So the Milton Bradley-Jeff Kent explosion did come, more than 4½ months into the season. That the two lasted that long surprised some. When it became a firestorm, owner Frank McCourt told the Los Angeles Times, "the single biggest lesson I've learned since I've been here is just how important character is."

Could Kent have used better judgment than needling Bradley? Lance Berkman made it clear that the near-Hall of Fame second baseman can rub anyone and everyone the wrong way. Calling Bradley out for a lost Kent RBI wasn't wise, but Bradley still should not have turned it into a racial issue. That he painted Kent with such a broad brush was unfair, as Kent has no history of being so accused.

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