Umpire who caused Bradley blow-up suspended for season

[SirFozzie]

Sounds like Bradley was in the right for once, and the umps were out to get him after a questionable incident the at-bat before

NEW YORK -- Umpire Mike Winters was suspended by Major League Baseball for the remainder of the regular season on Wednesday because of his confrontation with San Diego Padres outfielder Milton Bradley last weekend.

The Padres claimed Winters baited Bradley, who has a history of losing his temper. Bradley tore a knee ligament when his manager spun him to the ground while trying to keep him from going after the umpire during Sunday's 7-3 loss to Colorado in San Diego.

Winters was suspended because the commissioner's office concluded he had used a profanity aimed at Bradley, a baseball official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the reasoning for the suspension was not announced.

The 48-year-old Winters became a major league umpire in 1990 and worked the World Series in 2002 and last year.

Bradley tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will need surgery, which is expected to sideline him for at least six months. His injury was a blow to the Padres, who began Wednesday with a one-game lead over Colorado and Philadelphia in the NL wild-card race.

Trouble began when plate umpire Brian Runge asked Bradley if he had flipped his bat in the ump's direction after taking a called third strike that ended the fifth inning. Runge indicated that Winters told him that Bradley had.

The dispute escalated after Bradley singled, then asked Winters if he told Runge he threw his bat.

First base coach Bobby Meacham and Black said Winters used profanity. Bradley called it "the most unprofessional and most ridiculous thing I've ever seen."

"It's terrible. And now, because of him, my knee's hurt," he said after the game. "If this costs me my season because of that, he needs to be reprimanded. I'm taking some action. I'm not going to stand pat and accept this because I didn't do nothing wrong."

[Pumpy Tudors]

Did Bradley flip his bat at Runge? If so, Bradley's really the one who started all of this. I have to admit that this was one of the funniest injuries I've ever seen. A guy gets injured while arguing with the umpire. That's about as good as the Celtics' Tony Allen (is that his name?) hurting himself by dunking after the whistle.

[SirFozzie]

From everything I've seen, while the umps thought he did, he didn't. If he had, and the umps could have proved it, they should have thrown him out of the game right then and there. Instead, they decided to provoke him so they could throw him out and not look idiotic.

[st.cronin]

I've been wondering if Bradley might have a potential lawsuit at either of Black or Winters or both. Still, its not their fault that Bradley is insane. That's the real cause of the injury.

[Toddzilla]

Lawsuit? They guy has an ACL made of cooked spaghetti. He tore it while standing up. Milton Bradley tears tendons while he sleeps. He oughtta sue his parents for the shitty genes.

[ThunderingHERD]

I have a real problem with assholes in positions of authority, so I definitely sympathize with Bradley on this. If the reports are accurate the Winters was way out of line and it's guys like him that are the reason people hate umps. BUT... there's _no_ way you can blame him for Bradley's injury. If pick a fight with you from across the room and you trip and break a leg on the way to come beat my ass, is the broken leg my fault?

[Lathum]

I think Jim Rome said it best yesterday " if you know an umpires name it's probably because he did something wrong"

[Capital]

Bradley was jawing with the umpire from the basepaths and absolutely exploded before he was injured. We accept that non-sense behavior in baseball for some unknown reason. If a player in any other sports blows-up like that, they would be calling for long suspensions of that player.

Baseball should be suspending Bradley, coaches, and others. Face to face explosions with umpires need to stop. This is not 1960.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by Capital

Bradley was jawing with the umpire from the basepaths and absolutely exploded before he was injured. We accept that non-sense behavior in baseball for some unknown reason. If a player in any other sports blows-up like that, they would be calling for long suspensions of that player.

Baseball should be suspending Bradley, coaches, and others. Face to face explosions with umpires need to stop. This is not 1960.

Yup. Bradley did not have to say word one when he got to first. He started jawing and didn't like how the ref responded. The ref may have responded unprofessionally, but Bradley instigated it.

[ThunderingHERD]

Originally Posted by Capital

Baseball should be suspending Bradley, coaches, and others. Face to face explosions with umpires need to stop. This is not 1960.

Boy, what a disgraceful time 1960 was for baseball.

[ThunderingHERD]

oh, and...

