Things just went from bad to worse for Milton Bradley and the Padres: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports is reporting that the knee injury suffered by the mercurial outfielder while arguing with umpire Mike Winters on Sunday resulted in a torn ACL. He will miss the rest of the season, as well as the playoffs assuming the Padres hold on. The injury will require surgery, which means that he'll spend much of the winter rehabilitating. He'll be a free agent at the end of the season, and needless to say, visiting prospective employers wearing a knee brace and using crutches certainly won't do his bank account any favors.
Bradley remains adamant that Winters sparked the incident, and Padres CEO Sandy Alderson, a respected voice among baseball's front offices, is also convinced that Winters acted improper:
Alderson used to work in the commissioner's office, where one of his duties was overseeing umpires.True or not, it doesn't really matter for the Padres, who lost one of their hottest hitters right when they needed him most. Bradley is without a doubt responsible for his fate -- he could've let his coaches take up his battle for him -- but Winters isn't coming out of this incident completely clean, either.
"We're not going to sit by and see an umpire bait a player," Alderson said. He added that if the commissioner's office concludes the situation was handled appropriately, "I'll be shocked."
Previously on FanHouse:
Coach: The Umpire Provoked Milton Bradley
Milton Bradley Does the Most Milton Bradley Thing of All-Time
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-24-2007 @ 4:30PM
ken nelsen said...
And thats what happens when you lose your cool.
Reply
9-24-2007 @ 5:09PM
Kurt said...
I would be curious to hear what Todd Helton has to say about what he heard...
Reply
9-24-2007 @ 5:14PM
tony jacobs said...
First he's a professinal athelete you can't go after an official in that way. What if the coach had not restrained Bradley what might have happened to the ump given Bradley's demeanor. You have to maintain your composure in the face of adversity.
I can't help but be reminded of what Jackie Robinson went through verbally and physically to be in the major leagues.
I wish I could get paid what Bradley gets paid for running around in the dirt playing a game.
He needs to grow up and own up.
Reply
9-24-2007 @ 5:19PM
claytor said...
Well, so far the first base coach said he was appalled at Winters's transgressions toward Bradley, and i know how easy it is nowadays to just pin it on Milt and be done, but i think he wasnt the bad guy here.
Supposedly Winters called Milton a piece of shit, or something of the like, and thats overstepping your bounds by a mile.
Personally, im a tad sick of the umpires practically having free reign this year and part of the last one as well, Managers cant even argue with them, plunking is a no no, theyve basically been given the keys to the kingdom as far as deciding the outcomes of crucial games.
This is simply and utterly moronic.
This is why the NFL, NHL, and NBA have replay to an extent, because umpires arent perfect.
I suppose the ones in baseball are though.
Screw that ump, if he isnt suspended, there is something seriously wrong with baseball.
Reply
9-24-2007 @ 5:25PM
bbfan said...
Goes to show you what is wrong w/ professional ball players now. And not just in baseball. The respect for authotity. Yes umpires, refs. etc should be in control. What they say goes. End of argument. Until the youth of America
starts seeing their idols behaving in a proper way they will keep abusing and defying people in charge, teachers parents, law enforcement. No it is not the job of atheletes to teach children respect but they do not look up to their parents any more. But they do emulate their idols. To bad about your knee Milton. You should have said your peace and stole second.
Reply
9-24-2007 @ 5:54PM
MBIrisher said...
When in the history of this "O so great sport" (yeah right) has anyone EVER argued with an umpire and won the argument...meaning the ump. reversing his call. ex:
the ump says "You're out!" the mindless baby(mngr or player) says "What?! I'm not out you $%#@&*" then the ump says "Well,...I guess you're right, change that last call fella's he's really safe. Sorry. Play ball!!!"" Bullshitski!!!!! So why do they do it??????????Bunch of big overpaid babies!!!!
Reply
9-24-2007 @ 6:03PM
MBIrisher said...
Hey Claytor, you must live for baseball huh? Or do you only watch it when you've lost your pacifier? So when has arguing with the Umpire ever done anything productive? huh? That's right it hasn't!!! not ever!!! Kick dirt on 'em that'll show 'em. Tag you're out. Can't get me, I'm safe. Hey that reminds me of when I was a child playing tag with a safe "base". You think that's where this dumb childish game came from????? HHHmmmmmm?
Reply
9-24-2007 @ 9:11PM
Reg said...
Try being in a competitive situation and having a call go against you before you call these guys babies. Sometimes when you want to win so bad you cant control your emotions. Most of the greats have lost there cool at some point or another its a part of being a competitor.
Reply
9-25-2007 @ 4:07AM
Gern Wormstead said...
Yes, Milton Bradley is certifiably crazy, but if I was him I'd sue the hell out of the manager and the Padres for injuring him. Too bad for los Padres, good news for the DBacks baby!
Reply
9-25-2007 @ 7:45AM
enrose77 said...
If I was Bradley and Winters called me "you piece of sh*t", I wouldn't go off the way he did. I would look him in the eye, smile and say "yea, that's why I get paid million of dollars, and you don't even have half of that. If I was a piece of sh*t what that makes you?". Yea, that's so much better.
Reply