Bud Selig couldn't carry Roger Goodell's briefcase

Umpire Mike Winters was suspended for the rest of the season for his actions in the Milton Bradley incident. Obviously, MLB thought Winters crossed a line during his "Discussion" with Bradley. Still, only 3 games seems more like a mere slap on the wrist, considering Bradley will be undergoing surgery, then suffering through months of rehab for his trashed knee.

What Winters did in baiting Bradley was comparable to some yahoo poking a sharp stick into the backside of a grizzly bear. Bradley reacted much like the bear would have, with extreme anger, and malice in mind. Since Bradley's reputation of his being a near-psychopath with a hair trigger temper precedes him, what other sort of reaction would you expect? Winters wanted a confrontation, and he sure as Hell got it.

Winters is supposed to be a bastion of integrity when on the field, someone respected by the players. Turns out he's far from being respected, nor has a lick of integrity. Bud Selig had the opportunity to drop the hammer, drawing a clear line in the sand. Instead, he went quite easy on Winters.

MLB's commissioner is called "Bud-lite" for a reason.

Roger Goodell has a pair of these.
Bud Selig, on the other hand...

Anyone in the business sector would have been fired on the spot if they had acted as recklessly as Winters. A strong commissioner, one with more than a pair of shriveled raisins for balls, would have made sure that happened. MLB's so-called commissioner needed to bring the wrath of God down upon the growing number of arrogant, showboating umpires who feel they are more important than the game itself.

Unfortunately, Bud-lite has now set a precedent. An umpire who causes a near riot on the field, severely hurting a player in the process, gets a 3 game suspension.

Milton Bradley is a hot tempered loon. Why does that mean he can't be in the right?

You all have seen the latest Milton Bradley incident, with his losing all semblance of sanity while railing against the (Alleged) derogatory comments made by MLB umpire Mike Winters. The confrontation ended with Bradley shredding his ACL, ending his season, and giving the San Diego Padres' playoff chances a punch in the gut.

What I've found surprising is the reaction from the masses, in that many, if not the majority of baseball fans, think Bradley got his just desserts, so to speak. Personally, I think if the allegations made by Bradley, and his first base coach Bobby Meacham, are true, then I can understand Bradley's intense anger.

If this had happened to any other player than the loony, assholish Bradley, would people be so quick to say he got what he deserved? Since the reputation of Bradley is one of a hot headed asshat, many think that there is no way his reaction was justified. I mean, come on, it's Milton Bradley! He's CRAZY! But even loons can have good reason to get upset.

The vast majority of the blame should be placed upon Winters. As someone who is supposed to uphold the integrity of the game, an authority figure whose judgment supposed to be totally unbiased, the umpire needs to be held accountable for his utter douchebaggery in enticing Bradley into a confrontation.

Yes, I agree that Bradley is a big time dick, and is this close to being certifiable, that's without question. In most any other circumstance, he wouldn’t get the benefit of the doubt from me. His track record of insane outbursts is as long as your arm. But going by Meacham’s reaction to the umpire's words, along with his confirming Bradley’s story in saying it was “The most disconcerting conversation I have heard from an umpire to a player,” and Helton being quoted as saying the conversation was “Interesting,” I actually buy Bradley’s version of events.

I doubt Meacham would want to sully his reputation by lying for the likes of Bradley, even if he is one of his players.

From all appearances, the ump was outright baiting Bradley, looking for a confrontation. Winters got it when he crossed a line in calling him “A fucking piece of shit.” If I were in Bradley’s shoes, I would have gone apeshit too. The difference being, if I go nuts, I'm going to yell and scream. If Bradley goes nuts, death or maiming are your only two options.

If the truth comes out that Winters initiated the entire fiasco, I hope MLB throws the book at him. As for discipline, of course Bradley deserves a multi-game suspension. But Winters, who's supposed to be a bastion of integrity on the diamond, deserves a much worse fate, up to losing his job.