Originally Posted by Capital

We accept that non-sense behavior in baseball for some unknown reason. If a player in any other sports blows-up like that, they would be calling for long suspensions of that player.

I have a theory on this actually: within any sport, the degree of indignation directed towards any given form of misconduct is directly proportionate to the number of brown people thought to be engaging in such conduct.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by ThunderingHERD

Boy, what a disgraceful time 1960 was for baseball.

Originally Posted by ThunderingHERD

oh, and...



I have a theory on this actually: within any sport, the degree of indignation directed towards any given form of misconduct is directly proportionate to the number of brown people thought to be engaging in such conduct.

Are you reading the same thread as the rest of us?

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by ThunderingHERD

oh, and...



I have a theory on this actually: within any sport, the degree of indignation directed towards any given form of misconduct is directly proportionate to the number of brown people thought to be engaging in such conduct.

""". When baseball players generally fight, its a good old fashioned brawl (we can all tell Nolan Ryan - Robin Ventura stories). When NBA player do it, they're thugs. And make no mistake - I'm a baseball fan, not a basketball one. But different debate.

[ThunderingHERD]

Hey, I wuz just answering the guy's question.

[NoMyths]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

""". When baseball players generally fight, its a good old fashioned brawl (we can all tell Nolan Ryan - Robin Ventura stories). When NBA player do it, they're thugs. And make no mistake - I'm a baseball fan, not a basketball one. But different debate.

This is a great point.

Hell, Ty Cobb beat the hell out a handsless fan almost a hundred years before Artest went nuts. The media whipping up the story has a lot to say about how it is perceived, and that's constant now (whereas in the days before ESPN and the Internet sports fandom and game knowledge was a lot more limited and regional).

*thinks*

[gstelmack]

I had no idea Bill Belichick was brown...

[MrBug708]

I'm assuming Todd Helton was interviewed by MLB?

[Big Fo]

It took a year to learn what exactly was said in the Materazzi - Zidane thing, hopefully we won't have to wait so long for this.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Big Fo

It took a year to learn what exactly was said in the Materazzi - Zidane thing, hopefully we won't have to wait so long for this.

According to Bradley, Winters called him a piece of shit.

The moral of the story is Bud Black should have let him go.

[dime]

he called him a "fucking piece of shit", at which point you see the 1B coach walk over and confront the ump...even BEFORE bradley strode over to touch the bag, call time and get in the ump's face.

I find it hard to believe that anyone would side with the ump here, it's a pretty clear-cut case of baiting. The racial element is also sad; if this were will clark or some scrubass duke basketball player people would be defending his "intensity and emotion". Instead, it's that bradley is out of control and should know his place and not talk back to authority...err, the umpire.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by dime

The racial element is also sad; if this were will clark or some scrubass duke basketball player people would be defending his "intensity and emotion". Instead, it's that bradley is out of control and should know his place and not talk back to authority...err, the umpire.

What the ump did was wrong, but the fan and media reaction toward Bradley is 100% his fault for the countless times he's been a complete jackass in the past.

The guy has serious anger issues. You can see it in that video and from his previous incidents.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by dime

he called him a "fucking piece of shit", at which point you see the 1B coach walk over and confront the ump...even BEFORE bradley strode over to touch the bag, call time and get in the ump's face.

I find it hard to believe that anyone would side with the ump here, it's a pretty clear-cut case of baiting. The racial element is also sad; if this were will clark or some scrubass duke basketball player people would be defending his "intensity and emotion". Instead, it's that bradley is out of control and should know his place and not talk back to authority...err, the umpire.

These are two completely different issues.

The umpire was absolutely wrong. There is no defending Winters IMO. He is the one guy on the field who is supposed to maintain his professionalism no matter what and he blew it. And no I don't buy that "well umps have bad days too" argument that many people throw out when an ump lets his position go to his head. He was wrong wrong wrong.

On the other hand, there is no excuse for Bradley to lose his mind either. I was half joking in my previous post but really, was Milton Bradley going to hit Mike Winters for calling him a piece of shit? What was his point of trying to get around his manager and his first base coach (authority figures on his team) to get to the ump? Bradley has displayed a long history of letting his anger get the best of him. He needs to get that shit under control.

[dime]

I think if I were milton bradley, I'd be mad as hell too.

