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"Is it game over for Milton Bradley?" -- Mychael Urban

Tiny by Sharon on

And so it begins.

After stumbling while rounding first base on Wednesday, Bradley appeared to be injured, and badly. So pronounced was his limp that he that he didn't even try to get back to the base, so the throw from the outfield to shortstop to first base got there in plenty of time for Bradley to be tagged out.

As he was being carried off the field, it looked like Bradley was headed for another stint on the DL. But no. There must have been some kind of medical magician in the dugout, because Bradley was back out on defense the next inning, even diving for a ball.

So the fans let him have it, and rightly so.

It put a huge damper on a nice win for the A's, and while none of his teammates would go on the record (nor would Bradley, who didn't talk after the Boston game, either), it was clear that they are tired of Bradley's act.

They're also tired of Macha playing the role of enabler.


Weird... Until Saturday, Bradley had been on his best behavior. Of course, it's easy to behave when you're on the disabled list, which is where Bradley has been for most of the year.

Is anyone else confused by that? He was on his best behavior until Saturday, but the team is already tired of him? So, the incidents since that day have been such an annoyance that Bradley is...

...becoming a bigger problem by the day. And if the problem isn't nipped in the bud, the A's won't be in first place much longer. Is there more to this story? And have certain players actually gone to Urban and told him how they felt?

About a month ago, Urban wrote this:

Bradley, meanwhile, is now on the DL for the second time this year. He's missed 44 of Oakland's 72 games, and he's still looking for his first double the season. On the bright side, he hasn't bitten anyone's head off, and that was a legitimate fear when the A's picked him up. His teammates seem to genuinely like him, too.

Then again, if you can't make nice with everyone while batting .213 and spending more time in the trainers' room than on the field, you really ARE crazy.

(emphasis mine)

I am very confused. And unfortunately, I'll be away for most of the day.

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Blah blah blah
Is it just me or do the Oakland beat writers seem to be making stories out of nothing?  

I respect Mr. Urban and appreciate his "inside-the-clubhouse" access.  But the tone of this article makes it seem like Urban has a bone to pick with Bradley.  In particular, "...it's easy to behave when you're on the disabled list, which is where Bradley has been for most of the year" comes off as unneccesarily aggressive.

If true, however, I can't help but to call the team out on this one.  What exactly needs to be nipped in the bud?  What are his teammates growing tired of?  Offensive production?  Good at-bats?  Occasional flashes of power?  A strong throwing arm?  Without these things, the A's won't be in first place much longer.

Don't even get me started on Macha-as-enabler.  If these comments originated from Kotsay and Kendall, as I suspect they did, then they'll be on my shit-list.  Mssrs. Kotsay and Kendall have been the ultimate beneficiaries of Macha-the-enabler; Kotsay volunteering to play first and then bitching about it later and Kendall continuing to catch an ungodly number of innings despite the weakest bat in the league.

Can intangibles exist? Only the ones you can touch.

by salb918 on Jul 20, 2006 7:00 AM PDT   0 recs

If it was Kotsay...
ick.

He seemed supportive of Bradley yesterday, and I'll be annoyed if he was one of the players.

That being said, I found it weird that Kotsay's "bitching" wasn't more of a story. Urban's recap was the only one that made it seem like it was an issue.

"I almost landed in some lady's lap, which was kinda fun.'' -- Swish

by Sharon on Jul 20, 2006 7:07 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Kotsay quote
[SFGate]
Bradley's teammates know that's part of the package.

"I don't think this club feels it's a distraction whatsoever,'' Kotsay said. "I like his fire. This club the last couple of years hasn't had that kind of fire from an individual.''"

"Belliard is a pain in the ass" ~ Blez

by eamb on Jul 20, 2006 7:13 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If it was Kendall ...
... then by his own code of "ethics," he deserves to get the shit kicked out of him by Bradley.

I'm not saying it is Kendall, though. Nor am I saying that even if it is that Bradley should do anything.

