Tuesday's Frosty Mug
by KLSnow on Sep 22, 2009 9:07 AM CDT
in News
27 comments
Some things to read while making Baba Ganoush.
I'm not sure if I'm terrible luck (as tristarscoop suggested), or if I just have terrible timing, but last night was my fourth Brewer game of 2009, and I've now witnessed three terrible, ugly losses and a blown save. Barring something unforeseen, I'm done attending Brewer games for 2009, so if you have tickets for the rest of the homestand I won't be there to ruin your luck.
It took all of half an inning for me to remember why obnoxious Cub fans usually inspire me to stay away from Brewers-Cubs series. I tweeted a few anecdotes and some other observations from last night's game, but this one was the real tone-setter:
Dumbass behind me: "who's pitching?" Guy next to him: "brandon looper."
Shortly after that, we moved down a few seats to get out of the direct line of stupid. Shortly after that, the Brewers were down 7-0 and the Cub fans' ability to celebrate a meaningless victory was only paralleled by their ability to unintentionally douse each other in beer while doing so. I'll be watching tonight's game from my couch, where I'm much less likely to drift off into reconsidering homicide as a method of population control.
Of course, by allowing back-to-back home runs in the second inning, Braden Looper allowed me to see history, setting a new franchise record by allowing 37 home runs in a single season. Looper probably still has two more starts to expand his lead. Wezen-Ball has a list of franchise records set this season across baseball. Circling the Bases ranked Looper #62 among the 111 players who could be free agents this offseason.
Mike Cameron was the only Brewer to have a really good night last night. His two home runs were #20 and 21 on the season, giving him four consecutive seasons (and eight overall) with at least 20. Seth McClung also noted his diving attempted catch late in the game, down 7-1 in the waning moments of a contract year.
Speaking of McClung, congratulations to him on making it back into a big league game this season. Josh Butler also made his major league debut last night and hit a batter, sending Plunk Everyone into a flurry of activity.
With the Cardinals' win last night, the Brewers were actually eliminated from contention in the NL Central. They've still got the slimmest of outside chances for the Wild Card, but that elimination number is down to two.
Perhaps the biggest news in baseball yesterday was the Astros' decision to fire Cecil Cooper (FanShot). I was in the Fan Shop at Miller Park when I heard the news, and I misheard it the first time: I thought the Astros had fired GM Ed Wade, and Jose de Jesus Ortiz seems to agree that it would have been the more logical move.
Here's the Brewer tie in: Gordon Edes of Yahoo thinks Cooper won't be the only manager fired in the coming months, but says Ken Macha is probably safe. Meanwhile, Willie Randolph can't wait to get out of Milwaukee: within hours of Cooper being fired, he expressed in the job.
Doug Melvin picks really strange things to be upset about sometimes. As if he didn't have enough to be upset about lately, with the Brewers threatening to regress to below .500, he's on a rant about the expanded roster system (FanShot). Really? This is how Melvin spent his time yesterday? Maybe the FireDougMelvin.com domain name is going to pay off for SgtClueLs after all.
On Power Rankings and whatnot:
- The Hardball Times has the Brewers at #19.
- Andy Seiler's 2010 draft projections have the Brewers picking 14th.
Around baseball:
Cubs: Designated pitcher Thomas Diamond for assignment.
Rangers: Kevin Millwood clinched a vesting option last night that will pay him $12 million next season.
Meanwhile, a recent benching is costing Orlando Hudson more money every day. Hudson has an incentive in his contract paying him $10,000 per plate appearance, and it's already nearly doubled the value of his contract this season.
Are the Pirates' players apathetic about doing the things they need to do to develop? Via MLB FanHouse, I found this story suggesting the Pirates are disappointed by many of their players' reluctance to play winter ball this offseason.
Jose Lima sees Braden Looper's 37 home runs and raises him ten more: On this day in 2000, Lima allowed his 47th home run, setting a new National League single season record. The Astros lost the game, 12-5.
