Spellman's scorecard: A pitch for Bradley
Troubled soul:Maybe it was the tremendous hustle he showed in the field during the recent series against the White Sox, where, among other things, he turned a single into a double. Maybe it was his quick fuse, his me-against-the-world attitude #8230; whatever the reason, the Mariners this week designated troubled outfielder Milton Bradley for assignment.Bradley's first assignment ought to be to go in for some professional help.Seriously.Just one follow-up question:Explain again how in the world Jim Hendry got someone to take this guy off his hands?And a one and a two:Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah have requested Phil Collins' #8220;In the Air Tonight#8221; be among the songs played during warmups at the UC, claiming it helps gets them pumped for games.In other news, Omer Asik's request for #8220;Puttin' on the Ritz#8221; by Taco was denied. Hoping for the best:Kind of have to hold your breath each time Jake Peavy unleashes a pitch, don't you?Woo ... Hoo:Just over a month until the Crosstown Classic!Just plain sad:Terrible news out of Kentucky this week that 24-year-old jockey Michael Baze, the leading rider at Arlington Park last year, was found dead in his truck in the stable area at Churchill Downs.Prophetic words:Golf Channel's Brandel Chamblee on Tiger Woods' chances at the Players Championship: #8220;It's kind of sad. Maybe right before our eyes we'll watch Tiger Woods play where he's literally shuffling off the course.#8221;On the front nine Thursday morning Woods shot a 42 #8230; and then shuffled off the course and withdrew.The ex factor:Woods' ex, Elin Nordegren, recently bought a $12 million beachfront mansion in Palm Beach and promptly tore it down to have it rebuilt.That's some mulligan.Guys gone wild:Item: Andrew Bynum receives a well-deserved five-game suspension for his cheap shot on Dallas guard JJ Barea.Item: Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch are involved in a potentially dangerous skirmish on pit row involving a car being slammed against the wall with people standing nearby. Each is fined and placed on four-week probation.In the words of espn.com's Kevin Blount: #8220;Is there any more meaningless penalty in all of sports than NASCAR probation?#8221;Amen.What the heck?The New York Times reported that last year a surgeon took fat and bone marrow stem cells from ex-White Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon and injected them into his shoulder and elbow to help repair ligament damage and a torn rotator cuff. Just noticing:After years of general malaise, there seemed to be a little buzz back at Arlington Park over opening weekend. Good to see decent crowds enjoying decent racing again.But ...What's with all the men wearing fedoras? They were everywhere. Gotta admit it kind of classes up the joint, though.Billy Buck:Former Cubs first baseman Bill Buckner will fill in for Bob Brenly on Channel 9's May 20 broadcast from Boston.Evidently, Steve Ontiveros was too busy with his before-and-after pictures.mspellman@dailyherald.com#376; Mike Spellman's Scorecard column appears Fridays in the Daily Herald and online at dailyherald.com.