Milton Bradley: As Seen on TV

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

• After 41 games: .218/.340/.387/.727 with three doubles, a triple, five home runs and 14 RBI (with 19 walks and 25 strikeouts) in 41 games
• At Wrigley: .269/.367/.500/.867 with a double, a triple, three home runs and 9 RBI (with seven walks and 12 strikeouts) in 17 games
• On the Road: .179/.321/.299/.620 with two doubles, two home runs and 5 RBI (with 12 walks and 13 strikeouts) in 24 games

The Tribune published four quotes from the Cubs' outfielder just after Memorial Day that could explain what is going on in the Cubs' clubhouse:

"There always is. No matter what, I'm the type of guy [where] I don't care what somebody does to a colleague of mine. I'm not going to treat him any differently. I do things straight up, because I'm a straight-up, honest individual."

"Unfortunately, I just think it's a lot of 'Oh, you did this to my colleague,' or 'We're going to get him any time we can. As soon as he gets two strikes, we're going to call whatever and see what he does. Let's try to ruin Milton Bradley. It's just unfortunate. But I'm going to come out on top. I always do."

"What am I supposed to do? You lead the American League in OPS (in 2008), and two years in the top three in the league in on-base percentage. All of a sudden now, I come to Chicago and I can't see the ball no more? I don't know a strike from a ball?"

"I don't think I'm doing anything wrong. There's a lot involved, and it's a lot of politics where there's nothing you can do about it."

Milton Bradley has produced at the big-league level and probably will put up his numbers—but right now is when his new team needs him and he is busy making excuses instead of producing and taking responsibility for his poor play.

And here are the numbers that really matter:

• After 54 games the Cubs record - 28-26
• In the 41 games Bradley has played - 18-23
• In the 33 starts Bradley has made - 16-17 (the Cubs were 13-12 in his first 25 starts)
• In the games Bradley has not played - 10-3

With Aramis Ramirez out until at least the All-Star break, if not longer, the Cubs need him to hit the way he is capable and quit making excuses.

Milton Bradley is a very talented baseball player that can help a team win ballgames—it's time for him to show why the Cubs believed in him and signed him to a contract that in 34 more games will turn from a two-year deal into a three-year contract.

Stay Classy, Milton!

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