SEATTLE- Lou Piniella's homecoming to Seattle brought out a boatload of media on Tuesday, and one of the topics he was asked about was his former player, Milton Bradley.
"I'm glad that he's gotten some good help," Piniella said. "I'd like to see Milton do well. He was with us a year in Chicago and he did what he could. He came here to Seattle, and we like to see our ex-players do well, and Milton is no exception."
Piniella was asked if he would speak to Bradley during the series.
"If I see him," he replied. "But I'm sure he's doing the best that he can and I wish him the best."
Bradley is in the lineup tonight at DH, batting third. After taking batting practice, Bradley went back into the Mariners clubhouse and had no contact with Piniella or any of the Cubs.
Photo: Lou Piniella and Milton Bradley in the Cubs' dugout last season. (Phil Velasquez/Tribune)
Piniella announced that Carlos Silva would not pitch Thursday against his former Mariners teammates because of the sore right hamstring he incurred against the Angels last Friday at Wrigley Field. Ted Lilly will pitch on his normal rest, and Carlos Zambrano and Silva will pitch the first two games of the White Sox series at the Cell.
Piniella also said Aramis Ramirez would not return from the disabled list on Wednesday as was originally planned. Ramirez is working with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo on a new grip with his left thumb that will alleviate the soreness. He's expected to be back on Friday against the Sox.
I've said it all along, Lou wants to go home. he's not into it. sure when you're winning it's easy to be interested, happy, etc.
it's how you act when you lose. and when he lost in Tampa he quit and blamed the owners, just like he's blaming the players for this season as well as 2009 and losing the playoffs in 2007-8.
and when you worry more about getting 2000 wins, keep leading off with a guy who doesn't walk, can't tell who the best RF'er is on this team, leave 230 hitter in the 3rd slot all year, changes the lineup everyday, etc. he should be fired along with the people who keep saying they are happy with him and leave it to him if he comes back in 2011.
he says he's trying to find a winning combo (lineup), but when they win he has a new lineup the next day. you don't win with a platoon system, that's a fact. that's a sign of a weak team or bad manager.
Rod, you can put me down for a "2".
My observations go back 50 years.
If there is any consolation, yesterday I ran into someone who knows Ricketts well, and he briefly indicated that he isn't taking this all too well.
Its impossible to like this team of deadbeat, underachievers. But isn't that the exact impression Lou gives the team. And Hendry won't fire Lou, out of 'respect'. Respect - is that what Lou shows, or is that apathy? For that alone - forget his bloated, and unnecessarily lengthy contracts, he should be shown the door, also.
Hire Fredi Gonzalez, or give Sandberg his 'audition'. It doesn't really matter at this point of this season - nothing to loose, and maybe respect to gain.
If Ramirez still has a sore thumb, then why is he being brought back? Has his .160 BA been missed that much? I'd love to see a survey done, asking Cub fans how much they like this team. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you like this Cub team regarding not only their won-loss record, but they're effort, demeanor, personality, appearance. Mainly just how they go about their business on the field. Personally, i like this club probably worse than any Cub team in a long, long time, and i've been following them since the early 60's. I'd rate them about a 3 as far as my feelings towards them.
Being that fans are still bashing Dusty, no, they cannot turn the page. They won't let it go so the media feeds it.
Can we just turn the page? It's 2010. I know that the NHL and NBA is done and besides the World Cup which not everybody is into anyways that sporting news is slow. I'll be honest I could give 2 spits about Milton. He is with Seattle. The Cubs have enough problems to deal and talk about already.