Yet another Miltdown

Milton Bradley injured his knee while being restrained by Padres manager Bud Black during an argument with an umpire Sunday. AP

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Things had been going so well for Milton Bradley in San Diego, a soothing city. But on Sunday he showed why he's so often traded and/or discarded.

Yes, Bradley, who had been a major plus since being acquired from Oakland, batting .313 with 11 homers and 30 RBIs, snapped again. Only this time he injured his right knee while blowing a gasket.

He got tossed, and he got hurt. And now he might be done for the season.

This is his career in a nutshell (with emphasis on "nut'').

This time, Bradley actually hurt himself while being restrained by his own manager, Bud Black, which only adds to his legacy of all-time temper tantrums. The Padres, however, are claiming extenuating circumstances in this case. Bradley, who had been upset by a called third strike earlier in the game, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that umpire Mike Winters called him "a [expletive] piece of [expletive],'' which if true, certainly isn't the right thing to do. Padres first base coach Bobby Meacham told reporters after the game, "I couldn't believe what I was hearing. ... No one is going to take that.''

Certainly not Bradley.

First of many great rumors regarding A-Rod

An upcoming report in New York Magazine claims one prospective Cubs buyer already has talked to Rodriguez about a 10-year, $300 million deal that would allow him to buy a stake in the team when the contract concludes. While interesting, Cubs fans shouldn't be counting on A-Rod coming based on that report. No new owner has been identified, much less confirmed, and A-Rod's call on whether to become a free agent will have to come within 10 days after the World Series, which is way before a new owner will be in place in Chicago. Besides, the leading candidate is Bud Selig's great friend John Canning (the report only said it wasn't Mark Cuban, another interested party), and that doesn't sound like something a Selig friend hoping to win the team would do.

Beyond all that, a lot can change between now and then. What if the Cubs win the World Series? What if the Yankees do?

Regarding the report, A-Rod's agent, Scott Boras, said, "Great players are in great demand and create great rumors.''

Around the Majors

• It appears Indians executive Neal Huntington will be the surprise GM pick of the Pirates. New team president Frank Coonelly sought to hire someone who was part of a small-market success story, so Cleveland, Minnesota, Oakland and Milwaukee (lately) are models. Huntington's name hadn't gotten out there much until the Beaver County (Pa.) Times reported last week that he was the front-runner. And he had actually been passed on Cleveland's hierarchy by a couple other top young execs, including Chris Antonetti, who turned down a chance to interview for the Pirates' job. Huntington is said to be a fine young exec, though reports say he is the one who is "credited'' for recommending Bradley to the Indians in 2001.

• Very impressive run by the Rockies, who have won eight straight to reach a franchise-record 84 victories. They are actually threatening to "run the table,'' which teams talk about but never do. MVP candidate Matt Holliday, though, has been out the last two days with an oblique injury. My guess is he'll be back before Manny.

• The Rockies did the Phils' dirty work over the weekend, sweeping the Pads. And it may help the Phillies get in (they're a half game behind San Diego entering Monday's play), so Jimmy Rollins may wind up benefiting (rather than the Holliday) by getting the MVP.

• The only real MVP race is down to four now: Rollins, Holliday, Prince Fielder and David Wright.

• Ryan Howard has tied Adam Dunn's record for 195 strikeouts in a season and has a shot at 200.

• Mark Teixeira: 49 RBIs in 49 games for the Braves.

• The Brewers choked two games vs. the Braves ... unreal collapse. But the talent is good enough that they won't have to wait another 25 years to make the playoffs.

• Meanwhile, the Cubs' Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee are all hot at same time. A perfect storm.