Pituitary Cited for Miltion Bradley's 'Mood Swings'

A malfunctioning pituitary gland may be at the root of Seattle Mariners outfielder Milton Bradley's continuing difficulties with anger management, according to a former media acquaintance who has conversed with Bradley on many occasions.

"It's a problem with the pituitary gland; that would be my guess," commentator Les Grobstein told listeners on Sports Talk Radio 670 The Score in Chicago. "It causes wild mood swings."

Bradley, current awaiting a Feb. 8 arraignment in Van Nuys, CA, has been released on $50,000 bail after being arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department on a felony charge of making terroristic threats against an unidentified woman in the vicinity of Bradley's home in nearby Encino.

Police declined to provide details of the incident, in which officers responded to the woman's telephone complaint. "He's been arrested. That's all I can confirm," an LAPD spokeswoman said.

Grobstein noted that the former Cub was publicly praised by several teammates after Bradley left the team for Seattle in a trade for struggling pitcher Carlos Silva following tension between Bradley and then-manager Lou Piniella.

"They said he was a good teammate. But a lot of players said privately that they were thrilled to get him out of there," Grobstein said.

Researchers have cited findings in which the cause of antisocial behavior has commonly been misdiagnosed as a personality disorder when a malfunctioning pituitary gland is actually to blame. In up to two out of 10 cases, it's the pituitary that may be the culprit.

Durability Issues Linger for Cubs OF Milton Bradley

Questions continue to linger over the durability of newly acquired Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley, who despite All-Star caliber productivity last season may be forced to sit out occasionally as the result of an ugly onfield scuffle a year and a half ago.

Bradley -- set to bat fourth or fifth for manager Lou Piniella after signing a $10 million, annual, three-year contract -- missed some 200 plate appearances for the Rangers last year and frequently had to appear as a designated hitter when he could not take the field.

Refusing to answer questions about the strength of his injured right knee when questioned recently by The Chicago Tribune, Bradley claimed he would play in every single game without taking any time off.

"I wouldn't count him out" general manager Jim Hendry told the newspaper, but conceded the team will be satisfied if he appears in a projected 135 of the 162 regular season games.

Bradley, 30, who has not had a healthy season for five years, is thought to be battling residual effects of a 2007 knee injury that resulted from being tackled by Padres manager Bud Black as Black attempted to keep him from attacking umpire Mike Winters over a questionable call on the basepaths.

Having undergone anger management training -- Bradley has reported he has since begun to overcome his problems with authority figures. Associates have blamed his personality problems on the alleged difficulties between his father and mother when he was a boy.

Rays Need Jason Bay, Other Right-Handed Bats

With 30 major league general managers in the process of leaving New York after the All-Star break, the town is abuzz about clandestine gatherings for unprecedented, behind-the-scenes trade talks -- no small thanks to upstart Tampa Bay Rays operations chief Andrew Friedman and his top executive Gerry Hunsicker.

Fresh off a seven game losing streak and what may be a precipitous fall from first place, Friedman has an urgent need for a right-handed bat, especially with outfielders Jonny Gomes underperforming and Rocco Baldelli still quesionable after a series of injuries and illnesses.

Friedman must be considered a leading contender for the services of Astros outfielder Carlos Lee, and Pirates outfielders Jason Bay and Xavier Nady, not only because of Friedman's dire need for a more balanced offense but because more than any other rival he has stockpiled enough high draft picks which whom to barter.

In addition to Lee, Bay and Nady, switch-hitting Rangers All Star Milton Bradley might be acceptable, as Bradley is strongest from the right side of the plate.

Among Friedman's potential bargaining chips are coveted pitchers David Price and Jeff Niemann, both first rounders; Chris Mason, a second-rounder; and Wade Davis, a third rounder, all of whom at one time or another have been variously described as off limits or too cherished. However, all bets are off now that the Rays have suddenly emerged as serious contenders for a playoff berth.

All things considered, the Rays hardly can be expected to come away empty-handed after the July 31 trading deadline.

Milton Bradley Highlights Future Rangers Fire Sale

The Texas Rangers are trying to burn the candle at both ends -- pretending to compete for a playoff berth while at the same time planning to acquire prospects as proceeds from an anticipated fire sale to include outfielder Milton Bradley, pitchers Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla and others.

That's the perspective of Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Randy Galloway, who says unnamed sources both inside and outside the Rangers organization have hinted as such.

Bradley -- signed only through this year -- is having an outstanding year offensively, but Galloway cautions that his value is hurt by his difficult personality. So how do you market such an individual? Perhaps with comments like this:

"...People talk about his anger issues," says batting coach Rudy Jaramillo. "Well, he’s aiming that anger at pitchers. It’s an intensity that our other guys feed off of. In the clubhouse, or on the field, Milton is a leader for us, and I don’t care what his so-called reputation says. Our players love him. I love him."

As for Padilla, he can be dealt for a "boatload" of prospects because his value will never be higher in light of his career-best first half. But Galloway warns that the team should "never trade any pitcher with this kind of stuff and with age (he’s 30) not a factor."

Millwood's value is tarnished by his huge contract -- up to $23 million including incentives over the next two years --yet "there is interest from other teams," Galloway says.

Outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher Gerald Laird fall into the "good things come in small packages" category, though Galloway predicts Byrd is more likely to stay with the Rangers as a valuable spare part.

Chris Davis' Bat Likely to Keep Him With Rangers

As long as he keeps hitting, expect rookie corner infielder Chris Davis to find a way to stay with the Rangers, forcing the team to backtrack on plans to return him to the minors once Hank Blalock returns to first base from the disabled list.

Various published reports indicate the team has already decided as much.

The possibilities are manifold, and likely will involve Davis gaining time at third base and designated hitter, with Milton Bradley moving from DH back to the outfield at the expense of the weaker sisters sharing time out there now.

Of course, little needs to change until Blalock proves he can stay healthy.

Milton Bradley Gets Upset

Milton Bradley, known for his temper, did not take kindly to comments made about him by Royals announcer Ryan Lefebvre on Wednesday night. Lefebvre complimented Josh Hamilton on turning around his life but said that "it doesn't appear Milton Bradley has done the same thing in his life." Oh? He's only leading the American League in batting average at .333 and is on pace to hit 37 home runs, far surpassing his career high of 19. Lefebvre went on to assert that Hamilton would make a good role model for Bradley.

After hearing these comments in the clubhouse after the game, Bradley immediately made a rush for the Royals' TV booth to confront Lefebvre. He was stopped 20 feet from his target by Rangers' general manager John Daniels, manager Ron Washington, and a security guard.

Lefebvre's comments were out of line but Bradley did not help his case by attempting to storm the broadcast booth during a post-game show. Pacman Jones showing up to a strip club while he is being investigated for being at a strip club thinks that's a bad idea. Any other player would have been justified in confronting Lebebvre, but not one trying to shake the bad temper reputation.

Beyond their MVP type seasons, there is little to compare between Hamilton and Bradley. The career challenges that each has faced are completely different. Hamilton almost lost everything to drug addiction while Bradley is just an angry guy. Bradley has said in interviews that he wants to put his incidents behind him and just play baseball this season. Whether he is just emotional or angry at his parents for naming him after a board game company, Bradley would do himself a favor by going back to putting up MVP numbers and staying invisible.