Bradley Apologizes for 2009 Season

Really though, it’s just a list of things that went wrong.

“I chose Chicago as a free agent,” Bradley said in a statement, “because I wanted to be part of finally bringing a championship to Cubs fans. I expected to have a great season and I am deeply disappointed by my performance and the team’s struggles. I played every game with everything that I had and wanted to desperately win.

“My frustration and disappointment boiled over and I said and did certain things that I regret,” he said. “In hindsight, I wish that I had handled certain things differently and I apologize for those things that did not work out for the better.

“The air has been cleared,” he said, “and we all want to move on and look forward to better days.”

Pretty heavy with qualifiers, reads like most statement-issued apologies, and doesn’t really include an apology. “I apologize for those things that did not work out for the better” is about as close as he gets. So what should Bradley have said? Bleed Cubbie Blue offers their suggestion, saying, “Here’s what a real Milton Bradley apology should have looked like:”I truly did want to become a Chicago Cub to bring the team, the organization and the best fans in baseball the championship they have longed for, for over a century. My performance was beneath my own expectations for myself and I wish I had done better on the field and the team had won more games and we were headed to the playoffs.

Recently, I said some things to the Daily Herald’s Bruce Miles that were said in anger and frustration and I want to apologize to those I offended.

I apologize to my teammates. I said I worked “harder” than anyone on the team. This is not true. Every single member of the Cubs works hard to better his performance and win, and I don’t want them to think I didn’t appreciate them as teammates. I am sorry.

I apologize to Jim Hendry. He put his faith in me by investing $30 million of the team’s money for me to perform, and I let him down.

I apologize to the entire Cubs organization. I told Bruce Miles it wasn’t a positive environment, and that they haven’t won for 100 years because of “negativity”. That certainly is not true of all the dedicated people on the coaching staff, the scouting staff, and the rest of the people who work hard every day in the office. They all want to win. I apologize to each and every one of them.

I apologize to the media. I’m a private person and sometimes I don’t react well to some of the questions you ask. But that doesn’t mean, as I told Bruce Miles, that you are “bashing” me. I know you have a job to do, just as I do. I am sorry.

I apologize to all Cubs fans. I wanted to win for you very badly, but I failed and because I was upset at myself, I took it out on you. There were a few bad fans who made nasty and uncalled-for remarks to me, but I don’t want you to think that I believe you are all that way. I am sorry.

That would be refreshing, but don’t hold your breath, Cubs fans.