Emopunkthrice
12/13/05, 03:45 PM
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers unloaded Milton Bradley on Tuesday, sending the switch-hitting outfielder to the Oakland Athletics along with infielder Antonio Perez for minor league outfielder Andre Ethier, the Texas League player of the year.
Bradley, acquired by the Dodgers shortly before the start of the 2004 season after a run-in with Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge, feuded with teammate Jeff Kent last season.
Bradley didn't play after accusing Kent of a lack of leadership and an inability to deal with African-American players on Aug. 23. The following day, Bradley learned he had sustained serious injuries to his left knee that required surgery.
Bradley has had several issues with his temper. He was suspended for the final five games of the 2004 season when he slammed a plastic bottle at the feet of a fan in the box seats in the right field corner at Dodger Stadium after someone threw it on the field. Nobody was injured.
He had anger management counseling during the offseason, and kept his temper in control last season -- even when discussing Kent, although his comments were scathing.
Then-Dodgers manager Jim Tracy later said he was disappointed Bradley was as candid as he was with the media, saying he had told the player to "keep it in-house."
The 27-year-old Bradley hit .290 with 13 homers and 38 RBI in 283 at-bats. He was limited to 75 games, also missing extensive playing time because of an injured wrist.
Bradley hit .267 with 19 homers and 67 RBI in 141 games for the Dodgers in 2004, and .321 with 10 homers and 56 RBI in 101 games for the Indians in 2003.
The 25-year-old Perez hit .297 with three homers and 23 RBI in 259 at-bats as a part-time infielder for the Dodgers last season.
The 23-year-old Ethier, who bats and throws left-handed, hit .319 in 131 games with 18 homers and 80 RBI for Midland of the Texas League. He also had 30 doubles among his 161 hits and scored 104 runs. In addition, he played in four games with Triple-A Sacramento of the PCL.
Ethier was a second-round draft pick of the A's in 2003 after playing at Arizona State.
Bradley, acquired by the Dodgers shortly before the start of the 2004 season after a run-in with Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge, feuded with teammate Jeff Kent last season.
Bradley didn't play after accusing Kent of a lack of leadership and an inability to deal with African-American players on Aug. 23. The following day, Bradley learned he had sustained serious injuries to his left knee that required surgery.
Bradley has had several issues with his temper. He was suspended for the final five games of the 2004 season when he slammed a plastic bottle at the feet of a fan in the box seats in the right field corner at Dodger Stadium after someone threw it on the field. Nobody was injured.
He had anger management counseling during the offseason, and kept his temper in control last season -- even when discussing Kent, although his comments were scathing.
Then-Dodgers manager Jim Tracy later said he was disappointed Bradley was as candid as he was with the media, saying he had told the player to "keep it in-house."
The 27-year-old Bradley hit .290 with 13 homers and 38 RBI in 283 at-bats. He was limited to 75 games, also missing extensive playing time because of an injured wrist.
Bradley hit .267 with 19 homers and 67 RBI in 141 games for the Dodgers in 2004, and .321 with 10 homers and 56 RBI in 101 games for the Indians in 2003.
The 25-year-old Perez hit .297 with three homers and 23 RBI in 259 at-bats as a part-time infielder for the Dodgers last season.
The 23-year-old Ethier, who bats and throws left-handed, hit .319 in 131 games with 18 homers and 80 RBI for Midland of the Texas League. He also had 30 doubles among his 161 hits and scored 104 runs. In addition, he played in four games with Triple-A Sacramento of the PCL.
Ethier was a second-round draft pick of the A's in 2003 after playing at Arizona State.