By Phil Rogers
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- No manager has been more supportive of Milton Bradley than the Texas Rangers' Ron Washington, who first got to know him as a coach in Oakland. He says that "if he's healthy,'' Bradley will be bounce back from his horrible season with the Cubs to be a major contributor for the Mariners, one of the Rangers' division rivals.
"I never wish anything bad on anybody'' Washington said with a smile Wedneseday. "But, hey, pull a hamstring.''
Washington said he didn't second-guess Lou Piniella's handling of Bradley, but said that he required constant attention from a manager, which he received from Ken Macha in Oakland and from Washington in Texas.
"You have to let him know when he's doing things wrong,'' Washington said. "You can't let it build. Milton has pride. His pride sometimes gets in his way. He wants to do so well so bad that sometimes it hurts him. He's a good kid. I don't know what happened in Chicago but he was good for our teams in Oakland and here. He was great with his teammates.''
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- No manager has been more supportive of Milton Bradley than the Texas Rangers' Ron Washington, who first got to know him as a coach in Oakland. He says that "if he's healthy,'' Bradley will be bounce back from his horrible season with the Cubs to be a major contributor for the Mariners, one of the Rangers' division rivals.
"I never wish anything bad on anybody'' Washington said with a smile Wedneseday. "But, hey, pull a hamstring.''
Washington said he didn't second-guess Lou Piniella's handling of Bradley, but said that he required constant attention from a manager, which he received from Ken Macha in Oakland and from Washington in Texas.
"You have to let him know when he's doing things wrong,'' Washington said. "You can't let it build. Milton has pride. His pride sometimes gets in his way. He wants to do so well so bad that sometimes it hurts him. He's a good kid. I don't know what happened in Chicago but he was good for our teams in Oakland and here. He was great with his teammates.''
On that point, there seems to be some difference of opinion. While Texas' players were wary about discussing Bradley on Wednesday, knowing that his strained relationship with the Cubs remains a hot button topic, some veterans have said privately that Bradley lost them down the stretch in 2008, when he wasn't willing to play through minor injuries because he was heading toward the free-agent market and a shot at his first multi-year contract.
But Washington insists that Bradley is "a winner,'' and says that he helped the statistics of some more highly regarded teammates.
"The guy had the highest on-base percentage in the league,'' Washington said. "He helped (Josh) Hamilton get 130 RBIs by hitting behind him. He helped (Ian) Kinsler score 100 runs. Milton drove in 77. Whatever runs Hamilton didn't get in, Milton did ... He taught our hitters how to grind. I don't know how many times he had 0-2 counts and worked it into a walk. That showed what winning is all about. He's a winning player, man.''
Health, says Washington, is the only question hanging over Bradley as he moves to Seattle.
"There's no doubt he'll help them, if he stays healthy,'' he said. "(Manager Don) Wakamatsu will handle him well. If he stays healthy, he will be an asset for that team.''
Washington had recommended that the Rangers hang onto Bradley after he hit .321 with 22 home runs and 77 RBIs in 126 games in 2008. He was open to reacquiring him this winter, when the Cubs discussed a possible trade with Texas before sending him to Seattle.
"You're damn right,'' Washington said. "I would have loved to have him (longer). We were under financial constraints. He was looking for a multi-year, and I don't think we were able to do that at the time.''
But Washington insists that Bradley is "a winner,'' and says that he helped the statistics of some more highly regarded teammates.
"The guy had the highest on-base percentage in the league,'' Washington said. "He helped (Josh) Hamilton get 130 RBIs by hitting behind him. He helped (Ian) Kinsler score 100 runs. Milton drove in 77. Whatever runs Hamilton didn't get in, Milton did ... He taught our hitters how to grind. I don't know how many times he had 0-2 counts and worked it into a walk. That showed what winning is all about. He's a winning player, man.''
Health, says Washington, is the only question hanging over Bradley as he moves to Seattle.
"There's no doubt he'll help them, if he stays healthy,'' he said. "(Manager Don) Wakamatsu will handle him well. If he stays healthy, he will be an asset for that team.''
Washington had recommended that the Rangers hang onto Bradley after he hit .321 with 22 home runs and 77 RBIs in 126 games in 2008. He was open to reacquiring him this winter, when the Cubs discussed a possible trade with Texas before sending him to Seattle.
"You're damn right,'' Washington said. "I would have loved to have him (longer). We were under financial constraints. He was looking for a multi-year, and I don't think we were able to do that at the time.''
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You know you're an idiot when even the White Sox fans are against you.
Bradley does need attention. And a therapist. And Valium. And a self-help seminar. And people skills. And...well basically the dude needs a 24/7 mother. Pretty sad considering the guy is in his 30s.