Bradley on best behavior in return

Now with the Dodgers, he didn't cause any commotion in the exhibition game.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) -- Milton Bradley was on his very best behavior. Nothing but hugs and smiles.
Los Angeles' enigmatic outfielder didn't cause any commotion in his first game against the Cleveland Indians on Thursday. And this time, Bradley didn't have to take a taxi to Chain of Lakes Park.
He drove himself.
A year ago, the Indians said goodbye to Bradley and his troubling antics for good when they traded him to the Dodgers on the eve of opening day. The deal came just a few days after Indians manager Eric Wedge pulled him from a game for not hustling and confronted Bradley in the dugout. Rather than stay around, Bradley took a 45-minute taxi ride back to his condominium from Kissimmee, Fla.
Talked with old teammates
There were no fireworks in Bradley's return. He spent a few minutes chatting with former teammates Coco Crisp, C.C. Sabathia and Paul Shuey before the game. In his first at-bat, he was greeted with a smattering of boos by Cleveland fans.
After saying he would speak with reporters following pregame batting practice, Bradley changed his mind and sprinted across the outfield to the Los Angeles clubhouse.
"I'd rather not (talk)," Bradley told a Dodgers spokesman.
Earlier, he turned and went the other way when he saw media members staking him out. He had to jump a short wall to get onto the field.
Maybe he has learned how to avoid trouble.
Bradley's talent has never been questioned. He has power, speed, a strong arm and star qualities. Sadly, his temper -- on and off the field -- has never allowed him to fulfill his immense potential. He wore out his welcome with the Indians, who bent over backward to make him comfortable.
Still a problem in L.A.
But although he was back home, Bradley couldn't stay out trouble last season in Los Angeles, either.
Bradley was suspended twice for over-the-top tantrums, the second one costing him five games when he slammed a plastic water bottle in the front row of stands and argued with fans at Dodger Stadium.
Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy has noticed a difference in Bradley.
"I've had him for a year," Tracy said before the Dodgers lost to the Indians 8-0. "I don't have any issues with Milton Bradley. He's having a very good spring. He's approaching things very business-like."
Aware that another outburst is possible, Tracy remains hopeful that Bradley has learned how to control his anger.
"You certainly hope that over a period of time in your life that circumstances develop that you can step back and say, 'Is there a better way of handling this situation?' That's part of life. That's all part of growing up. It doesn't matter if you're 28 or 45, those situations come up."
Former teammate
Shuey has a unique perspective on Bradley. He was teammates with him in Cleveland and then again in Los Angeles, where his locker was next to Bradley's.
There were times last season, Shuey said, when umpires baited Bradley, hoping to push him over the edge.
"At the same time, Milton brings some of that on himself," said Shuey, back with the Indians. "But he's trying to get better. I think he's growing up. I certainly wouldn't give up on him. He's got a lot of talent and he's a good dude. He's just got to be able to temper himself.
"He has trouble once the fire starts, he has trouble putting it out. He's not a bad guy. I'm rooting for him."
Wedge once did, too. He spent much of his first season with Cleveland having to coddle Bradley. He smiled when asked if he was surprised too see Bradley, who made the two-hour drive from Vero Beach.
"No," said Wedge, unwilling to rehash the past. "He's a good player and I wish him all the best."