Happy birthday today to Mike Matheny, who appeared in 445 games as a Brewer and turns 39, and to Jeffrey Leonard, who spent half the 1988 season with the Crew and turns 54.
Drink up.
0 recs |
27 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Additional Anecdote
Last evening I was seated in section 419. After arriving late and enjoying Baseball in general (though not the brand currently offered here), I visited the restroom. As I exited the men’s room I chanced upon a sight like none other, a poster-worthy moment: two of Milwaukee’s finest officers marched, each wrangling a handcuffed woman. The first woman was sporting a Brewer jersey, the second in a Cub’s shirt. They were still jawing back and forth, twisting away from their respective escort, looking for more blood. I wish I had taken a picture with my phone. If ever the otherworldly, irrational and violent stupidity of the Cub/Brewer rivalry could be summed up in visual form, that was it.
by One-Flap Down on Sep 22, 2009 9:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought that Braylon Cooper guy was fired before the game yesterday
You know me Al.
by TheJay on Sep 22, 2009 9:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Orlando Hudson's contract
Are there similar pay-for-performance contracts out there? We’re all aware of the options that vest when a pitcher throws X innings or a batter makes Y plate appearances and bonuses based on reaching number of IP, but I don’t recall hearing about a $10k / per PA stipulation. That seems to be a contract especially dependent upon performance.
Perform well enough to stay in the starting lineup and you get paid. Do well against lefties and righties and make more money. Of course, if the team brings up a young guy late in the season, it’s money out of your pocket regardless of performance.
As far as winter ball is concerned, how many MLB-level players really go down there? I could understand the prospects heading there to keep honing their skills and pick up a little off-season money that doesn’t come from bagging groceries, but guys with major-league experience? It seems a little odd to me to expect much from starters. Also, the Pirates players have little incentive to improve until they’re closer to free agency. The organization sucks so much, it’s not like their individual improvement is going to prevent them from losing 85 game every year. Give the guys a carrot and they might be interested.
by ecocd on Sep 22, 2009 9:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Your incentives question
Lots of players, especially pitchers, have incentives that come up based on appearances, games finished or starts. Coffey, for example, had incentives for 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 appearances. This incentive seems like an extension of that.
As for winter ball – no, established major leaguers usually don’t go. But, as Mykenk noted, the Pirates have a lot of developing players and not many established major leaguers.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Sep 22, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A quibble: established major leaguers not from Venezuela, etc., usually don't play.
A pretty sizable number of Latin American guys play in their country over the winter. Maybe the Pirates should go that route if they want more winter ballers.
You know me Al.
by TheJay on Sep 22, 2009 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Stupid comments heard at a game
“Too bad we won’t see Hoffman pitch since he got traded to the Giants”
“Oh, there’s nine innings in baseball”
“Hey, we got Corey Patterson? He’s pretty good, right?”
“What’s that big-ass yellow slide over there for?”
I may never go to a weekend game again for fear of becoming dumber.
It is what it is.
by coolig on Sep 22, 2009 11:33 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
On the other hand
Those ignorant masses are the reason the Brewers can afford to spend $90 MM on payroll. The revenue generated in Miller Park by people that don’t know anything about baseball is probably pretty significant each year. I can’t imagine what it would be like watching the Yankees or Red Sox where going to the game is more about status symbol than the game itself. They’re there to see Jeter and ARod even though they couldn’t pick him out of the infield.
Jerry Jones has to be playing to this crowd with his giant TV and the popularity of “the Cowboys” rather than the football team on the field. He’ll need to, too, with 100k seats to fill 10 or more times per year.
I imagine baseball teams would have greatly reduced attendance if they only had fans of the sport in the seats. Any doubters can go to an MLS or NHL game. Not much broad appeal there.
by ecocd on Sep 22, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can’t imagine what it would be like watching the Yankees or Red Sox where going to the game is more about status symbol than the game itself.
