Milton Bradley Hurts Seattle Mariners' Chances with Attitude, Latest Incident

Milton Bradley is a hot head. He has some anger management issues that are well documented. Bradley is more likely to explode within his own head than have the ball explode off his bat, but he has the talent and potential to really contribute to a team’s offensive success.

Problem is that Milton seems to forget that he’s in the lineup to produce, not to play devil’s advocate. He’s not supposed to be concerned with what fans think, say, or do. He’s supposed to be a professional.

The average retail customer service employee endures more ridicule in a day than Milton has in his entire career and they do it for $8-$10 an hour without losing their temper.

What makes Bradley think its okay to fly off the handle every time a fan in the left field bleachers says he’s a bum? Grow up and get a grip. Stop thinking everything revolves around your noggin.

Though he is a talented player, he’s never even been the best player on his own team! He is nowhere near the elite class of outfielders that he should be trying to emulate.  

The fans have the right to heckle, especially if they know it can give their team a competitive advantage. That Milton allows that to get into his head is proof that his sensitivity dial is set somewhere between the Golden and Gilmore Girls! Sorry, that was harsh...to the Gilmore Girls.

If Bradley were reading this he may cry or retaliate by going 0-for-20. His psyche is so fragile it makes the outcome of his outbursts unpredictable. He could send a one-finger salute, blow out his other knee, or just get ejected after arguing with a drunken fan whose biggest achievement in life was employee of the month at the Chik-Filet.

Honestly, Bradley brings it on himself. He welcomes it like a meth-tweeker welcomes losing another tooth: an unfortunate side effect of self-torture as a result of not being able to mentally deal with reality.

After playing for a third of all major league teams, Milton needs to realize this may be his last chance. He’s 32 years old and isn’t going to get any better than he was a couple years ago.

Did he not realize how long many, very productive, mentally stable players were waiting to get a deal with a team this offseason? There are still a fair amount of unsigned players who can contribute more than a 1-for-22 performance over the first week of the season.

Only time will tell if Milton will be a positive contributor for the Mariners this year, but if his time with the Mariners so far tells us anything, it’s that it isn’t Chicago, the “Media,” the coaches, the umpires, or the fans that are to blame for Bradley’s ill-tempered ways.

He’s now in a low-key market and a socially-friendly fanbase. Uncle Milty needs to finally start acting his age and earning his paycheck.

Stop paying attention to those who are simply out to get you frustrated. Hit a couple of homers, bat .320, and steal some bases. That will shut everybody up and get their knickers in a bunch instead of yours. Bradley and the Mariners both could benefit that way.