Dear fans of Milton Bradley's former teams,
It may come as a shock to you, but we up here in Seattle are aware of Milton Bradley's past behaviors. I know Seattle seems isolated from the rest of the country, but we have this interweb thingy that keeps us quite informed whilst we stay indoors from all the rain. Also he played for two of our divisional rivals so we've had some experience seeing him. We understand. Really. He's a malcontent. He's violent, explosive, unstable, unhinged, arrogant, pick your adjectives of choice.
We get it.
We know. We already knew. We knew two years ago too when we wanted to sign him then. It's part of the risk of Milton Bradley and we know that risk exists. If it didn't, Bradley would be one of baseball's stars, and one of its most-hyped given his hitting prowess and a lack of Black role models in baseball of late.
We get it.
It would be one thing if Seattle's postseason hopes hinged on Milton Bradley staying healthy and level-headed. If that were true, we would be a lot more cautious about this. But they do not. Realistically, Bradley pencils in as a 1-2 win improvement at DH over what we currently had. Milton Bradley is not the lynch pin on which our entire season rides. He is merely a possible high-upside addition. A guy who could explode for 4 WAR as he did in 2008. We welcome his arrival based on that potential, the positional flexibility he provides as a fill-in outfielder and his switch-hitting.
We get it.
We're not expecting Bradley to reform himself and become a model clubhouse citizen. We have merely pointed out that Seattle might be such an environment where Bradley might find himself comfortable in. We're pretty low-key up here and we have a good support staff in place in the coaches and even fellow Black teammates. Pointing out that Bradley might not be a total nutcase in Seattle does not mean we expect it to happen. Just as pointing out that he has high upside as a hitter doesn't mean we're going out and buying playoff tickets. Please stop confusing the acknowledgment of a possibility with asserting that it is the most probable outcome.
We get it.
We'd also understand a little more if we were, say, gaining Milton Bradley on a 2Y/$30 million contract. There would be a lot more discussion about his attitude and likely playing time issues if that were the case. Milton Bradley did not arrive here in a vacuum though. Pardon me for the assumption, but you know how much you seem to hate Milton Bradley? We hated Carlos Silva similarly and no matter how jaded you are, you have to admit that Milton Bradley has more upside as a productive player than Carlos Silva. That's all we are caring about right now.
So If you want to feel better about yourself by coming here and trying to enlighten us all about the dangers of Milton Bradley, please keep one thing in mind and go find somewhere else:
We get it.
Hugs and Kisses,
Matthew Carruth
30 recs | 80 comments
Thank you.
gregrabble - December 20, 2009
♥
CapSea - December 20, 2009
That about sums it up.
ThundaPC - December 20, 2009
♥
royalcurve - December 20, 2009
Nothing more needs to be said.
Fin - December 20, 2009
Nicely put.
Slow Country - December 20, 2009
So we're capitalizing Black now
ermac - December 20, 2009
I noticed that too, but I see nothing wrong with it.
katal - December 20, 2009
I'm just sayin!
ermac - December 20, 2009
We're trying not to offend Milton.
Teej - December 20, 2009
I hear he's a ticking time bomb!
ermac - December 20, 2009
Better watch it
He’ll start calling you all racist—he certainly did in Chicago without any obvious provocation. Of course, I wasn’t there and didn’t hear what he did, but being a Cubs fan, I know the vast majority of the fans there, while yes typically drunk, are rowdy but not racist. They’re too busy enjoying the day in the bleachers to be racist.
snowyman28 - December 20, 2009
I feel like you missed the point of the Matthew's post, to which you are now replying in the comment section thereof
OlSalty - December 20, 2009
The Matthew?
OlSalty - December 20, 2009
Yes, my son?
Matthew - December 20, 2009
He does exist!
OlSalty - December 20, 2009
So "enjoying the day in the bleachers"
and being “racist” are mutually exclusive events?
redwolf75 - December 20, 2009
Hey, let's not use logic to deal with these people
mwalter - December 20, 2009
It's just another token race card excuse.
Milton obviously created this aberration of racist cubs fans so he can attempt to get sympathy. Oh wait, what’s this…
http://bases.nbcsports.com/2009/10/kerry-wood-black-cubs-players-got-racist-hate-mail.html.php
Well Kerry Wood’s probably in on it too, I mean after being another Bl…wait, what? Kerry Wood’s white?
Eldukey - December 20, 2009
It may be worth mentioning here that one of the last sundown communities in the USA was Grosse Pointe, a suburb of Chicago.
Also, I remember learning in sociology back in the early 90s that Chi-town was the least racially integrated city in the nation (Seattle was the most, with the caveat that there aren’t a lot of black people living here in the first place). Chicago and Boston are as racist as just about anywhere in the Deep South.
