"Milton and I met in the clubhouse before the game," said Reid. "He apologized for the slur he directed at me and we resolved to treat each other with respect and professionalism going forward. The matter is closed as far as I'm concerned."

Before that meeting, manager Jim Tracy was hopeful that the incident would have a short shelf life.

"My final thought," said Tracy, "is that it is two people I respect very much because of how I've been treated by both. One as a player, one as a writer. My only hope is that somehow the two can get together and get to a resolution."

Bradley took exception to a question from Reid about his treatment by St. Louis fans. A heated argument ensued, during which Bradley called Reid "an Uncle Tom." Both Bradley and Reid are African-American.

Reid had to be intercepted by players and team officials to prevent him from getting to Bradley, who has already served two suspensions this season for unacceptable behavior during games.

"My initial reaction is that this does not rise to the level of disciplining Milton," said owner Frank McCourt. "Having said that, I don't condone him or anybody being disrespectful to somebody else by name-calling of any kind."

Tracy said he was not fully dressed when he first heard a commotion in the clubhouse and by the time he rounded the corner and could see what happened, Bradley had walked into the shower area. Tracy pieced together facts of the incident by talking to eyewitnesses.

Tracy said he did not think the incident would be a distraction to the team for Game 2 of the National League Division playoffs against St. Louis.

"I certainly hope not," he said. "You know, I think our focus here should be on exactly what we're here for, and that is that we're playing a very important baseball game today and that's where the focus needs to stay."

Robin Ventura, a former New York Yankee, said the incident was nothing special.

"We'd have two of those a month with the Yankees," he said.

David Ross  /   C
		Born: 03/19/77 Height: 6'2" Weight: 205 lbs Bats: R / Throws: R More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop

Lineup change: As he indicated the day before, Tracy went with David Ross to catch Jeff Weaver instead of Brent Mayne, who started Game 1. Ross, whose swing appeared to be improving in the last week of the regular season, has become something of Weaver's regular catcher. Mayne is expected to catch Jose Lima in Game 3. They were teammates with Kansas City last year.

"You want to feel like your pitcher has a comfort level when he starts the game pitching to the guy that has done a very good job with him this year a number of times," said Tracy.

Playing through it: Reliever Duaner Sanchez, who was sent back to the hotel from Wednesday's workout because of a bad head cold, didn't feel much better Thursday but said he was available for the game. Sanchez pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in Game one with three strikeouts.

Playing through it, II: Jayson Werth, who felt an elbow twinge on a throw to the plate in Game 1, wore his customary neoprene sleeve on the elbow for warmth, but said there was no pain and he was ready to go for Game 2. Werth said he has had discomfort in the back of the elbow for the past month.

Double Cora: Alex Cora said the playoffs is extra special to him because his brother, former Major Leaguer Joey Cora, is here to watch.

"I remember when I was younger I would go see him play in the playoffs with the White Sox," said Cora, participating in his first postseason. "This is the first time he can be a fan of mine."

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.