The story that got Bradley in trouble
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=322741&src=152Quote:
ST. LOUIS - Milton Bradley was a late scratch from Saturday's Cubs lineup, and it appears he's scratching himself from the team's future plans more and more each day.
In a brief one-on-one interview Saturday with the Daily Herald, Bradley talked of his unhappiness and said, "you understand why they haven't won in 100 years here."
Bradley, whom the Cubs signed to a three-year, $30 million contract last off-season, has been at the center of controversy for much of this season.
On the field, he is batting .257 with 12 home runs, 40 RBI and an on-base percentage of .378.
Lately, he's been bothered by inflammation in his left knee, which apparently is why he was scratched from Saturday's game.
When approached, Bradley said he didn't want to talk about his knee.
When asked if he was disappointed in his own performance, he didn't want to answer that, either.
"I'm not talking about that," he said. What do you think I did?"
Bradley claimed to have no opinion on where he bats - "In the lineup," he said of his preferred spot - and the only time he became expansive at all was when he was asked if he had enjoyed his first season in Chicago.
"Not really," he said. "It's just not a positive environment. I need a stable, healthy, enjoyable environment. There's too many people everywhere in your face with a microphone asking the same questions repeatedly. Everything is just bashing you. You got out there and you play harder than anybody on the field and never get credit for it. It's just negativity.
"And you understand why they haven't won in 100 years here, because it's negative. It's what it is."
Asked whether he was talking about the fans, the media or even the Cubs organization, he replied: "It's everything. It's everybody."
However, he would not go so far as to say he regretted coming to Chicago.
"No, I made the decision," he said. It is what it is."
General manager Jim Hendry most likely will try to trade Bradley this off-season. When asked if the thought he'd be back, Bradley said: "Who knows?"
The Cubs signed the switch-hitting Bradley to provide some left-handed production in their batting order. As a left-handed batter, Bradley has batted .234, compared with .324 right-handed.
Bradley was suspended earlier this season for allegedly bumping an umpire after striking out as a pinch hitter in his Wrigley Field debut.
In a June game against the Twins at Wrigley Field, he lost track of the outs and threw the ball into the stands with men on base after making a catch. He and manager Lou Piniella got into a shouting match at U.S. Cellular Field in June, and Piniella apologized for calling Bradley a name.
Bradley has been booed frequently at Wrigley Field this season
Last month, he talked of not being "comfortable" because of the "adversity and hatred" he said he faces.
Asked to clarify those comments the next day, he said: "All I'm saying is I just pray the game is nine innings so I can be out there the least amount of time as possible and go home."