Milton Bradley Appreciation Day

by katal on Apr 15, 2011 6:56 PM PDT

It started last April. When he was acquired by the Mariners the only Milton Bradley I knew was Milton Bradley: Clubhouse Cancer. By the first couple weeks of the 2010 season, however, we saw a different Bradley. This was one who flashed wicked smiles at the camera during interviews, tipped his cap when an opposing player made an impressive play, and pleased us by flipping off obnoxious Texas fans. Then May happened.

In early May Milton suddenly went away for a couple weeks. The reasons why weren't entirely clear then, and they are no clearer today. He returned on May 19th as the Mariners hosted the Blue Jays. I attended this game with my wife; we bought tickets in left field to cheer for and welcome Milton back. Unfortunately, being that we were playing Toronto, Safeco was swarmed by Canadians. For all the encouragement my wife and I tried to send Bradley's way, there were many more discouraging words being shouted by Jay fans. This led to escalated words between the Canadians and myself, before an usher escorted me away. I felt angry at Safeco's staff, but I felt worse for Milton Bradley. He did not deserve to have opposing fans yelling at him to kill himself. Not at Safeco, not in his first game back.

Milton performed poorly for the rest of May. He had an okay June by Mariners standards, but produced an awful .508 OPS in July before an injury shortened his season.

A history of being known as a malcontent? Poor numbers? An injury? Casual Seattle fans are notoriously passive, but if you want to rile them, give them a hometown player who fits those ingredients. Maybe that's why Milton's reception last weekend at Safeco was so negative. I was in the left field bleachers for last Saturday's game and was surprised at the vitriol being sent Bradley's way by local fans. He eventually put earplugs in, and fans even gave him hell for that.

And that's too much. When a Seattle ballplayer has to put earplugs in to block out the taunts by his own hometown fans, that's too damn much. And when local fans continue to yell at him? No. These are the same fans who go crazy for the hydro races, refuse to stand when Felix has two strikes on a batter and there's a runner on third, and can't name a Mariner who doesn't have a bobblehead. They have no business making fun of a player who has tried as hard as Milton Bradley has to get along with Seattle fans, and I can no longer abide their cruel display.

I therefore propose Monday to be Milton Bradley Appreciation Day. The Mariners return to Safeco Monday night to play the Detroit Tigers. Considering the recent poor attendance numbers for Mariner games, and the fact that the Tigers (God bless 'em) likely won't draw many Detroit fans to the ballpark, and it seems probable that we could have most of the left field bleachers to ourselves. The Mariners are even having a promotion that evening in which View Reserved tickets are only $10, which may entice cost-conscious fans that do attend to head for the 300 section rather than the bleachers.

Buy tickets for sections 181-182 in the left field bleachers. Make a Milton Bradley sign and bring it along. Do you have a Bradley jersey or T-shirt? Wear it. Not only will it be a sign of support for him, but it will help identify you to other LLers. Let's get together for an evening at Safeco to watch our team and cheer loudly for a great Mariner.

Will you be there?

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Comments

Count me in

by LeftArrow2 on Apr 15, 2011 7:08 PM PDT reply actions

I'm in

by Kermit. on Apr 15, 2011 8:43 PM PDT reply actions

Man if I wasn't on the east coast I would be down for this in a second.

Props for standing up to the blue jays fans.

by twoodard on Apr 15, 2011 9:27 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

This is an awesome idea!

Unfortunately I already sold 2 of my Season tickets so I only have 2 left (section 114). If I can find a babysitter for my 2 kids I will try to come with my wife and show more support. I hope everyone has fun!

I just don’t get the jerks who boo players like Milton.

I DO get it when everyone boos when Jeff weaver gives up 12 runs in 2/3 of an inning. There is a difference…

by ambrosia2112 on Apr 15, 2011 10:35 PM PDT reply actions

I'll try to make an appearance in that part of the ballpark.

by Mariner John on Apr 15, 2011 10:59 PM PDT reply actions

Wish I could make it

I really like Milton, and I absolutely hate that he has to wear earplugs in his own freaking stadium

by FaceRuiner on Apr 15, 2011 11:55 PM PDT reply actions

I loves me some Milton Bradley

I didn’t really care about Milton Bradley until I went to Opening Day in Oakland in 2010, and the Oakland fans booed Milton more than any other non-Ichiro Mariner. Having been given dirty looks on the BART on the way to the game, and embracing the role of “bad guy” in the ballpark, I immediately had love for Milton Bradley. In a weird way, Milton Bradley made us relevant.

