Thursday's Frosty Mug
by Kyle Lobner on Jan 6, 2011 9:21 AM CST
in Milwaukee Brewers News
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PrintSome things to read while being recognized for your accomplishments.
The paperwork has been filed and Takashi Saito is officially a Brewer: His one year deal guarantees him $1.75 million in 2011 (FanShot). I was a little iffy about this signing when it was announced but I'm sold now: The Brewers picked up a reliever that projects to be more effective than Todd Coffey for less than what it would have cost to keep Coffey around.
Yesterday I posted a note about the leadoff spot, so it makes sense that today I'd have a story on the #2 spot: Nicholas Zettel of Bernie's Crew makes the case that Prince Fielder should bat there.
It's possible we'll learn a fair amount about the Brewers' status as a contender before the All Star Break: Team Wisconsin has a look at a tough June schedule that includes series against the Reds, Marlins, Mets, Cardinals, Red Sox, Rays, Twins and Yankees.
In the minors:
- The Brewers announced 2011 coaching staffs for three minor league affiliates yesterday: Former Wisconsin manager Jeff Isom is the new skipper in Brevard County, and former Brewer Matt Erickson will take his place with the Timber Rattlers. Helena's staff is returning intact. 2010 Manatees manager Bob Miscik has been reassigned within the organization. (FanShot)
- John Sickels of Minor League Ball has a preliminary, unranked list of the Brewers' top 31 prospects. He'll unveil the ranked list sometime in the next few days.
- Jim Callis of Baseball America answered a reader question about how Jake Odorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress slot into the Royals organization.
- Voting is open for prospect #3 in our community prospect rankings. Please vote, if you haven't already.
A day later, a fair portion of the internet is still abuzz about the Brewers' new season ticket promotion, where 40 prizes will be given away over 40 days to fans who purchase ticket packages for 20 games or more. Adam McCalvy has the full list of giveaways, and Wezen-ball has a great reaction to it. Meanwhile, Dave Brown of Yahoo has ten more ideas to add.
Looking for something to do once you're done with today's Mug? Brian Anderson is chatting with fans at Brewers.com at 11.
Around baseball:
Blue Jays: Claimed pitcher Wil Ledezma off waivers from the Pirates.
Indians: Signed reliever Doug Mathis to a minor league deal.
Orioles: Signed infielder Cesar Izturis to a one year, $1.5 million deal.
Padres: Released pitcher Radhames Liz.
Rays: Signed first baseman Chris Carter to a minor league deal.
Red Sox: Claimed catcher Max Ramirez off waivers from the Rangers and signed pitcher Tony Pena Jr. to a minor league deal.
Rockies: Signed Hernan Iribarren to a minor league deal.
Yankees: Claimed pitcher Brian Schlitter off waivers from the Cubs.
Today's former Brewer notes:
- MetsZilla interviewed Tom Haudricourt about Chris Capuano. Perhaps not surprisingly, this story didn't come up. (h/t MetsBlog)
- Tyler Maas of Bugs & Cranks has a tribute to Marquis Grissom, B.J. Surhoff, Lenny Harris and all of the other players eliminated from Hall of Fame contention on their first ballot.
- The Hall of Very Good noted that Jeromy Burnitz, Eric Young, Jose Hernandez and Rick Helling will be eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time next year.
- Sal Bando and Ted Simmons are still on adarowski of Beyond the Box Score's One-and-Done All Star Team.
- Seth McClung has a blog for OnMilwaukee.com (possibly his last one) talking about making the transition to playing for the Rangers.
I've got two interesting baseball economics notes today, they're somewhat related, and they're both from FanGraphs. First, Jack Moore credits the Blue Jays with using the arbitration system to pick up five extra 2011 draft picks worth roughly $11 million in surplus value. Then, R.J. Anderson notes that the Padres have gained some leverage with multiple free agents by promising to decline arbitration if they reach Type A status.
Here's a fun stat note to go with those: Justin Inaz of Beyond the Box Score has a look at component park factors over the last five seasons. Miller Park still comes off as slightly home run friendly, but overall is right in line with the rest of baseball.
I couldn't find any birthdays today.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a knee to rub.
Drink up.
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knee to rub
should we put fine white powder before the nose of the molitor statue before every game? please tell me there’s a molitor statue
by PagsBrewCrew on Jan 6, 2011 9:32 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
I'd rather do that to the Selig statue
Too close for missiles, I’m switching to Ueck.
I wonder if that's due to Uecker's wishes
I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve proposed this idea at least once to Uecker and had him respectfully decline. He’s a pretty humble guy and very much dislikes the title “Mr. Baseball.”
Minecraft is like digital Legos. I like digital things and I like Legos. I am now addicted to Minecraft.
