Bradley Sounds Off, Now Time to Shut Up

When I visited ESPNChicago.com tonight I saw an interview with Milton Bradley and as a Sox fan I am finding this whole situation amusing. Here's the interview:



While I enjoy a good ripping of the Cubs, I for one don't enjoy someone criticizing the city of Chicago or the people of Chicago. Bradley is quickly becoming a baby who can't handle a little bit of pressure. He says no African American player can play in Chicago unless they're Superman. Really Milton? Do you perhaps remember a man by the name of Jermaine Dye? A man who White Sox fans love to this day even when he started struggling down the stretch last season, if I remember correctly, he is African American.

You also say that people don't like it when someone doesn't perform "miracles" when they're paid a lot of money. Now you were brought into the Cubs organization to hit for power similar to what you did in Texas the year before, you didn't accomplish that, and in fact you hardly came close to any of your numbers the previous season. The Cub fans weren't asking for you to perform miracles, just to hit for a little bit of power. You also say people don't want to see a guy who is cocky get paid a lot of money, really? Michael Jordan is one of the cockiest athletes to ever play a sport and the man is worshiped in Chicago and he was paid a ton of money (he reportedly laid down $25 million cash to purchase the Bobcats).

Bradley says he received a lot of hate mail while with the Cubs similar to Jacque Jones and LaTroy Hawkins (it hurts to see these names doesn't it Cub fans?). What he also mentions is that he received hate mail in Oakland and LA also. So when does this become an issue about you and not the fans for the teams you play for?

If you think you were a prisoner in your own home, well that's your own fault. You're a professional athlete, scrutiny is sure to follow you wherever you go. You need to be the bigger man and own up to your lack of productivity. Jay Cutler struggled in his first season in Chicago and he owned up to his mistakes and took the blame when it was necessary for him to blame.

I understand that wherever you go as an African American you're likely to face some sort of racism, but to paint the entire city of Chicago as racist is just ignorant on your part, enjoy Seattle where it rains all the time and good luck dealing with more fans who are expecting a power hitter and won't get it.