Sport News: 08 October 2004

Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Milton Bradley and a beat reporter covering the club were separated in the visitors clubhouse Wednesday after Bradley used a racially charged term against the reporter.

The incident took place in front of numerous reporters and a FSN (Fox Sports Network) Midwest television crew after a conversation between Bradley and Los Angeles Times reporter Jason Reid escalated. Approached by Reid for an interview, Bradley made known his displeasure with Reid's coverage of the incident on Sept. 28 at Dodger Stadium in which Bradley reacted angrily after being targeted by a bottle-tossing fan. When Reid debated the player, Bradley injected race into the dispute.

"I'm a brother, and you're a brother," Bradley said. "Take a look around. How many of you (reporters) are black? How many of us are black? Just two — me and (pitcher Edwin) Jackson."

Bradley, ordered to seek anger management counseling after being suspended for the rest of the regular season by Major League Baseball, said to Reid, who is black, "You're an Uncle Tom. You're a sellout."

Reid became enraged at the description, raised his voice, and was restrained by fellow reporters and club personnel as he tried to get closer to Bradley, who headed toward the training room.

"Where's a bottle at?" Bradley said as he walked away.

Bradley has a history of temper-related incidents that led, in part, to his trade to the Dodgers by the Cleveland Indians in spring training. During Wednesday's incident, however, Bradley never raised his voice and did not respond to Reid's challenge. Players filed into the clubhouse from the trainer's room and showers after hearing the commotion. The film crew erased the incident at the behest of Dodgers director of public relations John Olguin.

John Venneman, who heads FSN Midwest's news operations, said he was outraged by Olguin's conduct. Brent Stover, the FSN reporter involved, said "the situation felt very threatening. It was very intense. So at the time, (erasing the tape) felt like it was the best thing to do."

In a statement released Wednesday night, the Dodgers said: "Ultimately, this is an issue that needs to be settled between two individuals, and we will work with them toward that end."

Reid, who has covered the Dodgers for eight seasons, left the clubhouse after the incident and did not return. He declined comment about the matter as he left Busch Stadium.

"He got upset," Bradley said. "He needs anger management. I was very much in control of myself. He asked a question and I answered. That's exactly how I feel. I've got to try to keep it real."