We obviously pissed off someone amongst the hockey folks that be because we were foiled left and right tonight in our attempt to watch the men's Badger hockey game.
First, we realized that Charter had the game, which we don't get here in Milwaukee, so we thought we were screwed. Then it looked like the Time Warner channel would have it. Since I have DirecTV, I made the drive up to Cedarburg to watch the game at the boyfriend's house.
About 5 minutes from his place, he calls to let me know that the Time Warner channel is showing high school football, has a scroll saying that they're having technical difficulties with the hockey game and the boyfriend called to ask about it and was basically told he was out of luck.
Great. We head to Blockbuster, realizing our plan was busted.
After dinner we remember that Wisconsin Public Television is showing a replay of the game starting at 10pm, so we plan to watch that.
We had started keeping track of the game through the UWBadgers.com live blog prior to remembering about the WPTV showing, so we knew a bit about what happened early and the score.
As the second period gets into swing we're awaiting the goal we knew would be scored. WPTV is showing a replay of a UW shot and they show it from another angle and as it's being dissected for us, the announcers get excited and tell us that a goal was scored.
Of course, we don't know anything about it - we were being shown a replay.
No big deal, we think, they'll show a replay of the goal at the next stoppage.
Except, it doesn't happen. WE NEVER SAW THE FIRST GOAL! That is ridiculous and inexplicable. Do WPTV's cameras stop capturing action when their producer chooses to give us a replay? Obviously not.
So how the hell do they have no film of the first damn goal?
You do realize this is all Time Warner's fault, right?
I'm just sayin....
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
When World Series players played in Appleton
Here's a New York Times article about when Raul Ibanez and A-Rod were teammates on the Appleton Foxes, which is now the Brewers' A affiliate Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Great News for Badger Men's Hockey
Derek Lee gains his eligibility
Freshman men's hockey forward officially a part of the Badgers
Oct. 27, 2009
MADISON, Wis. -- Freshman forward Derek Lee (North Vancouver, British Columbia) has been cleared by the NCAA and can officially join the Wisconsin men's hockey program.
The 5-10, 165-pound forward began practicing with the Badgers last week after his initial eligibility waiver was received by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Prior to last week, Lee had been watching practice from the sidelines.
Today, the NCAA approved Lee's initial eligibility waiver, which makes him eligible to practice, compete and receive athletic aid.
A right-handed shot, Lee skated last season with the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL, posting 18 goals and 71 points in 70 games to rank second on the team. His team captured the league's regular-season title. Prior to last season, Lee skated two years with Salmon Arm of the BCHL. He led the team with 25 goals and 83 points in 63 games during 2007-08 and scored 18 goals and 48 points in 56 games in 2006-07 as a teammate of current Badger goaltender Scott Gudmandson. Lee has also twice skated for Canada, for Team B.C. at the Canada Winter Games, and with the gold medal-winning Canada West at the 2007 World Junior A Challenge.
Freshman men's hockey forward officially a part of the Badgers
Oct. 27, 2009
MADISON, Wis. -- Freshman forward Derek Lee (North Vancouver, British Columbia) has been cleared by the NCAA and can officially join the Wisconsin men's hockey program.
The 5-10, 165-pound forward began practicing with the Badgers last week after his initial eligibility waiver was received by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Prior to last week, Lee had been watching practice from the sidelines.
Today, the NCAA approved Lee's initial eligibility waiver, which makes him eligible to practice, compete and receive athletic aid.
A right-handed shot, Lee skated last season with the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL, posting 18 goals and 71 points in 70 games to rank second on the team. His team captured the league's regular-season title. Prior to last season, Lee skated two years with Salmon Arm of the BCHL. He led the team with 25 goals and 83 points in 63 games during 2007-08 and scored 18 goals and 48 points in 56 games in 2006-07 as a teammate of current Badger goaltender Scott Gudmandson. Lee has also twice skated for Canada, for Team B.C. at the Canada Winter Games, and with the gold medal-winning Canada West at the 2007 World Junior A Challenge.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Braun to open restaurant
Friday, October 23, 2009
Brewers’ Braun to open restaurant in Lake Geneva
The Business Journal of Milwaukee - by Mark Kass
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun is part of an ownership group that is opening a fine-dining restaurant in Lake Geneva.
The Ryan Braun Tavern and Grill will be open in late November or early 2010 in an existing restaurant space that is being extensively renovated, said Nez Balelo, Braun’s Los Angeles-based agent. Balelo declined to disclose how much Braun is investing in the project, saying he is part of a group that includes several business executives from Chicago and Lake Geneva.
Braun has been approached several times in recent years to get involved in a restaurant.
“Ryan has an appreciation for fine food and fine dining and has always talked about getting involved in a restaurant,” Balelo said. “This just seemed like the right opportunity.”
Brewers’ Braun to open restaurant in Lake Geneva
The Business Journal of Milwaukee - by Mark Kass
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun is part of an ownership group that is opening a fine-dining restaurant in Lake Geneva.
The Ryan Braun Tavern and Grill will be open in late November or early 2010 in an existing restaurant space that is being extensively renovated, said Nez Balelo, Braun’s Los Angeles-based agent. Balelo declined to disclose how much Braun is investing in the project, saying he is part of a group that includes several business executives from Chicago and Lake Geneva.
Braun has been approached several times in recent years to get involved in a restaurant.
“Ryan has an appreciation for fine food and fine dining and has always talked about getting involved in a restaurant,” Balelo said. “This just seemed like the right opportunity.”
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Former Badger Marcus Landry makes Knicks roster
First things first, read this really good article about Marcus' struggle to make the final roster spot on the Knicks and how he was so intent on making it into the NBA he paid his own way to New York just to take part in practices.
That article also includes this really telling quote, "On a team that desperately needed to upgrade its defense, Landry can defend almost anywhere on the floor."
You'll also notice that the first paragraph of that article mentions Joe Crawford and Chris Hunter having partially guaranteed deals and goes on to assume that means their spots on the also guaranteed.
But that was two days ago.
Today, Joe Crawford and Chris Hunter were waived, the Knicks are carrying a 13-man active roster and Marcus Landry made the team.
That article also includes this really telling quote, "On a team that desperately needed to upgrade its defense, Landry can defend almost anywhere on the floor."
You'll also notice that the first paragraph of that article mentions Joe Crawford and Chris Hunter having partially guaranteed deals and goes on to assume that means their spots on the also guaranteed.
But that was two days ago.
Today, Joe Crawford and Chris Hunter were waived, the Knicks are carrying a 13-man active roster and Marcus Landry made the team.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Ryan Grant on Ahman Green
From Twitter:
RyanGrant25 Me and Ahman have been keeping in contact throughout the whole season.and with Deshawn going on IR he just adds to our team..im all for it
RyanGrant25 Everybody relax on signing Ahman lol..i was probably the biggest advocate..
RyanGrant25 Me and Ahman have been keeping in contact throughout the whole season.and with Deshawn going on IR he just adds to our team..im all for it
RyanGrant25 Everybody relax on signing Ahman lol..i was probably the biggest advocate..
I hate Manny Ramirez
Back in May, I wrote a post on Ladies... about how much I hate "Manny being Manny" and all the excuses that were being made for him and his steroid usage.
Though at the time I was talking about Manny's steroid usage, a few of the paragraphs are pretty damn relevant in light of the latest story that had Manny showering while his team was losing Game 4 in the bottom of the ninth:
I really feel like more people should be offended by his blase attitude and how it demeans the whole spirit of the game. I mean, I know that sounds all cliche and heartfelt, but really, we’re all so emotionally attached to the game and I find it weird that more people aren’t insulted by his cavalier attitude over a job that most people would literally give body parts to be able to have.
