But is he sincere? He's done this act before - owned up, made his public apology, went to counselling, begged forgiveness...
"I think Milton Bradley has made a huge step today, accepting the fact that he can reach his potential as a human being by seeking help," McCourt said. "Milton came to the conclusion on his own. It's a courageous decision and I support it wholeheartedly."
That was 2004 and what - four or five organizations ago?
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. It's one thing for him to man up and say that he accepts responsibility for his own behavior. It's quite another thing for him to actually do it and alter his behavior.
We've all known guys like this. They get caught cheating on their wife, they get all teary eyed and beg for forgiveness. They tell the family how miserable they are and how much they want to change. And one month later the same guy is in the same bar, hitting on the woman with the cosmo and bragging about it to his buddies.
I'm over Milton Bradley. He only acts like this when he's caught with his pants down and he's backed himself into a corner. When he knows that he's in trouble, he is contrite and humble. When he feels comfortable and secure, he's "the Kanye West of Baseball" and "isn't going to change for anyone".
Milton Bradley isn't mentally ill - he's a con man.
=== Great Day at the Counselor's Office, Dept.===
But!
Once in a while, somebody will do the right thing, and do what Milton Bradley just (reportedly) did.
He'll say he's sorry, frankly and fully admit that he needs to get better at A, B, and C ... without conditions !? Wow!
There's a magic button that anybody gets to hit in a counselor's office, and that button is "I'm sorry / I repent / My bad / Can You Forgive Me." Once a Daddy or Mommy hits that button with sincerity in their voice, it's a re-set. Nobody gets to rub a man's nose in "I'm sorry." From there it's hugs, smiles, and how do we get better -- in part to encourage the next I'm sorry. :- )
If one of the parties plays unfair at this point, and tries to wallow in the apology -- "Well, finally you admit it! For twenty years I've been putting up with that!," the unfair party can expect a sharp rebuke from the counselor...
From SSI's standpoint, Milton Bradley hit the magic button. He said, "It's my fault." No conditions, no excuses, just "it's my fault."
.
=== Fallout Dept. ===
Supposing the Mariners "forgive" Bradley, does this episode breed disrespect and contempt for Wakamatsu's rule?
Au contraire. The entire episode gives a thundering echo to Wakamatsu's and Zduriencik's voices in the future.
Nobody has been encouraged to leave a ballgame in the future. Not unless they want to make a public apology, receive a de facto suspension, and go through the pain of a verrrrrry public rehab plan.
Zduriencik and Wakamatsu handled the situation with baseball-unimaginable grace and wisdom: they (1) showed a sincere compassion and helpfulness to a man who needs it, and (2) reinforced once-and-for-all-time that the inmates are not running the asylum. All under a genuine, credible Grand Theme of Love -- e.g., "Do Unto Others As You'd Be Done By."
.
=== We Are Family ===
In the clubhouse, by all accounts, Sweeney et al have endorsed the love + discipline approach. You constantly hear players say "it was handled wrong" or "it was handled the right way." This one was handled right, with a capital R.
It's hard to imagine any clubhouse chemistry issues stemming from this incident. Exactly the opposite: 25 players have seen a huge problem handled with ultimate fairness. That makes a marriage stronger, not weaker. You don't build a marriage by ignoring problems; you build it by handling problems with compassion, justice, and wisdom.
Milton Bradley has publicly stated that he has never had a chance to play for an organization that respects him, and that now he has one in Seattle, and that he appreciates it. He demonstrated this with his shockingly mature correction of his own error.
Bradley just became one of my favorite baseball players. I hope he's in Seattle for five years. Preferably hitting 300/400/500. :- )
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=== Leaders of Men Dept. ===
Some guys manage efficiently, but aren't real easy to be around. Earl Weaver, Donald Trump.
Some guys lead -- they win, and they win respect. They succeed in business, and succeed in life. Pat Gillick, Bobby Cox.
Some guys transcend both of those - they win, and they win respect, and they also win admiration and love. They make money, and they enrich the lives of those they come in contact with. Bear Bryant, Mike Krzyzewski, John Wooden.
Zduriencik and Wakamatsu are in that third group. Seattle is lucky to have them in town.
