Milton Bradley (baseball) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Milton Bradley
Bradley at the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
Outfielder
Born: (1978-04-15) April 15, 1978 (age 47) Harbor City, California, U.S.
Batted: Switch Threw: Right
debut
July 19, 2000, for the Montreal Expos
Last appearance
May 8, 2011, for the Seattle Mariners
MLB statistics
Batting average	.271
Home runs	125
Runs batted in	481
Teams
Montreal Expos (2000–2001) Cleveland Indians (2001–2003) Los Angeles Dodgers (2004–2005) Oakland Athletics (2006–2007) San Diego Padres (2007) Texas Rangers (2008) Chicago Cubs (2009) Seattle Mariners (2010–2011)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star (2008)
Medals Men's baseball Representing USA Pan American Games Silver 1999 Winnipeg Team

Milton Obelle Bradley, Jr. (born April 15, 1978) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He was 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and weighed 215 pounds (98 kg). Bradley was a switch hitter, meaning he could bat from both sides of the plate, and he threw right-handed. He played for 11 years in Major League Baseball (MLB). His teams included the Montreal Expos (2000–01), Cleveland Indians (2001–03), Los Angeles Dodgers (2004–05), Oakland Athletics (2006–07), San Diego Padres (2007), Texas Rangers (2008), Chicago Cubs (2009), and Seattle Mariners (2010–11). Bradley was known for his talent but also for some challenges he faced during games.

Milton Bradley was born in Harbor City, California. He went to Long Beach Polytechnic High School. The Expos drafted him in the 1996 Major League Baseball draft. He played four seasons in minor league baseball before making his big league debut on July 19, 2000. In 2001, Bradley was traded to the Cleveland Indians. Later, in 2004, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He played 216 games for the Dodgers, which was the most for any team he played on. After that, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics. In 2007, Bradley joined the San Diego Padres. He became a free agent and signed with the Texas Rangers in 2007. With the Rangers, he was chosen for the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He also led the American League in on-base percentage (.436) and on-base plus slugging (.999).

After his time with the Rangers, Bradley signed with the Chicago Cubs in January 2009. In December of that year, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners. In Seattle, he batted .205 in 2010 and .218 in 2011 before leaving the team. Throughout his career, Bradley had a batting average of .271. He hit 125 home runs and had 481 runs batted in (RBIs) in 1,042 games. People described him as having "power, speed, a strong arm and star qualities."

Early Life and High School Baseball

Milton Bradley was born on April 15, 1978, in Harbor City, California. His mother, Charlena Rector, worked as a clerk at a local supermarket. His father, Milton Bradley Sr., was a veteran of the Vietnam War.

Bradley played baseball at Long Beach Polytechnic High School. He was teammates with another future baseball star, Chase Utley. After high school, Bradley planned to go to California State University, Long Beach. However, the Expos drafted him in the second round of the 1996 MLB draft. He decided to sign with them on July 1, 1996.

Major League Baseball Career Highlights

Starting with the Montreal Expos (1996–2001)

Bradley began his professional baseball journey with the GCL Expos in 1996. He played 32 games and had 27 hits. The next year, he played for the Vermont Expos and was named to the postseason All-Star team. In 1998, he played for the Cape Fear Crocs and the Jupiter Hammerheads. He hit .302 for the Crocs.

In 1999, while playing for the Harrisburg Senators, he was suspended for seven games after a fight. He also won a silver medal with the United States team at the 1999 Pan American Games. The Senators played in the Eastern League championship that year. In the final game, Bradley hit a walk-off grand slam in the ninth inning. This amazing hit gave the Senators a 12–11 win.

In 2000, after playing 88 games for the Ottawa Lynx, he was called up to the major league team. He made his MLB debut on July 19, 2000. In his first game, he hit three straight singles. For the season, he batted .221 with 15 RBIs in 42 games. In 2001, Bradley played 67 games for the Expos. On July 31, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians. The Expos received pitcher Zach Day in return. The Indians' General Manager, John Hart, said they were getting a player who would have a "major impact."

Time with the Cleveland Indians (2001–2003)

Bradley as a Cleveland Indian

After the trade, Bradley joined the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. He played 30 games for them and 10 games for the major league Indians.

In 2002, Bradley had to go on the disabled list (DL) twice. First, for an appendectomy in April. Then, in May, he broke a bone near his eye after a ball hit him. He returned in June and finished the season with a .249 batting average, 38 RBIs, and nine home runs.

Bradley spent the 2003 season with the Indians. He led the team in stolen bases with 17. He missed the end of the season due to a back injury. In November 2003, he signed a new contract with the Indians. However, during spring training in 2004, he was temporarily banned from camp. On April 3, 2004, he was traded to the Dodgers.

Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers (2004–2005)

In his first game with the Dodgers, Bradley played center field and had two singles and two walks. On June 1, he was ejected from a game for arguing with the umpire. He threw a ball bag onto the field in frustration. He was suspended for four games.

On September 19, he hit a very long home run (479 feet) against the Colorado Rockies. On September 28, during a home game, Bradley made an error. A fan threw a bottle at him, and Bradley threw it back into the stands. He was immediately ejected and suspended for the rest of the season. In the postseason, he hit .273 with a home run, but the Dodgers lost. He finished the 2004 season batting .267 with 19 home runs and 67 RBIs.

In 2005, Bradley continued to play for the Dodgers. On August 25, he was placed on the DL with a knee injury. This injury kept him out for the rest of the season. On December 13, 2005, the Dodgers traded him to the Oakland Athletics.

Time with the Oakland Athletics (2006–2007)

In his first season with the Oakland Athletics, Bradley batted .276 with 14 home runs and 52 runs batted in. He was on the DL in May 2006 due to a muscle strain and a knee sprain. On July 30, he hit a three-run walk-off home run to win a game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

During game four of the 2006 American League Championship Series, Bradley made history. He became only the third player in MLB history to hit home runs from both sides of the plate in a postseason game. He had a great series, hitting nine-for-eighteen with two home runs.

On June 21, 2007, the Athletics decided to trade Bradley. A trade to the Kansas City Royals was canceled because Bradley had an injury. He was then traded to the San Diego Padres on June 29.

Joining the San Diego Padres (2007)

Bradley with the Padres, broke his bat over his knee after striking out on August 28, 2007.

Bradley started his time with the Padres on the DL but returned on July 7. In July, he batted .364 with four home runs.

On September 23, 2007, Bradley injured his right knee during an argument with an umpire. He missed the final week of the season. The umpire involved was suspended for the rest of the season because MLB found he had used inappropriate language. Bradley was not suspended.

Playing for the Texas Rangers (2008)

After the 2007 season, Bradley signed a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers. He was healthy and ready to play for the season opener in 2008. As the Rangers' designated hitter, he led the American League in on-base percentage (.436) and on-base plus slugging (.999). He was also third in batting average (.321).

Bradley was selected to play in his first All-Star Game in 2008. He was chosen as a reserve designated hitter. However, due to an injury to David Ortiz, Bradley became the starting DH in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game.

During his time with the Rangers, Bradley had an emotional moment after a game in June 2008. He was upset by comments made on TV and tried to talk to the announcer. His manager and general manager stopped him. Bradley later said he just wanted to play baseball and make a better life for his child.

With the Chicago Cubs (2009)

On January 8, 2009, Bradley signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Cubs. He received a one-game suspension for making contact with an umpire during an argument. On June 12, during a game against the Minnesota Twins, he caught a fly ball but threw it into the stands. He thought it was the third out, but there were only two outs. This allowed a runner to score.

Later that month, Cubs manager Lou Piniella sent Bradley home after he showed frustration in the dugout. Piniella and Bradley talked about it later, and Piniella apologized.

On September 20, 2009, the Cubs' general manager suspended Bradley for the rest of the season. This happened after Bradley said in an interview that the team lacked a "positive environment." Bradley later apologized for his comments. For the Cubs, Bradley hit .257 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs. He was traded to the Seattle Mariners on December 18, 2009.

Final Years with the Seattle Mariners (2010–2011)

Bradley speaking to umpire Joe West

The Mariners hoped Bradley would help them reach the playoffs. On May 4, 2010, he left a game without permission after an argument with his manager. The Mariners placed him on the restricted list but activated him later that month. He ended the 2010 season on the DL after knee surgery. He finished the season batting .205 with eight home runs.

On May 9, 2011, the Mariners decided to release Bradley. He had started the 2011 season hitting .218. The Mariners reportedly lost patience with him due to his performance in a series against the White Sox. In one game, he was ejected. In another, he was booed for not running hard. In the final game, a poor throw led to runs for the White Sox. The Mariners officially released him on May 16.

Personal Life and Community Work

In 2005, Bradley was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award. This award recognizes players who do great work in their communities. He worked with the Dodgers Dream Foundation, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and the Long Beach Boys & Girls Clubs. Bradley also opened two baseball academies to help young players.

Bradley has two sons.

Images for kids

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  Bradley at the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

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  Bradley as a Cleveland Indian

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  Milton Bradley before

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  Milton Bradley after

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  Bradley speaking to umpire Joe West