It’s sad that we as hardcore fans put all this time and effort and passion and emotion into this sports and this league and this is what we get in return. I’ve been on a complete baseball high as my team has continued to surpass my expectations and thinking through this in order to write a post has really made me sad about that state of a game that I cling to 162 games a year.
I feel pretty strongly about what I said then. I walk a fine line between journalism and fandom and I spend way more of my waking hours talking and writing about sports than someone who doesn't get paid to do so should. And everything about Manny Ramirez just irks me.
As I went searching for that article so I could provide a link, I realized I referenced LA Times writer Bill Plaschke, which I'm about to do again.
Plaschke's newest column is about Manny leaving the dugout and hitting the showers when he was pulled from the game early.
From the column: "I come out of the game early, I take a shower," he said Tuesday, his feet propped up in front of his locker at Citizens Bank Park before an off-day workout.
So you never saw Broxton give up the ninth-inning, two-out, two-run double to Jimmy Rollins?
"No, I was in the shower," he repeated.
So you didn't see one pitch in what became the most important moment of the season? You didn't stick around the dugout to offer one word of encouragement? You couldn't leave Mannywood long enough to become part of, you know, the Dodgers?
"I caught the highlights," he said.
You caught the highlights?
The truck driver who has to work at 5 a.m. the next day, he catches the highlights. The mom who has to put her kids to bed during the ninth inning, she catches the highlights.
Manny Ramirez is supposed to be the highlights. October baseball is supposed to be about the team. Players routinely shower during the middle of regular-season games, but the playoffs are supposed to be different.
Of course, Plaschke asked Dodgers Manager Joe Torre about the situation and Torre said"...it's nothing different than he has done before."
When the manager's that blase and basically rewords the phrase "It's just Manny being Manny" how can you expect the team to act any differently.
And really, the whole thing is ridiculous and embarrassing enough for the team, but wouldn't you know it, Manny manages to to fall even further from grace.
Does he have any words of encouragement now?
"The Philadelphia Phillies are playing better, what can you do?" Ramirez said. "Jimmy Rollins is one of my favorite players. I love him. He's small, but he can play. I'm not surprised he was the one who got it done."
So not only do you not care enough about your team to stick around, but then, as Plaschke points out, you point out that the other team has out-played you and you're powerless to do anything about it.
Some kind of team leader, that Manny Ramirez.
Geoffrion back on the ice
From Badger Men's Hockey's twitter: BadgerMHockey Geoffrion back at full practice today after missing Saturday's game.
Blake Geoffrion left Friday's game in the first period, though I have to say we didn't really notice and neither did the announcers. A few minutes into the second period, they let us know that Geoffrion went to the locker room and hadn't returned.
There hasn't been a whole lot of information on it since it happened. Andy Baggot of the Wisconsin State Journal said he was knocked woozy and in Monday's presser, coach Mike Eaves said he wasn't sure if Blake would be back on the ice.
So the Tweet is great news on a pretty news-less front.
Blake Geoffrion left Friday's game in the first period, though I have to say we didn't really notice and neither did the announcers. A few minutes into the second period, they let us know that Geoffrion went to the locker room and hadn't returned.
There hasn't been a whole lot of information on it since it happened. Andy Baggot of the Wisconsin State Journal said he was knocked woozy and in Monday's presser, coach Mike Eaves said he wasn't sure if Blake would be back on the ice.
So the Tweet is great news on a pretty news-less front.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Breaking News: Brewers hire Peterson
Brewers pick Peterson to straighten out arms
Rick Peterson served as Brewers coach Willie Randolph's pitching coach when Randolph managed the Mets.
As new pitching coach of the Milwaukee Brewers, Rick Peterson is no stranger to manager Ken Macha or bench coach Willie Randolph.
The Brewers have selected Peterson to help turn around a starting rotation that ranked last in the National League with a 5.37 earned run average in 2009, ruining the team's chances of returning to the playoffs. He is expected to be formally introduced Tuesday by the club.
Peterson, who will be 55 at the end of the month, has links to both Macha and Randolph. Peterson worked in Boston's farm system with Macha and also served as his pitching coach with the Oakland Athletics in 2003.
Peterson then moved on to become pitching coach of the New York Mets, where Randolph was the manager. The two worked together there until they were dismissed during the 2008 season.
A few days after the Brewers' season ended, general manager Doug Melvin and assistant Gord Ash traveled to New Jersey to interview Peterson for the job. He quickly emerged as the favorite for the job.
Peterson, who pitched for four seasons in Pittsburgh's system, began his coaching career in that organization in 1979. He continued to coach in that system until 1984, when he was elevated to the position of bullpen coach for the Pirates.
Peterson then moved on to Cleveland's organization and served as a minor-league pitching coach there for three years, from 1986-'88. He then coached in the Chicago White Sox's system for six years before joining the major-league club as co-director of its sports psychology program, focusing on performance behavior.
In 1996, Peterson was hired by the Toronto Blue Jays to be their minor-league pitching coordinator. The following season, he was hired as pitching coach of Boston's Class AA Trenton affiliate, which had been managed the previous two seasons by Macha.
Peterson continued to move around, joining the Oakland organization as a roving minor-league instructor before being quickly promoted to major -league pitching coach in March 1998. He became known for helping the Athletics develop the "Big 3" of Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson and Barry Zito, all of whom became 20-game winners.
Oakland led the American League with a 3.58 team earned run average in 2002 and 3.63 in 2003. After the '03 season, he was hired as pitching coach of the Mets, a position he held until he was dismissed along with Randolph on June 17, 2008.
Peterson did not coach for a team this year, preferring to focus on the launch of his new enterprise, 3pSports, with the aid of former pitchers Tom Glavine and Al Leiter as well as noted sports surgeon James Andrews. That company offers biomechanical analysis of athletes, specifically pitchers, with the aim of assessing their chance of injury while also improving their performance.
Others interviewed for the post were Bryan Price, who recently accepted that same role with the Cincinnati Reds, as well as Chris Bosio. After the Brewers dismissed pitching coach Bill Castro on Aug. 12, Bosio was summoned from his post as pitching coach for Class AAA Nashville to fill the position on an interim basis.
Marquette lands top recruit
Looks like Marquette just landed a nationally ranked recruit – and they stole him out from under the Badgers. The kid’s name is Vander Blue and he is a guard at Madison Memorial High School.
He’s been on the radar since he entered high school and he committed to UW during his sophomore year.
I admit to knowing very little about college basketball and even less about recruiting, so from here on out, I defer to the guys at Quevedo at the Buffet for some more info on this saga:
According to recent reports, his most recent list of finalists for schools was UW, Marquette, Arizona, Florida, and UCLA. Well, in spite of his committment to UW, there were continuous rumours of an interest in Marquette.......which intensified when his good friend and Madison-Memorial teammate Jeronne Maymone (class of 2009) decided to committ to MU in May of '08. In April/May of '09, reports were claiming that this rumor may become a reality because Vander was considering re-opening his recruitment. Well, these rumors proved to be true because this past May Vander held a press conference stating exactly this, that he has decided to re-open his recruitment. Now we can all speculate why exactly this occurred, but it definitely WAS NOT due to the local fan reaction to the news (cough, ahem, cough).
