Friday column: The answer probably is ‘not much’

Welcome to another edition of “What was he thinking?”

First up, former pitcher Jerry Koosman.

Koosman won 222 games for four major league teams. He won 21 in 1976 and 20 in 1979 but might be best remembered for helping propel the Amazin’ Mets of 1969 to the World Series title.

Last week he made the news again — by pleading guilty to federal tax evasion.
Koosman didn’t pay federal income taxes for 2002, 2003 and 2004, costing the U.S. some $90,000 in revenue. As a result, he faces a possible year in prison and a $25,000 fine.

What was he thinking?

According to court documents, Koosman told investigators he researched federal tax laws and decided that they applied only to federal workers, corporate employees and District of Columbia residents.

“I guess it’s a combination of being naive and not being able to understand law as I read it or was told,” Koosman told United States District Judge Barbara Crabb during last Friday’s hearing.

Note to Jerry: Stop using Wesley Snipes as your tax adviser.

Next up, Ray Ridder, chief flack for the Golden State Warriors.

Ridder didn’t like the PR hit the Warriors were taking for their 29-53 season, so he decided to inject a little false optimism into the Warriorsworld Internet forums.

Calling himself “Flunkster Dude” — now that sounds authentic — Ridder came to the defense of Golden State’s beleaguered front office, including executive vice president Chris Mullin, with such posts as “Nice job, Mully!” He also claimed to be a season-ticket holder who had re-upped for next season.

Eventually outed, Ridder admitted the ruse, saying, he “just wanted to get the conversation going in a positive direction.”

Nice job, Rayly!

Last up — appropriately, considering his .200 batting average — is Chicago Cubbie Milton Bradley.

The ever-volatile Bradley, known for explosions both on-field and off — including a recent tiff with umpire Larry Vanover — is blaming the men in blue for his anemic average.

“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.’ ”

Ruin Milton Bradley? Why would the umps bother when Bradley is so adept at that himself?

“It’s just unfortunate,” Bradley said, “But I’m going to come out on top. I always do.”

Ah, paranoia and braggadocio — what a beautiful combination.

As for what he was thinking ...

We’re talking about Milton Bradley.


Contact Jim Gordon at gjames43@msn.com.