame, and noted right at the top that Bradley decided to come to Chicago. I give them credit. They know they have some damage control to do. And that if he ever gets to sign another contract they have to act now, or they won’t get a cut.
I am not a psychologist, but I know enough to recognize a guy that has some serious issues. The story quoted above I think is the same one that quotes his high school coach. He said this behavior of his went all the way back to high school. Well, he was a talented athlete, so he was enabled the whole time. His anti-social behavior has been accepted because of his promise and talent. Well, I see a guy that is prone to violoent outbursts. I see a guy that cannot deal with others in confrontational situations. I see someone that is very immature emotionally. I do hope he get’s some help. But, for someone that has been enabled for so long I doubt it would do any good unless he actually does what Ryan Dempster suggests. Look in the mirror.
by Nibbles on Sep 24, 2009 9:31 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
You don't know whether Bradley faced racist remarks from the stands or not...
and to dismiss it as BS is the height of ignorance.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 24, 2009 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Other posters on
this site have heard the racial slurs from the fans in person so for you to say he’s making them up is ridiculous.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
Some people don't even realize their own racist leanings...
This guy here goes so far as to cite that ushers are black and latino at Wrigley, then supposes that nothing was said, that Bradley made it up; simply b/c none of the ushers said anything about it? What, does he think all blacks go around defending each other & responding up front to racist remarks and slurs? There isn’t enough time in the day. Some people just brush it off as what it is, ignorance.
When you get right down to it, racism is still frighteningly prevalent in our society today. This is seen daily in how even our President is viewed. When are people going to realize it’s just skin, and we are all different? I’m afraid not soon.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 24, 2009 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Let me ask you something...
…with 40,000 people at a game, do you think Bradley is the only player that may have a racist comment hurled at him from some mental midget in the crowd? Or do you think Wrigley field is the only place where any black player would hear something like that?
Unfortuanately, it is impossible to control a few goofballs from saying stupid shit, but a player can certainly control how they carry themselves and react to it. Like anything else, if a player acknowledges this stuff (and has a tendancy to act like a jerk), those goof ball fans will feed off of that whether it is in Chicago or any where else.
I don’t doubt Bradley’s rabbit ears picked up on some racial comments, but something like this (that happens to many athletes) does not excuse his behaviour with his teamates, coaches or anyone else.
I’m a firm believe in “you reap what you sow” and I believe it applies in this case as well.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Absolutely correct.
Were there some racist remarks? Almost certainly. But does that tar everyone in the bleachers? No, it does not.
And your comment that:
a player can certainly control how they carry themselves and react to it. Like anything else, if a player acknowledges this stuff (and has a tendancy to act like a jerk), those goof ball fans will feed off of that whether it is in Chicago or any where else.
is spot on. Bradley says he wears #21 because he says if he can be half the man Jackie Robinson (#42) was, that’d be great (or words to that effect).
Robinson heard far worse than Bradley EVER has, and turned the other cheek. That’s a tribute to Jackie’s greatness.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Thanks for the history lesson Al.
Revisionist though it may be. Robinson had to be restrained many times from retaliating, both at fans, and opposing players. Jackie also, (beginning with his third yr. with Brooklyn), played angry baseball. So Bradley is a jerk, you got your scapegoat.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 25, 2009 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Got any proof of your position?
That’s not what I’ve heard about Robinson.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Try watching Ken Burns Baseball poobah...
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 25, 2009 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions
angry baseball.
it’s pretty self explanatory. Purposely sliding spikes up among other things.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 25, 2009 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions
And how many times did he face that before he ever did it one time?
Plenty, no matter what Ken Burns says.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Ken Burns relied on noted, respected historians...
and the word of teammates and front office personnel of the Dodgers THAT WERE THERE. So it’s not a case of “no matter what Ken Burns says”. How about the word of his wife, is that good enough for you?
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 25, 2009 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions
In that documentary
George Will said Jackie Robinson’s breaking the color barrier was not only one of the great sports achievements, but one of the great achievements in all mankind.
Same documentary.
And Bradley honors his sacrifices by accusing day care center workers of racism
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
George Will is, of course, correct.
Bradley said that his kid was called the n word. None of us know whether that is true or not. We can suppose all we want. If it is true, (which is entirely possible), then Bradley is not accusing anyone of anything. He’s explaining that when people’s feelings about him translates to his own children being subjected to racial slurs at that age is a mitigating factor in his unhappiness. If it isn’t true, (also possible), then he is accusing day care center workers of calling his son the n word. You have said that you think it is untrue, and that’s your right. That’s not enough though, you have to extrapolate it to make Bradley out to be a terrible, lying piece of shit. Fine, he’s a jerk. I wish the entire situation would go away, but there isn’t much chance of that happening soon.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 25, 2009 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions
please be fair
Bradley did not make those comments about day care workers. I get the point and it is noted.
Robinson heard 50 times worse than Bradley ever heard
and didn’t have a media willing to listen to him.
And he had to worry whether he would get to stay with the team, or eat with the team, or whether his family was safe.
You’re not honestly comparing Bradley to Robinson, are you? Seriously?
The guy is a hothead loser with a victim complex.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Sep 25, 2009 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I didn't compare Robinson and Bradley, talk to Al about that...
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 25, 2009 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions
You didn't?
Hmmm. Your “revisionist history” comment appeared to be apologetic to Bradley, while minimizing the racism that Robinson faced.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Appeared to be apologetic?
I simply pointed out that you are not entirely correct in your take on Jackie Robinson. You compared Bradley & Robinson- not me.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 25, 2009 9:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Minimizing the racism that Robinson faced?