You don’t have to go so far east — just head about 90 miles to the south. Pink-hat wearin’ Red Sox fans ain’t got nothin’ on the Cubby Bear crowd.
by Rubie Q on Sep 22, 2009 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
I understand that there is going to be plenty of people who don’t know baseball or the Brewers all that well. But please keep it to yourself.
However, what pisses me off even more are the people who have no intention of watching a baseball game when they’re at the park. The people who are incredibly annoying (and incredibly drunk) really get under my skin and are the main reason I made the aforementioned comment about weekend games.
It is what it is.
by coolig on Sep 22, 2009 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right
If you’re having a hard time getting to your seat because you’re that drunk before the game, you’re doing it wrong.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Sep 22, 2009 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or just not experienced enough
Pretty sure I could make it to my seat rip roaring drunk, but MP is basically my second home during the season.
by SgtClueLs on Sep 22, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cub fans
The Cub fans at Wrigley are usually fine and I’ve met some cool people while there (even in the bleachers).
The ones that come up to Miller Park…yikes. After a drunk 18 year old spilled a beer on me, then challenged me to a fight because he though I knocked it out of his hands, I decided to avoid those games if possible.
by Supertramp on Sep 22, 2009 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree 100%
For the most part, those fans stay up in the 400 levels and the bleachers. If you really want to enjoy the game, you’re probably going to have to dish out more money and get close seats. You won’t completely rid yourself of all of them, but you’ll certainly get away from the majority.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Sep 22, 2009 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who cares about Cameron hitting 20 HRs again, or laying out for a ball down 5 in a meaningless game? He struck out TWICE on Saturday, and 138 times this season!!!!!! Clearly, he sucks.
by Getting Yosted on Sep 22, 2009 12:59 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Exactly
A strikeout is worth, like, what, -100 home runs or something, right?
Brewers Baseball and other assorted nonsense (mostly the assorted nonsense) at my blog, What's a Tararrel?
by Lefti on Sep 22, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
clearly
(playing WSB here) he should have stacked those homers when it mattered in the season, then he could strike out all he wanted right now.
by PagsBrewCrew on Sep 22, 2009 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
(Waits patienly for KLSnow's promised anti-strikout complainer charts and graphs).
by Yar Nivek on Sep 22, 2009 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not that patiently, apparently:
Among all hitters with at least 400 plate appearances this season, the 10 guys who strike out most often have an average OPS of .938 and the 10 guys who strike out least often have an average OPS of .753.
Thanks for the reminder.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Sep 22, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I waited a full two and a half hours.
And you’re welcome.
by Yar Nivek on Sep 22, 2009 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I took a nap today.
Got to bed around 1, started the Mug at 6:45 this morning. Without that nap, I would’ve been asleep on the couch by the middle innings tonight.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Sep 22, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
depressing charts from the B-R Blog
most pitchers used in a season chart
See how many recent Brewers teams are on that chart. The Brewers have used 23 pitchers this season. Pitchers on that chart are listed in order of appearances. Considering three of the top six relievers have spent extensive time on the DL or other leaves, this may explain why Coffey keeps getting run out there so much—and why the Brewers have used 23 pitchers.
by morineko on Sep 22, 2009 4:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I always liked the 1915 Athletics
Only 24 different starting pitchers.
You know me Al.
by TheJay on Sep 22, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And the oldest pitcher on the staff was 27
Ah, the cheap years of Connie Mack.
You know me Al.
by TheJay on Sep 22, 2009 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Louis
|
91 | 71 | .561 | 0 | Lost 6 |
|
Chicago
|
83 | 78 | .515 | 7.5 | Lost 1 |
|
Milwaukee
|
80 | 82 | .493 | 11 | Won 3 |
|
Cincinnati
|
78 | 84 | .481 | 13 | Won 2 |
|
Houston
|
74 | 88 | .456 | 17 | Lost 3 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
62 | 99 | .385 | 28.5 | Lost 2 |
(updated 11.20.2009 at 4:30 PM CST)
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