I really hope that's the case.
I thought it was insulting of them to put up a Selig statue before they had one of Ueck.
For your health!
Personally, I don't think you get a statue until you die.
All the Miller Park ones are jumping the shark a bit…
Twitterize me: @mykenk
Or at least not until they're done working for the Brewers.
When Uecker retires, build a statue immediately.
My goodness.
by BrewHaHeather on Jan 6, 2011 11:20 AM CST up reply actions
Selig may look like a zombie
but I’m pretty sure he’s still alive.
Isn’t there a Yount statue on the grounds somewhere too?
For your health!
Must be a Wisconsin thing...
Barry Alvarez and Pat Richter both have statues at Camp Randall.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
Birthday
Scott Thorman is 29 today.
Does it count that he was signed by the Brewers as a free agent, but released after spring training?
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
Slide at the park.
We’ve already done it. It may have been fueled by lots of drinks and stupidity (Who walks across girders while drunk) . But three of us got there, I only got 1/2 way up the slide before falling and sliding down. My buddy made it to the top but couldn’t get his girth into the chalet, but he traveled pretty much the entire length of the slide.
They use cheap furniture polish to lube up the slide. I off course stole one as a keep sake. It makes an appearance at every tailgate. And the base is carpeted with that foam stuff they use at playgrounds.
How I was not arrested that year.. I don’t know.
by SgtClueLs on Jan 6, 2011 9:59 AM CST reply actions 3 recs
What?!
So you climbed up the girders above the bleachers there to the bottom level of Bernie’s tower and then tried climbing up the slide to the top? How in the world did you get away with that? Was it dark? You sneak out of Friday’s or something?
I want more story!
==
Check out Wezen-Ball.com
It all started with the Brewers getting shelled at Wrigley
Group of us went to Fridays to watch the Brewers get slaughtered by the Cubs. After the game, fueled by drinks we decided to walk around the park, the escalators have ‘caution slippery’ signs on them, so we just walked right past them. No other way blocking you from going up, and we drunkenly figured we could talk our way out of arrest by saying it didn’t say keep out. As we are walking, my buddy said we should go see if we can get into Burnies Chalet. And off course we go and check it out. The area at the top into his Chalet was impassible. There was a tall fence (with a door) and razor wire above it. No go. So we go and check out the fence by the lower area, from the platform to the stairs. Same thing.. but there is a girder that runs directly along the walk way. If you jump the little hand fence and step on the girder, you can reach the other hand rail fence and just walk along it. So you can steady yourself by holding onto the fence while walking along a foot wide girder. Then another foot wide gap to where you can get to the hand rail fence onto the slide pad. Only a few seconds would you have no support by holding onto something.
Once there, you are at the base. No way up to the chalet except trying to climb the slide. And its stupid steep at the top. We were there for probably 15 – 20 minutes I’d say. The entire stadium is dark except a bright shinning light onto the landing platform. So really we were exposed, completely. I have another picture some where of the three of us posing on the landing pad. Crappy motorolla Q camera phone picture quality though.
To this day we wonder how if the security guards looked at the tape form that night and saw us. And we’ve been meaning to go back to that area to see if they put extra safe guards in. And if we fell, we would have been in deep trouble. Nothing but concrete to break your fall.
by SgtClueLs on Jan 6, 2011 10:34 AM CST up reply actions 8 recs
I think you would've been hard pressed to talk your way out of "keep out" when there's razorwire
That’s a great story knowing no one got hurt. It’s also a perfect story of how 1 marginally bad idea can easily become 5 marginally bad ideas making the venture as a whole a really bad idea that few people would consider sober.
Great story, thanks. You know, it never occurred to me that those “caution” things are all that are keeping you from climbing up to the second floor.
The girder stuff makes sense. No single part of it would seem all that bad, but, on a whole, certainly not the smartest idea. Did you guys get down the same way?
Glad you didn’t get caught. Would’ve been tough getting out of that one…
==
Check out Wezen-Ball.com
Once we got on the platform
All bets were off. We knew we’d be arrested or at least banned from Miller Park. But before that just walking around the stadium, there were no indications that it was closed or off limits. So we could have played stupid… not sure how far the security guards would have taken it.
Got down the same way. It was stupid in hind site, but it was a blast at the time. It didn’t feel that dangerous since we could hold onto the railing except a pivot and a reach to the other railings. If we had to walk it with out any kind of railing, no way would I have done it. (Ok maybe I would have… drinks + pure pressure is a bitch)
This seems to take the quote:
“A drunken man’s words are a sober man’s thoughts.”
to a whole new level
by BrewCrewBrian on Jan 6, 2011 11:21 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I have a similar story...
