Article: Awaiting Bradley's bat

Milton Bradley barely flinched at the 2-2 pitch -- a 92 mph fastball near the knees from Cincinnati Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto -- when plate umpire Lance Barksdale rang up the Cubs' cleanup hitter on a called third strike.

Making his first plate appearance at Wrigley Field as a member of the Cubs' starting lineup Wednesday, Bradley simply walked straight to the dugout, slowly stripping off his batting gloves. Didn't even breathe in Barksdale's direction.

Progress? Maybe in Bradley's lifelong struggle with umpires.

Whether Bradley jaws in the face of an umpire -- as he did last week to earn a disputed two-game suspension -- or takes a meek approach really doesn't matter. Whether his new ...

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