Honey, this is not my first rodeo. I live in Missouri. -- Jennifer @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jul 20, 2006 10:16 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Last month . . .
 . . . when I was in Cleveland, I was sitting along the foul line adjacent to Bradley -- about two rows back. Anyways, throughout the game my g/f and me saw Bradley pointing into the crowd, make sarcastic hand gestures, do dances, etc. to antagonize the fans.  Keep in mind, this wasn't just once or twice but routinely throughout the entire game. Personally, I thought it was funny but - of course - slightly unprofessional. Granted, it was Cleveland. I remember seeing Mark Kotsay sorta stare in Bradley's direction repeatedly when the commotion would erupt. I really like Bradley and think we haven't yet witnessed even a hint of his maximum potential, but I think he adamantly enjoys the fan-scuffling . . . to an extent, anyways.  
"It's never 'just a game' if you're winning" - George Carlin

by bluelightrain84 on Jul 20, 2006 12:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I was there too, saw the same thing...
I just saw Bradley nagging back and forth with the crowd. In particular, I think I recall seeing him give a Hulk Hogan ear wave to the crowd, as if to say "I can't hear you."

I think this was the getaway game, the Thursday afternoon game, which we won with Esteban on the mound. It was a dull, hot afternoon at Milton's old stomping grounds, and it looked like he just wanted to have some fun with the crowd.

Fine.

The problem, however, lays in situations like Boston and Baltimore, where Milton's antics are returned with swearing, slurs and objects thrown at him. That's when Milton gets distracted and, even worse, when his teammates get distracted as well.

I don't have the answer to this, but from the looks of things, Milton being unable to "take it as well as he gives it out" is the problem.

Fun with fans is fine for Milton, as it has been with hundreds of other ballplayers over the years. But when it gets personal, it looks like Milton doesn't know how to put on the earmuffs. My best answer is what he did the other night: alert the authorities.

But that gets old, other fans take note, and it then happens everywhere. I guess earmuffs are the only option.

by RyanFromBonas on Jul 20, 2006 4:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I got . . .
 . . . some pics of Milton in Cleveland (if my g/f will ever get 'em developed!!) :). But, you're right, I think he gets upset after a while and informs the authorities . . . which probably wont help things for him in the long run. Didn't Rafael Palmeiro wear earplugs a couple of seasons back after the steroid suspension?
"It's never 'just a game' if you're winning" - George Carlin

by bluelightrain84 on Jul 20, 2006 6:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

call the TEAM out?
Are you kidding, sal? Urban's the one who needs to be called out on this. All of your question should have been answered, rather than raised by this article.

But I agree 100% with you on the putative Kendall-Kotsay-Macha issue.

Honey, this is not my first rodeo. I live in Missouri. -- Jennifer @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jul 20, 2006 10:14 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A bit harsh
This seems a little like a tempest in a teapot to me. The fan interactions are troubling, but I don't really see any indication the other 24 guys are ready to turn on Bradley or Macha.

I mean, everything was fine till Saturday, using Urban's words, and now it's an unmitigated disaster? Seems a little strong to me...

"We've come a long way, and I'm not talking about Virginia Slims, either." - Art Howe

by EastCoastA on Jul 20, 2006 7:01 AM PDT   0 recs

This is from the Urban Files: Gossip Corner
This articles reads like a steamy love novel.  I find it hard to take seriously.
"Belliard is a pain in the ass" ~ Blez

by eamb on Jul 20, 2006 7:02 AM PDT   0 recs

Urban probably didn't like Bradley
since the beginning when Milton said he wasn't going to talk to the media earlier in Spring Training.  It recently seems as though Slusser and Urban are trying to stir the pot for some media gold.  Strange that we hear more about Bradley, a known target for media scrutiny, than any coverage or criticism pertaining to Mr. DUI.
"Hate the Angels, yeahhhhh!" -Sandfrog

by franks a lot on Jul 20, 2006 7:19 AM PDT   0 recs

Hit the nail on the head
FLUSHLY!  Excellent point.
"If you're surprised by getting the job done, that means you didn't expect it out of yourself." -Huston Street

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 20, 2006 9:10 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Found this in an old Urban "Mailbag"
In regards to biggest surprise in spring training camp so far.  Here's the link...

