Guillen praises Bradley for seeking help

Milton Bradley finally asked for some help to cope with "emotional stress," and the Seattle Mariners have already sent the oft-troubled outfielder to see a counselor.

Bradley was traded to Seattle during the off-season after quickly wearing out his welcome with the Cubs.

"It's about time," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, who was coaching third base for Montreal in 2001 when Bradley played in 67 games for the Expos before being dealt to the Indians. "I think Milton Bradley is a great kid. ... I think it's about time because I hope that it will help him to continue his career, continue his life."

The Mariners placed Bradley on the restricted list, meaning he'll be away from the club for at least five days.

"I think it's good when you know you need some help and get help," Guillen said. "It's not easy. It takes a man to say, 'Listen, I admit I need help.' That's why there's a lot of people out there with bad habits because they don't admit it. Alcohol, drugs, whatever it is, all the problems are there because some people don't admit they have problems. At least (Bradley) says, 'I need help' when he was trying to get help because more people say 'I need help' when they get caught or after they do something very bad.

"When you say, 'Hey, I need help,' I think it's a great thing and I tip my hat to him."

When the Mariners played the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field two weeks ago, Bradley was out of the lineup with a sore calf. But he talked about his volatile 2009 season with the Cubs.

"As a black man playing this game, I just don't feel like ... the majority of the media is middle-aged white guys so I don't think you can accurately construe what I have to say, or portray me as who I am, because you don't know," Bradley said.