Posts Tagged ‘Chicago’

Milton Bradley’s ESPN Interview: An In-Depth Look

March 12th, 2010

This article was originally published at TheDailyCub.com , my blog covering all things Chicago Cubs.

Let’s take a look at an alternate universe, one where nobody ever has to take accountability, then gets to do an interview on a major network without being asked about your play.

It’s a world where, if you screw up, the world is just against you. It’s not your fault. Why should you take the blame when people are trying to hold you down?

This is the world that former-Cub Milton Bradley lives in, and he has been showing it to the world the past week, with an interview with ESPN’s Colleen Dominguez.

Let’s take a look at this interview comment by comment from Milton Bradley.


Quote:
“Well I mean, unless you go out there and you’re Superman. You know, you’re Andre Dawson, you’re Ernie Banks, you’re Hall of Fame. You know know, then, it’s going to be tough.

“I got the same mail, you know, LaTroy (Hawkins) probably got, the same mail Jacque (Jones) got. Every time I got mail I handed it to the PR guy and said ‘Here it goes.’

“It got to the point where I didn’t even have to open up the letter to know what it was. I could see it from the envelope.”

Analysis: Yes, Milton. The major reason is race, and look at these other two examples of disappointing Chicago Cubs players as proof.

What he’s really disappointed about is that Cubs fans didn’t give his magic a chance as a way to embrace him despite his struggles on the field.

I mean, being able to read mail without opening it, that’s magic on Chris Angel’s level. In fact, when he threw that ball up in the stands despite there only being two outs, he was actually performing a magic trick, we just didn’t let him finish.


Quote: “I’ve never got hate mail. I got it in LA (Los Angeles), I got it in Oakland, and I got it in Chicago. And never anywhere else.”

Analysis: Exactly, it’s not like those three stints made up half of your career. And it’s also not like you just contradicted yourself completely in about 15 seconds.


Quote: “You really think that something’s going to take place. I’ve had bottles thrown at me, um, you really think it’s going to be something worse. You’re kind of on the field, you know, not feeling comfortable.”

Analysis: I now exactly how you feel, and when you keep saying “you know,” it really hits home, you know.

And I’m really curious on what that “something worse” that Milton says he fears of. Is it just upping what gets thrown at him, or is he saying it is on the line of assassination?

Because if it’s just a different ballpark snack, who cares, if it’s an assassination attempt, why would he even take the field, you know.

I commend Milton for his bravery, it takes great heart to show up everyday despite having people trying to kill him at every game, just waiting for the right moment.


Quote: “I was pretty much a prisoner in my own home. You know, I pretty much stayed home, ordered in every day, never went anywhere.

“I went out one time when a buddy of mine came in to visit right before the All-Star break and I go to a restaurant and I hear a guy badmouthing myself and (Alfonso) Soriano.

“Saying how terrible we were and we didn’t deserve anything and we should go back to the ghetto where we came from and that kind of stuff.”

Analysis: Again, risking threat of death to show his friend a good time, Bradley’s bravery is commendable.

As for hearing that one person saying that Bradley and Soriano should just go back to the ghetto because they weren’t worth anything, all of Chicago is now lumped into this one fan.

Sorry Chicago, but because of him, you are all racist people who hate black people (although Soriano is Dominican).


Quote:
“I fear more for the people around me, I don’t worry about myself too much. I’m going to be alright.”

Analysis: Give this man a statue, vote him into office, he deserves to be honored every way possible.


Quote:
“I worried about my family, I worried about my kids. The worst part that was the last straw was when I found out that my kid had been called derogatory name at school, you know.

“Three-year-olds shouldn’t be called names, that comes strait from the home. And when we had a meeting with the school and we met with the parents, you know, the parents totally denied it. But, you know, that comes from the home.”

Analysis: I know exactly what you mean. These parents are just trying to deny that their kid did any wrong-doing, and people like that are the lowest scum of society.

Also, that kid must also hate Milton Bradley, because that’s the only way that it should be involved in an interview about sports, you know, because this interview is sports related.