Fast forward to Marquette Madness this past Friday (10/16/09). Vander Blue was on an official visit to Marquette University to attend Marquette Madness, scrimmage with MU's current roster, and essentially get an overall feel for the team, coaching staff, and campus life. To put it mildly, the message boards were running rampant with Vander Blue Mania. Rosiak reported that Vander was dressed head to toe in MU gear. Other fans in attendance claimed they talked to him after the event and said how Vander claimed he loved his visit to MU and really had his mind set on MU as his school of choice. All of this, of course, was to be taken with a grain of salt, but at the same time it was hard not to buy into all of the hype and get a little excited. After all, basketball season was officially underway and the signing period is just around the corner, so anticipation is part of the experience. These rumors intensified when Jamail Jones (class of 2010 committment) facebook status listed, "chillin, glad we got another committment for next year". The pieces were starting to come together. Finally, after all of the rumors and anticipation, one of the Urinal Sentinel's few quality beat writers, Todd Rosiak, reported that Vander Blue had canceled his official visit to UW over Halloween weekend and given his verbal committment to attend Marquette University in the fall of 2010.
Sounds like the situation is precarious and there’s likely more to come with this. But as Quevedo points out later in their post, this should make for some interesting UW/MU games.
As an aside, this stuff is all coming way too fast. When it’s baseball season, that’s all I focus on. I’m still decompressing from that and it’s taken me five weeks to get into football. Now we’re adding hockey and basketball – I’m having a hard time keeping up!
He’s been on the radar since he entered high school and he committed to UW during his sophomore year.
I admit to knowing very little about college basketball and even less about recruiting, so from here on out, I defer to the guys at Quevedo at the Buffet for some more info on this saga:
According to recent reports, his most recent list of finalists for schools was UW, Marquette, Arizona, Florida, and UCLA. Well, in spite of his committment to UW, there were continuous rumours of an interest in Marquette.......which intensified when his good friend and Madison-Memorial teammate Jeronne Maymone (class of 2009) decided to committ to MU in May of '08. In April/May of '09, reports were claiming that this rumor may become a reality because Vander was considering re-opening his recruitment. Well, these rumors proved to be true because this past May Vander held a press conference stating exactly this, that he has decided to re-open his recruitment. Now we can all speculate why exactly this occurred, but it definitely WAS NOT due to the local fan reaction to the news (cough, ahem, cough).
Fast forward to Marquette Madness this past Friday (10/16/09). Vander Blue was on an official visit to Marquette University to attend Marquette Madness, scrimmage with MU's current roster, and essentially get an overall feel for the team, coaching staff, and campus life. To put it mildly, the message boards were running rampant with Vander Blue Mania. Rosiak reported that Vander was dressed head to toe in MU gear. Other fans in attendance claimed they talked to him after the event and said how Vander claimed he loved his visit to MU and really had his mind set on MU as his school of choice. All of this, of course, was to be taken with a grain of salt, but at the same time it was hard not to buy into all of the hype and get a little excited. After all, basketball season was officially underway and the signing period is just around the corner, so anticipation is part of the experience. These rumors intensified when Jamail Jones (class of 2010 committment) facebook status listed, "chillin, glad we got another committment for next year". The pieces were starting to come together. Finally, after all of the rumors and anticipation, one of the Urinal Sentinel's few quality beat writers, Todd Rosiak, reported that Vander Blue had canceled his official visit to UW over Halloween weekend and given his verbal committment to attend Marquette University in the fall of 2010.
Sounds like the situation is precarious and there’s likely more to come with this. But as Quevedo points out later in their post, this should make for some interesting UW/MU games.
As an aside, this stuff is all coming way too fast. When it’s baseball season, that’s all I focus on. I’m still decompressing from that and it’s taken me five weeks to get into football. Now we’re adding hockey and basketball – I’m having a hard time keeping up!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Who doesn't love Craig Counsell
There are plenty of great Craig Counsell stories out there, but this one is the best. If you didn't have a ton of love and respect for Craiggers before, you should now.
Counsell a class act
My boss, Garry D. Howard, was kind enough to share this e-mail with me that former Marquette basketball coach Rick Majerus, now at St. Louis University, sent to relate an experience he had this week with Brewers veteran infielder and Milwaukee native Craig Counsell.
I'm passing along the e-mail in its entirety because it speaks volumes about the class of Craig Counsell, which is no surprise to me after all of the years I've covered him. I don't think Rick Majerus would mind it because it gives insight to the good deeds of a player who sought no publicity for it on his own.
Here's the letter:
October 16, 2009
Dear Garry,
On Wednesday this week it was my honor and privilege to “cut” a commercial with Craig Counsell for the Special Olympics. Although he had knee surgery the day before, Craig showed up early, stayed late and wanted to scale back his lines in order to not detract from Special Olympian, Tim Allen, when indeed he was the hook for the upcoming events. Craig was cheerful, bright, pleasant and signed an autograph or picture with any one who asked and genuinely felt that it was an honor and privilege to do so.
When the shot was done, he told Special Olympian, Tim, that he lived in Whitefish Bay and to come on by to meet his kids and play with them in their yard if Tim saw them outside. Best of all he meant it!
This guy was the best one million dollar deal in sports. If the Brewer’s don’t sign him for a locker room guy or leadership, it will be their loss. Not to mention he is a terrific, dedicated player who produces.
No matter what happens, Craig lives within 100 miles of Milwaukee and that is everyone’s gain. I haven’t come across a classier professional athlete in my career as a coach. What a life lesson for all of us Craig provides.
Sincerely,
Rick Majerus
Head Basketball Coach
Saint Louis University
Isn't it great to hear stories like that about professional athletes? We so often hear the bad stuff and fail to recognize the good stuff. Counsell indeed was a $1 million bargain for the Brewers in '09. And, even at 39, you've got to believe there's a place for him on the team next year.
Have a nice weekend, folks.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Per the UW Women's Hockey Twitter feed, Jessie Vetter was named Sportswoman of the Year by the Women’s Sports Foundation at their 30th Annual Salute to Women in Sports Dinner. She was the Sportswoman of the Year for team sports while gymnast Courtney Kupets was the winner for individual sports.
Vetter is the first ice hockey player to receive the international award which is awarded based on fan vote.
More on the award can be found at UWBadgers.com
Vetter is the first ice hockey player to receive the international award which is awarded based on fan vote.
More on the award can be found at UWBadgers.com
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Badger Men's Hockey TV Schedule released
(Dates and times subject to change)
DATE OPPONENT Times TV
OCT. 16 COLORADO COLLEGE 7 P.M. FSN/WC
OCT. 17 COLORADO COLLEGE 7 P.M.
Oct. 23 at Minnesota State 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 24 at Minnesota State 7 p.m.
OCT. 30 NEW HAMPSHIRE 7 P.M. TVW/WC
OCT. 31 NEW HAMPSHIRE 7 P.M. WISC/WC
NOV. 6 MINNESOTA 7 P.M. TVW/WPT
NOV. 7 MINNESOTA 7 P.M. WISC/WPT
NOV. 13 ALASKA ANCHORAGE 7 P.M. FSN/WC
NOV. 14 ALASKA ANCHORAGE 7 P.M. WISC/WC
Nov. 20 at St. Cloud State 7 p.m.
Nov. 21 at St. Cloud State 7 p.m.
COLLEGE HOCKEY SHOWCASE
Nov. 27 at Michigan State 6 P.M.
Nov. 28 at Michigan 6:30 P.M.
DEC. 4 MICHIGAN TECH 7 P.M. TVW/WC
DEC. 5 MICHIGAN TECH 7 P.M. FSN/WC
Dec. 11 at North Dakota 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12 at North Dakota 7 p.m.
BADGER HOCKEY SHOWDOWN
JAN. 2 MERRIMACK 7 P.M.
JAN. 3 FERRIS STATE/YALE 7 P.M.
JAN. 9 US UNDER-18 TEAM 7:30 P.M.
