My primary interest is the role the media plays in setting the agenda, and how the dialogue is guided by the gatekeepers. It certainly could be an organic change at its root, but the consensus seems to be shifting toward Braun and away from Fielder, and of course that movement strengthens itself with each repetition.

Funny that it’s Witrado with the first open volley. It wasn’t too long ago that he was posted about how the team only wins when Fielder hits well.

What is the largest hr drop off from one season to the next?

All those Mrs. JJ Hardy t-shirts have to count for something

I would guess it has to do with the lack of success that he has become accustomed to. He just doesn’t look comfortable at the plate, really hasn’t all year. I’ll admit I haven’t seen every at bat, but he seems to be switching bats a lot, something that has to throw off timing. Something else I think I’ve noticed (which may not even be true) is that he seems to be taking the ball the other way more this year than in the past. Now whether that is a conscious effort or pitchers working him away more, I’m not sure, but my perception is that he seems to be taking more inside strikes (the ones he drove into right field last year for home runs and doubles) and is focusing more on the outside pitch. I tried finding a hit chart, pitch location chart, or anything to find out if my perceptions are off-base or even moderately accurate, but I don’t have TheJay’s fact finding ability and ended up finding nothing useful.

Except that he actually looks bigger. If he’s replaced the meat with a lot of pasta, that can’t be good.

the Brewers and Prince are making sure the protein he got from meat is being replaced by some other source in his diet, there is not plausible reason for using that as an excuse for his decreased production. Does anyone else recall the article that mentioned the Brewers as one of the few MLB teams that don’t employ a nutritionist? You would think that would’ve been the first thing the Brewers would’ve done on hearing the news of Fielder’s new diet.

That honestly thinks it is having an influence? Admittedly, I don’t know too much about vegitarian diets, but I have heard multiple times that vegitarian diets are very difficult to properly maintain and can be fairly unhealthy and lead to things such as weight gain in not done properly. I’m also not convinced that protien supliments are perfectly suitable replacements for natural protiens found in meat. Again, I don’t know a whole lot about vegetarianism, but I am 100% convinced it is at least having some effect.

Also, the fact that the Brewers don’t have a nutritionist is absurd. Although, I guess I shouldnt be too surprised. We are, after all, named after beer makers.

Just ask Mick.