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060219&content_id=1316128& ;vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak

"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."

"Hate the Angels, yeahhhhh!" -Sandfrog

by franks a lot on Jul 20, 2006 9:55 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

this sounds right on to me
Honey, this is not my first rodeo. I live in Missouri. -- Jennifer @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jul 20, 2006 10:17 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm confused too...
From that article (I'm just emphasizing part of what Sharon already quoted):
"...while none of his teammates would go on the record (nor would Bradley, who didn't talk after the Boston game, either), it was clear that they are tired of Bradley's act."

But from this article by Susan Slusser...

"I'm out there with him, I hear what's going on," A's center fielder Mark Kotsay said. "A lot of it is antagonizing comments. I think people buy tickets to the game to try to antagonize him. There should be more security in those areas, because Milton is a target." [...] "I don't think this club feels it's a distraction whatsoever," Kotsay said.
"It seems like Milton gets picked on a lot, but sometimes you have to ignore it," A's third baseman Eric Chavez said. "A lot of the time, it's racial slurs he has to deal with, which is hard. 'You suck' is something you can deal with, but racial stuff can kind of get old."

Sorry, but isn't that two of Bradley's teammates going on the record?

And THIS was in Urban's own piece on the A's website:

"I think people buy tickets just to [yell at Bradley], to see what kind of fire they can light," Kotsay said. "He's definitely a target, in my opinion."

Kotsay said the comments he's heard hurled Bradley's way are "as antagonizing" as he's ever heard, "mainly about incidents from his past; just comment after comment after comment."

And this (also from Urban):

Kotsay then suggested reporters talk to Thomas, who has played with "fiery guys" such as Carl Everett and Tony Phillips in the past.

"You've just got to leave them alone and let them be who they are," Thomas said. "All the fiery guys I've played with, they play better when they're like that."

Mychael's contradicting himself.  Does he mean that no one will go on the record with criticism ?  Because that's not how the sentence reads, to me.  Maybe I'm misreading it.

"I meant to make cookies today (real, edible, yummy, non-innuendo cookies)" ~ JLaff

by Poppy on Jul 20, 2006 7:19 AM PDT   0 recs

This is what caught my attention, too
The mlb.report was posted 07/19/2006 5:09 PM ET, the Examiner.com report Jul 20, 2006 5:00 AM. So what happened in the interim that so changed Urban's tone? This really looks to me to be more about Urban than the club.
"the poop stain on the collective AN pantalones." -ohad

by ArakSOT on Jul 20, 2006 7:28 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Another thing that bothers me...
...is the phrase "it was clear that they are tired of..."

It was "clear" to whom?  If none of the players will go on record about how "tired of it" they are, shouldn't Urban illustrate the point for us, as to why it seems to be "clear" to him?  He's a writer, ffs.  Write about it.

"I meant to make cookies today (real, edible, yummy, non-innuendo cookies)" ~ JLaff

by Poppy on Jul 20, 2006 7:34 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And in the examiner piece
not only is he going all-out after Bradley, he's also taking potshots at Beane & Macha? What's THAT about?
"the poop stain on the collective AN pantalones." -ohad

by ArakSOT on Jul 20, 2006 7:45 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I hate to admit, but
I saw the Ethier for Bradley/Perez deal as much about Perez as it was Milton; Urban's mention of Ethier is the one stinging barb in that piece.

Watching Ethier rake for the Dodgers has got to be one of the hardest things for me this year - With Bradley's injury problems and Perez' plate problems, it feels like we gave up all our minor league depth for a few band-aids for our beat-up starters.