Jan. 15 at Colorado College 8:30 p.m.
Jan. 16 at Colorado College 8 p.m.
JAN. 22 DENVER 7 P.M. FSN/TBA
JAN. 23 DENVER 7 P.M. WISC/TBA
Jan. 29 at Minnesota Duluth 7 p.m.
Jan. 30 at Minnesota Duluth 7 p.m.
CULVER’S CAMP RANDALL HOCKEY CLASSIC (U.S. HOCKEY HALL OF FAME MUSEUM GAME)
FEB. 6 MICHIGAN 5 P.M. BTN
FEB. 12 MINNESOTA STATE 8 P.M. FSN/TBA
FEB. 13 MINNESOTA STATE 8 P.M. FSN/TBA
FEB. 19 ST. CLOUD STATE 7 P.M.
FEB. 20 ST. CLOUD STATE 7 P.M. TVW/TBA
Feb. 26 at Michigan Tech 6 p.m.
Feb. 27 at Michigan Tech 6 p.m.
March 5 at Minnesota 7 p.m. BTN (delay)
March 7 at Minnesota 1 p.m. FSN
March 12-14 WCHA Playoffs (Campus Sites) TBA
March 18-20 WCHA Final Five FSN
(St. Paul, Minn.)
March 26-27 NCAA East and West Regional ESPNU
(Albany, N.Y., and St. Paul, Minn.)
March 27-28 NCAA Northeast and Midwest Regionals ESPNU
(Worcester, Mass., and Fort Wayne, Ind.)
April 8-10 NCAA Frozen Four ESPN/ESPN2
(Detroit)
Home games listed in CAPS.
All times Central.
FSN - FSN Wisconsin; TVW - TVW Madison (also Charter/Time Warner Cable
around the state); BTN - Big Ten Network; WISC - WISC-TV 3;
WPT - Wisconsin Public Television (tape delay);
WC - Wisconsin Channel (tape delay);
All games on WPT or WC will air the next day at 6 p.m. on WC
Monday, October 05, 2009
Painfully bitter
Can't believe the two big receivers for the Packers have been Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley.
Also can't believe that the O-Line sucks as much this season as they did the last. I mean, it was obviously going to be rough, but at least last season you knew that the line was bad. After the preseason, we had no idea the line would be as porous as it is. I know that a lot of it has to do with missing Chad Clifton, but once again, possibly we shouldn't be so thin that one guy going down means the line is useless. Ted Thompson strikes again.
Biggest lesson learned this game? Aaron Rodgers need to learn how to throw the ball away. The kid can't help that he spent more of the game on his ass than in the pocket, but he's got to learn how to get rid of the ball. No excuses here.
Jared Allen ran all over the Packers line and Rodgers WAS running for his life, but 8 sacks is just inexcusable. Rodgers is at least partially responsible for half of those because he held on to the ball too long. There's no reason this shouldn't be corrected immediately.
Makes me wonder if Rodgers is concerned with pulling a Favre and giving up an INT when he's trying to dump the ball. He's SO hesitant to throw it away, there's got to be a lot of nerves behind it.
Can I ride the Badgers' win over the Gophers in order to kill the pain of this game? Woo Hoo, Paul Bunyan's Axe?
Also can't believe that the O-Line sucks as much this season as they did the last. I mean, it was obviously going to be rough, but at least last season you knew that the line was bad. After the preseason, we had no idea the line would be as porous as it is. I know that a lot of it has to do with missing Chad Clifton, but once again, possibly we shouldn't be so thin that one guy going down means the line is useless. Ted Thompson strikes again.
Biggest lesson learned this game? Aaron Rodgers need to learn how to throw the ball away. The kid can't help that he spent more of the game on his ass than in the pocket, but he's got to learn how to get rid of the ball. No excuses here.
Jared Allen ran all over the Packers line and Rodgers WAS running for his life, but 8 sacks is just inexcusable. Rodgers is at least partially responsible for half of those because he held on to the ball too long. There's no reason this shouldn't be corrected immediately.
Makes me wonder if Rodgers is concerned with pulling a Favre and giving up an INT when he's trying to dump the ball. He's SO hesitant to throw it away, there's got to be a lot of nerves behind it.
Can I ride the Badgers' win over the Gophers in order to kill the pain of this game? Woo Hoo, Paul Bunyan's Axe?
In love with Seth McClung's twitter
If you're not following him on Twitter, you should be (@MC_73)
@73_MC If you ever wanted to rob some store in WI right now is the best time in the last 17 years!!!!!!!!!!!!
@73_MC If you ever wanted to rob some store in WI right now is the best time in the last 17 years!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hoffman signed to one year deal
ESPN’s Buster Olney is reporting that the Brewers and Trevor Hoffman have agreed to a one-year deal worth $8 million dollars.
The speculation was that a new deal would include an option for an additional year, but so far, reports aren’t saying whether that’s the case.
The speculation was that a new deal would include an option for an additional year, but so far, reports aren’t saying whether that’s the case.
McCalvy says Hoffman likely to be back next season
Hoffman expects to return to Brewers
Trevor Hoffman's season ended on a low note, but there were plenty of high ones in his first season with the Brewers. He said after Sunday's season finale that he's close to signing a deal to return in 2010."I think we're pretty close," Hoffman said. "I think we're getting something done."
Hoffman suffered his fourth blown save after walking three batters in the ninth inning on Sunday, but the Brewers rallied in the 10th for a 9-7 win and Hoffman was the pitcher of record. He finished with a 3-2 record but more importantly had 37 saves and a 1.83 ERA, his best mark in 11 years.
He signed a one-year contract with the Brewers in January after 16 seasons with the Padres. He's likely working on another one-year contract that would include some kind of option for 2011. Hoffman turns 42 on Oct. 13 but is showing few signs of age.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
We really, really smite St. Louis
The Brewers scored 12 unanswered runs in 3 innings last night, including four on wild pitches, to come back from a 6-0 deficit to beat the Cardinals 12-6.
Ryan Braun got hits 198 and 199, as well as steal 19, leaving him just shy of a few landmarks.
Braun scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch that didn't get too far away from Jadier Molina. Braun was dancing a bit at third, but despite BA's claims that Braun had a big lead, he really didn't. He just was paying close attention and as soon as the ball squirted away he hit his stride for home and slide across with room to spare.
Edit:
Suppan will start tomorrow
Ryan Braun got hits 198 and 199, as well as steal 19, leaving him just shy of a few landmarks.
Braun scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch that didn't get too far away from Jadier Molina. Braun was dancing a bit at third, but despite BA's claims that Braun had a big lead, he really didn't. He just was paying close attention and as soon as the ball squirted away he hit his stride for home and slide across with room to spare.
Edit:
Suppan will start tomorrow
Suppan to pitch on Sunday
St. Louis - Manager Ken Macha confirmed that Jeff Suppan will start the season finale Sunday against the Cardinals.
The Brewers are thin in pitching to close the season but it's all about getting Suppan his 30th start and extending his string of seasons to 11 with at least that many.
"It does give him the round number," said Macha. "You're taking care of the veteran guys. You try to do that."
Macha said lefty Chris Narveson, originally scheduled to start, will follow Suppan to the mound after "a couple of innings." He said lefty Manny Parra has volunteered to cover some innings Sunday if needed, also.
In other words, its' all hands on deck.
Macha is taking care of another veteran by giving infielder Craig Counsell his 90th start today. That start kicks in an extra $100,000 incentive clause for Counsell. I suspect Macha knew of that but perhaps it's merely because Counsell has played well and deserved it. Either way, Macha is appreciative of the work Counsell has done in playing far more games than expected.
