One of the biggest pieces to the 2005 championship puzzle was the White Sox re-acquisition of Crazy Carl Everett, who helped the Sox toughen up down the stretch to get into the playoffs and win the big hardware.

Most people know how nutty Carl is.  He thinks the moon landing was faked.  He has some pretty interesting views on dinosaurs.  He once almost had his children taken from him.  He attacked an umpire.  Yes, Carl is a bit off, but his presence in the Sox 2005 clubhouse can't be discounted.  Carl had 23 home runs and 87 RBI that year.

Fast forward to yesterday and the Cubs signing a deal with Milton Bradley.  In every newspaper story and blog you read, there is the whole litany of Milton's checkered past.  Is Milton "colorful?"  Yes.  Does he often not channel his anger appropriately?  Sure.  But, as with Carl Everett, you shouldn't discount the presence of a loon in your clubhouse.

If anyone can get this Cubs team fired up, it's Milton Bradley.  One of the problems the Cubs had last year is when it needed a kick in the pants, there was no one to kick it.  Lou Piniella has mellowed in his mature years.  Ryan Dempster is a clown, not a leader of men.  Carlos Zambrano is crazy and not credible. Kerry  Wood was too quiet and every one else is what is called professional, that is to say they go about their business without getting in anyone else's.

Milton Bradley isn't like that.  He's a loose cannon, and I mean that in a positive sense.  You don;t have to wonder where you stand with him, he'll tell you even if you don't like the results.  That's the kind of attitude the playoff challenged Cubs need.

This is not to say that Bradley will put the Cubs over the top in their 100+ year for the holy grail, but it will do two things: Add some intrigue to the team and perhaps some attitude and intensity that this club has been lacking since Larry Bowa retired.

I think this is a god move for the Cubs and I think both Jim Hendry and Piniella realized that this team was way too laid back.  Sometimes these moves work out, as they did with Everett and A.J. Pierzynski with the Sox and sometimes they fail as with last year's White Sox experiment in chemistry featuring Orlando Cabrera and Nick Swisher.

Additionally, the Cubs offloaded Jason Marquis to Colorado for another guy with a checkered past, Luis Vizciano.  Vizciano has had some issues with DUI's while with the Rockies, but when he's right, he is a terrific long relief specialist.  In 2005, he was another key member of the championship team, pitching two or three innings on little rest and serving as a bridge to the eighth and ninth innings.
He'll contribute mightily to the Cubs if he keeps his head on straight (which must be difficult for him, just because of the wind sheer from those ears.  Carlos Marmol should be grateful for Vizciano.)

The 2009 Cubs may not win anything (again) but at least they will be far more interesting.  Maybe they could keep the rink at Wrigley. I'd pay good money to watch Big Z and Bradley drop the gloves.