Bynum, Rheinecker, Ethier, Watson to Japan, ... all those guys, left this year. And what happened to Ginter?

If my trust in Beane has ever been challenged, this year has been it.

by popcornjames on Jul 20, 2006 10:06 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

More
This from Josh Suchon:
BALTIMORE -- When Milton Bradley came off the disabled list Friday night, collected four hits and robbed Manny Ramirez of a home run in an A's win, teammate Barry Zito said in appreciation of the effort, "He proved he's Milton Bradley."

Since then, he's continued to prove he's Milton Bradley, showing moments of great athletic talent, and a fiery demeanor that teammates say -- at least publicly-- brings the best out of his performance.

(Emphasis mine)

by Jennifer on Jul 20, 2006 7:33 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

None of us expect good teammates...
...to call each other out in public; I think that even those of us who haven't played can understand the "keep it in the clubhouse" thing.  But we can still see a little slice of how teammates treat each other during "unscripted" moments on the field or when the camera catches them in the dugout -- and I haven't seen any examples of Milton being ostracized or ignored or anything other than included in the conversations and goofing that goes on between all the players.  So it doesn't really look like they have major problems with him...
"I meant to make cookies today (real, edible, yummy, non-innuendo cookies)" ~ JLaff

by Poppy on Jul 20, 2006 7:40 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A LOT of stuff happens
that we don't know about.

by Jennifer on Jul 20, 2006 7:43 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, sure...
The cameras aren't everywhere...  I'm just really put off by journalists' expressions like "it's clear" or "at least not publicly."  If no one is going to go on record, Mr. or Ms. Reporter, at least tell us why you think a particular situation or mood exists.  You don't have to name names or even use actual quotes, a simple "some teammates have expressed concern" would be better than a vague "it's clear"...  :\
"I meant to make cookies today (real, edible, yummy, non-innuendo cookies)" ~ JLaff

by Poppy on Jul 20, 2006 8:02 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

When I was in college,
I could always spot the bad professors early in the term because they would explain concepts using words like "clearly" and "it's plain" and "obviously."  Very little of what I learned in school was clear, plain, or obvious the first time around; those words were just bad professors covering for the fact that they couldn't actually teach.
Can intangibles exist? Only the ones you can touch.

by salb918 on Jul 20, 2006 8:08 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What was that middle part again?
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Jul 20, 2006 8:33 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Huh?
<doesn't get it>
Can intangibles exist? Only the ones you can touch.

by salb918 on Jul 20, 2006 8:39 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

clearly
"the poop stain on the collective AN pantalones." -ohad

by ArakSOT on Jul 20, 2006 8:41 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It's a reference to the movie...
"A Fish Named Wanda". Not that it has anything to do with what you said, I just posted whatever thought popped into my little pea brain.
"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Jul 20, 2006 10:05 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ca-ca-cahhh-carhhhh-carhhhhhhh
the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Jul 20, 2006 10:23 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Poppy's quote
"Does he mean that no one will go on the record with criticism ?"

I was thinking the same thing. I've read the excerpt a couple times now and each time I've read it it seems more and more like Urban is creating a story rather than just reporting one that's already there.

I know there's a lot we don't see, but I'm willing to give Bradley the benefit of the doubt until a name (teammate, Macha, Beane) is attached to one of these criticisms.

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Jul 20, 2006 9:33 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Why? THAT's an excellent question...
...since it's one of SF's oldest news outlets... LOL
"I meant to make cookies today (real, edible, yummy, non-innuendo cookies)" ~ JLaff

by Poppy on Jul 20, 2006 7:30 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

have you heard of
william randolph hearst?
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jul 21, 2006 5:57 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

My Take
  Until Bradley does something to show up management publicly or in view of the public,  ala Payton he won't go to Beane's dog house and get traded.

   Bradley's emotional baggage makes me think that he externalizes his emotional fire in the form of injury. His attention-getting behavior does two things. It makes players and fans think, "what's wrong," first and then they see he's okay. His acts of "crying wolf" have grown old with previous team-mates. He couldn't be in a more supportive environment in Oakland.

