Lou + Milt = Match Made in Heaven

By MAGGIE HENDRICKS

Updated 6:29 AM CST, Thu, Jan 8, 2009

Print Email Share TWITTER FACEBOOK

Getty Images

Before he came to Chicago, Lou Piniella was known just as much for his raging temper as he was for his winning ways. He has been ejected from games he has managed 61 times, and if you enter his name into YouTube's search engine, video of his tantrums are the first things that come up. Nevertheless, he has proven himself to be a great coach, and has managed to turn Chicago's "lovable losers" into actual contenders.

Milton Bradley, the newest Cub, has a reputation similar to Piniella's. He has had fiery confrontations with umpires, managers and reporters. Just like Lou, a YouTube seach pulls up Bradley breaking a bat over his knee. Despite all that, he has a heavy bat, hitting .321, and has a competitive streak like none other.

Now, Lou and Milt will be spending the summer together. The "Odd Couple," this is not. In fact, Lou and Milt might be a match made in heaven.

More than anything, Piniella is a manager of men who treats his athletes with respect. He gives them days off to ensure their health. He expects them to play well, and when they don't, he isn't afraid to say it.

Bradley should respond well to this managerial style. His blow-ups have come at times when he felt disrespected, like when he went after Kansas City Royals announcer Ryan Lefebvre for comparing Bradley to Josh Hamilton. Though Bradley will feel the media glare of living in Chicago, he will appreciate Piniella's clubhouse. In fact, the north side of Chicago just may be the perfect place for Bradley to truly let his talents shine.

You know the neighbor who you hear yelling at the TV during various sporting events? That's Maggie Hendricks, a lifelong Chicagoan who has loved sports since she fell in love with Jody Davis at age three. She also writes for Cage Writer, Yahoo! Sports' MMA blog, and worked on Fourth-Place Medal, Yahoo! Sports' Olympic blog.