Urban-Nation

by gdub171 on Feb 20, 2006 5:01 PM PST

Beat-Writer Urban was asked this tough question...

Biggest surprise of camp so far?

Urban: "Easy choice: Milton Bradley not talking to the media the day he reported. For a guy who (a) has image problems and (b) said, on the day that he was acquired, that he was approachable, it seemed like a really odd move. The way I see it, the only way to get skeptical fans on your side is to let them get to know you, and speaking to the media is the easiest way to do that."

I consider this a very smart move on Bradley's part, leave the media alone and just focus on baseball. Think how much easier it would have been for T.O. or Artest to just ignore the spotlight and play sports. Some people just can't handle the spotlight well, and Bradley has been ESPN'd to death through his many incidents.

So what is the suprise of spring training then? (or is this it?)

Poll

Suprise of Spring Training

MB not answering media questions

10 votes

Kendall showing off his 0home-run Guns to Zito (nice pic)

13 votes

Beane making a splash an re-signing Zito

18 votes

Big Hurt and Blanton eating Santiago Casilla (whereabouts unknown)

20 votes

Joe Morgan as a non-roster invitee trying to beat out Scoot

26 votes

87 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 42 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

So you and Mr. Urban

have different points of view; is there something else you're trying to say here? And could you clarify what the "dumb" in your diary title is supposed to mean, because I'm not quite sure. Thanks.

by Nico on Feb 20, 2006 5:35 PM PST reply actions

Thank you for changing it

Good idea. :-}

by Nico on Feb 20, 2006 8:40 PM PST up reply actions

PC Police

Dumb is a four-letter word. Nico, please lighten up just a bit. You do a great job on this blog, but need to back off the authority thing a little.

by conniemack on Feb 21, 2006 7:50 AM PST up reply actions

Thanks for the positive

part of your comment, and let me respectfully disagree with the critique. The diary's title was a personal attack on an AN member--had I chosen to exercise admin authority I would have deleted the diary, and if I had chosen to exercise user authority I would have reported it as a possible CGV. Instead, I asked "is that really what you want to do?" and let the user think about it and decide for him/herself. Upholding the few rules we have on AN is, well, kind of part of my job description, but actually I would have commented even if I were not a part-time manager for the site. If I saw a diary titled "conniemack-dumb ideas," would I keep my thoughts to myself? No. It has nothing to do with being PC; it has to do with keeping the site free of personal attacks.

by Nico on Feb 21, 2006 8:27 AM PST up reply actions

Quick question?

Just for clarification (keep in mind I have no idea as to the original title of this diary) - Urban is a member of AN or do you refer to the fact that he regularly contributes with interviews?

People on this site refer to all different members of the media (a category in which Michael Urban falls) and their bodies of work with different words of disdain from stupid and moron to f*** a***. But from I read in your post, if Ray Ratto (a local source of various mockery) were to become an AN member we could no longer call his articles dumb or moronic?

I'm not trying to be difficult and antagonize the situation. Maybe the author attacked Urban and not simply his article, but there seems to be a fine line that I (and probably conniemack) need clarification on.

"Do you ever get down on your knees and thank God you know me and have access to my dementia?" - George Costanza

by Awesomus on Feb 21, 2006 9:02 AM PST up reply actions

Mychael Urban

is a contributing member of AN. Here's his user profile: http://www.athleticsnation.com/user/uid:654

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Feb 21, 2006 9:14 AM PST up reply actions

Learn something new everyday...

An Member vs. Member of the Media; Critisicm vs. Personal attack. It is all so very confusing.

"Do you ever get down on your knees and thank God you know me and have access to my dementia?" - George Costanza

by Awesomus on Feb 21, 2006 9:26 AM PST up reply actions

There's also a big difference

between calling a person dumb and calling a person's ideas dumb. I don't condone calling a person dumb even if they are a member of the public eye, but it doesn't violate any standard we've set on AN. And I don't care if you call someone's idea dumb even if they are an AN user.

Where I, personally, draw the line is when a person, who is a member of AN, is called dumb--whether they are a member of the media, like Mychael Urban, or just a goat-seducing alcoholic, like me.

by Nico on Feb 21, 2006 9:47 AM PST up reply actions

It was a fair critique...