   Kotsay's comments to the press reveal that players are aware of his thin skin, and were actually upset at Baltimore management for not stoppping the chirping from the crowd. Players appear to still support him and rightfully so. His previous charges of bigotted teammates hasn't surfaced nor will it.

   Milton Bradley remains an immature athlete who has great talent. As long as he doesn't start blaming the A's front office for his issues, his "act" will continue to be tolerated. This team needs his kind of productivity. If Beane can replace him, I suggest sooner than later, before he becomes untradeable.

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Jul 20, 2006 8:11 AM PDT   0 recs

He may have
Remember Macha saying "I thought we already addressed it."
"If you're surprised by getting the job done, that means you didn't expect it out of yourself." -Huston Street

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 20, 2006 9:12 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It's possible that he indeed
...sounded off at management, but the question remains, why?
   He couldn't be in a better situation and I am still inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.
   When he gets back to Oaktown, let's get his "back" and let him know he's supported and appreciated. IF he knows we are in his corner, a lot of the emotional "stuff" may simply go away. If his issues are too big to overcome, then Beane will take the appropriate steps.
   At this point, more inuendo and conjecture has taken place than fact.
"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Jul 20, 2006 9:54 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Macha seems to annoy
many of the players with his innuendos rather than just telling them directly.  Quite a few big league managers never talk to the players directly about anything so it's not that rare at least from an "old school" perspective.  I just wonder if they really have talked to MB about anything?

The media is not the outlet to handle things such as saying that "Kiely was hurt" so they moved Kotsay back to the outfield.  He should have said that he wanted to improve the defense as a whole and made a light joke about Kotsay's fielding ability.  I get the feeling that his indirectness gets on some of their nerves but that could just be me??

"If you're surprised by getting the job done, that means you didn't expect it out of yourself." -Huston Street

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 20, 2006 11:28 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ew.
Now that article is just plain TRASHY. Wow. Some of the snide remarks in there definitely are cutting back its credibility.

The fact that it's 'magically, out of nowhere, a problem' just strikes me as way too odd of a problem. Shit like that needs some kind of buildup.

Yes, no teammate is gonna call out their guy publically, but I seriously question whether the situation is absolutely dire and horrible, as this makes it sound.

Bizarre.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Jul 20, 2006 8:28 AM PDT   0 recs

Trashy, maybe; unnecessarily controversial, YES
I agree with you Kyli, that Urban made some snide remarks and made the Bradley issue seem very divisive in the clubhouse.  Did Ratto leave the bay area papers, cause it seems like Urban is trying to become his successor with an article like this.  My respect for his journalistic integrity has just dropped, but then plain-Jane articles don't attract readers.  Seems like he's trying to expand beyond the roles of mlb.com beat writer and KNBR fill-in.  Can't blame the guys for throwing players under the bus for his success, right??  (yeah, right!)
"Z did what Z does," said Kendall. "He makes people look bad."

by rcb on Jul 20, 2006 9:10 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ratto is 100 times the writer
that Urban ... or Slusser is.  Disagree if you must (and I know plenty on this site do) but do not confuse the issue.  When Ratto slams the A's, he makes clear it's his own opinion and no one else's.  He does not hide behind "unnamed sources," as Urban does here.  

by rubin sierra on Jul 20, 2006 12:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ratto > Urban
I dunno about 100 times greater, but you are correct, Urban has nowhere near the writing chops that Ratto has (though Ray does better when he rations his methaphors more carefully).
"I don't want to 'Wear It.' It doesn't match my shoes." --Jennifer

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 20, 2006 12:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

methaphors?
Either Ratto's got a bad case of NACHO RUNS, or he's been doing crank?
Honey, this is not my first rodeo. I live in Missouri. -- Jennifer @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jul 20, 2006 12:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A jolt of imagery shot through his veins
and onto the newsprint, crackling with the energy of a thousand Shed Shop meth labs.
"I don't want to 'Wear It.' It doesn't match my shoes." --Jennifer