Quote: “In that first at bat, bases loaded, big situation you know. Adam Wainright on the mound for the Cardinals, throws me, you know, a good curveball down and in, a ball. But I get rung up on it and react. I react, you know, never curse, never call the umpire his name, but I get ejected.”

Analysis: First off, the umpire was already decidedly racist because he called that close pitch a ball instead of a strike. If you weren’t swayed by the bad call, the fact that he threw you out of the game after you yelled in his face proves it.

Quote: “I have a painting, I have it in my house. It’s of a guy in the '60s holding a sign that says ‘I am a man.’ It’s important to me because when you get into this game, you start playing, you know, people give you a check, and they think, you know, you’re a slave.

“They tell you what to do. Move, jump, stuff like that, and to a certain extent they can, but I’m a man first and you’ll respect me just like you’d respect anyone else.”

Analysis: AMEN. First off, that painting sounds just powerful. Secondly, you are a man Milton Bradley, and I’m behind you 100 percent.

They can’t make you their slave just because they pay you $7,000,000 to hit .257 and 12 home runs. Those guys like Lou Piniella are taking you for granted, if only you could show those guys and go make $7.50 an hour bagging groceries.

Those guys have it made.


Quote:
“I take it all in stride [Piniella calling him a ‘Piece of sh*t’]. You know, the next day he called me into his office and wanted to apologize.

“You know I felt, you know, he put me on blast, called me out in front of everybody, you can apologize in front of everybody. He didn’t chose to go that route, but I accepted his apology nonetheless. Because as a Christian, that’s what you do.

“You know I don’t have time to hold grudges against people. You know, I’ve got enough stuff I got to deal with.”

Analysis: You are completely correct Milton. Even though that sh*thead Piniella did that to you, why hold a grudge. Just wait a couple months and talk about how Lou was wrong on ESPN.

If any of you couldn’t understand, I was being completely sarcastic. I think Milton was being a complete idiot throughout all of his time with the Cubs, and he has done so throughout his time in the majors.

Good luck Seattle Mariners, you are going to need it.

I’m Joe W.

Kings Get Glimpse of Future Against Blackhawks

March 12th, 2010

Some might see an overtime loss—I see progression.

I had said in the last game recap that I now expect the Kings to beat the bad teams. But I should've also said I expect them to be able to play with anyone. And Wednesday's game certainly supports that opinion.

Chicago has ascended toward the top of the NHL this season. With their young core of players, such as Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, and Duncan Keith, they have assembled a phenomenal core.

They are tied with San Jose for points (93 as of Thursday), and are third in goals-per-game average (3.21). They boast the most shots for (34.2) and the least shots against (24.3). Their power play (10th) and penalty kill (sixth) are among the league leaders. For all intents and purposes, the 'Hawks are an elite team.

The Kings also have a solid core of young talent. As of Thursday morning, the Kings are seventh in the league for points (83). Their goals for average (2.94) is also seventh in the NHL. The power play clicks along at a 20.2% pace, good enough for sixth overall. The only area that can be considered a true weakness is their penalty kill, which as of Thursday is 21st in the league. But you consider that it was at the bottom for the first couple months of the season, you can see marked improvement.

These teams are built similarly, so they should match up well. And on Wednesday, they did. Patrick Sharp scored in the first period as Chicago got off to a big start. But L.A. responded in the second period with two quick goals from Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar.

The Kings had their hands full with the Hawks. They were outshot, 43-30. Jonathon Quick stood on his head for much of the game, and continues to amaze. The relentless Chicago attack was like looking into a mirror. Each line has the potential to strike at any moment. And when it got to overtime, I figured it would automatically go to the shootout.

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Milton Bradley: Look In The Mirror, Just Look In The Mirror

March 12th, 2010

As an African-American, I know that racism is still alive.

I know this.

But while I could go on and on about the injustices of this world from my point of view as an African-American, I will say this: Regardless of what color you are, if you play like horse manure, you deserve to get booed.

Period.