There was no basis for an attack on his intelligence when that was not the goal of the post. Its akin to attacking the president for being dumb, instead of targeting one of his many political policies to have a disagreement on (easier to do, but doesn't have any merit). *my original title was urban-damNation but thought it'd get canned with the expletive, so i kinda just threw it in there, with no regard, my apologies.

"I see Milton Bradley being the Oaktown player that breaks out this year." breaks out... breaks out of where? jail?

by gdub171 on Feb 21, 2006 9:53 AM PST up reply actions

A's beat writers Slusser & Urban go out

of thier way with "extras" for AN.

Shouldn't those considerations be returned?

Swisher: "If we're healthy, we could be a monster."

by A s Eh on Feb 21, 2006 8:10 PM PST up reply actions

The guy posted once.

As a member of the media you should be able to call him whatever you want.
I called lew a peice of crap, since he did an interview does that make him a contributing member?
If you put yourself in the media you are subject to judgements.
People attack me on this site personally all the time and i dont see anyone posting tell them to change it. Yes i can give examples upon request.
But someone bad mouths urban who posted once and its an uproar.
Too much politics around here sometimes.

Joe Morgan smells bad and has poor english skills. Wait so do I.

by Ionnes on Feb 21, 2006 10:28 AM PST up reply actions

Check out his comments

section. I submit he's posted more than just once.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Feb 21, 2006 10:37 AM PST up reply actions

You are right.

He promoted himself many times on here.
I apoligize.
Thats not the point though...

Joe Morgan smells bad and has poor english skills. Wait so do I.

by Ionnes on Feb 21, 2006 10:49 AM PST up reply actions

yeah

How is that a surprise?

Milton is just going to get in trouble talking so I am glad he is keeping his mouth shut.

I bet he will be surprised when Chavez starts slow and does not care.

Why don't they just lick their fingers? --

by novaoakland on Feb 20, 2006 6:29 PM PST reply actions

Here we go again

The latest "Chavez has no heart" debate. Me? Honestly, I don't understand how this comes up. I've never been convinced of this bold claim, but that's just my perceptions.

I was nothing more than an almost innocent bystander.

by Squeaky on Feb 20, 2006 7:47 PM PST up reply actions

I dunno, cirquegirl--

If we know exactly how Mexican he is, and exactly how Mexican he should be, I don't see why we can't assess each of his vital organs with perfect accuracy.

by Nico on Feb 20, 2006 8:42 PM PST up reply actions

On an aside...

..I just heard from someone, first hand, who has been throwing a little BP for Chavez that he is absolutely tattooing balls out of the park right now down south, hitting them harder than anyone else in the squad and by a big margin.

So there's a little hope that the anti-Chavez whiners will have nothing to bitch about this year.

by Ozzz on Feb 21, 2006 3:27 AM PST up reply actions

He hates America and has no heart

You know it's coming.

"Put a Milo on him." -Billy Beane

by kaweahkaweah on Feb 21, 2006 3:35 AM PST up reply actions

true and true.

Why don't they just lick their fingers? --

by novaoakland on Feb 23, 2006 10:26 PM PST up reply actions

Man

How do you get a job like that? Can I try out? Is there a restriction on anything? Am I too good looking? Is that it?

by Alon on Feb 21, 2006 7:18 AM PST up reply actions

Tattooing BP?

Now, if we can only get Terry Mulholland to pitch to him every at bat this season, he'll finally have that break out year we've all been hoping, and hoping, and hoping for.

"Keep the juices going by jangling around gently as you move." - Satchel Paige

by McFood on Feb 21, 2006 11:56 AM PST up reply actions

biggest surprise...

A's favored to win the AL West by most pundits. Driving Halo Heaven crazy. Next in order...

Rangers picked to finish second.
Mariners picked to finish third.

Which of these will actually happen? The A's winning the divsion, of course. Rangers have a much better chance of finishing second than the Mariners do of finishing third.

by FoolshGame22 on Feb 20, 2006 7:07 PM PST reply actions

Yeah

Halo Heaven is already nuts, this is just making them and their 13 comments per diary pop a blood vessel

by Alon on Feb 21, 2006 7:19 AM PST up reply actions

Forget interviews.

