Thursday, April 30, 2009
Things That Make Me Laugh
Killing time last night I noticed that the Cubs had lost 10-0 to Arizona and decided to read the game recap story on my phone….
Best opening to a game recap I’ve read in awhile:
“Wednesday’s game at Chase Field had an unusually early start. How early? Well, the game started about a half-hour before Ryan Dempster did.
The story goes on…
“Dempster – fumbling his Mr. April reputation – and the Cubs were down two to the D-backs shorter after the 12:40 p.m. MST first pitch and before an out was recorded in what became a three-run first inning."
Also, is being known for being most clutch in the first month of the season really a reputation you want?
Best opening to a game recap I’ve read in awhile:
“Wednesday’s game at Chase Field had an unusually early start. How early? Well, the game started about a half-hour before Ryan Dempster did.
The story goes on…
“Dempster – fumbling his Mr. April reputation – and the Cubs were down two to the D-backs shorter after the 12:40 p.m. MST first pitch and before an out was recorded in what became a three-run first inning."
Also, is being known for being most clutch in the first month of the season really a reputation you want?
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
All-Star Voting - Vote Brewers and Royals
You'll remember that last season I proposed a deal between Brewers fans and Royals fans to facilitate our small-town players in getting All-Star votes.
Well I'm a bit more on the ball this year and All-Star voting started before the first month of the season ended, so it's time once again to band together.
I fill out more than my fair share of ASG ballots because the Brewers give out raffle tickets for every 10 you turn in to a designated table at each game. Each night a winner if pulled and the prizes are signed baseballs, game-worn jerseys and other pretty darn cool things, especially since they're free. I can't resist a good raffle.
Because I fill out so many, I don't spend time picking and choosing AL players. Frankly, I don't care enough to do so. Instead of "wasting" my vote by just punching out random chads, I figure I should use my laziness for the good of others.
Both Milwaukee and Kansas City are like forgotten red-headed step-children when it comes to national media attention and therefore are often under-represented at the ASG. It our goal to prevent that and help each other out.
Royal Blues is the KC blog and they'll be pimping us out in the same manor.
Vote Brewers and Royals
Well I'm a bit more on the ball this year and All-Star voting started before the first month of the season ended, so it's time once again to band together.
I fill out more than my fair share of ASG ballots because the Brewers give out raffle tickets for every 10 you turn in to a designated table at each game. Each night a winner if pulled and the prizes are signed baseballs, game-worn jerseys and other pretty darn cool things, especially since they're free. I can't resist a good raffle.
Because I fill out so many, I don't spend time picking and choosing AL players. Frankly, I don't care enough to do so. Instead of "wasting" my vote by just punching out random chads, I figure I should use my laziness for the good of others.
Both Milwaukee and Kansas City are like forgotten red-headed step-children when it comes to national media attention and therefore are often under-represented at the ASG. It our goal to prevent that and help each other out.
Royal Blues is the KC blog and they'll be pimping us out in the same manor.
Vote Brewers and Royals
Mike Cameron nearing exclusive club
Posting this just because I think it's so awesome.
Mike Cameron is just 4 home runs away from joining the 250 HR/25o SB club, which right now has just 19 members.
With 291 stolen bases, it's actually not out of the realm of possibility that Cam could end up with 300 HR and 300 SB - and that would put him in even more exclusive company. Just six other players in the history of Major League Baseball have reached that plateau. And it's a pretty spectacular list of guys to be named with: Willie Mays, Bobby Bonds, Andre Dawson, Barry Bonds, Steve Finley and Reggie Sanders.
There's a story about this on MilwaukeeBrewers.com and it included this great quote from Cam:
"So, for all those people on the road who always tell me I stink, I've got a chance to be one of the best players to ever play the game," Cameron said. "To be one of the 20 greatest players [in terms of home runs and steals], that would be a big compliment. If I didn't play in some of those cavernous places, I'd probably already have it."
There's a special place in the heart of my fandom for Cam. I love what he does in the community, I love what he's done in our clubhouse and I love that he has no problem walking around the lobby at the Brewers Winter Warm Up show, drinking beer and talking to fans.
Good luck, Cam!
Mike Cameron is just 4 home runs away from joining the 250 HR/25o SB club, which right now has just 19 members.
