Advice to Bradley: Shut up and play

When the Cleveland Indians first acquired a young outfield prospect from the Montreal Expos, a lot of jokes were made about his name.
Milton Bradley.
Now, it seems, the joke is on us. Only no one is laughing.
Rising almost as quickly as his batting average and his stock this season has been Bradley's temper and his penchant for getting into hot water.
Most recently, Bradley was ejected from a game after arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Bruce Froemming during which the outfielder had to be restrained by Indians manager Eric Wedge.
Indians fans haven't seen a tirade like this since the days of Kenny Lofton; they haven't witnessed such a temper since Albert Belle.
Toss me
Bradley's outburst included throwing his bat and helmet at Froemming, the act which ultimately got him tossed.
He exacerbated the situation the following day by attempting to explain his feelings to the assembled media.
"I'm hitting .450 against left-handers," he began. "I ought to know what a strike is."
So should Froemming, who's been a major league umpire for 33 years. One can assume he's undergone countless reviews in order to maintain his good standing.
Even the best arbiters can miss a call once in a while. Giving Bradley the benefit of the doubt and accepting his version that Froemming missed the call, does it then excuse Bradley for his reaction? I think not.
Not justifiable
More from Bradley, explaining why he threw his equipment: "The umpire missed two pitches in a row. He already took my bat and helmet away from me. So if he wanted them, there they were."
And, discounting the fear that he might be suspended by Major League Baseball from the incident: "I don't think so. I threw my bat last year and I didn't get suspended."
Those are a couple of disturbing thoughts, on several levels. One, Bradley comes off as childish (i.e., "I'm taking my ball and going home"); secondly, he's establishing a pattern of equipment throwing. Bob Watson, MLB's chief of discipline, could easily see that pattern and factor it into his decision on whether to suspend Bradley.
Also, someone from the Indians organization needs to explain to Bradley that his childish tirades are being witnessed by thousands of youngsters who cheer for him. What a poor message he is sending to them.
"I'm a good hitter," said Bradley. That is true -- he's been among the American League leaders all season, with an average well above .325.
But, then he continued with this: "I've earned the right to dispute a call." Bradley must have access to some part of the rule book I've never seen: No where does it grant a player "the right" to dispute a call.
No excuse
Arguments between umpires and players and coaches are as old as the game itself. It doesn't excuse Bradley's behavior (only in the last couple of decades has it become commonplace for the participants to throw equipment as part of the argument).
Replays may show Bradley's opinion of Froemming's calls was correct; but, by resorting to the child-like behavior in which disputed those calls, he won't get any sympathy from this corner.
One writer who covers the Indians recently documented Bradley's season: He's been chastised by at least two opposing pitchers for showboating at the plate when hitting a home run, and he was benched by Wedge after loafing to first base on a grounder, then arguing with the manager in the dugout.
(We won't even bring up the fact he continually misplays fly balls.)
After he 'dissed' the Royals early in the season, Bradley found the following note on his locker: "Shut up and play."
It's advice Bradley should heed.
XRob Todor is sports editor of The Vindicator. Write to him at todor@vindy.com.