Johnny Slick - December 20, 2009
Pretty sure Grosse Pointe is north of Detroit.
Sec 108 - December 21, 2009
On the charges of calling 'racism'?
He is not the first
It seems like every reporter in Chicago decided before he even arrived that there was going to be trouble.
msb - December 21, 2009
Torii Hunter specifically had Chicago and Boston on his no trade clause list.
There’s good reason for this, as he’s made it public that he’s received numerous racist taunts from the fans of both cities.
But yes, I’m sure Milton just “made it all up” in an attempt to make chicago fans feel guilty.
Eldukey - December 21, 2009
I think it was really unfair to expect this guy to be a good role model for the African American community in the first place
OlSalty - December 20, 2009
I was going to just type
“white power!” without comment, but then I realized the majority of people here probably haven’t heard his album.
Liebkartoffel - December 20, 2009
YAY!!!
Aaron Campeau - December 20, 2009
He seemed to have a good rapport with Chill Mitchell on "Ed".
That puts him in good with both Blacks and Handicaps.
Johnny Slick - December 20, 2009
It's ok.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with capitalizing Black, Brown, White or whatever else when discussing race.
misterjonez - December 20, 2009
Well said, couldn't agree more.
Heydude - December 20, 2009
We get it.
By the way, this is Bradley trying to stop his catcher from going back into the fight.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marksobba/2508030624/in/set-72157605150883518/
mark sobba - December 20, 2009
Besides we have our own hot head and we LOVE him!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marksobba/2507202697/in/set-72157605150883518/
mark sobba - December 20, 2009
Yup
OlSalty - December 20, 2009
Milton Bradley was an above-average hitter last year when he was able to play.
I’d just like to point that out.
Obviously it was a poor season by his standards, but his standards are really high. All the whining about him hitting terribly last year is ridiculous. If you’re coming over here to tell us everything that’s wrong with him, please at least leave batting average at the door.
Teej - December 20, 2009
I have noticed a typo in this comment
“at least leave batting average at the door” was clearly meant to say “fuck off”
Graham MacAree - December 20, 2009
I was toying with "get fucked," but I pussied out.
Teej - December 20, 2009
Hee hee
royalcurve - December 20, 2009
Like a boss?
lailaihei - December 20, 2009
Or maybe just direct them to this post or any of the several comments made in the same vein.
Matthew - December 20, 2009
Not necessarily
his standards last year that was the problem. He never could have lived up to the hype going into Chicago like he did, coming off the year he did, unless he single handedly led us to the promised land. My primary problem with him, other than the aforementioned attitude problems, is that he is not a true switch hitter. His splits were horrible. If he had been there for a full season and been able to get into some type of routine or rhythm then I think he would have done a lot better and he might not have been run out of town. I hope he does well for you guys.
snowyman28 - December 20, 2009
He has about a 100 point drop batting left-handed, both career and 3-year.
That’s not horrible.
Matthew - December 20, 2009
OPS, I presume?
Teej - December 20, 2009
Last year's difference was 66 points.
Even less horrible.
Johnny Slick - December 20, 2009
Certainly not when he's wOBAing over 4.400 from his weak side
Poochie - December 20, 2009
"Milton Bradley is not the lynch pin on which our entire season rides."
How racially insensitive of you, Matthew. For shame!
DKCecil - December 20, 2009
Dear Cubs fan in particular,
We once had a manger here, that you may be familar with, who was also very angry and violent. He was alot more explosive than what he is now we you guys. And he would easily give Milton Bradley a run for his money when it came to temper tantrums. And guess what? We loved him for it.
We also had our own crazy black man, in Jose Gullen. And we liked him too. Why? Because he performed well while he was here. And that’s all we give a shit about.
Goose - December 20, 2009
While the sentiment is correct,
to be fair, Jose Guillen is latino, not black. Minor point.
Matthew - December 20, 2009
No, Jose Guillen was black, not Black.
misterjonez - December 20, 2009
This discussion is blacking in context.
Jordan of Boise - December 20, 2009
The question is, how much more balck can this be?
levnclf - December 21, 2009
*black
levnclf - December 21, 2009
I was going to say something about the manger
But I think I’ll stay out of th- oh, wait….
section331 - December 20, 2009
Good post,
and loved the comment about “this interweb thingy”.
Bart's Evil Twin - December 20, 2009
I agree with everything the author of this FanPost has said...
especially the “We get it” parts. You have it, now may God have mercy on your souls.
santoswoodenlegs - December 20, 2009
Thanks!
Now go be helpful somewhere else.
Eyebrows - December 20, 2009
Thanks for the input!
Now why don’t you make like Star Trek and Boldly Go.
CapSea - December 20, 2009
God must have some kind of mercy since Bavasi's gone.
