Link of the Day: Larry Stone On Milton Bradley
Ken Macha, who managed Bradley in Oakland in 2006, when the A’s made it to the American League Championship Series, also had a good experience with Bradley. Though a series of injuries, a career-long issue for Bradley, limited him to 96 games, he hit .500 (9-for-18) in the ALCS against Detroit.
“He’s a competitor. He plays with a lot of intensity,” said Macha, now Milwaukee’s manager. “In 2006, he was our best player in the playoffs, actually. Milton plays hard all the time. Everything else out there with him, he gets a little excited. You just have to know how to handle him.”
Macha said he got advice on handling Bradley from a good friend, Felipe Alou, his original manager in the Montreal organization.
“I just think encouraging him, and a pat on the back here and there, was helpful,” Macha said. “I don’t think confrontation is a good way to go about having a relationship with him.”
Added Macha, “There were some situations that came up, and we handled them, both of us together. It happens with every player. Milton demands a lot out of himself. Sometimes, him demanding all that out of himself is where he gets into trouble.”
There’s much more here. Terrific article, thoughtful writing and reporting by Larry Stone. Read it.