I was at a wedding reception in what was known as the .300 Club quite a few years ago. A group of us went out the exit by Bernie’s Chalet to see if we could go down the slide. One-by-one people went up and came down. Before I had a chance to go myself, a security guard came out and told us that we weren’t supposed to be there. He didn’t really do anything beyond telling us all to go back inside.
I don’t know if the razor wire was there back then (no one mentioned it), but I do know that the people who went down had to climb on the girders to get to the chalet as there was a lock on the ladder to climb up.
They had a ton of the furniture polish up there, which was funny because I thought that we’d all smell like lemons afterwards.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
Jesus, dude.
You’ve still got my card for when you get arrested, right?
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
by Rubie Q on Jan 6, 2011 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
For misdemeanor conduct like this?
Three years.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
Maybe we should edit the story, then, so there’s nothing incriminating… I’m guessing we’re talking about the shellacking the Brewers took from the Cubs back in, what, April 2008?
Crap! No more incriminating information! Uh… so how about those TGI Friday’s pot stickers?
==
Check out Wezen-Ball.com
by lar on Jan 6, 2011 2:41 PM CST up reply actions
You guys are really terrible clients.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
by Rubie Q on Jan 6, 2011 3:08 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
self facepalm
it’s 2011 now idiot.
by PagsBrewCrew on Jan 6, 2011 3:43 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
vs the Cards
Had to find the original picture and look at the date. Apparently eye witness testimony is fallible.
Suppan pitched a perfect game
and Kendall and Counsell both had multi-homer games.
BCB: Pointless Exercises in Devils Advocacy
by Jeo on Jan 6, 2011 4:06 PM CST up reply actions
Flagged for implying The Deity couldn't have a multi-homer game.
The Deity simply prefers other outcomes.
Also, why am I just seeing the unofficial fan site now?
by BrewCrewBrian on Jan 6, 2011 4:13 PM CST up reply actions
maybe because the career highlights end in '04?
BCB: Pointless Exercises in Devils Advocacy
by Jeo on Jan 6, 2011 4:57 PM CST up reply actions
I'd tweet you from prison
I blame the Brewers.. why light up nothing but the slide. It was like they challenged drunk people to try to get to it.
Or something…
An attractive nuisance?
I like it.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
by Rubie Q on Jan 6, 2011 1:53 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
That is great
I love drunken logic.
Celebrating the addition of Greinke and mourning the loss of my man crush Cain
Let's not forget the unbalanced schedule
The Brewers have a tough June and that’s due in part to their ridiculously difficult interleague schedule compared to their NL Central brethren. It’s safe to say that the Brewers will have the most difficult interleague schedule of every MLB team this year, and potentially the highest strength of schedule in the NL overall.
To refresh memories:
Brewers: Red Sox, Rays, Twins, Yankees – combined 2010 record = 374-274 (0.577)
Reds: Blue Jays, Yankees, Orioles, Rays – combined 2010 record = 342-306 (0.528)
Cardinals: Royals, Blue Jays, Orioles, Rays – combined 2010 record = 314-334 (0.485)
Over 15 games, those win percentages translate to:
Brewer opponents – 8.66 wins
Reds – 7.92 wins
Cardinals – 7.28 wins
Before the season even starts the Brewers are starting more than half a game behind the Reds and over 1 game behind the Cardinals. 1 game could make a difference in what’s shaping up to be such a tight division.
Minecraft is like digital Legos. I like digital things and I like Legos. I am now addicted to Minecraft.
You can talk to Bud about that one
Twins will always be there, but the 6 team NL Central is to blame there. Just bad luck to draw all 3 big teams in the AL East in a year they are going to contend. Cards will always have the Royals, and the Reds will always have the Indians, until times change, that Twins series will always be a disadvantage for the Brewers.
The only solution is to expand 2 more teams with 4 4 team divisions in each league, or contract 2 teams.
I agree a game or half game could be the difference this year, but its just like a lot of the arguments about the team in the past two years, it all comes down to performance on the field, if they execute, that one game wont make the difference.
Interleague play is BS IMO
exactly because of what you just stated.
the Cards get the Royals every year.
That’s obviously not the only example of the unfairness of the system but it’s a good one.
If they want to have those games fine, but they should have no bearing on the standings.
They should be completely irrelevant.
For your health!
Alternatively, they could just balance the schedule better.
If they want the Brewers-Twins rivalry or the Royals-Cardinals rivalry games, have each team in the division play those same teams. They might have to tweak the schedule a bit (e.g. Minnesota and Kansas City would have to somehow play against all six NL Central teams) but it would be more fair than the current nonsense.