ThundaPC - December 20, 2009
... and God's prophet Jack will lead the Mariners to the World Series.
Bart's Evil Twin - December 20, 2009
How's God been treating you the last 100 years?
Brian Floyd - December 20, 2009
Oh about the same as he treated you for the last 32 years.
0’fer for both of us.
gaclaudy - December 21, 2009
Whoa
Carruth is a cool last name.
Slica - December 20, 2009
Oh and Here Here!
Slica - December 20, 2009
"Hear Hear?"
seattlebruin - December 21, 2009
No, Slica is open
Bearskin Rugburn - December 21, 2009
Out of all the players on our roster, I am rooting for Bradley to breakout with a monster season and win the Comeback Player of the Season.
I should note that the reasons for this are 99.9% selfish. However the inner troll in me wants to be able to run my mouth off at a few Cubs fans when he has a 3 WAR season for us.
EnglishMariner - December 21, 2009
I'm not going to lie
Pretty much the same exact thing came to my mind. I don’t necessarily want to brag to other people, I am really looking forward to rooting for the guy. As far as I’m concerned he’s a bit of a headcase, but from a lot of the accounts coming from people who aren’t mad at Bradley for ruining their team, he’s just mostly really really hard on himself, and I can completely relate to that.
Zwakamatsu - December 21, 2009
One thing that worries me
The left field bleachers are cheap seats I sit in from time to time. I’ve heard really intelligent baseball conversation going on there, and also run into some real idiots. I just hope the former types can hold the latter in check, because we’re inevitably going to have some yahoos who want to yell things and bait him.
wandergeist - December 21, 2009
Sure we have our share of idiots at the stadium,
but the difference is I think in general these are just plain old idiots rather than spiteful, malicious idiots. I really would be surprised if there is a lot of Bradley hate from M’s fans, especially because the vast majority, from what I’ve read and heard from people, both the “sabermetric” crowd and the casual fan, view this trade in a good light. I think there would be a way higher chance of fans turning against him if this was a terrible trade or a huge FA signing that didn’t end up working out. I really think the Seattle fans are in love with this particular Mariners team, for on and off the field reasons, and that really works in favor of Bradley.
Zwakamatsu - December 21, 2009
Picking up Milton Bradley is like picking up a flyball left-hander
Might not work out, but I defy you to find a better situation.
That Bradley has blown up before doesn’t matter. What matters are the reasons behind those events, and those reasons should be minimized in a place like Seattle. This is such a god damn important point to understand.
Thank you, Matthew.
Jeff Sullivan - December 21, 2009
Ah, well apparently a number of our members have gone to their SBN sites recently to post various thoughts on Bradley et al.
No wonder they have decided it is okay to come here again. That is why I do not sign up for their blogs or comment. Intra-SBN commenting never turns out well, unless it is with one of the 2 or 3 blogs we like.
CapSea - December 21, 2009
There is nothing wrong with other fans posting here as long as their input is fresh and interesting.
Most of our members have been defending Bradley and the decision Seattle made at other blogs around SBN. I see no problem with this as long as it is not done in a trollish manner.
EnglishMariner - December 21, 2009
It still encourages them to come here.
And much like when they come here, our comments there are not appreciated with the spirit they were intended. It is also important to note that many of those other SBN sites are absolutely not statistically minded, and going there to explain that there is some sort of non-emotional benefit to these trades isn’t going to sway any of them. It’s only going to sound one of condescending or ignorant. I don’t really see how commenting on those websites is helpful in any way, really, unless it has nothing to do with our team or how our team views their team. If people want to go to the Braves Blog and talk about how good a player Maddux was, that’s fine. But representing the Mariners on their blogs doesn’t seem the slightest bit useful.
CapSea - December 21, 2009
Personally I don't think that's the spirit of SBN.
We shouldn’t be fearful of upsetting morons if they don’t understand a well presented argument or our use of statistics.
EnglishMariner - December 21, 2009
The spirit of SBN is stupid
Graham MacAree - December 21, 2009
I thought the spirt
was to sell ads?
wandergeist - December 21, 2009
There is a spirit?
Playmaker24 - December 21, 2009
So yeah, as an A's fan, I've come to warn you about this Milton Bradley fellow...
Zonis - December 21, 2009
It's just way easier for Cub fans to try to rationalize
the trade by saying Bradley is going to run the M’s into the ground than to accept that they have Carlos Silva as a pitcher now.
Zwakamatsu - December 21, 2009
Which as we all understand can be quite a daunting thing to come to terms with.
Zwakamatsu - December 21, 2009
As a Padres fan
I actually came here to tell you how jealous I am that we weren’t able to reacquire Bradley.
R. Lankford - December 22, 2009
One has to have him first
before they can reaquire him
Zonis - December 29, 2009
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