Friday, October 02, 2009
sweet
Holy crap, how cool is this?
Seth MClung tweeted a few minutes ago:
“Brew fans if your looking 4 cool insight on the crew and other teams @ the MLB check out brewcrewball.com the frosty mug posts are the best”
Way to go, Kyle for setting up such a great site that I can’t believe I get the privilege of writing for!
Seth MClung tweeted a few minutes ago:
“Brew fans if your looking 4 cool insight on the crew and other teams @ the MLB check out brewcrewball.com the frosty mug posts are the best”
Way to go, Kyle for setting up such a great site that I can’t believe I get the privilege of writing for!
Thursday, October 01, 2009
UW Fraternity Running to Minnesota for game, philanthropy
How cool...
More than one rivalry Saturday
MADISON, Wis.
Over 260 miles separate Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium and Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium. Rather than drive to this weekend’s Badger football game in Minnesota, members of the Wisconsin chapter of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, otherwise known as FIJI, decided they would rather run.
Yes, you read that correctly, run.
About 25 members of the fraternity will combine to run more than 160 miles to Winona, Minn., as part of their philanthropy this year, which will benefit the Disaster Relief Fund of the American Red Cross. A Badger football game ball that was presented to the frat by head coach Bret Bielema will accompany the fraternity members on their journey to Minnesota.
“I think it’s great what they’re doing,” Bielema said. “They’ve challenged themselves physically and it’s going for a great cause. Anything we can do to benefit the American Red Cross and the Disaster Relief Fund across the country is a good thing.”
The fraternity has a rotation system down so not everyone is running the complete 160-mile journey. The relay begins in Madison and about four or five cars will make the trip. Each member from one car will run a few miles before the next car takes over until they arrive in Winona. They will run Route 14 to 35 and once they get to Winona, the Minnesota chapter of Phi Gamma Delta takes the game ball and runs the remaining 100 miles to Minneapolis. The fraternity members noted that they also plan to run with a replica of the Paul Bunyan Axe, but once they meet the Minnesota chapter, they’re not handing that over.
“We co-act together as a conference to accomplish good things, they’re doing it as a fraternity to draw attention to a cause and be able to benefit people so it’s a great statement,” Bielema said. “I’m sure there will be some rivalry along the way when they make the exchange, but it will be a good exchange as well.”
So aside from raising money for the American Red Cross, what is the Wisconsin chapter of Phi Gamma Delta trying to prove?
“That the Badgers fan run farther, harder and longer than the Gophers can,” fraternity president William Buecksler said. “It’s a little rivalry we have going between the two states so it should be a fun time.”
Favre talks to the press
In case you missed the big news, Favre spoke to Wisconsin media today. Scroll down for the full transcript, but first some interesting tidbits from the Packers Blog on JSOnline.com:
For the record, in my opinion, Favre came on the call with a defensive stance from the get-go. He knew he would get a lot of combative questions and he came ready to defend himself.
Never heard him like that.
This from Tom Silverstein, who has covered Favre's entire career: "I have to say that I've never heard Favre that nervous or apprehensive in an interview before. It definitely was uncomfortable for him."
Silverstein's theory: Favre hasn't spoken to a Green Bay local media source since January, 2008. He knew he would get grilled over the details of his departure.
UPDATE: 12:50 p.m. from Lori Nickel in Minneapolis/Winter Park:
Favre also just completed his press conference with the Vikings media and seriously downplayed the importance of the game to him. "This game is really no different for me than the fourth game last year..."
Favre really emphasized that he can't get caught up in the emotions of the matchup. "Can't treat this game any differently," he said. "Being able to control that is obviosuly important." He said he's not watching TV coverage or following it in other forms of media. He also said he would never play for revenge and that his comments to Peter King in February -- "Part of me coming back last year, yeah, was to stick it to Ted Thompson" -- were ..."about six months, maybe." And that's the only difference.
"Oh, you know in that conversation, it’s always part of, the story gets out and what sells and things like that. I never played or would play for quote-unquote revenge. It’s too long a season," said Favre.
He did say, however, that 2007 was, he thought, his best season in Green Bay. Ever (won MVPs in mid 90s). Said it was only natural to want to quiet the naysayers. "You would want to prove you can still do it."
Here's the transcript
Favre, the full transcript
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel
Oct. 1, 2009 3:08 p.m.
Here you go:
(Are you still motivated to stick it to Ted Thompson?)
"I never was motivated for that, for that reason. So, no, it has nothing to do with it."
(Then what changed, because you told Peter King that sticking it to Ted was part of your motivation for coming back and when got to the Twin Cities you said it wasn't about revenge?)
"I didn't say it was about revenge. I said that it wasn't about revenge to begin with. It had nothing to do with it. The fact that I had a torn bicep obviously played a part in how I finished last year, how I played, how our team ended up. Quite frankly, I really was not willing to have the surgery. I felt like it would be too long of a recovery and that wouldn't guarantee to begin with that I would be back to as close to normal as possible, especially at 39 years old. I felt like I could play. I think I proved that last year. And being released by New York and then talking with Minnesota, I still had to have the surgery if I chose to play, to be effective or to at least feel like I could play at a high enough level. So I eventually decided to have it and here I am."
(Did King misquote you when you said that after you retired from the Jets?)
"What I said with Peter was that it's human nature to feel -- I didn't use the word revenge, but (a desire) to prove that you still could play, to prove someone wrong or prove a group wrong. So you can call it what you want. That's been documented enough. But that's not motivation enough. It never would be for me. It's too long of a season, regardless."
(What is your motivation then?)
"I'd like to win it all. I don't think I need to prove anything to anyone, first of all. I'm very proud of my career. The time I spent in Green Bay was unbelievable. We won a lot of games. I wish we had won a couple more championships. I wouldn't play, first of all, if I didn't think I could contribute. And that's not just statistically, as a leader, as a teammate, whatever is required. I feel like I can still do that. I think the guys here would testify to that now. This is a very good football team. It doesn't guarantee anything. But I felt like I could contribute on this team."
(Did the throw in the 49ers game show you've still got it? Need to prove that to yourself after surgery or did you know you still had it all along?)
"No, when I left New York last year, I knew I couldn't throw the way I would (like to). There were numerous, numerous plays I could point to in the latter half of the year that maybe the Average Joe watching just would have assumed that it was a bad throw. For me, I knew that not only was there pain, but on that 20-yard seam route, the ball in my mind was intended to be 2 yards in front of the guy and maybe low and inside, and it was high and outside and it gets tipped and you would just write it off as a bad throw. We all have bad throws, but it seemed like to was more and more frequent to me, along with the pain. So I knew even had I chosen not to play, I didn't need surgery, it was going to pop on its own. When? Who knows? It's the same thing I had to my left bicep 5 or 6 years ago, whatever. But that was my left shoulder. I knew that by having the surgery and speeding it up that I wouldn't have to throw with pain anymore. Throughout my career, I never had arm issues except for tendinitis one preseason. Other than that, I was very lucky and blessed to have thrown it, taken hits and all that stuff the way I've done for so many years. But when I had the surgery, yeah, I needed to (find out). Whenever that recovery time or however long that would be, I needed to see if (I could still throw). The pain for the most part was gone pretty much right away. But I (had), as I would call it, dead arm as I rehabbed back to where I could throw 10 or 15 yards no problem, with the same velocity, but when I would throw a deep in at 30 yards or something, I would turn it loose, with no pain, but it would land at 25 instead of 30. Then that obviously got worse as I threw it further. That was a difficult time because I felt like I could do it but yet the ball was not (getting there). It had nothing to do with pain. So I think I didn't have to prove anything, in my mind, to anyone that I could throw. I had to prove to myself that if I was going to play, I had to feel like in clutch time I could turn it loose and make any throw. It's not a guarantee, but I had to feel that way. I didn't want to second-guess any decision.
