Thursday, January 8, 2009

Cubs Introduce Bradley

The Cubs had a press conference today to announce that the signing of Milton Bradley is official. The deal is 3 year, $30 million. I'll post a recap of the press conference coming up. Stay tuned...

Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney spoke first:

  • This is the first time that a player who was not a Cub has said focused on wanting to come to Chicago the whole off season.
  • Crane says Milton was very patient and thanked him and his team for that.
  • He thinks Bradley will be a very productive player for the Cubs.

Jim Hendry was up next:

  • He said dealing with Milton was a very positive process.
  • The Cubs were really in need of landing an outstanding outfielder who can hit left handed.
  • The Cubs have known all off season that they needed to get the right guy.
  • Randy and Jim have talked about 1000 times on who would be the right fit. They did their homework.
  • Jim and Milton had dinner together in LA. He came away thinking great things about Milton.
  • Bradley told Hendry that he knew it would take a little time, but he wanted to become a Chicago Cub. That was on the 5th or 6th of November!
  • The Cubs are convinced that Bradley is in really good health.
  • The Cubs are thrilled to have him and he is exactly what they needed to help them get to the next few levels that they haven't been able to get to the past few years.

Next Bradley put on his Cubs jersey. He wears number 21, the same number Sammy Sosa made popular Cubs. So we have another #21 in Right Field. Bradley stepped up to the mic

  • Bradley said that it is a great honor to say he's a Cub.
  • He considers himself the most blessed man on the face of the earth today.
  • Milton says the Cubs have been on his radar for awhile now.
  • All he wants to do with the Cubs is WIN.
  • He says he got nothing but honesty from Jim.
  • Someone asked why he wanted to come to the Cubs. He said that going into every year the focus is winning the World Series.
  • Bradley doesn't like people speaking about him if they've never met them before.
  • Levine asked about him trying to stay on the field. He said that he has been on a good workout all off season.
  • He says he doesn't have to explain the past "incidents"
  • Bradley does everything he can to help his team win on each given day.
  • He has spoke to Derrek Lee and Chad Gaundin about playing for the Cubs. Bradley says he's never talked to someone who didn't like playing for the Cubs.
  • Bradley says he's an outfielder at heart not a DH.
  • There is no pressure in baseball. It's easy!

I'll have more posts throughout the night on Bradley and other Cubs topics.

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