On Wednesday morning at my office, I watched the ESPN interview with Milton Bradley, which was more like watching college softball with the really gorgeous-looking players.

According to Bradley, he said that Chicago is a tough place to play in if you're African-American.

That's the same crap that Latroy Hawkins said six years ago, despite the fact that Hawkins that year in Chicago had nine blown saves and with that, came the booing from the Wrigley faithful as the Cubs missed the playoffs.

But Ryan Dempster faced the same type of booing that Hawkins did when he underperformed.

The only difference was race, but it was the same scenario.

Regardless of color, if you don't perform, you're going to get booed if you're an athlete.

Period.

When Todd Hundley flipped the bird in 2002, Cubs fans everywhere began to hate him.

And he's white.

I've said this same spiel so much, that if I had a dime for every time I heard last season how the fans hated Bradley and how he didn't feel he belonged in the clubhouse, I'd be upper middle-class.

Seriously.

If Bradley was hitting .280, 20 homers, and drove in 70-80 runs as well as being a team player in Chicago, maybe the Cub fans would have embraced him.

But that didn't happen.

As Ryan Dempster and Jim Hendry said, Bradley needs to look in the mirror at the main problem.

It's staring right back at him.

 

Highest Paid Latinos in MLB

March 12th, 2010

Next time Torii Hunter not only should have a better choice of words, but also get his facts right.

 

The Angel outfielder should know that the latest sensation to come from Latin America, Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman, was signed to a six-year, $30 million deal by the Cincinnati Reds.

 

Hunter should know that it is not true that Major League Baseball prefers scouting and signing Latino players because they are willing to sign "for a bag of chips."

 

Again, he should ask his fellow Angels Latino teammates who Arte Moreno is definitely not paying in either corn or potato chips.

 

As of the end of 2009, seven of the best 10 paid players in the Majors (according to a report from The Associated Press) are Latinos.

 

Just for the facts, these are the 10 best paid Latino players in Major League Baseball.

 

Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees: $33,000,000
Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles Dodgers: $23, 854,494

Carlos Beltran: New York Mets: $19, 243,682
Carlos Lee, Houston Astros: $19,000,000

Magglio Ordoñez, Detroit Tigers: $18,971,576

Johan Santana, New York Mets: $18,876,139
Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs: $18,750,000

Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs: $17,000,000

Aramis Ramirez, Chicago Cubs: $16,650,000
Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees: $15,000,000

 

Hunter should know some history also.

 

Among the top 25 Major League Baseball players who have earned over $100 million in total salary over their career through the end of 2009, not including bonuses, 10 are Latinos. Those earnings definitely are not “bag of chips”.

 

Alex Rodriguez: $231,416,252

Manny Ramírez: $186,112,763

Pedro Martínez: $147,259,585

Carlos Delgado: $146,299,000

Sammy Sosa (retired): $124,068,000

Iván Rodríguez: $116,573,932

Mariano Rivera: $114,530,125

Vladimir Guerrero: $112,430,000

Magglio Ordoñez: $105,644,770

Bernie Williams (retired): $103,100,001

The Top 10 Free Agent Signings in Chicago Cubs’ History

March 12th, 2010
While the signings of guys such as Alfonso Soriano and Milton Bradley are in the forefront of Cubs fan's minds, there have still been a number of great moves made by the front office throughout the years. This article will look at the ten best free agent signings in team history. First, a few ground rules. I have only included signings made from the beginning of free agency in 1975 on, since prior to that the only free agent signings were ametuer free agents, as the draft did not exist yet. Thus, everyone was a free agent to start their careers. Also, I did not include ametuer free agent signings after 1975, including the signings of foreign players such as Carlos Zambrano and Carlos Marmol, since they were not free agents in the traditional sense of the term. What I have compiled is a list of the ten best free agent signings that the Cubs have made as one would generally think of free agency, and while the list is far from impressive, each player made a significant contribution to the team and cemented their place in Cubs' history. So with that, here are what I feel are the ten best free agent signings in Chicago Cubs history.

Begin Slideshow



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