(What do you think you’ve done to image with fans here?)
“I can’t answer that. I’m sure that there are some people who are disappointed or upset. Sixteen years I spent there, I know how personal the Packers are to the fans, the state of Wisconsin. I’m very, very aware of that, and that’s the beauty of that organization, and will always be. You can’t find an empty seat in a town, where you can go to New York and L.A.and you can’t fill the seats at times. So it’s a special place, and I know people take a lot of ownership in that, and that’s fine, that’s great. Once again, that’s what makes it such a wonderful place to play and watch a game. But my intentions are not to do anything else but to play and hopefully lead this team to a championship, as the other teams and players feel across this league. I’ve said this 100 times, and I’ll say it again, that you can’t take the 16 years away that I spent there. It was outstanding. I know I left everything I possibly could leave on the field, was honest and genuine and didn’t always play the best, but I’m proud of the career I had there. So if there are people disappointed and have picked sides, I’m not surprised by it, but you can’t take that away. So it is what it is. But I can’t control that.”
(Seattle game in '99, what can you learn about keeping emotions in check?)
“Well I think that goes for every game. When Mike Holmgren was coaching me, every game we played in, especially the start, that was always a big key for him, was to try to – of course for me, too – was to keep your emotions in check. Statistically speaking, that night, it was not a good night. But I don’t think our team in general had a good night, and it all starts with the quarterback, good or bad as we all know. But I thought the world of Mike Holmgren. I was not trying to get back at him, get back at him or whatever you want to call it. I hated that he left. So, that had nothing to do with it, like I had to prove something to Mike or I wanted to get at him for leaving us and all that stuff. I still talk to Mike this day and have the utmost respect and know I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him. So that was just, that was bad play.”
(Better now at handling emotions?)
“I would like to think so. I think one thing I have noticed over the last few years is that we all know there are some games that are bigger than others, even though it’s still another game. I found out that I actually look at it more that way, and I think that’s probably age as much as anything and just the experience, and I’m not saying that from like a well-seasoned experience type of thing, I just think that if you’ve done something so many times, it’s not as – I don’t want to say exciting, because it’s still exciting, or I wouldn’t play – but it’s harder to, at times I wish I would be a little more emotional, not that I want to ride the roller coaster, if you will, but. And I think what helps here, obviously, is more than anything, is having a running game with Adrian Peterson. That’s not to say he won’t be stopped. I thought San Francisco did a heck of a job, but you feel like that’s always kind of a crutch for you to fall back on. A pretty good one too.”
(When you decided want to come back last year, was No. 1 choice to play here in Green Bay?)
“Yes, it was. Yes. Why wouldn’t it be? I’d just had probably, in my opinion, the best year in my entire career. I’ve thrown for more touchdowns and whatever, but I really felt like that was my best year.”
(When you were here, did you think you'd ever play in another city?)
“No, never crossed my mind.”
(Why Minnesota this time? Why not stay with Jets?)
“Well, I wasn’t willing to have surgery at that time, that’s first and foremost and the biggest. Because as I left there, we had already done an MRI, we knew what the problem was and I was like, ‘You know, 39 years old, I’m not willing to go through that’ at that time. It was right after we had finished, we had started off obviously great, 8-3, and everybody was feeling good about the team and where we were going, and then it was very disappointing after that. And I knew I had an injury that would require surgery if I chose to play, and as disappointed as I was, I chose to go home and not have it, and they chose to go in a different direction. That’s how it evolved.”
(But you asked for release, why do that?)
“Well first of all, none of that matters now anyway. What matters is this game Monday night, and that’s all that matters. And this team has welcomed me here. It’s been a lot of fun, it’s been a lot of work, but I’m having a good time. And that’s all that matters. I had a great time in New York, enjoyed the guys there, enjoyed being with Mike Tannenbaum and Woody, those guys were great, Eric, on down the line, it was fun. I wish we’d ended up a little bit better, but that’s over and done with.”
(Why after all this time have you never reached out to Aaron and talked to him?)
(4 second pause) For what? I mean, I think Aaron not only has done well, I think he will, you know, have a great career. I said that from Day 1. I mean, the guy’s talented. That’s why they drafted him. But um … no one’s called me. I talk to Driver every once in awhile, and Al and some of the older guys, but uh … I don’t know what to tell ya.
(A few years ago you told the story about going to the Superdome with your dad and bro and seeing the Saints with Kenny Stabler, and you said then that you could never see yourself being like him and going to another team and being viewed as the savior of that team. Regardless of how this has happened or why this has happened, is there part of you that just can’t believe that it’s ended up this way and that you did end up playing for the Jets and now the Vikings and it not just finishing out with the Packers after all you’d done here?)
You know what? I hear that a lot from people. ‘Man, it just seems weird, you know?’ My first day of practice in New York, my first day of practice here, was a little odd. Because I’d always been the, new guys come in, things change, but I’d always been, you know, the constant. And that was obviously different. Aside from that, no. I haven’t had time. Maybe one day, when I
look back, it may, but … it’s all been very quick and before you know it, you’re playing.
(Can the damage that’s been done between you and the Packers organization ever be restored?)
You know, it’s … I’m sure it can. Right now, that’s not on anyone’s mind. Their intentions are to win this game, as our intentions are. … We’ll deal with that later.
(It was going to be really hard for whoever the guy was that followed you after what you did here, do you think you made it tougher on Rodgers with all that’s happened?)
Well, I can’t answer that. All I can say is that you guys laughed at me two years, or a year, um, before our 13-3 season when I said this was probably the most talented team I’d ever played on. Everyone thought I was crazy. And then we have the year that we had, almost got there, then everybody said, ‘This team is pretty good.’ I knew when I left it was a very good football team, and I also knew that Aaron in some ways had kind of slipped through the cracks, at least for a couple years. People had kind of lost sight of him or whatever. But he’s got all the tools, very knowledgeable of the game, he’s been around the offense and the guys for awhile. There was no reason to think that, especially the offense, could not be highly productive. Sure, I mean, I think you can look at it a lot of different ways. Who you’re following and what that means. It’s no different than me leaving and going somewhere else and playing, and people picking sides. Opinions are the opinions and for the most part those, they either like you, they don’t like you, for whatever reason, or it takes awhile to adjust. But, I, I don’t know that answer for sure, but I think he’s done a very good job, and I’m not surprised by it at all.
(The Sears commercial aside, do you have trouble making decisions?)
Um, I don’t think it’s, no, I don’t, it’s definitely not a problem here, and, you know, it’s all based on winning, obviously, and what have you done for me lately. But the only thing I can do is do what’s expected of me here, and that’s study and practice and just be myself. And … the … all the stuff that’s happened in the past is over and done with. I would think these guys know here that, not that I would go out and play great every week, not that anybody would, but I’ll do whatever it takes to win, and that’s really all that matters.
(Do you have any doubts about being able to make it through a 16-game season?)
You know what? I thought about it my first year, second year, third year. I mean, the chances of any player playing consistently 16 games … not even talk about a career, but just one season, is tough. But you know what? It’s like the way I played the other day. I’m going to get hit, if I have to block, I’ll block, if I have to tackle, I’ll tackle. Can I guarantee you I’ll get up every time? Who can? But I feel pretty good about it.
-END-
For the record, in my opinion, Favre came on the call with a defensive stance from the get-go. He knew he would get a lot of combative questions and he came ready to defend himself.
Never heard him like that.