MB showing up early to ST was all I needed to see.

I was a bit uneasy about it when this issue first came up, and how he wasn't at fanfest, but it really DOES make sense that he at least keep away from the media for a few weeks -- settle in, not let his mouth get him in trouble or give any reporters a chance to spin him. Wait til the season starts and he's done something ON THE FIELD worth talking about. I can't blame Bradley for this move, with all the times I wish baseball players would just shut the heck up, I gotta tip my hat to him for being wise enough to know when to keep to himself.

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." -Robert S. Wieder

by Kyli on Feb 20, 2006 11:31 PM PST reply actions

Me, too...

I was initially worried, but it might be wise to give him time to get used to the Team, the fans, and the bay area media. I would like to think things might change when he feels more comfortable and connected to the A's all the way around. I choose to be optimistic about his choice.

by Mz K on Feb 21, 2006 5:30 PM PST up reply actions

I am not all sunshine

like you all . I am pretty worried about Bradley's attitude. I don't think the prima donna stuff is a good sign.

by IM4Oakgal on Feb 20, 2006 11:47 PM PST reply actions

It's Spring Training, ...he showed up early,

...that's a prima donna?

What does that make the players that come in on time?
<or, dare I say it? ...l a t e ??>

Swisher: "If we're healthy, we could be a monster."

by A s Eh on Feb 21, 2006 8:22 PM PST up reply actions

What Bradley needs to do is....

talk to the media, but just give the them the ol' cliches. Don't ignore them, b/c it makes them mad and don't give'em anything to work with at the same time. That's the route MB needs to take.

"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Feb 21, 2006 1:19 AM PST reply actions

I'm sure BB let MB know he's like all sessions

with the media scheduled and "rights of editor" before they are submitted for publication.

At least that is how stars like Tom Cruze (spelling?) do it.

In this manner a media kit with FAQ would be pre-prepared with responses to past issues. With all the negative issues dealt with interviews could be shifted to A's new business and quest for the rings, ...the old negative stories belong in the past.

Tabloid gossip can be routed to the Giants' Mr Bonds. "Barry likes it!"

...at least that is how I'd approach it.

Go A's!

Swisher: "If we're healthy, we could be a monster."

by A s Eh on Feb 22, 2006 7:07 AM PST up reply actions

Good job Milt

Just shut yor trap and start spankin' balls. That's all I'm looking for. Whether or not he speaks with Urban should be the least of anyone's concern.

by bigelephant on Feb 21, 2006 5:13 AM PST reply actions

Odd? Maybe. Surprise? No.

I would say Urban is probably right in his belief that it would be a good idea for MB to let his new team and its fans get to know him as well as get in the good graces of the media. But based on MB's history, how is his "no media" position a surprise?

I personnally don't care. Talk, don't talk. Just get along with the rest of the team, don't upset the clubhouse, and play to your potential. This "entitlement" the media has been flexing lately has gotten old.

"Do you ever get down on your knees and thank God you know me and have access to my dementia?" - George Costanza

by Awesomus on Feb 21, 2006 6:44 AM PST reply actions

TO Parallel

When TO first came to town, he said all the right things (I'm so happy to be here, etc) and then came the doozy of a comment (Jeff Garcia is a homosexual) followed by a GQ magazine shoot followed by various other idiotic comments, while all the while we were just saying "just shut up and catch balls"

If MB never talks to the media, it will only be a good thing. If he talks to the media and even says cliches, then he's talking to the media still, and there's room for him to say something that puts a gash in the clubhouse. Maybe not immediately, but eventually. It isn't prima donna to not say anything -- MB is not acting aloof, he's simply most likely following BB's advice and just staying out of the spotlight. Prima donnas by definition are always in the spotlight, MB is trying to avoid exactly that. Hopefully, he's learned from history.

by Alon on Feb 21, 2006 7:23 AM PST reply actions

we better not catch MB...