When Milton went on leave, he said something to reporters about his brain using his baseball performance as a shorthand for his personal worth. I can identify with that to a degree, because I’ve felt similarly about bowling. At that point I really loved Milton Bradley.

I have Monday off. I’ll be there.

by Two Rs and Two Ls on Apr 16, 2011 1:49 AM PDT reply actions

I'll be rocking my Bradley shirt in a different state.

Having recurring “Milton Mondays” would be neat.

by yuniform on Apr 16, 2011 10:57 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

If we can do it multiple times, then I'm in, just not this week.

I have another poster idea that I haven’t had time to get to making.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Apr 16, 2011 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions

"Milton Mondays" are a brilliant idea

Not every week of homestands, I realize, but as a periodic thing through the summer, that would be awesome. Left field in his home park should be a refuge, not his Paradise Lost (or, more accurately, his Pandæmonium… you know, I’d do a sign to that effect but somehow I don’t think Mike Blowers would know what to make of it).

by Ugly Dickshot on Apr 17, 2011 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I would be in for this at a later date. I think the idea of Milton Mondays is pretty solid.

by Kirk on Apr 16, 2011 4:49 PM PDT reply actions

I went to the team store today and bought my ticket.

181 row 1, seat 1. Something tells me that those of us who do attend will have no trouble sitting together.

by katal on Apr 16, 2011 4:52 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Good on you, Katal.

I wish I could be there. I love Milton, and I’ll be there next Milton Monday.

by royalcurve on Apr 18, 2011 12:18 AM PDT up reply actions

God I wish I was in the Seattle area

Because Milton has become one of my favorite players, and I can’t stand the fact that he has to wear earplugs.

by Woody! on Apr 16, 2011 6:25 PM PDT reply actions

I too, am in.

by BurlesonBlue on Apr 17, 2011 2:02 PM PDT reply actions

I'll be there!

by Public Image, Ltd. on Apr 17, 2011 2:18 PM PDT reply actions

Great idea,

wish I could go.

by Slow Country on Apr 17, 2011 2:22 PM PDT reply actions

Wish I could come!

I’ll be looking for you guys on TV! Bring lots of signs and MB awesomeness.

M's fan in the Bay, soon to be LA SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on Apr 17, 2011 2:28 PM PDT reply actions

I support you guys in spirit! Wish I could be there.

If you do it again during my summer vacation I will try to be up there!

// randallerik.blogspot.com //

by Ballard Erik on Apr 17, 2011 4:40 PM PDT reply actions

Get some of these.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-men/men/the-la-la-headband.html

Paint Milton’s number on them in support of tuning out assholes.

Fans are typically idiots.

by The Typical Idiot Fan on Apr 17, 2011 5:28 PM PDT reply actions

I work that night :(

But a fantastic idea regardless. Show Milton that there are some fans who appreciate how awesome he is and are glad he is in Seattle.

Dawg! He put da team on his back!

by JAH on Apr 17, 2011 6:36 PM PDT reply actions

I don't have the money to go or otherwise I would

Still, I can’t wait for Sims to comment on the band of crazies mocking Milton.

"Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good and let me be judged accordingly. The rest is silence." ~ Dinobot

by beastwarking on Apr 17, 2011 10:01 PM PDT reply actions

This is fantastic, thank you Katal.

My friend and I had a 16 game plan last year in 182 and we both love Bradley and we always cheered super hard for him. But, we saw the same thing over and over with some loudmouth shithead, usually some idiot in Griffey shirt, yelling ridiculous shit at him. It’s total horseshit.

Saw the same thing happen last Monday against the Jays. I was down behind home plate but I saw a gaggle of Jays fans up in 182 chanting taunts at Bradley. Fucking assclowns.

So yeah, Milton Mondays….I love it.

Also, I wore my Bradley shirt today to my softball game and got some good knocks and made a sliding catch in LF. Might be my new good luck charm!

by sanford_and_son on Apr 17, 2011 11:04 PM PDT reply actions

Damn.

I’m in Tacoma at school with no car and no money. I would love to do that if I could, GO BRADLEY

by Shmelix Shmernandez on Apr 18, 2011 12:59 PM PDT reply actions

ST 594 is your friend, good sir

$2.50 each way (although I’m sure they’ve raised the prices).

