Crazy Uncle Milton Won't Be Inviting Larry Vanover For A Post Game Meal

(Explitive Deleted)

Weren't you just waiting for the first call to go against Milton Bradley?

I was.

Bradley stepped to the plate of a tied game with the bases loaded and one out. The $30 million man calmly took three straight balls out of the strike zone before taking two straight strikes to fill the count. Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright stepped off the mound for a moment before delivering a nasty curveball that appeared to dip low and inside.

Home plate umpire Larry Vanover disagreed, ringing up Bradley. Who all of a sudden forgot that it was only days ago he told the Chicago Sun-Times that he was a new man. He was cool, calm and collected ... until borderline call went against him. Then, he went nuts. So did the crowd.

Welcome to the Milton Bradley Era.

Actually, the Cubs' 7-4 loss to their arch rivals from St. Louis exposed several of the two-time defending NL Central Division champion's weaknesses.

The Cubs bullpen is bad and features Aaron Heilman and Luis Vizcaino ... guys that I wouldn't trust getting out Fat Albert let alone Albert Pujols. And unless manager Lou Piniella can successfully clone Carlos Marmol five-times over, it will be a mighty struggle for the Cubs' pen.

Kevin Gregg is the team's closer, and it's actually fitting. You can't spell Cubs without B(lown) S(ave).

The starting rotation is good, not great. Sean Marshall tossed a few good innings, but if he was the hold up and the reason why the Cubs didn't get Jake Peavy, then someone's head needs to be examined inside the Cubs front office. I'm pretty sure the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner would not have allowed a two-run homer to the offensively-inept Chris Duncan.

Then there's Crazy Uncle Milton, who signed a three-year contract in the offseason. The Cubs chose Bradley over Adam Dunn, citing his athleticism and ability to play the outfield. Sure, Dunn will never be confused with an average defensive outfielder, but it's hard to play defense while laying on a trainer's table.

Some say the Cubs are cursed by a gypsy, a Billy goat, a black cat or a Bartman.

I say the Cubs are cursed by poor management, poor play and underachieving ballplayers.

Photo Credit: Chicago Tribune