With 291 stolen bases, it's actually not out of the realm of possibility that Cam could end up with 300 HR and 300 SB - and that would put him in even more exclusive company. Just six other players in the history of Major League Baseball have reached that plateau. And it's a pretty spectacular list of guys to be named with: Willie Mays, Bobby Bonds, Andre Dawson, Barry Bonds, Steve Finley and Reggie Sanders.
There's a story about this on MilwaukeeBrewers.com and it included this great quote from Cam:
"So, for all those people on the road who always tell me I stink, I've got a chance to be one of the best players to ever play the game," Cameron said. "To be one of the 20 greatest players [in terms of home runs and steals], that would be a big compliment. If I didn't play in some of those cavernous places, I'd probably already have it."
There's a special place in the heart of my fandom for Cam. I love what he does in the community, I love what he's done in our clubhouse and I love that he has no problem walking around the lobby at the Brewers Winter Warm Up show, drinking beer and talking to fans.
Good luck, Cam!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Top of the Order
Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart haven't been known as the power of this team, but the 1-2-3 spots in our order have gone on a tear recently.
Over the past four games, in just over a third of the team's at-bats, Rickie, Corey and Braun have combined for:
17 of the team's 41 hits
11 of the team's 27 RBI
12 of the team's 27 runs
10 of the team's 30 walks
Last night these three were on base 10 times.
Over the past four games, in just over a third of the team's at-bats, Rickie, Corey and Braun have combined for:
17 of the team's 41 hits
11 of the team's 27 RBI
12 of the team's 27 runs
10 of the team's 30 walks
Last night these three were on base 10 times.
Who Are These Brewers?
Things I never thought I'd see this season but happened at Miller Park tonight:
*An intentional walk to Jason Kendall (hitting .173) to get to Craig Counsell (hitting .250)
This couldn't have been most shocking. The entire crowd simultaneously scratched their
heads when this IBB was issued. I understand pitching matchups and righty vs. lefty, but
Jason Kendall can't hit the broad side of a barn these days, whereas Craig Counsell has a
hard-earned reputation as a clutch hitter. Why pass up on Kendall to get to lil CC?
*Jorge Julio having a 1-2-3, 14 pitch (10 for strikes) and one strikeout inning
There's no one who wanted Swindle sent down over Julio when Trevor Hoffman was brought
up after injury. Julio's ERA prior to tonight was 10.80 over just 5 innings. He had given up
four earned runs last week in Philly, walking three of the first five batters he faced. When he
was up in the bullpen while the Pirates' lead was just 3-1, everyone around me was worried.
Then the Brewers gave up more runs and the game seemed out of reach at 5-1. Why not
bring in Julio at that time, right? We never expected this outcome.
*Corey Hart taking not one or two, but three walks (He of the quote last October: "I'm not going to sit there and walk, though.")
*A Brewers manager risking outs on the bases by sending Corey to steal not once, but twice, with Braun at bat and less than two outs.
*Intentionally walking Prince Fielder - 0-4 on the night and hitting .225 on the season with 3 HR - to get to Cam, who was on base twice tonight, had an RBI and is hitting .313 with 5 HR on the season.
While Prince has started to heat up lately, Cam's walk/strikeout ratio is crazy lower than it's
been the rest of this career (.92 this season, compared with .38 last year and .46 for his
career) and he's striking out just once every five or so at-bats, way up from once every 3.13
ABs .
last season and once every 3.59 ABs over his career.
*Another comeback win.
After the way this season started, despite our proclivity last season for dramatic wins, I have
had little-to-no faith in this team's ability to hold teams or score our own runs. It would have
had to have been an extremely optimistic Brewer fan that felt the team could pull out the
extra-innings win in Houston after having come back a few times already.
*Jorge Julio getting the win!
*An intentional walk to Jason Kendall (hitting .173) to get to Craig Counsell (hitting .250)
This couldn't have been most shocking. The entire crowd simultaneously scratched their
heads when this IBB was issued. I understand pitching matchups and righty vs. lefty, but
Jason Kendall can't hit the broad side of a barn these days, whereas Craig Counsell has a
hard-earned reputation as a clutch hitter. Why pass up on Kendall to get to lil CC?
*Jorge Julio having a 1-2-3, 14 pitch (10 for strikes) and one strikeout inning
There's no one who wanted Swindle sent down over Julio when Trevor Hoffman was brought
up after injury. Julio's ERA prior to tonight was 10.80 over just 5 innings. He had given up
four earned runs last week in Philly, walking three of the first five batters he faced. When he
was up in the bullpen while the Pirates' lead was just 3-1, everyone around me was worried.