...calling reporters to come over and watch him work out in his driveway... ;)

Just because ArakSOT insists: MaElLuvR

by Poppy on Feb 21, 2006 7:31 AM PST up reply actions

Ugh

I think it's really irresponsible of reporters (as in, Tim-Russert-eliding-his-involvement-in-"PlameGate'-irresponsible) to castigate Bradley for ignoring the media without the reporters themselves discussing the role of the media in general and their own individual roles in particular.

It seems to me that Bradley may have decided that what's gotten him into trouble in the past (aside from his legal and personal issues) has only arisen because he's spoken to the media. Ergo, no speak to media = no trouble.

But the beat writers are essentially blackmailing him: "Milton's had troubles in the past, but he hasn't even seen trouble if he won't talk to me."

Are you suggesting that Joan Baez and I share a basement apartment in Milwaukee? - Poppy @('.')@

by monkeyball on Feb 21, 2006 10:35 AM PST reply actions

Beat writers

I hear they've started throwing plastic bottles at him, and when he looks, they do a Michael Jackson crotch grab move and shout "No comment THIS!"

"Keep the juices going by jangling around gently as you move." - Satchel Paige

by McFood on Feb 21, 2006 12:01 PM PST up reply actions

2/2

Wow, two absolute zingers on this thread... nice work.

by spoiltvictorianchild on Feb 21, 2006 11:00 PM PST up reply actions

Next thing you know he'll be autographing cards!

Hell! ...what if he spits?

I can see the media response already...

"Today in Spring Training Milton Bradley was up to it again. Yes, he didn't talk again and he spat 6 times in 3 innings! Looked like gum but it was probably pink chewing tobacco! Probably learned that trick from Ty Cobb or Lester Hayes! The A's look like they are losing it with this one. He even comes in early just to throw us off and trick everyone! He thinks we were born yesterday!

...in other Spring Training news Barry did talk and his comments will be released as a mega series soon to be premiered at a Border's near you. EBook versions available Friday"

Swisher: "If we're healthy, we could be a monster."

by A s Eh on Feb 21, 2006 8:42 PM PST reply actions

Here's some more Urban,,,

"The A's have been submitting to body-fat testing for the past couple of days. Harden and closer Huston Street both registered at less than 5 percent. For perspective, consider that Zito and catcher Jason Kendall, both thin and lean, checked in at about 11 and nine percent, respectively..."

This is a funny one, nice job Urban. But I wish you had gotten Cupcakes's body-comp %, just for comparative purposes.

"I see Milton Bradley being the Oaktown player that breaks out this year." breaks out... breaks out of where? jail?

by gdub171 on Feb 22, 2006 2:25 PM PST reply actions

Honestly...

What's wrong with picking the best? Honestly, you'd think he just MIGHT be wanting to show some of the surprising/nice statistics. I don't think he's discriminating against Cupcakes, at any rate. I mean, who doesn't like Cupcakes?

Really, though. I see nothing wrong with that.

I was nothing more than an almost innocent bystander.

by Squeaky on Feb 22, 2006 4:22 PM PST up reply actions

yep

I was being satarical... although i kinda did want to know if Cupcakes had dropped his % a little after last season. (its actually a good indicator of overall health/fitness level, i've taken health science courses) I really did enjoy this blurb.

"I see Milton Bradley being the Oaktown player that breaks out this year." breaks out... breaks out of where? jail?

by gdub171 on Feb 22, 2006 4:25 PM PST up reply actions

oh.

Since the diary was sort of bashing Urban, I just assumed that this was an add on to that. ::shrugs:: No offense meant.

I was nothing more than an almost innocent bystander.

by Squeaky on Feb 22, 2006 4:29 PM PST up reply actions

I usually like Urban actually...

Hes a good beat writer, needs to focus mostly on puff pieces (kinda has to cuz of mlb.com), but writes more that most beat writers do, and does come up with some good stuff. I just couldn't stand his media-centric views coming out on the Bradley thing, cuz there are so many suprises in the A's camp, this is one that is a minor blip and not even a huge suprise.

"I see Milton Bradley being the Oaktown player that breaks out this year." breaks out... breaks out of where? jail?

by gdub171 on Feb 25, 2006 10:04 AM PST up reply actions