More photos » by Morry Gash - ASSOCIATED PRESS

Doug Melvin, pictured here sitting behind Ken Macha in spring training, probably doesn't take fashion advice from Ryan Braun either.

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Some things to read while learning about the history of grit. (h/t Royals Review)

As you may have heard, the saga surrounding Ryan Braun's comments about Brewer pitching took a surprising turn yesterday when Doug Melvin fired back. (Also noted in FanShot.) There's a fair amount of reaction around the blogosphere today:

• Doug Melvin's quote about making Braun his deputy was Circling the Bases' quote of the day.
• The True Blue Brew Blog says Braun should shut up and play baseball.
• Sheffield's House wants Braun to keep doing what he's doing.
• Miller Park Drunk shows us what the world would be like if Ryan Braun were the Brewer GM.
• Quevedo at the Buffet says Melvin should have known better than to go public with his remarks.
• CZWief.com called Melvin's comments "a public slap on the wrist."

In case you've forgotten, the Brewers acquired C.C. Sabathia one year ago today. Meanwhile, if the Brewers do make a move, it could be for Javier Vazquez. The Brewers have reportedly placed a call to the Braves regarding Vazquez, although Melvin denied the report. Todd Welter of WTMJ wants the Brewers to steer clear of Vazquez, who has posted a 10+ ERA in 15.2 postseason innings. In other news, Todd Welter has never heard of sample size.

Everyone still loves Casey McGehee:

• FanGraphs says McGehee has "perhaps the quietest .343/.396/.567 line in the land."
• The Collective Troll named McGehee their NL Rookie of the Year for the first half of 2009.
• McGehee also has four three-hit games, but that's no longer good enough to lead all rookies: D-Backs rookie Gerardo Parra picked up his fifth such game last night. (h/t TheJay)

McGehee was also one of several Brewers mentioned in Jon Heyman's midseason awards, appearing third on his ballot for NL Rookie of the Year. Also appearing: Prince Fielder (4th, NL MVP), Yovani Gallardo (4th, NL Cy Young) and Ken Macha (4th, NL Manager of the Year).

The Brewers open a key series with the Cardinals tonight, and Stan Musial's Stance has a preview of the three pitching matchups: Yovani Gallardo v. Adam Wainwright tonight, Jeff Suppan v. Todd Wellemeyer tomorrow, and Braden Looper v. Joel Piniero on Thursday.

Prince Fielder was confirmed yesterday as a participant in next week's Home Run Derby. (Also noted in FanShot) Fielder's first-half mashing in 2009 earned him the DH spot on The Collective Troll's NL All Troll Team. Unfortunately, this year's All Stars won't actually have a DH.

In the minors:

• John Sickels of Minor League Ball is watching the Timber Rattlers play in Burlington this week and has been impressed by Brett Lawrie's bat speed. Lawrie is also Between the Green Pillars' Prospect of the Week.
• Lawrie may be among the last generation of Brewer prospects to play AA games in Huntsville. The Stars are last in the Southern League in attendance, and while attending Sunday's sparsely attended contest, Gord Ash was quoted as saying, "They're going to be sorry in a couple of years when they don't have baseball." (h/t BrewerFan.net)

The Brewers moved up one spot from eleventh to tenth in Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star's Power Rankings.

Around the league:

Blue Jays: Russ Adams, designated for assignment over the weekend, has cleared waivers and elected to become a free agent.
Cubs: Traded Ryan Freel to the Royals for a PTBNL and placed David Patton on the DL with a right groin strain.
Giants: Placed Randy Johnson on the DL with a shoulder strain.
Nationals: Kip Wells, who had been designated for assignment, has cleared waivers and elected to become a free agent.
Orioles: Placed reliever Chris Ray on the DL with biceps tendinitis.
Padres: Placed David Eckstein on the DL with a hamstring strain.

Via the Baseball America Minor League Transaction Report, I learned that former Brewer Gary Glover is on the move again: this time he was released by the Marlins.

Happy birthdays today to R.J. Swindle who turns 26, and Dave Burba, who appeared in 62 games for the 2003 and 2004 Brewers and turns 43. Today is also the 35th anniversary of the 1974 game where Don Money set the major league record for most consecutive errorless games by a third baseman.

Oh, and now I know what to eat at midnight between Mac & Cheese Tuesday and Pizza Wednesday.

Drink up.