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 20, 2006 12:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

HITHEREI'MPAULJOHNSTON
YOUCANDOALLSORTSOFCOOLSHITINMYSHEDSBOYAMIAMPEDRIGHTNOWISN'TTHISSHEDTHESHIZZNITWHOOOOISITHOTINHEREORI SITJUSTME?
Honey, this is not my first rodeo. I live in Missouri. -- Jennifer @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jul 20, 2006 12:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Key word "trying"
My point wasn't about their writing procifiencies, but more that Ratto likes to blast team/people and Urban's article definitely was a blast on Bradley.
"Z did what Z does," said Kendall. "He makes people look bad."

by rcb on Jul 20, 2006 12:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Magician in the dugout
I took that comment as an opinionated slam at his health issues.  Rightly so, I suppose, but I've hurt myself (thought that I sprained my ankle) and five minutes later felt fine.
"Z did what Z does," said Kendall. "He makes people look bad."

by rcb on Jul 20, 2006 12:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed--
In an article like this, the "unnamed sources" bullshit doesn't really fly. It seems like Urban's bitter than he can't be buddy-buddy with Mr. Bradley.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Jul 20, 2006 10:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Screw Urban!!!
"There was much shouting and finger-pointing, and the next time Bradley came off the field, he subtly saluted said fans by grabbing his crotch."

It's about time!!! I have been waiting for someone to return Derek Lowe's favor!!!

Red Sock fans are the most venomous and filthy trash talking jerks in all of baseball!!!

Boston is also a very racist town, I wonder what was said to Milt?

As far as his "antics", it is obvious to me that Urban is really full of himself.

Has he ever played baseball beyong Little league?

Has he ever tweaked something that is a MAJOR PROBLEM and then been ready to go in 5 minutes?

I was warming up last week and felt a tweek in my left knee that sent me to the ground. It was my MCL ripping a bit because I caught a spike.

I couldn't stand on it for two minutes.

I got up, walked it off, put on my catcher's gear and caught 9.

This article makes Susan Slusser look like George Plimpton!!!

I hope that Urban gets 10 times the heat for this garbage than Sluss did for printing that Swish likes a good party!!!

While taint is everywhere and baseball is certainly no different, it's important that it be treated with open attention-Devo

by saint on Jul 20, 2006 9:10 AM PDT   0 recs

Bravo!
Well said.
"Z did what Z does," said Kendall. "He makes people look bad."

by rcb on Jul 20, 2006 9:11 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Just settle down there, Saint or you're liable
to strain your leg again. Bradley should just shut up and play; he's like Chicken Little with the racist she-ot. The fans in Cleveland are racist, Erik Wedge is a racist, LA fans are racist, Jeff Kent is a racist, blah blah blah blah....

I know if Bradley played for the Angels and given his easily aggitated track record, most everyone on this site would heckle him (and the ones that say they wouldn't are full of she-ot).

by DeeWayne on Jul 20, 2006 9:37 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Lord knows I would heckle him:
My point is: Why is Urban Heckling him?

"Your own teammates are sick of you"

"Yeah, fake an injury you bum"

"Head CASE, HEAD CASE"

Get it?

While taint is everywhere and baseball is certainly no different, it's important that it be treated with open attention-Devo

by saint on Jul 20, 2006 9:42 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sure:
"Man, Urbs don't you know that that look went out with Magnum PI?"

"Where does your chin end and your chest begin"

I'll rub my belly and look at him exclaiming, "Beisbol been bery bery good to me"

While taint is everywhere and baseball is certainly no different, it's important that it be treated with open attention-Devo

by saint on Jul 20, 2006 9:59 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Why, because it's the dog days of summer and
the news is slow so why not create some. Now Bradley will probably attack Urban in the clubhouse with a bat, and bingo, Urban now has some actual news (along with a welt).

