Crazy Uncle Milton Is An Early Candidate For Quote Of The Year

Milton Bradley strikes again. And this time, it's not even suspension worthy.

Down 2-1 in the 6th inning, Crazy Uncle Milton absolutely crushed a pitch into the stratosphere giving the Cubs a 3-2 lead en route to a 6-2 win against the San Diego Padres. After a slow start, Bradley is hitting a robust .186 with four homers and eight ribbies.

But don't worry Cubs fans, the ticking time bomb doesn't want to be bad anymore.

"I didn't come here to suck."

Bradley has been bad so far, and that is probably why folks have ridden him hard in the early part of the season.

So far, the nutty one has fought injury, unforgiving fans, being in Lou Piniella's doghouse and the big bad MLB powers that be. All that in a little more than one month.

At 18-14, the Cubs are in fourth place in the National League Central but are only 1.5 games out of first place without having played their best ball yet. That's the key. Through early May, the Northside Nine has weathered everything from injuries to inconsistencies and will have to continue to do so with Aramis Ramirez out for about two months with a dislocated shoulder. The patchwork Piniella must perform is mind-boggling.

But the Cubs will have a chance to be competitive as long as they aren't moved to the AL East and as long as Bradley can stay on the field, off the trainer's table and out of the MLB Disciplinary Office.

Cubs' Bradley turns jeers to cheers with homer in win [Chicago Tribune]