Then the Brewers gave up more runs and the game seemed out of reach at 5-1. Why not
bring in Julio at that time, right? We never expected this outcome.
*Corey Hart taking not one or two, but three walks (He of the quote last October: "I'm not going to sit there and walk, though.")
*A Brewers manager risking outs on the bases by sending Corey to steal not once, but twice, with Braun at bat and less than two outs.
*Intentionally walking Prince Fielder - 0-4 on the night and hitting .225 on the season with 3 HR - to get to Cam, who was on base twice tonight, had an RBI and is hitting .313 with 5 HR on the season.
While Prince has started to heat up lately, Cam's walk/strikeout ratio is crazy lower than it's
been the rest of this career (.92 this season, compared with .38 last year and .46 for his
career) and he's striking out just once every five or so at-bats, way up from once every 3.13
ABs .
last season and once every 3.59 ABs over his career.
*Another comeback win.
After the way this season started, despite our proclivity last season for dramatic wins, I have
had little-to-no faith in this team's ability to hold teams or score our own runs. It would have
had to have been an extremely optimistic Brewer fan that felt the team could pull out the
extra-innings win in Houston after having come back a few times already.
*Jorge Julio getting the win!
Busy Times
Busy times abound here as I’ve joined two other site’s writing teams.
Yours truly is now part of that elite crew of female bloggers over at Ladies…
Check us out at ladiesdotdotdot.wordpress.com
I’m also now a contributor at Brew Crew Ball – some of the best Brewer writing on the net.
BrewCrewBall.com
I’m totally honored and flattered that these sites asked me to join them. Posting may be down a bit here, but I’ll always link over to anything I’ve got going on those sites, so don’t go away just yet.
Yours truly is now part of that elite crew of female bloggers over at Ladies…
Check us out at ladiesdotdotdot.wordpress.com
I’m also now a contributor at Brew Crew Ball – some of the best Brewer writing on the net.
BrewCrewBall.com
I’m totally honored and flattered that these sites asked me to join them. Posting may be down a bit here, but I’ll always link over to anything I’ve got going on those sites, so don’t go away just yet.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Braun's slow start?
Remember as the season got started and people were questioning whether or not Braun's "slow start" had to do with his intercostal/back issues and fans were wondering what to do about the heart of the order's lagging numbers?
Heading into this current road trip, Braun was hitting just .212. Even after his 5-for-5 night, the 3-4-5 spots in the order was 28-for-141 this season, good for a .199 batting average.
Of course, since then Braun has picked it up. He had 8 hits in Philly - he was retired just twice in the series.
Through two games in Houston, Braun was 5-for-9 and now that dismal .212 BA has climbed to .359 in just 8 games.
Heading into this current road trip, Braun was hitting just .212. Even after his 5-for-5 night, the 3-4-5 spots in the order was 28-for-141 this season, good for a .199 batting average.
Of course, since then Braun has picked it up. He had 8 hits in Philly - he was retired just twice in the series.
Through two games in Houston, Braun was 5-for-9 and now that dismal .212 BA has climbed to .359 in just 8 games.
Badgers Being Picked in the Draft
No Wisconsin players were drafted in the first two rounds, but that changed quickly on day two as three Badgers were were picked within a few minutes of each other. Looks like third round was a charm for the Badgers.
The Oakland Raiders picked defensive end Matt Shaughnessy with the 71st pick overall.
The Detroit Lions selected outside linebacker DeAndre Levy with the 12th pick of the second round. He was taken 76th overall.
The Pittsburgh Steelers picked guard Kraig Urbik with the 79th overall pick.
The New York Giants took tight end Travis Beckum with the final pick of the round, #100.
The Oakland Raiders picked defensive end Matt Shaughnessy with the 71st pick overall.
The Detroit Lions selected outside linebacker DeAndre Levy with the 12th pick of the second round. He was taken 76th overall.
The Pittsburgh Steelers picked guard Kraig Urbik with the 79th overall pick.
The New York Giants took tight end Travis Beckum with the final pick of the round, #100.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
In honor of the draft
One of my all-time favorite You Tube's - a history of awful draft picks by the New York Jets
More Border Battle Pics
Cutter about to score a run
Peralta pitching
More Peralta
Bad pic quality, but good picture, so I'll post it anyway
Corey Kemp, who DH'd, hitting a double
Kemp sliding into second
We decided Marseco is like a mini-Craig Counsell
Can't possibly explain how upset I was when I got this awesome play at third picture and the guy in front of me who didn't sit still the entire game got his noggin in the shot.