.
Best,
Jeff
Comments
I believe this is the first time he went to the GM and Manager and asked for help. He's always been "nudged" or told to get help. Plus, he went to anger management couseling. Which I believe, is not what he truly needs. He needs phyciatric help for how he feels about himself, probably stemming from his childhood. Almost all major issues come from childhood issues. He gets so upset with himself and has outbursts because of it. It seems like most of his teammates understand this, it's why, except for the Cubs, none of his ex-teammates say anything bad about him.
I think the other important thing about this incident is that he went to the school thing scheduled way in advance and then he went to the team. Before, he had to be told to go see the team or somebody came for him. It's remarkable that he showed up at the school!! Nobody had to expect him to show up for that!!
You can say it's the same thing over and over again but this has been delt with so much qiucker because of Bradley himself. It seems like a corner turned to me. Maybe, I'm wrong. I could be, who knows, it just sounds better than anything he's done before. I have trouble believeing he's suddenly realized how to do sincere and truly sorry to the press. He's never really done that before, he's said things like "that's just the why I am, I'm very emotional"
I enjoyed the read. Wondering if he is sincere goes to Doc's point, if someone says they are sorry you accept it and move on; don't sit their and make them wallow in their appology and ask them to prove it. You begin the process of improving the person. Now we all have flaws in our own person that we want to improve upon - and in the process of improving oneself we tend to have setbacks or an occasional relapse. As Bradley goes thru this change process we should not expect it to be like flipping the light switch and all is corrected. It has taken him 30+ yrs to become the person he is, it will take him awhile longer to become the person he wants to be.
Good Luck Milton
Long time no see Jeff. Busy baseball season. Approaching playoffs and then a break before legion ball. Thanks for your thoughts on Bradley. I was curious to see what you might say. I don't blame anyone for not believing a word that Bradley ever might have to say. His track record of games far exceeds the long mlb schedule. But, once in a while, some people can finally get out of their black hole. You know just like in a hard counseling situation (we have similar callings), time always reveals if that person(s) wanted to change and make things work.
I have to wonder if in a situation like this, with so much money on the line, how would Bradley deal with a hefty fine or if this continues (will there be no fines so as to not add sparks?), does this allow a contract to be voided? Not just for the M's, but for this spoiled messed up man-child, I hope that he can get his life together.
Thanks!
Con men do what they do because THEY get some kind of reward for it?
What, precisely, has been Bradley's reward for his miserable behavior?
Einstein's definition of insanty was doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. Bradley blows up REPEATEDLY -- and gets fined, suspended, punished, fired, ridiculed, etc., etc., etc. How, in God's name is this benefitting him?
To say he's a "con man" when he's calm, reasonable and being repentent is only possible if one believes he is also INTENTIONALLY blowing up and melting down repeatedly by CHOICE.
Bradley's behavior has cost him money - playing time - endorsements - employment.
You say Bradley is not mentally ill. Fine. Then, please explain to me what BENEFIT Bradley has gotten from each and every one of his very public explosions. Do *YOU* work with people who act that way - on a regular basis?
The basic reality here is that Bradley has EMOTIONAL issues. Emotion and intellect are two completely different animals. Bradley can be perfectly rational - can be genuinely repentent - can be knowledgeable about the idiocy of his bad behavior - and *STILL* repeat the behavior. How? Because the behavior isn't driven by intellect. He cannot "think" his way out of his emotional torture chamber.
The guy in the bar cheating at least is getting something positive from his behavior, (assuming he scores).
Well said, Sandy.
Bradley has never had an organization as supportive as the Mariners...he himself has said so on countless occasions. If he is ever going to get better...if his life ever turns around while he's a professional ballplayer, it will be here. If the Mariners can't help him, no orgamization in baseball can and he should seriously consider retiring to take away that source of stress and give himself a chance to heal (to focus on that healing process). But he has a fighting chance here in Seattle...that's all you can ask for from a front office, a cluhouse and a manager.
I believe this is a big moment in Bradley's life that he will remember for as long as he survives.
Exactly what in Bradley's history and words and actions suggests he's spoiled?