This from Tom Silverstein, who has covered Favre's entire career: "I have to say that I've never heard Favre that nervous or apprehensive in an interview before. It definitely was uncomfortable for him."
Silverstein's theory: Favre hasn't spoken to a Green Bay local media source since January, 2008. He knew he would get grilled over the details of his departure.
UPDATE: 12:50 p.m. from Lori Nickel in Minneapolis/Winter Park:
Favre also just completed his press conference with the Vikings media and seriously downplayed the importance of the game to him. "This game is really no different for me than the fourth game last year..."
Favre really emphasized that he can't get caught up in the emotions of the matchup. "Can't treat this game any differently," he said. "Being able to control that is obviosuly important." He said he's not watching TV coverage or following it in other forms of media. He also said he would never play for revenge and that his comments to Peter King in February -- "Part of me coming back last year, yeah, was to stick it to Ted Thompson" -- were ..."about six months, maybe." And that's the only difference.
"Oh, you know in that conversation, it’s always part of, the story gets out and what sells and things like that. I never played or would play for quote-unquote revenge. It’s too long a season," said Favre.
He did say, however, that 2007 was, he thought, his best season in Green Bay. Ever (won MVPs in mid 90s). Said it was only natural to want to quiet the naysayers. "You would want to prove you can still do it."
Here's the transcript
Favre, the full transcript
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel
Oct. 1, 2009 3:08 p.m.
Here you go:
(Are you still motivated to stick it to Ted Thompson?)
"I never was motivated for that, for that reason. So, no, it has nothing to do with it."
(Then what changed, because you told Peter King that sticking it to Ted was part of your motivation for coming back and when got to the Twin Cities you said it wasn't about revenge?)
"I didn't say it was about revenge. I said that it wasn't about revenge to begin with. It had nothing to do with it. The fact that I had a torn bicep obviously played a part in how I finished last year, how I played, how our team ended up. Quite frankly, I really was not willing to have the surgery. I felt like it would be too long of a recovery and that wouldn't guarantee to begin with that I would be back to as close to normal as possible, especially at 39 years old. I felt like I could play. I think I proved that last year. And being released by New York and then talking with Minnesota, I still had to have the surgery if I chose to play, to be effective or to at least feel like I could play at a high enough level. So I eventually decided to have it and here I am."
(Did King misquote you when you said that after you retired from the Jets?)
"What I said with Peter was that it's human nature to feel -- I didn't use the word revenge, but (a desire) to prove that you still could play, to prove someone wrong or prove a group wrong. So you can call it what you want. That's been documented enough. But that's not motivation enough. It never would be for me. It's too long of a season, regardless."
(What is your motivation then?)
"I'd like to win it all. I don't think I need to prove anything to anyone, first of all. I'm very proud of my career. The time I spent in Green Bay was unbelievable. We won a lot of games. I wish we had won a couple more championships. I wouldn't play, first of all, if I didn't think I could contribute. And that's not just statistically, as a leader, as a teammate, whatever is required. I feel like I can still do that. I think the guys here would testify to that now. This is a very good football team. It doesn't guarantee anything. But I felt like I could contribute on this team."
(Did the throw in the 49ers game show you've still got it? Need to prove that to yourself after surgery or did you know you still had it all along?)
"No, when I left New York last year, I knew I couldn't throw the way I would (like to). There were numerous, numerous plays I could point to in the latter half of the year that maybe the Average Joe watching just would have assumed that it was a bad throw. For me, I knew that not only was there pain, but on that 20-yard seam route, the ball in my mind was intended to be 2 yards in front of the guy and maybe low and inside, and it was high and outside and it gets tipped and you would just write it off as a bad throw. We all have bad throws, but it seemed like to was more and more frequent to me, along with the pain. So I knew even had I chosen not to play, I didn't need surgery, it was going to pop on its own. When? Who knows? It's the same thing I had to my left bicep 5 or 6 years ago, whatever. But that was my left shoulder. I knew that by having the surgery and speeding it up that I wouldn't have to throw with pain anymore. Throughout my career, I never had arm issues except for tendinitis one preseason. Other than that, I was very lucky and blessed to have thrown it, taken hits and all that stuff the way I've done for so many years. But when I had the surgery, yeah, I needed to (find out). Whenever that recovery time or however long that would be, I needed to see if (I could still throw). The pain for the most part was gone pretty much right away. But I (had), as I would call it, dead arm as I rehabbed back to where I could throw 10 or 15 yards no problem, with the same velocity, but when I would throw a deep in at 30 yards or something, I would turn it loose, with no pain, but it would land at 25 instead of 30. Then that obviously got worse as I threw it further. That was a difficult time because I felt like I could do it but yet the ball was not (getting there). It had nothing to do with pain. So I think I didn't have to prove anything, in my mind, to anyone that I could throw. I had to prove to myself that if I was going to play, I had to feel like in clutch time I could turn it loose and make any throw. It's not a guarantee, but I had to feel that way. I didn't want to second-guess any decision.
(What do you think you’ve done to image with fans here?)
“I can’t answer that. I’m sure that there are some people who are disappointed or upset. Sixteen years I spent there, I know how personal the Packers are to the fans, the state of Wisconsin. I’m very, very aware of that, and that’s the beauty of that organization, and will always be. You can’t find an empty seat in a town, where you can go to New York and L.A.and you can’t fill the seats at times. So it’s a special place, and I know people take a lot of ownership in that, and that’s fine, that’s great. Once again, that’s what makes it such a wonderful place to play and watch a game. But my intentions are not to do anything else but to play and hopefully lead this team to a championship, as the other teams and players feel across this league. I’ve said this 100 times, and I’ll say it again, that you can’t take the 16 years away that I spent there. It was outstanding. I know I left everything I possibly could leave on the field, was honest and genuine and didn’t always play the best, but I’m proud of the career I had there. So if there are people disappointed and have picked sides, I’m not surprised by it, but you can’t take that away. So it is what it is. But I can’t control that.”
(Seattle game in '99, what can you learn about keeping emotions in check?)
“Well I think that goes for every game. When Mike Holmgren was coaching me, every game we played in, especially the start, that was always a big key for him, was to try to – of course for me, too – was to keep your emotions in check. Statistically speaking, that night, it was not a good night. But I don’t think our team in general had a good night, and it all starts with the quarterback, good or bad as we all know. But I thought the world of Mike Holmgren. I was not trying to get back at him, get back at him or whatever you want to call it. I hated that he left. So, that had nothing to do with it, like I had to prove something to Mike or I wanted to get at him for leaving us and all that stuff. I still talk to Mike this day and have the utmost respect and know I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him. So that was just, that was bad play.”
(Better now at handling emotions?)
“I would like to think so. I think one thing I have noticed over the last few years is that we all know there are some games that are bigger than others, even though it’s still another game. I found out that I actually look at it more that way, and I think that’s probably age as much as anything and just the experience, and I’m not saying that from like a well-seasoned experience type of thing, I just think that if you’ve done something so many times, it’s not as – I don’t want to say exciting, because it’s still exciting, or I wouldn’t play – but it’s harder to, at times I wish I would be a little more emotional, not that I want to ride the roller coaster, if you will, but. And I think what helps here, obviously, is more than anything, is having a running game with Adrian Peterson. That’s not to say he won’t be stopped. I thought San Francisco did a heck of a job, but you feel like that’s always kind of a crutch for you to fall back on. A pretty good one too.”
(When you decided want to come back last year, was No. 1 choice to play here in Green Bay?)
“Yes, it was. Yes. Why wouldn’t it be? I’d just had probably, in my opinion, the best year in my entire career. I’ve thrown for more touchdowns and whatever, but I really felt like that was my best year.”
