2009 C: December 18, more than a few days later, the Cubs trade Bradley to the Seattle Mariners for RHP Carlos Silva and cash.

2010: May 4, 2010: With the team on a losing streak, and Bradley’s one of the only bats recently making any noise, he was moved into the cleanup spot, where he started off by going 0-3. After being pulled from the game in the 7th inning after consecutive strikeouts looking, the latter with the bases loaded, and the team trailing 3-1, he reportedly complained that Don Wakamatsu didn’t defend him more with the umpire following his second strikeout and then said, “I’m packing my stuff. I’m out of here.” The team loses 5-2, its fourth in what would become an eight game losing streak.

May 5, 2010: Bradley makes a scheduled appearance at a local elementary school, gives an impassioned talk about what motivated him growing up to become a ball player, then meets with his manager and the GM and said he needed help for ongoing personal problems. Art Thiel’s Seattle PI column describes the prior night’s loss as the “worst game of the season” and notes that Carlos Silva will continue to be the “gift that keeps on giving, right into his start for the National League in the All-Star Game.” Art’s worst game would be topped (bottomed?) by others before the month of May is over.

May 6, 2010: The Mariners announce they have placed Bradley on the restricted list. They end up giving him 15 days off to seek counseling.

May 19, 2010: Bradley is reactivated. The team has gone 3-10 in his absence. Other candidates for “worst game of the season” in that stretch include back to back 8-0 losses to Tampa Bay and the Angels May 6 and 7, and a 6-5 loss to Baltimore in which Felix Hernandez pitched 7 innings, and left with a 5-1 lead going into the bottom of the 8th.

May 24, 2010: Bradley gives interviews about why he asked for help. He says he thought about getting help in 2009, while still with the Chicago Cubs: “I wanted to take some time out, get my thoughts together, and just speak to someone and get an understanding from somebody unbiased,” Bradley said. “But you can’t really do that in Chicago. There’s just too much going on.” Meanwhile, in Arlington, Texas, the Cubs spot Carlos Silva a 4 run lead in top of the first, and he scatters 6 hits and 3 runs over 5 1/3 innings to improve his record to 6-0.

May 25, 2010: Bradley, hitting cleanup for the first time since his May 4 meltdown, goes 2 for 4 with a two-run home run and three RBI in the M’s 5-3 win over the Tigers. After his RBI single in the 8th scores Chone Figgins for the go-ahead run, he leaves first base as a pitching change is made and celebrates with teammates in the dugout. He comments later, “I was full of joy,” he said. “The whole day, I just felt right. I had the right attitude and the right approach. My mind was clear, and I didn’t have a worry at all up there. I was able to come through.”

…and they all lived happily ever after.

Bradley has put up good overall numbers, with spattering years of greatness – same as Moss. Overall, Bradley is a bit underrated as a player, and when healthy, he is usually excellent. The people Bradley seems to hate, Jeff Kent and Lou Piniella, seem like bona-fide a-holes. All in all, the more I read about Milton Bradley, the more likable he gets.

Guys like Manny Ramirez and Terrell Owens come to mind; there is always drama surrounding these guys, and ridiculous stories and quotes to boot. They are superstars however, unlike Milton Bradley.

Have to concur that Artest is the choice… but also see where Eric is coming from. Artest does seem to be controlled crazy, while Milton…

The best I could come up with? Freddie Mitchell. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Mitchell Fun stuff. Pinella’s quote on Bradley reminded me of Belichick’s: “All he does is talk. He’s terrible, and you can print that. I was happy when he was in the game.”

@Rockabye I’m no Bill Simmons, but Ron Artest is the obvious NBA parallel, right?