Funny how the black guys always have "anger issues", isn't it? Bradley, Sheffield, Bonds, hell all the way back to Reggie Jackson and Dick Allen...this is not a new stereotype.

I'm trying to think of a white guy with "anger issues" and I actually cannot. All I can think of are managers, and they're always described as "fiery" or "scrappy".

Who are the angry white guys? John Rocker is the only guy I can think of, and that was all off-field stuff. Maybe they don't have to put up with half the shit the "angry" black guys do, so they never boil over.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by dime

I think if I were milton bradley, I'd be mad as hell too.

Funny how the black guys always have "anger issues", isn't it? Bradley, Sheffield, Bonds, hell all the way back to Reggie Jackson and Dick Allen...this is not a new stereotype.

I'm trying to think of a white guy with "anger issues" and I actually cannot. All I can think of are managers, and they're always described as "fiery" or "scrappy".

Who are the angry white guys? John Rocker is the only guy I can think of, and that was all off-field stuff. Maybe they don't have to put up with half the shit the "angry" black guys do, so they never boil over.

From Milton Bradley himself after his incident while playing for the Dodgers;

"From the bottom of my heart, I apologize for my outburst," the 26-year-old Bradley said shortly after learning of the suspension. "Getting upset has caused me to hurt family, hurt friends, hurt my team, hurt fans.
"I need to talk to somebody about anger, get treated, find a way to correct that situation. It's not even about baseball. This is about what I need to do for my life. I let anger get the best of me."

[Logan]

Originally Posted by dime

I think if I were milton bradley, I'd be mad as hell too.

Funny how the black guys always have "anger issues", isn't it? Bradley, Sheffield, Bonds, hell all the way back to Reggie Jackson and Dick Allen...this is not a new stereotype.

I'm trying to think of a white guy with "anger issues" and I actually cannot. All I can think of are managers, and they're always described as "fiery" or "scrappy".

Who are the angry white guys? John Rocker is the only guy I can think of, and that was all off-field stuff. Maybe they don't have to put up with half the shit the "angry" black guys do, so they never boil over.

You forgot Albert Belle, but you're still a complete jackass.

[Karlifornia]

The Milton Bradley incident involved him getting hit with a water bottle thrown by a fan...he yelled a bit, and threw the bottle back into the crowd.

Turnabout is fair play, in my mind. If you are cowardly enough to throw a bottle at someone with their back turned, then I have no pity when that sucker gets fired right back at you.

Bradley's no angel, but I think it's safe to say he gets more crap than he deserves.

Unrelated, I'd also risk a guess that he's more intelligent than most baseball players out there. How many baseball players list "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand as their favorite book?

[Young Drachma]

After hearing him explain himself after the game where he got hurt, I had a lot more respect for him. And say what you want about his past issues, he did nothing but play his ass off in Oakland and he's been the only on the Padres who's hit the ball during this pennant race.

So it'd be one thing if he was a hot head who couldn't get it together, but the kid is trying to turn his life around and of course, someone decides to push his button. Was it right? Of course not. But it's baseball and there is plenty of precedent of people staring down umpires and going at it. It's part of the game.

That said, I'm sure he'll think twice about doing it again, because the stakes were too high for him to go after the ump like that. But in the heat of the moment...stuff happens.

There are no winners in this circumstance.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

I'm assuming Todd Helton was interviewed by MLB?

No one is talking about it anymore. Not him or Bud Black. But one has to imagine he got a call. And when asked what he heard, he said, "it was interesting." Or something to that effect.

Players stick up for other players, even if one of them is a hothead. I can't imagine his testimony made it easier for Winters to lie about what really happened. But the suspension is fair and there wasn't much else MLB could do about it.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

Lawsuit? They guy has an ACL made of cooked spaghetti. He tore it while standing up. Milton Bradley tears tendons while he sleeps. He oughtta sue his parents for the shitty genes.

SI

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by dime

I think if I were milton bradley, I'd be mad as hell too.

Funny how the black guys always have "anger issues", isn't it? Bradley, Sheffield, Bonds, hell all the way back to Reggie Jackson and Dick Allen...this is not a new stereotype.

I'm trying to think of a white guy with "anger issues" and I actually cannot. All I can think of are managers, and they're always described as "fiery" or "scrappy".

Who are the angry white guys? John Rocker is the only guy I can think of, and that was all off-field stuff. Maybe they don't have to put up with half the shit the "angry" black guys do, so they never boil over.

