Timebomb. Headcase. Malcontent.
Oakland Athletics center fielder Milton Bradley has worn all of those labels for the bulk of his professional career, but remains unfazed by the ill-famed depictions that have dominated the headlines.
"Most likely, the media will portray you a certain way, they pick a guy and focus on him like that," Bradley said. "In basketball, they take Ron Artest, in football they take T.O., in boxing they take Mike Tyson - and I'm they guy they take in baseball."
Controversy has followed the 29-year-old Long Beach native throughout his well-traveled seven years in the majors, which has seen stops in Montreal, Cleveland, Los Angeles and Oakland. The mere mention of his name is less synonymous with home runs and diving catches as it is with his meltdowns and blowups - his Sportscenter highlight reel is choc full of the latter.
There was the June 2004 game at Dodger stadium where he protested his ejection from the game against the Brewers by heaving a bag of baseballs and dumping them onto the field, then throwing a ball to the left field warning track in protest. The melee resulted in a four-game suspension.
Or September 28 of the same year, when a Chavez Ravine heckler tossed a plastic beer bottle at the outfielder. In turn, Bradley spiked it back into the stands before shedding his jersey and cap in anger while approaching the dugout. In turn, Bradley was suspended for the remainder of the season.
And in last year's ALDS, the fervent Bradley almost caused a caffeinated catastrophe in the A's dugout when he threw his batting gloves at a hot cup of coffee - which found its way into the lap of Oakland teammate Esteban Loaiza. While the negligible accident would normally not garner more than a pan of the camera, Bradley's antics hit the wire again.
"It comes with the territory," Bradley said, unfazed. "The media focuses on the negative - they don't see me signing autographs or doing charity work."
He sponsors Bradley's crew, a charity that donates tickets and food coupons to organizations such as the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program and local Boys and Girls Clubs. Two years ago, he was nominated for the Roberto Clemente award, which honors philanthropic major leaguers.
Benevolence or belligerence, the Shakespearian drama that has trailed Bradley from French Canada to the Bay Area has masked his achievements between the lines.
The talented switch-hitter has shown flashes of brilliance, tabbed by many a five-tool player for his abilities at the plate and in the field, though recurring injuries have hampered his overall numbers.
He was en route to a full-blown breakout season in 2003 when he batted .321 for the Indians before missing the last two months with a back injury. Bradley has only reached the 500 at-bat plateau once, when he hit .267 with 19 homers and 15 stolen bases for the 2004 Dodgers. Last year with the A's, shoulder injuries limited him to 96 games, though he finished strong, going 9 for 18 with a pair of home runs and five RBIs in their playoff run last fall.
"I just want to stay healthy this year," Bradley said of his personal goals on the young season.
The enigmatic outfielder has local ties, dating back to his days roaming the outfield for Long Beach's Polytechnic High. He said he always enjoys playing in Southern California for the idyllic weather as well as frequenting his favorite spots, which include Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles, the 710 Grille and Dave and Busters.
Drafted straight out of high school in 1996 by the Expos, Bradley never attended college, but said that Cal State Fullerton was one of the main places he was contemplating attending at the time.
"They put one great team after another out there every year," Bradley said, pointing out that two of his Oakland teammates, outfielder Mark Kotsay and pitcher Jason Windsor are Titan alumnus. He said that Kotsay, his neighbor in the Athletics' locker room, is a consummate team leader.
As the umbilical cord has just been cut on 2007 baseball season, Bradley said that he is excited about the Oakland's chances.
"I think we have a very good shot this year. We have great pitching, defense, we just gotta push some runs across the plate," he said of the A's.
His Oakland teammates painted a picture of a fiery competitor they have respect for on and off the field, claiming much of the media hype about his personality is just that - hype.
"I'd take him on my team 162 days a year," said relief pitcher Huston Street. "He plays hard and with passion, plus he's a hell of a card player in the locker room - that's Mo Beezy."
Street said that the media is quick to fan the flames on Bradley's controversial reputation.
"You know, if he's sitting by himself at the end of the dugout, [they assume] he's mad at someone. If it's someone else, then it's no big deal."
Veteran outfielder Shannon Stewart said Bradley is a good teammate and gets a bad rap from the media.
Pitcher Lenny DiNardo said, "He brings a lot of energy to the clubhouse - it's an honor to be his teammate."
The A's, a team annually in contention despite having a fraction of the payroll of their rivals, are renowned for looking past perceptions and focusing on potential - hence the presence of Bradley, the enigma whose talent may be the only thing that has never been publicly questioned.
Timebomb? Headcase? Malcontent?
Milton Bradley said doesn't pay mind to whatever reputation the media projects onto him, as he remains quietly confident in himself as a baseball player and a man.
"I just gotta be me."
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