On positive thinking.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley appears to be persona non grata in Chicago. Many fans don't like him. The Cubs suspended Bradley for the last 3 weeks of the baseball season for comments critical of the organization. And it's widely believed the Cubs are trying to trade him. Mainly for his alleged negative attitude. But I think it's more a case that he had a bad season statistically. If he had a stellar season, he'd be welcome, regardless of attitude. Well, I'm for bringing Bradley back for another season. Giving him a chance to get his head screwed on right. Because I think he has immense natural baseball talent. All he has to do is to learn how to control his temper. And not let personal criticism get to him. Yes, just ignore it. Which will be very difficult. After all, he's received racial baitiing from fans. They're idiots. And insensitive. But the world will always be sprinkled with racial bigots. And Bradley shouldn't let that ruin his baseball career. On game day, he should learn to focus on the game, and shut out all the rest. Focus. Focus. Focus. Seems to me that last season virtually the entire Cubs team lost focus. Players' heads weren't into the games. Stupid errors. Physical errors. But mostly mental errors. Bradley was blamed for causing tension in the clubhouse. But he didn't bring the team down my himself. It was a collective effort. A team letdown. The entire team needs psychotherapy. Baseball is very much a mental game. And the Cubs have neglected the mental aspects. Come to think of it, maybe that's the malady that affects us all from time to time. We overlook the importance of positive attitude in dealing with life. --Jim Broede