Bradley's a ticking time bomb waiting to explode (kinda like Ditka, TO, B Knight, Woody Hayes, etc.).

by DeeWayne on Jul 20, 2006 9:52 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

News...Slow???
Chavy hits his first HR in nearly a month!?!?!

Big Hurt gets 3 RBI!!!

Barry throws a gem!?!?!

A's are 5-2 on this trip?!?!?

Tejada is slumping!!!

While taint is everywhere and baseball is certainly no different, it's important that it be treated with open attention-Devo

by saint on Jul 20, 2006 10:01 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And where does this rate nationally? Right below
the WNBA. A bat attack by Uncle Miltty on Urban would pre-empt all sporting news.

by DeeWayne on Jul 20, 2006 10:17 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That is true:
I would love to see Milton and Urban on the AN Day panel together.
While taint is everywhere and baseball is certainly no different, it's important that it be treated with open attention-Devo

by saint on Jul 20, 2006 10:19 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

One correction, Saint
Urban has played ball beyond little league--he pitched for USF.  I agree with everything else you said.
"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Jul 20, 2006 10:08 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A-HA:
My bad.

As you know I think that all USF pitchers are overrated and should never be drafted?!?! :)

BTW, have you seen this?

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=McGuigan%20&pos=P&sid=t425& ;t=p_pbp&pid=502682

He cam in yesterday with his team on the ropes and k'd the two batters he faced!!!

While taint is everywhere and baseball is certainly no different, it's important that it be treated with open attention-Devo

by saint on Jul 20, 2006 10:18 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Spot on, Saint.
This was a bullshit piece written by a journalist with a clear grudge against the player.

Not once in the entire piece does he find a single person who can go on the record with anything negative about Bradley. Not once. Instead, it's all "obviously" and "clearly".

Well, I write a freaking blog, and I wouldn't write crap like that and expect that it passes as decent bloggery, let alone journalism.

For shame. If you can't find someone to back up your stance, don't write the piece - simple as that.

"I smell like a meadow." - Yuniesky Betancourt

by Ozzz on Jul 20, 2006 11:59 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

MB probably wouldn't give Urban
a story.

Baby shit.

Maybe Urban got a crotch salute?

"+2 is our runs margin after 95 games, ...did the monster second half kick in on July 13th?

by A s Eh on Jul 21, 2006 7:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yes....
Urban played college ball. And he's a good guy. He doesn't just throw a bunch of stuff on a wall and hope it sticks. He probably has the best relationship with players of any beat writer for Oakland (I've worked with him). So I think there's probably a good deal of substance to what he wrote, even if it's not what A's fans want to hear. Isn't that the real problem here? We fans don't want to think that something may be imperfect in what we hope is a perfect clubhouse? There's a lot of stuff that goes on there that we'll never know about. So no one should throw Urban under the bus. Take it for what it is-one perspective (out of many) about a workplace environment.

by willem20 on Jul 20, 2006 7:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Just curious...
In what capacity did you work with Mychael, if you don't mind my asking?

by PositionPlayerProd on Jul 21, 2006 2:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i was an
intern for him and the a's website during college. Summer 2002. And I learned a hell of a lot for him that is helping me be the journalist I am today.

by willem20 on Jul 21, 2006 10:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I had the exact same thought
about low-class lowe.  
"There's not a moment of peace and quiet in this damn clubhouse." ~~ Nick Swisher

by luvsthecurveball on Jul 21, 2006 11:49 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

One thing has become apparent though...
There are issues with Bradley and the beat reporters. Things are not going to get better between Urban and Bradley.

Urban hasn't shown us to be the guy to right about flippant topics, so if he says there is an issue, I kind of believe him.

I think all of us here don't want to hear what he has to say, because it isn't good. We can only hope things somehow smooth over, but history would suggest it's probably going to get worse.

by Freefall on Jul 20, 2006 9:11 AM PDT   0 recs