Border Battle Pictures
I think this is Cody Adams - crazy high leg kick
Proof of how little Michael Marseco really is
Lawrie getting out of the way of an inside pitch
Cutter Dykstra really likes to dance when he's on base. It seemed pre-meditated. Each pitch he stepped of away from the baseline a little and hit arms were always up in a bit of a chicken wing look.
Cutter before the game.
Things that make me laugh...
This guy's name and mustache
_________
In the newly remodeled Brewers store in left field you can buy jersey T-Shirts of most anyone on the Brewers roster.
You'll notice Gallardo's are going like hot-cakes.
But the one player who's sold out?
That's right - Craig Counsell!
Lorenzo Cain Injures Knee, Could Be Out for Season
According to Tom H's blog, Lorenzo Cain hurt himself trying to make a diving catch and on-site doctors think he tore his MCL.
If that's the case, he's looking at three or so months of rehab.
Read Tom H's post here
As someone who tore the same MCL twice, I can tell you it's no picnic. The MCL is on the inside of the knee and really affects your ability to plant and cut. When I tore it the second time, it officially ended my not-so-illustrious soccer career as I decided the ability to walk for the rest of my life was more important.
If that's the case, he's looking at three or so months of rehab.
Read Tom H's post here
As someone who tore the same MCL twice, I can tell you it's no picnic. The MCL is on the inside of the knee and really affects your ability to plant and cut. When I tore it the second time, it officially ended my not-so-illustrious soccer career as I decided the ability to walk for the rest of my life was more important.
Timber Rattlers Notes
Had a great time at the Border Battle between the Timber Rattlers and the Peoria Chiefs last night at Miller Park and took many pictures, which we'll get too more in depth later.
Some quick thoughts:
*I was super-impressed with the fielding and the arm of SS Michael Marseco. He's incredibly small - listed at 5'10" and 155 pounds - but both of those seem rather generous. That being said, he made short work of any ball hit his way, including a few short hops and he gunned the ball to first.
The first play he made was an odd hop into his gut which he gathered and rifled to first. It was pretty early in the game and the bf and I were both a little shocked - he doesn't look like he's going to have that kind of arm speed.
He went on to make a few more good plays in the field and hit a ball to the base of the right-center wall for a double, later scoring.
Clearly the kid needs to find some bulk - he's hitting just .119 this year, though he was .311 with 47 hits and 24 RBI last season.
*Brett Lawrie had three hits - but none of them left the infield. There's something to be said for being able to make plays happen and get on base that way - but the lack of power, RBI, or runs scored was probably not a good sign.
*Cutter Dykstra, on the other hand, had two hits, two runs scored and an RBI.
*Brock Kjeldgaard's home run to right was a no-doubter that was in the second deck.
*The game made us appreciate major-league outfielders. It's not that these guys were bad - but the lack of experience when compared to the guys we see every time at MP was really obvious. The wind was really blowing last night and you could see a few of the outfielders on both teams had trouble getting a read.
Some quick thoughts:
*I was super-impressed with the fielding and the arm of SS Michael Marseco. He's incredibly small - listed at 5'10" and 155 pounds - but both of those seem rather generous. That being said, he made short work of any ball hit his way, including a few short hops and he gunned the ball to first.
The first play he made was an odd hop into his gut which he gathered and rifled to first. It was pretty early in the game and the bf and I were both a little shocked - he doesn't look like he's going to have that kind of arm speed.
He went on to make a few more good plays in the field and hit a ball to the base of the right-center wall for a double, later scoring.
Clearly the kid needs to find some bulk - he's hitting just .119 this year, though he was .311 with 47 hits and 24 RBI last season.
*Brett Lawrie had three hits - but none of them left the infield. There's something to be said for being able to make plays happen and get on base that way - but the lack of power, RBI, or runs scored was probably not a good sign.
*Cutter Dykstra, on the other hand, had two hits, two runs scored and an RBI.
*Brock Kjeldgaard's home run to right was a no-doubter that was in the second deck.