If you’re at UPS there are seriously dozens of ways to con freshmen out of money for the tickets (I’m fairly sure I fell victim to this)- probably the same at PLU/TCC/UW-Tacoma

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by Corco on Apr 18, 2011 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, if I wasn't away from Seattle I would be there.

by SeattExPat on Apr 18, 2011 1:26 PM PDT reply actions

Part of the "If only I was in Seattle" group.

by cedarA on Apr 18, 2011 2:41 PM PDT reply actions

I'll drop by and say hey

I’ve got season tickets about 10 rows from Milton (the LL tickets we posted about earlier this year) but Tim and his friends are joining a crowd up in the 300’s somewhere. So there is a block of seats we could move down to in 148. Hell, I’m gonna guess there will be like 15K people there tonight anyway so it won’t matter. See ya’ll soon.

by Astrobiology on Apr 18, 2011 2:46 PM PDT reply actions

11k was the reported presale this morning according to KJR

by LeftArrow2 on Apr 18, 2011 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Where can I buy some earplugs, Bartells?

by LeftArrow2 on Apr 18, 2011 3:24 PM PDT reply actions

Any drugstore or grocery store will have them

and don’t call me Bartells.

by pdb on Apr 18, 2011 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Paul de Bartells.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Apr 18, 2011 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

I think this is a great idea

It’s too bad we have to sit through the chore of watching everyone else not hit the ball, but I’ll be there

by DToxicAvenger89 on Apr 18, 2011 3:59 PM PDT reply actions

I think we're due for a slug fest

But then again I’ve watch all the Mariners game this year and I know this is improbable.

by LeftArrow2 on Apr 18, 2011 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Ahem

http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2011/4/11/2104803/the-gamblers-fallacy

by Matthew on Apr 18, 2011 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Ok, well I wasn't wrong. Well two home runs so maybe?

Was this really posted April 11th? I must have missed it

by LeftArrow2 on Apr 18, 2011 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions

I will be a better gambler from now on.

by LeftArrow2 on Apr 18, 2011 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions

I think this is a great idea

It’s too bad we have to sit through the chore of watching everyone else not hit the ball, but I’ll be there

by DToxicAvenger89 on Apr 18, 2011 4:50 PM PDT reply actions

Well, he hit a massive dinger on Milton Monday, so way to go, guys!

The place was so empty that I could hear individual people yelling the entire game. It was great!

by sanford_and_son on Apr 19, 2011 8:19 AM PDT reply actions

Any chance Milton Mondays could be a recurring thing?

Would love to participate in one of these, but I don’t get back to Seattle until early June

by Nick S on Apr 19, 2011 1:38 PM PDT reply actions

I bet so.

Last night’s was certainly a success.

by katal on Apr 19, 2011 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions

I was curious how many showed up and if Milton waved to you.

by wazzu93 on Apr 19, 2011 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions

There were a handful of us at first, but other fans (LL lurkers!) showed up later.

Milton gave us a couple hat-tips and a bow.

by katal on Apr 19, 2011 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions 7 recs

Wait, the three or four guys that were with the cute girl or the two guys that were sitting on the other side of you?

by Kermit. on Apr 19, 2011 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions

The three or four guys.

The one with the girl said he’s a lurker here.

by katal on Apr 19, 2011 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions

If it does become a recurring thing I'm in as well.

Awesome of all you guys who made it to show him some love.

by Hopefulmsfan on Apr 20, 2011 12:43 AM PDT reply actions

I got tickets for 8 dollars that night

So I guess for the future people who don’t have money can buy those and move closer

by LeftArrow2 on Apr 20, 2011 6:14 AM PDT reply actions

Fuck just realized my shitty coors light beer cost more than the tickets

by LeftArrow2 on Apr 20, 2011 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions

This is beautiful.

blahblahi’mingermanycan’tgoblah

You! Cake or death?

by Torrid on Apr 20, 2011 7:17 AM PDT reply actions

If this is an ongoing thing, I'm totally down. I'd have to take a day off work though, so a week or so notice would be necessary.

by Big Jared on Apr 20, 2011 6:17 PM PDT reply actions

Oh, boo

I totally missed this – I was just thinking today during the game (I sit in 183) that I’d like to get a group of people together to let Milton know that not all Seattle fans hated him. Glad to hear it was a bit of a success, I’ll try and keep my eyes more open in the future. I haven’t been getting here near as much as I probably should.

by section331 on Apr 24, 2011 6:44 PM PDT reply actions