Once again, I simply pointed out that Jackie Robinson didn’t just simply turn the other cheek. He restrained himself, and was also at times restrained by others. That’s it. Pointing out the facts does not minimize the truth.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 25, 2009 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions
I find it very sad.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
Jimmycartereatworld.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 25, 2009 1:12 AM CDT up reply actions
LOL
"Was you ever punched in the face five hundred times a night? It stings after a while." ~Rocky Balboa
I don't think he's making up ALL racist taunts
But I do think it’s entirely possible that two racist taunts have become 10.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
It takes 25 inclusive, multicultural, politically correct, racial sensitive, gender neutral comments...
to make up for 1 racist one.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 25, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Is that a law or something?
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Sep 25, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
25 warm fuzzies...
… for every cold prickly!
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Sep 25, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Also possible, knowing Milton's paranoia,
that catcalls of “Hey Milton, you suck!” or “Good hustle, Milton!” on a pop foul along the third base line have been deemed racial comments. That’s just speculation, of course, but it wouldn’t surprise me if that were the case.
Milton has said that we can’t know what he hears until we walk in his shoes and he’s absolutely right. It’s unfair of me to dismiss the idea that he’s heard racial comments, especially given the recent experiences with Jacque Jones and LaTroy Hawkins. All I know is what I’ve seen and heard. I am not a bleacher regular, but I’ve sat there enough to know I have not heard anything even remotely resembling racism, and I’ve seen ushers chew people out for yelling out “God Dammit” (this was not in the bleachers, but you get the point). Again, am I saying that nothing unacceptable has ever been shouted Milton’s way? No. But I am saying if it happens, it’s the exception, not the norm, and the people who do it are idiots.
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004
Ridiculous reporting
Milton Bradley has done plenty to harm himself, but the sharks & hacks are circling now.
Please lay off mom! What’s next? “Hey, we have Milton Bradley’s three year old son on the phone…”?
by BucknerKongCardenal on Sep 24, 2009 11:05 PM CDT reply actions
Unless you have proof
that they administered a drug to make her talk, it takes two to tango in an interview.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Let's just not get our tighty whities in such a bunch
over what other people’s mommies say.
And apparently it only takes one to get used in an interview.
by BucknerKongCardenal on Sep 26, 2009 12:02 AM CDT up reply actions
The racism angle is completely overdone.
“Some people don’t even realize their own racist leanings… This guy here goes so far as to cite that ushers are black and latino at Wrigley, then supposes that nothing was said, that Bradley made it up; simply b/c none of the ushers said anything about it? What, does he think all blacks go around defending each other & responding up front to racist remarks and slurs? There isn’t enough time in the day. Some people just brush it off as what it is, ignorance.”
So, I am a racist? Huh? I had a small sampling of games at Wrigley this year. Six games. About my normal number. I didn’t hear one racist taunt. Doesn’t mean it happened, doesn’t mean it didn’t. But, my point is with all the people out there after this first came up a month ago that the Cubs haven’t produced anyone that can back it up. My simple point by mentioning there are minorities working in the stands was meant to show there are people there who are more sensitive to hearing a racist taunt. Go back a month when this first came up. Several writers pushed on Bradley and went to the Cubs about him having to deal with racism from the stands. Bradley backed away, and the Cubs didn’t produce anyone to back him up. His teammates didn’t back him up. Are there a few morons out there that might have said something? Yes, but hardly a rainstorm of taunts coming down on him. Other’s have posted they did hear something, or at least, someone else telling them they heard something. I’ll give a small credit there. But, this isn’t anything like what players faced in the past.
The problem is between Bradley’s ears. Is there so much white guilt out there that people just can’t see that this guy has a long track record of being a jerk? You have to discount a whole lot of bs from Bradley over the years. You have to discount him being on six teams in seven years to take his comments, and those of his mother at face value. I have no doubt he told his mother he and his family faced racism. Some guys just never get that phase where they tell there mom whatever it takes to make their actions look better.
Milton Bradley’s biggest problem is Milton Bradley. Now, to make it worse he is dragging his three year old into his excuse making. He can’t go away fast enough.
Did I say you were a racist? No, I didn't. All of us have racist leanings...
You did posit that Bradley made it up. I didn’t say it excused Bradley for his jerky behavior, but to suppose that it didn’t happen b/c ushers didn’t say anything about it, or even his teammates, does not mean that it didn’t happen… I suppose Dusty, Hawkins & JJ made it up too?
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Sep 25, 2009 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Bottom line...
…Milton Bradley has chosen a profession that is in the spotlight, and exposes those who have chosen it to a variety of comments from fans in all the cities they visit.
Bradley is not the first, nor will he be the last athlete that has to hear fans yell out unpleasant comments about them. The difference with Bradley is this; he has not shown he has the ability to block out what may come out of a fans mouth, like thousands of professional athletes have done before him, and will do after he is long gone.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
by MPH73 on Sep 25, 2009 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bad Signing
He just needs to go. Didn’t think this guy was thuis bad when we signed him
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
Click here to order your copy, available now!
Recent Stories in Ticket Exchanges
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Marlins agree to unretire No. 5 for Logan Morrison, who will honor his father’s favorite player
- Weatherman Derek Holland does Dallas TV
- Ask Alex: Will Julio Teheran or Matt Moore win rookie of the year?
- Ku Klux Klan, umpires and bowling: Why the minor leagues tossed out Jim Evans academy
- The Cardinals Hall of Fame can now be found at Bill Clinton’s library in Arkansas (Huh?)
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