Here's the thing. There are a myriad number of mental illnesses out there. Most are mild enough that people 'function' - but can never thrive.
While much of the current state of psychology and psychiatry might well be at (or just beyond) the "leeches and blood letting" stage of development - here are the simple facts.
IF someone is "correctly diagnosed" - "correctly medicated" - *AND* receives "necessary counseling" -- then mentally ill people can and do change and 'get better' and can thrive.
It is not rocket science to look at Bradley and go: "He repeatedly does things that are detrimental to himself and others." That alone is enough foundation to suggest he at the very least needs to be diagnosed by professionals.
If someone has pneumonia - nobody says - "Oh, quit your whining - cough up that phlegm and get back to work."
Unfortunately, today in America, the default position of those who don't have first hand knowledge of the realities of mental illness seems to be: "Quit faking!"
Well - you can fake the flu. (And I'm betting many readers have faked an illness at some point). But, we don't assume immediately that everyone who says they have the flu is lying. But, with mental illness - those who haven't suffered (or had close family or friends suffer), seem to default that it's all just some choice to behave badly, and the people should just stop. I just wonder if anyone might change their mind if some day in the future - when you are coughing up a lung from a really bad case of the flu - Milton Bradley walks by you and says, "Quit faking, you con man and get back to work."
Maybe spoiled as a fact or in the verbal was not the best description without concrete proof but you search through the history of MB and you will find a man who has made more money in one year than most extended families in a lifetime. It is not a money issue per say but one that has found ingratitude at every step. Forget the actions and outbursts. Have I missed periods of gratefulness, seeking to be responsible, wanting to make restitution? That is how I would qualify such a statement right or wrong. Forget spoiled but I think "acting as a spoiled child" could be a character trait....illness included. Offend you? Didn't mean to. I have had to deal with my suicidal people and I do not make light of the overflow of physical. I hope the best for the man. I really think with this man baseball as a game should be considered quite trivial in comparison with his long term well being. Thanks for your comments. By the way, I never suggested he was faking. I believe to him it is all very real. Sadly, too real. No longer America's pasttime!
If someone has pneumonia - nobody says - "Oh, quit your whining - cough up that phlegm and get back to work."
Actually, the Ms did say that to Carlos Guillen, who managed to post a better offensive season than most of Jack Wilson's while suffering from TUBERCULOSIS.
Can't imagine why he doesn't like us.
I'm glad these Mariners are not those Mariners. One of the important tests of this Bradley/Mariners relationship was in how we would handle him once he blew up about something.
We're handling him fine. He might actually grow up a little here nearer the end of his career. It's a hard thing to do to acknowledge your problems and deal with them. Would I prefer that he was a mentally healthy and productive ballplayer?
Yep.
Do I think getting him mentally healthy might help him in the lineup? Maybe.
Do I think it sends a good message that Bradley does not get to walk roughshod over the management of this team, but ALSO that they can deal with him in a productive way instead of the acrimony and bitterness that happened in Chicago?
Yeah, it does. Wak may do some things in game management that I don't like but the guy is absolutely someone who seems to have the respect and admiration of his players. More like a certain ex-coach for the Eagles and Rams than a ball-buster. I'm all right with that. Vermeil won a ton of games with a soft touch and a sharp mind.
I hope Bradley gets his head on straight. I hope he can contribute to the Ms becoming a winning organization on the field again (and I would caution Doc not to credit the Ms with an excess of winning a la John Wooden before they actually DO win).
But the org DOES seem to be in far better hands than its Bavasi/Hargrove times. That's very gratifying to see.
~G
I hope the best for Milton Bradley.
The team, on the other hand, isn't looking too hot. I would welcome a rebuild year if thats what this becomes. Realistically we need to bring in more young talent if we're to contend with Texas and Oakland long-term.
I am exceedingly curious as to what we plan to do for the future. Do we break the bank (and scatter our prospects to the 4 winds) and try to contend this year? I would advise against that.
But there are some things we don't have lying around in the minors either (like reliable power hitters).
Ackley and Triunfel are supressing their trade value right now, which is okay with me (more so with Ack than Tri) as is Saunders, but there's enough down there to get something back at the trade deadline.
