FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Congratulations to the Chicago Cubs for actually realizing what a valuable asset and key contributer Milton Bradley has become.  I'm glad there is one club out there that looks at his offensive numbers, his improved attitude and his value as a lockerroom leader over how much time he spent or didn't spend on the DL last year. 

The Rangers took a "gamble" on him last year because he was coming off of a knee injury.  One that happened to come, not from running down a line drive or sliding into home but, from being restrained by coaches in a meltdown he had with an ump at the end of the '07 season.  This was insult to injury (ha ha) that solidified his status as a liability who always had a chip on his shoulder.  This "gamble" payed off dividends for the Rangers in 2008 at he was one of the AL leaders in several offensive categories.  He earned the trust of all of our up and coming young players; our "future" that we've put so much stock into.  They all loved him.  There were several scuffles that the Rangers got into this past season and in each one of them you would see Milton out there breaking it up instead of encouraging it.  The man carried Gerald Laird (now a Detroit Tiger) off the field.  That's no small feat.  Other than trying to "introduce himself" to Kansas City broadcasters last year then apparently crying after being talked down from it and saying that he "loved this team", Bradley pretty much layed low last season and just did his thing.  

The new Milton Bradley just went about his business getting on base every chance he got, showing the kids on the team the ropes and even toweling off Josh Hamilton at the Home Run Derby.  I do not care that he missed time last year (though he technically never went on the DL).  He missed the same amount or less time than Ian Kinsler, David Murphy, Hank Blalock and most of our pitching staff.  No one seems to mention or care about that.  And yet the Rangers are reluctant to sign Bradley to a multi-year contract because he is "injury prone".  It is true that he may never duplicate his career year last season but I doubt he'll decline that much and I believe he will always be an On-Base machine!  That's why he was on Billy Bean's A's after all. 

Kudos to the Chicago Cubs in recognizing a truly valuable player and I wish Milton all the luck in Chicago.  (Even if he is going to be crushing my Brewers pitching!!).  The Rangers truly let this gem slip through their hands and I for one will miss him as will most Rangers fans I talk to because WE seem to at least know his value.  He will be a great clubhouse leader and will definitely get on base for the next 3 years.