*The game made us appreciate major-league outfielders. It's not that these guys were bad - but the lack of experience when compared to the guys we see every time at MP was really obvious. The wind was really blowing last night and you could see a few of the outfielders on both teams had trouble getting a read.
Bush's Not-Quite No-Hitters Always Broken Up By Brewers
I can't say former Brewers, since the first one was broken my Damian Miller before he came to Milwaukee, but a small graphic in yesterday's Journal-Sentinel that showed some of the details of Bush's three no-hitters-into-the-eighth-inning and all three were broken up by guys who'd donned Brewers blue in the last few years.
July 20, 2004 (while pitching with Toronto) vs. Oakland broken up by Damian Miller
June 19, 2008 vs Toronto broken up by Lyle Overbay
April 23, 2009 vs. Philadelphia broken up by Matt Stairs
July 20, 2004 (while pitching with Toronto) vs. Oakland broken up by Damian Miller
June 19, 2008 vs Toronto broken up by Lyle Overbay
April 23, 2009 vs. Philadelphia broken up by Matt Stairs
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Brewers Trade Tyner to Detroit to Clear Room for Gillespie in Nashville
Had the MLB Network game between Houston and the Dodgers on mute while I was on the phone tonight and saw on their scroll that the Brewers had traded Jason Tyner to the Detroit farm system "for considerations" in order to make room for Cole Gillespie at the AAA level.
This struck me as odd because, well, we've only been playing for three weeks - why were we trading and moving a guy up to AAA? Why didn't he start there?
I'm admittedly not up on my prospects, but Gillespie's name sounded familiar, so some quick googling took me to this article, which I think says a lot without saying much - about players and the classiness of Brewers management.
And hidden in it is a, I think, very telling piece of information about Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Turns out Gillespie had elbow soreness as Spring Training broke, so they sent him down to single-A to test the elbow. He performed well in the opening weeks, hitting .349, so they decided they wanted him back at the higher level - but they needed roster room.
Here's the interesting part - Gord Ash admits that no one thought Tony Gwynn would end up in Nashville when he was put on waivers - they thought he'd get claimed. Of course, he didn't, and now the Sounds have a plethora of identical outfielders.
The classy part is that they traded Tyner to an organization that can use him to allow him a shot at keeping his career going instead of out-right dropping him.
But getting back to the TGJ bit - am I the only one that reads that and realizes that NO ONE WANTS TONY GWYNN JR?
I mean, if we were willing to lose him on waivers, I've got to believe he was dangled all winter long and no one nibbled. A bag of balls and some prospects would have been better than losing him off of waivers and getting the wapping $20,000 claim fee, right?
And yet, that didn't happen, leading me to believe there are no offers for TGJ forthcoming...
The catch to this is that if TGJ were to be claimed, he would have had to have been placed on the 25-man roster, so maybe it's not as big a slap as we think - but it still leaves me wondering if everyone out there (management and fans) has been overestimating TGJ's potential.
This struck me as odd because, well, we've only been playing for three weeks - why were we trading and moving a guy up to AAA? Why didn't he start there?
I'm admittedly not up on my prospects, but Gillespie's name sounded familiar, so some quick googling took me to this article, which I think says a lot without saying much - about players and the classiness of Brewers management.
And hidden in it is a, I think, very telling piece of information about Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Turns out Gillespie had elbow soreness as Spring Training broke, so they sent him down to single-A to test the elbow. He performed well in the opening weeks, hitting .349, so they decided they wanted him back at the higher level - but they needed roster room.
Here's the interesting part - Gord Ash admits that no one thought Tony Gwynn would end up in Nashville when he was put on waivers - they thought he'd get claimed. Of course, he didn't, and now the Sounds have a plethora of identical outfielders.
The classy part is that they traded Tyner to an organization that can use him to allow him a shot at keeping his career going instead of out-right dropping him.
But getting back to the TGJ bit - am I the only one that reads that and realizes that NO ONE WANTS TONY GWYNN JR?
I mean, if we were willing to lose him on waivers, I've got to believe he was dangled all winter long and no one nibbled. A bag of balls and some prospects would have been better than losing him off of waivers and getting the wapping $20,000 claim fee, right?
And yet, that didn't happen, leading me to believe there are no offers for TGJ forthcoming...
The catch to this is that if TGJ were to be claimed, he would have had to have been placed on the 25-man roster, so maybe it's not as big a slap as we think - but it still leaves me wondering if everyone out there (management and fans) has been overestimating TGJ's potential.
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