(When you were here, did you think you'd ever play in another city?)
“No, never crossed my mind.”
(Why Minnesota this time? Why not stay with Jets?)
“Well, I wasn’t willing to have surgery at that time, that’s first and foremost and the biggest. Because as I left there, we had already done an MRI, we knew what the problem was and I was like, ‘You know, 39 years old, I’m not willing to go through that’ at that time. It was right after we had finished, we had started off obviously great, 8-3, and everybody was feeling good about the team and where we were going, and then it was very disappointing after that. And I knew I had an injury that would require surgery if I chose to play, and as disappointed as I was, I chose to go home and not have it, and they chose to go in a different direction. That’s how it evolved.”
(But you asked for release, why do that?)
“Well first of all, none of that matters now anyway. What matters is this game Monday night, and that’s all that matters. And this team has welcomed me here. It’s been a lot of fun, it’s been a lot of work, but I’m having a good time. And that’s all that matters. I had a great time in New York, enjoyed the guys there, enjoyed being with Mike Tannenbaum and Woody, those guys were great, Eric, on down the line, it was fun. I wish we’d ended up a little bit better, but that’s over and done with.”
(Why after all this time have you never reached out to Aaron and talked to him?)
(4 second pause) For what? I mean, I think Aaron not only has done well, I think he will, you know, have a great career. I said that from Day 1. I mean, the guy’s talented. That’s why they drafted him. But um … no one’s called me. I talk to Driver every once in awhile, and Al and some of the older guys, but uh … I don’t know what to tell ya.
(A few years ago you told the story about going to the Superdome with your dad and bro and seeing the Saints with Kenny Stabler, and you said then that you could never see yourself being like him and going to another team and being viewed as the savior of that team. Regardless of how this has happened or why this has happened, is there part of you that just can’t believe that it’s ended up this way and that you did end up playing for the Jets and now the Vikings and it not just finishing out with the Packers after all you’d done here?)
You know what? I hear that a lot from people. ‘Man, it just seems weird, you know?’ My first day of practice in New York, my first day of practice here, was a little odd. Because I’d always been the, new guys come in, things change, but I’d always been, you know, the constant. And that was obviously different. Aside from that, no. I haven’t had time. Maybe one day, when I
look back, it may, but … it’s all been very quick and before you know it, you’re playing.
(Can the damage that’s been done between you and the Packers organization ever be restored?)
You know, it’s … I’m sure it can. Right now, that’s not on anyone’s mind. Their intentions are to win this game, as our intentions are. … We’ll deal with that later.
(It was going to be really hard for whoever the guy was that followed you after what you did here, do you think you made it tougher on Rodgers with all that’s happened?)
Well, I can’t answer that. All I can say is that you guys laughed at me two years, or a year, um, before our 13-3 season when I said this was probably the most talented team I’d ever played on. Everyone thought I was crazy. And then we have the year that we had, almost got there, then everybody said, ‘This team is pretty good.’ I knew when I left it was a very good football team, and I also knew that Aaron in some ways had kind of slipped through the cracks, at least for a couple years. People had kind of lost sight of him or whatever. But he’s got all the tools, very knowledgeable of the game, he’s been around the offense and the guys for awhile. There was no reason to think that, especially the offense, could not be highly productive. Sure, I mean, I think you can look at it a lot of different ways. Who you’re following and what that means. It’s no different than me leaving and going somewhere else and playing, and people picking sides. Opinions are the opinions and for the most part those, they either like you, they don’t like you, for whatever reason, or it takes awhile to adjust. But, I, I don’t know that answer for sure, but I think he’s done a very good job, and I’m not surprised by it at all.
(The Sears commercial aside, do you have trouble making decisions?)
Um, I don’t think it’s, no, I don’t, it’s definitely not a problem here, and, you know, it’s all based on winning, obviously, and what have you done for me lately. But the only thing I can do is do what’s expected of me here, and that’s study and practice and just be myself. And … the … all the stuff that’s happened in the past is over and done with. I would think these guys know here that, not that I would go out and play great every week, not that anybody would, but I’ll do whatever it takes to win, and that’s really all that matters.
(Do you have any doubts about being able to make it through a 16-game season?)
You know what? I thought about it my first year, second year, third year. I mean, the chances of any player playing consistently 16 games … not even talk about a career, but just one season, is tough. But you know what? It’s like the way I played the other day. I’m going to get hit, if I have to block, I’ll block, if I have to tackle, I’ll tackle. Can I guarantee you I’ll get up every time? Who can? But I feel pretty good about it.
-END-
Creating words to describe the Brewers suckitude
A commenter over on BCB coined a new term and I'm digging it-
brewtal
brewtal [BROO-tal (adj) – 1. savage; cruel; inhuman: Watching Jeff Suppan is brewtal.
2. crude; coarse: Manny Parra’s pitching is brewtal.
3. harsh; The weather is brewtal today. The Milwaukee pitching has been brewtal this year.
4. taxing, demanding, or exhausting: They’re having a brewtal time throwing strikes.
by jimf on Oct 1, 2009 5:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
brewtal
brewtal [BROO-tal (adj) – 1. savage; cruel; inhuman: Watching Jeff Suppan is brewtal.
2. crude; coarse: Manny Parra’s pitching is brewtal.
3. harsh; The weather is brewtal today. The Milwaukee pitching has been brewtal this year.
4. taxing, demanding, or exhausting: They’re having a brewtal time throwing strikes.
by jimf on Oct 1, 2009 5:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
3 TimberRattlers on top prospect list
According to @TimberRattlers, Three members of this year's team were named Top 20 Midwest League Prospect List
#4 Brett Lawrie
#9 Cody Scarpetta
#14 Wily Peralta
Edit: here's the link to the BaseballAmerica article
#4 Brett Lawrie
#9 Cody Scarpetta
#14 Wily Peralta
Edit: here's the link to the BaseballAmerica article
More records
Considering what a sad season it's been, Braun and Fielder have really racked up the records.
According to @Haudricourt on twitter, Ryan Braun has four games to get four hits and become the first Brewer with 200 hits since Paul Molitor in 1991.
According to @Haudricourt on twitter, Ryan Braun has four games to get four hits and become the first Brewer with 200 hits since Paul Molitor in 1991.
Oh now, that's just too funny
What the? Tourism group changes name, acronym
Published: Yesterday
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A Wisconsin tourism lobbying group is changing its name after realizing its initials formed a crude acronym.
The Wisconsin Tourism Federation group did a quiet rebranding in July, changing its name to the Tourism Federation of Wisconsin and updating its logo from WTF to TFW after it was featured on Web sites and blogs poking fun at it. It had no way of knowing 30 years ago that the letters would go on to take on a crude association.
Lead lobbyist for the group, Chet Gerlach, said Wednesday that the federation made the change after the meaning of the common text message lingo was brought to their attention.
FWIW (For what it's worth), officials say Wisconsin's tourism industry is a $13 billion business and grew 2.7 percent last year.
Published: Yesterday
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A Wisconsin tourism lobbying group is changing its name after realizing its initials formed a crude acronym.
The Wisconsin Tourism Federation group did a quiet rebranding in July, changing its name to the Tourism Federation of Wisconsin and updating its logo from WTF to TFW after it was featured on Web sites and blogs poking fun at it. It had no way of knowing 30 years ago that the letters would go on to take on a crude association.
Lead lobbyist for the group, Chet Gerlach, said Wednesday that the federation made the change after the meaning of the common text message lingo was brought to their attention.
FWIW (For what it's worth), officials say Wisconsin's tourism industry is a $13 billion business and grew 2.7 percent last year.
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