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We all know there are some jerks in the Wrigley Field bleachers. And while some hurl beers at the opponents' outfielders, others have been known to hurl insults at an under performing Cubs outfielder or two -- just ask Corey Patterson, Jacque Jones, or Juan Pierre. So does it surprise anybody that Milton Bradley, the Cubs' current waste of $10 million, is whining that Cubs fans say mean things? "I'm talking about hatred, period. I'm talking about when I go to eat at a restaurant, I have to listen to the waiters bad-mouthing me at another table, sitting in a restaurant, that's what I'm talking about -- everything, " explained Bradley when asked on Wednesday to clarify comments made the day before.
Bradley alluded to racial slurs being hurled along with other comments. "America doesn't believe in racism," he said dismissively, while discussing incidents with fans at Wrigley. "All I'm saying is I just pray the game is nine innings, so I can be out there the least amount of time as possible and go home, " Bradley griped. And yet when pressed, Bradley could give no specific examples of racially motivated comments. Wrigley Field policy is to eject any fan who makes inappropriate comments toward a player, and yet Cubs security claim to have had no incidents involving Bradley and racial slurs.
So are the fans in Wrigley bleachers not so friendly? Or does Milton Bradley simply need to develop some thicker skin if he expects to patrol the outfield for the Cubs? [Ed's Note: While we certainly don't condone shouting racist comments at anyone, we can't blame fans if they called Bradley a dunce for games like these. - M.G.] We suspected he might run afoul of the fans when he signed; we're just surprised it took this long for him to finally lash out.
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Sounds like just another jerk making false accusations of racism.
Cubs fans, racist? Horry Cow!
Though with regards to Bradley, all I can really say is HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
First Umpires, now (more) Cubs fans, and always people who like to watch good baseball.
Sounds like Milton doesn't have any friends in that park.
maybe its because you show absolutely NO heart when you play MB
Bradley is an underperforming asshole, but I don't doubt the truth of this. LaTroy Hawkins also said the same things of bleacher creatures. Somehow, to many in the media, it's defensible behavior to yell racial taunts at a player.
I think Bradley is probably correct. I can believe that someone yelled racial slurs at him. I can also believe that no one in the area reported the fan/fans who did it. It's the bleachers. Tools will attend many games and things go on that don't always make the news.
The question is whether or not any GOOD, black, Cubs outfielders have ever had the same problem. Did Andre Dawson have this problem? What about Sosa, Alou, Rodriguez, Fukodome, or Hairston? If they haven't mentioned it then I have to believe that this is more deflection of responsibility from Bradley.
No fan should be willing to tolerate despicable behavior such as hurling racial epithets at other fans or players but no player should play the race card just because fans recognize that a face full of suck is on tap for the season.
Yes Milton, people are talking about you. It's because they think you suck. Stop sucking and people will smile at you and look for another guy who sucks.
A couple of months ago I was at the Cubs Pirates game when NYJER MORGAN was playing. Based on what I heard then, I really don't doubt what Bradley said.
I've been in the bleachers for lots of games over the years.
I've never heard a racially charged word (no sarcasm). None. Zip. Nada.
If there was some kind of problem, I would have noticed by now. These race-baiting false accusers deserve nothing but our contempt.
So because you've never personally heard anything means that Jacque Jones, LaTroy Hawkins, Milton Bradley and others [including the two posters above you] were all making it up and lying?
I guess you've never seen the "Ozzie/Pujols mows my lawn." or "Horry Kow" T-shirts either. Gimme a break.
I guess you've never seen the "Zambrano Mows My Lawn" t-shirts they sell in St. Louis. Or the crap they sell outside The Cell. Racism exists everywhere, not just at Wrigley.
And it's interesting to note the small group of people who have complained about racism at Wrigley. All Cubs players, all who had issues with on-field performance. Hmm...
It's never been players from other teams talking about racism, it's always Cubs players. Ozzie? No. Pujols? No. Carlos Lee? No. You'd think Ozzie of all people would have said something if he experienced racism at Wrigley, don't you? I mean the guy is hated at Wrigley. And he hates Wrigley and Cubs fans and he loves to complain about them. So you'd think Ozzie of all people would say something. And yet he hasn't.
Well Ozzie's not trying to field balls out by those bleacher scum though.
My guess:
Bradley sucks and is getting deservedly taunted. There's probably *some* of it (a tiny amount I'd guess) that is indeed racist taunting.
P.S.
Ward = "Angry white man syndrome" on steriods. It's the latest meme: You are oppressing white men by mentioning the existence of racism! lol.
Dusty and LaTroy were also not trying to field fly balls. I'm not saying it doesn't go on, I just don't like this idea that Wrigley is the last bastion of overt racism. I realize that's not what you were saying BT, but a lot of people act like Wrigley is where racism still lives in pro sports. Maybe it's just the haters who say it, but it's still being said.
Oh I'm sure it's not something unique to Wrigley.
No, but when everyone thinks it is then nothing happens. Because people start acting like Wrigley is the last bastion of racism, which makes it seem like everything else is just peachy in professional sports. it's just that damn Wrigley and all it's racism! but everything else is good! No racism at Fenway! Or anywhere in Philly!
Well in my mind, I imagine Fenway as being the worst on all fronts, but that's just a suspicion. As for Wrigley, you need to stop being so defensive. Scumbags go to Cubs games, scumbags go to Sox games. The Cell just isn't as intimate in terms of player fan interaction. Of course that doesn't stop fathers and sons from just running out on the field anyway... lol.
At the end of the day, I believe it has a lot to do with the bleacher-idiot factor. That and Milton's rep' makes him an easy target. None of that makes it okay.
I don't believe Cubs fans are inherently racist or anything like that. We're talking about a franchise that practically worships guys like Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, and Billie Williams.
I don't believe I made the assertion that Wrigley was some last bastion of overt racism. This is baseball we're talking about, after all. I'm a Cubs fan myself and I cringe every time I see it. And I have been to Wrigley, Busch and the Cell as recently as this summer and seen the same thing.