Do we go for that, or do we play for next year if this flopping around on the field continues. And is keeping our prospects actually playing for next year? Who here feels completely confident in letting Ackley and Triunfel replace Lopez and Wilson on the roster? Swapping in Peguero in LF and watching him do a Balentien?
I honestly think we're gonna need to move some people out of the system to get in some bats. I hope we can keep Pineda to do so, but we probably can't keep Pineda and Robles.
I just look at Gillies struggling worse than Ackley in AA for the Phils (at least Dustin still has a great eye at the plate), Aumont following up 6 no-hit innings with getting ROCKED in his next start, Ramirez still giving up too many hits for his stuff...
Would we be better set up for the future with them here and Lee not here? I don't think so. Can we flip Lee for better prospects than what we gave up? Will we?
I also think we need more talent, both in the bigs and in the system. How are we gonna get it?
Do we trade Franklin and Robles in a package for a bigger bat? It would essentially be trading 3 months of Washburn and Ibanez's 12 mil/yr (since that's where we got the picks) to do that.
Or do we hold on to Robles and hope he can refine his command and stay healthy enough to harness his great potential, and hope that Nick Franklin can survive 4 more levels of competition (including the bigs) and come through to help us...in 2014ish?
Jack's done a lot of work since he got here, but we really, really needed Bradley to hit like he can and not like he has in order for this offense to have a prayer of working. It's not working.
So what's the fix? Oakland and Texas both have a lot of talent on the way, soon. By the time our minor league talent is ready, theirs may already be in stride. We're gonna have to add more talent from outside.
Time to steal some more talent, Jack...
~G
The sincerity is a must - good call mates - many (most) of these guys *are* con men, and if that's the case we have a different conversation ...
.............
IMHO the sincerity can't be gauged without being in the same room with Bradley.
Would seem to me that Zduriencik is therefore the man to gauge Bradley's sincerity, and Zduriencik sold me as to Z's assessment of Bradley's sincerity.
The 24 men in the locker room will also form their own opinions on this, and their buy-in will either be (1) enthusiastic or (2) the prelude to Bradley's leaving the Mariners...
If Z, Wok and the 24 don't feel like Bradley is on the level, he's gone. Shortly.
Provocative analyses, amigos :- )
Ichiro isn't getting any younger, either...
One other issue on this front may be the culture of baseball, or more broadly speaking the culture of sports/marital arts. My only personal experience with high level sports/martial arts was in kendo (a martial art which essentially combines fencing with wrestling), where I competed in the all-Japan corporate kendo taikai in Tokyo. Essentially it's the kendo version of the baseball "industrial leagues" I guess. While training with the #1 team in the country and with numerous college teams, you quickly notice that there is a culture where "spirit" is the key--where the mind conquering the weaknesses of the body is taken as a given. I saw the same in high school wrestling when I was younger. What I saw in both sports, and what I read in the papers in the baseball world, is a clear support of the "tough it out" ideology.
The problem with this ideology is that it does not lend itself to solving a problem like mental illness "fully". As with physical injuries, players are often told to get back into the lineup while they're not fully recovered. We can see this all over the league today, but if you need an example, Berkman with the Astros is just one off the top of my head. His knee is still swollen, yet he's playing. In the case of mental illness, I suspect the pressure to return is even more intense, as there are no physical signs that can be pointed to to keep a player from returning when he isn't ready. All the more problematic, as Sandy pointed out, is our rudimentary understanding of the human mind. If someone Bradley never received adequate help before (and all indications seem to be that with the Dodgers his treatment was eventually ended while he obviously still had difficulties to deal with), and discontinued treatment before fully "cured", it's unsurprising that problems continue to crop up.
Sadly I suspect this will only continue until we change the culture of sports to say it's "ok" to be injured. Working hard and pushing one's limits are key. Breaking ourselves serves no ones interests.
*cough*cough*
Is there any doubt which face Miton Bradley will show us now? Be prepared for Mr. Contrite or Mr. ItsNotMyFaultEverybodyIsPickingOnMe.
My heart really goes out to the guy .... it is becoming apparent that he's headed for something horrible ...
Will be surprised if the M's continue to associate with him ... they gave him the mother of all second chances, already...