08-28-2009, 09:30 AM
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->One day after the Wrigley Field bleacher creatures were accused of being verbally abusive, even racist, they hurled unapologetic invective at the black right fielder before them, mocking the player's speed, paltry power statistics and his team's sorry record.
That player, however, was Elijah Dukes of the Washington Nationals.
Milton Bradley, the Cubs' outfielder who made the allegation about the home fans, received nothing but sarcastic tenderness.
"We love you, Milton," catcalled Andrew Mehrhoff, 38, of Hinsdale.
Two Tribune reporters in the stands for the entire game heard no vicious comments directed at Bradley, and nothing racial.
Bryon Moore, 34, of Des Moines said he'd never heard racial insults during his visits to Wrigley.
"He's just whining," said Moore, who is black.
Spectators interviewed by the Tribune were unanimous that Bradley's complaints were proof of a thin skin, not a bigoted crowd.
They said Dukes, who smirked at the fans' taunts and made an occasional comeback, handled the jibes with far more aplomb.
In the bottom of the ninth, Bradley had the chance to change a few minds. But with two outs, the Cubs down one and the tying run on second, he dribbled a weak grounder to second to end the game, capping an 0-for-5 day and unleashing thousands of boos and a few bleacher curses. Still, nothing seemed over the line.
"I don't think the booing is racially motivated," said Robert Marlow, 50, of Hazel Crest, who is black. "It's disappointment in his performance and what he's doing. ... We brought somebody in paying [him] $30 million, so we expected more."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Or maybe not.
That player, however, was Elijah Dukes of the Washington Nationals.
Milton Bradley, the Cubs' outfielder who made the allegation about the home fans, received nothing but sarcastic tenderness.
"We love you, Milton," catcalled Andrew Mehrhoff, 38, of Hinsdale.
Two Tribune reporters in the stands for the entire game heard no vicious comments directed at Bradley, and nothing racial.
Bryon Moore, 34, of Des Moines said he'd never heard racial insults during his visits to Wrigley.
"He's just whining," said Moore, who is black.
Spectators interviewed by the Tribune were unanimous that Bradley's complaints were proof of a thin skin, not a bigoted crowd.
They said Dukes, who smirked at the fans' taunts and made an occasional comeback, handled the jibes with far more aplomb.
In the bottom of the ninth, Bradley had the chance to change a few minds. But with two outs, the Cubs down one and the tying run on second, he dribbled a weak grounder to second to end the game, capping an 0-for-5 day and unleashing thousands of boos and a few bleacher curses. Still, nothing seemed over the line.
"I don't think the booing is racially motivated," said Robert Marlow, 50, of Hazel Crest, who is black. "It's disappointment in his performance and what he's doing. ... We brought somebody in paying [him] $30 million, so we expected more."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Or maybe not.