DELUSIONAL CUBS FAN

 

Milton Bradley photo by SD Dirk 

 The Chicago Cubs Got Game!

Yes, you absolutely MUST make a bad Milton Bradley pun this season, and I just got mine taken care of early.

The Cubs have made their biggest move of the off-season, signing all-star free agent outfielder Milton Bradley to become the new right fielder.  It was rumored over much of the winter that the Cubs were interested in Bradley, and unlike some many delusional cubs rumors (Jake Peavy trade) this one happened.

Wow.  I was skeptical at first that they were interested in Bradley.  There’s been a lot of different opinions on this signing.  The feeling on this seems to go to extremes, as in this move is GREAT or this move is HORRIBLE.

Some people don’t think it’s a good signings because in case you haven’t heard(you have), Milton Bradley has a reputation.  He’s been labeled as “volatile”, “unpredictable”, “hot-headed” and “emotional”.  He’s been involved in some on the field and off the field incidents that the media loves to talk about again and again.  It’s become the story that has defined Milton Bradley at this point in his career.

This Delusional Cubs Fan says best wishes and welcomes Milton Bradley to Chicago.  I’ve heard all the stories already but he’s a Cub now, and he deserves the benefit of a fresh start here in Wrigley.  I’ll judge him by what I see here on the field as a member of the Cubs.

But I have to be honest.  I’m a bit worried.  I’m worried about the injury history and the fact that Bradley has only played in 100 games or more in a season 3 times in his career.  In 2008 he only played 115 games.  I would expect my starting right fielder to play 140 games at least, and Bradley has done this only ONCE in his eight year career, and that was four seasons ago.

Then there is the drama.  He’s going to be playing right field in shouting distance from drunken fans who didn’t exactly welcome Jacque Jones to town. Luckily Fukudome probably couldn’t understand some of the slurred insults thrown his way at the end of the 2008 season.

So has Milton Bradely ever had an altercation with a fan you might ask?  In 2004 he threw a plastic water bottle at a fan.  Was it right?  No, but I’ll let this one slide because someone did throw it at him.  Nobody wants things thrown at them at work.   He was suspended five games for that though.

He was also suspended four games because of throwing a bag of baseballs on the field from the dugout when he was ejected from a game.  Okay, well, I’m cool with that.  Why is it only acceptable now days to beat up the gatorade cooler?  Can’t players be creative sometimes?

Milton Bradley has also had a confrontation with one of his managers before as well.  In 2004 he had a dugout confrontation with then Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge during spring training and was subsequently traded to the Dodgers.

Another well known incident was when he wa in an argument with an umpire in September 2007 . His manager Bud Black tried to pull him away from the umpire.  Bradley fell and tore his ACL in his right knee and missed the playoff run for the Padres, who then failed to make the playoffs during the final few games of the season.

And just last season, Milton angrily tried to confront Kansas City Royals broadcaster Ryan Lefebvre over something that was said on the air about him. He was only stopped by the GM and his manager from getting there.  But what was he going to do really?  Maybe just yell a little. No big deal right, we’ve all yelled at someone who we thought was talking sh*t about us.

So yeah, Milton Bradley has got an emotional side.

Why would the Cubs sign an outfielder with a bad reputation, possible anger management issues and a history of injuries to a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract? Because in life, the greater the risk you take means the greater the potential payoff.

First off, he’s a switch hitter who hits great from the left side of the plate.  The Cubs made it a priority to add another left hander to the lineup, one who had some power and run producing skills.

Secondly, the guy can hit.   In 2008 Milton Bradley hit .321 with 22 home runs and 74 RBIs, 31 doubles and led the American League with a .436 on-base percentage.

Thirdly, he’s passionate and wants to win. Some people have speculated that the Cubs management wanted a firey presence in the dugout to shake up the team.

His former manager from Texas Ron Washington says this about Milton Bradley: ”He’s a winner, man. He comes to play. And one thing you don’t want to do is take his fire from him. That’s what makes him what he is.”

His former teammate from Oakland, future hall of famer Frank Thomas said of Milton Bradley “Cubs fans would love him, he’s one of the best hitters I’ve ever seen.”

(Note - Of course you know Thomas did formerly play for the White Sux, so it is possible that he could be lying.)

So maybe Milton Bradley is the guy who’s going to shake things up here in Chicago for the better.  Maybe he’s healthy and he will have a career year, topping what he did last season.  If he can hit and play like he wants to win, then the Cubs fans will love him.

I seem to remember a guy named Dennis Rodman coming to Chicago with a bad reputation.  What did he do here?  He helped bring this city three championship titles.  He was a colorful player, and not completely free of controversy, but he played hard and played well and the city embraced him and his spirit.

Let’s hope that the Cubs new #21 will help bring a  championship to Chicago.

GO CUBS!!

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Related Stories:

Chicago Cubs and Bradley Agree to Deal - ESPN

Milton Bradley Gets His Wish in Joining Cubs - Chicago Tribune

Milton Bradley in Action - (Milton Bradley Photos) - Chicago Tribune

Gameboard, Match, Set - Milton Bradley Signs with Cubs - Bleed Cubbie Blue

Cubs, Bradley Agree to 3 Year, 30 Million Dollar Deal - Fox Sports/MSN

‘Blessed’ Bradley Signs With Cubs - MLB.com

Honesty Best Policy with Bradley - Chris De Luca, Chicago Sun Times

Newcomer Bradley Has Unique Perspective - Chicago Sun Times