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Bradley says umps have vendetta against him

Cub says umps forcing him to swing at bad pitches by widening strike zone

Image: Bradley argues with Vanover AP
The Chicago Cubs' Milton Bradley, right, argues with home plate umpire Larry Vanover after being called out on strikes on April 16.

Chicago Cubs right fielder Milton Bradley accused umpires of intentionally widening his strike zone and forcing him to swing at bad pitches, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Bradley said he believes some umpires have a vendetta against him because of his argument last month with Larry Vanover, for which he was suspended one game.

"Unfortunately, I just think it's a lot of 'Oh, you did this to my colleague,' or 'We're going to get him any time we can," Bradley said, according to the Chicago Tribune. "As soon as he gets two strikes, we're going to call whatever and see what he does. Let's try to ruin Milton Bradley.'

"It's just unfortunate. But I'm going to come out on top. I always do.

"What am I supposed to do? You lead the American League in OPS [in 2008], and two years in the top three in the league in on-base percentage. All of a sudden now, I come to Chicago and I can't see the ball no more? I don't know a strike from a ball?

"I don't think I'm doing anything wrong. There's a lot involved, and it's a lot of politics where there's nothing you can do about it."

© 2011 NBC Sports.com

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