Stop trying to bait someone into an argument.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by dime

I'm trying to think of a white guy with "anger issues" and I actually cannot. All I can think of are managers, and they're always described as "fiery" or "scrappy".

Who are the angry white guys? John Rocker is the only guy I can think of, and that was all off-field stuff. Maybe they don't have to put up with half the shit the "angry" black guys do, so they never boil over.

Todd Bertuizzi
Bill Romanowski
Marty McSorley
Dale Hunter


should I keep going?

[Lathum]

Bill Lambier

[CraigSca]

Roger Clemens has never done anything hotheaded either.

[Logan]

Pete Rose may have had some issues.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Stop trying to bait someone into an argument.

Originally Posted by Lathum

Todd Bertuizzi
Bill Romanowski
Marty McSorley
Dale Hunter


should I keep going?

This is why I heart Lathum.

[CraigSca]

Joseph Stalin.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Logan

This is why I heart Lathum.

lol, so I am somewhat hypocritical at times.

just trying to make a point

[Logan]

Mike Piazza was a nice guy 99% of the time.

Poor Guillermo Mota.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by CraigSca

Joseph Stalin.

How could you not like Uncle Joe? He was warm and friendly, like a big teddy bear.



SI

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

I've been wondering if Bradley might have a potential lawsuit at either of Black or Winters or both. Still, its not their fault that Bradley is insane. That's the real cause of the injury.

For what, forcing him to act like an immature little child. If he shuts his f*&^$ing mouth and goes about playing the game than he is healthy still. Hell, if all he does is turn and say something to the ump he's still okay. It's him throwing another one of his tamtrums that caused it.

[Logan]

Ed McCaffrey.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Todd Bertuizzi
Bill Romanowski
Marty McSorley
Dale Hunter

All of these guys are scrappy and feiry.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by CraigSca

Joseph Stalin.

Him too

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Atocep

All of these guys are scrappy and feiry.

HA!!!

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Him too

Awesome!

SI

[dime]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Todd Bertuizzi
Bill Romanowski
Marty McSorley
Dale Hunter


should I keep going?

yes, please keep going. list more football and hockey players known for their dirty play, that will do a fine job of speaking to my point about how the media and baseball umpires characterize black players vs white players in terms of having "anger issues". you're brilliant.

thanks for making my point, though.

[Capital]

People want DeAngelo Hall suspended for a game 1/16 of a season for his antics this past Sunday against Carolina, although they may have cost the Falcons the game. He didn't explode like Bradley (who attended anger management classes when he played for the Dodgers) and looked like a complete ass on the field.

If Hall got a 1 game suspension (which he won't) that would be equivalent to 10 in baseball.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

These are two completely different issues.

The umpire was absolutely wrong. There is no defending Winters IMO. He is the one guy on the field who is supposed to maintain his professionalism no matter what and he blew it. And no I don't buy that "well umps have bad days too" argument that many people throw out when an ump lets his position go to his head. He was wrong wrong wrong.

On the other hand, there is no excuse for Bradley to lose his mind either. I was half joking in my previous post but really, was Milton Bradley going to hit Mike Winters for calling him a piece of shit? What was his point of trying to get around his manager and his first base coach (authority figures on his team) to get to the ump? Bradley has displayed a long history of letting his anger get the best of him. He needs to get that shit under control.

I'll agree 100% with this. I'm not trying to defend the ump at all (he definitely went off the deep end as well), my point is simply that it takes two to tango, and Bradley was more than willing to dance.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by dime

yes, please keep going. list more football and hockey players known for their dirty play, that will do a fine job of speaking to my point about how the media and baseball umpires characterize black players vs white players in terms of having "anger issues". you're brilliant.

thanks for making my point, though.

You don't think the media has portrayed Bill Romanowski to have anger issues?

What rock are you under?

[Pumpy Tudors]

bitch i went to taco bell one day and order my burrito with no sour cream. so i get to the table and open up my food and they put sour cream all over it. so i roll back up to the counter with burrito in hand and them kids and their manager just fuckin took off. i heard them sayin "that black man got anger issues cuz here he come back with that burrito". and then i tripped over my baggy pants and fell the fuck down.

so i am pretty much expectin my check any day now aight