Saturday, October 17, 2009
Who doesn't love Craig Counsell
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
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
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
@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
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
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.