Ryan Braun: He loves it. -- Four pitchers in history with 8.5+ WAR and <250 IP seasons: Greg Maddux (age 29), Pedro Martinez (age 28), Roger Clemens (age 27), Zack Greinke (age 25).
Or, they could admit that those aren't rivalry games, and stop it.
Or, they could admit that the interleague fad sucks, and stop it.
Or, they could admit that having 2 leagues playing different games is stupid, and stop it.
Or, they could admit that the old-fashioned “division” set up is stupid, and stop it.
Twitterize me: @mykenk
by Mykenk on Jan 6, 2011 12:03 PM CST up reply actions 6 recs
I'm looking forward to interleague this year
They have the talent to go up against the AL east. It’s the only way the Brewers will get any attention. I really want them to go in and dominate the sox and yankees.
by Mr. McGehee on Jan 6, 2011 11:42 AM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Or have the leagues 15 and 15 with at least one interleague game at all times.
Applying Simpsons and Star Wars quotes to Brewers discussions since 2009.
A Yankees/Red Sox 6-game sweep
That would certainly get the Brewers 30 seconds on Baseball Tonight. Okay, so it’d get the AL East on Baseball Tonight and the Brewers would come up as a talking point on why the AL East has fallen so quickly. Still, the Brewers would temporarily get national attention.
by ecocd on Jan 6, 2011 11:02 AM CST up reply actions 5 recs
If you still watch BBTN, you're doing it wrong.
MLB Network or bust.
by klwillis45 on Jan 6, 2011 11:18 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Harold Reynolds seems to be pretty OV though
MLB has its negatives as well.
by backtocali on Jan 6, 2011 11:41 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Reynolds and Mitch Williams are both brutal
by KittenMittons on Jan 6, 2011 11:47 AM CST up reply actions
Williams and HR are awful
But they aren’t on every night or at all times – the big advantage MLB Network has is that they are on for so long and cycle through different people. Plus live look-ins are great.
Gammons, Jon Hart, Sean Casey and Al Leiter are all solid.
Having to listen to Kruk almost every time BBTN is on is just brutal.
Get a ife broseph
by Supertramp on Jan 6, 2011 12:14 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Headline: "Why can't A-Rod hit against Grienker and the Milwaukee Bucks?"
Ryan Braun: He loves it. -- Four pitchers in history with 8.5+ WAR and <250 IP seasons: Greg Maddux (age 29), Pedro Martinez (age 28), Roger Clemens (age 27), Zack Greinke (age 25).
Don't you mean Milwaukee Packers
I’m not sure the Bucks have ever made it on ESPN
Too close for missiles, I’m switching to Ueck.
and when the deer ran into the bar in menomonie during the playoffs
BCB: Pointless Exercises in Devils Advocacy
Brewers hitting out of the 9 hole
I just looked at the hitting stats for the Brewers pitchers from last season and I was really surprised. The Brewers best hitting pitchers are still projected to be in the rotation.
Gallardo 63 AB – .329 OBP
Narveson 49 AB – .365 OBP
Wolf 77 AB – .253 OBP
Overall, they put up an NL leading .249 OBP in 368 PAs followed by the Diamondbacks at .221.
Obviously, we have no idea how Greinke and Marcum will perform at the plate, but if can optimistically hope for a .200 OBP, we could be looking at another season with .250 OBP percentage out of the 9-hole. If we get lucky and Greinke’s cockiness is justified with a .250 OBP, the starters could reach up into the .275 range. Even if a little unrealistic, that’s absolutely crazy.
Arizona sure isn't going to hit that well in 2011
That pitcher OBP was mostly Dan Haren and Barry Enright. Haren isn’t there anymore and goodness knows what Enright’s actual hitting talent is.
Let's not forget
Greinke, in the midst of his social anxiety problems in 2006, wanted to convert to SS and hit. :)
"The Milwaukee Brewers' line score is starting to resemble an international phone number" - Pittsburgh Pirates Radio during 20-0 shutout - 4-22-10
And has recently said that he's jazzed about getting to hit.
Greinke, Gallardo, Marcum, Wolf, Narv-Dog. Suck on THAT egg, a-holes!
by Dikembe Meiztombo on Jan 6, 2011 6:55 PM CST up reply actions
Greinke blows a lot of steam about his hitting abilities.
It’ll be interesting to watch him hit for an entire year.
http://www.mlbsoup.com
we need a
Greinke vs. Gomez tracker. The Battle for .260!
Celebrating the addition of Greinke and mourning the loss of my man crush Cain
by molitorfan on Jan 7, 2011 2:47 AM CST up reply actions 5 recs
This is genius.
Too close for missiles, I’m switching to Ueck.
But first a graphic depicting the matchup...
paging nullacct.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
by sjlee on Jan 7, 2011 9:20 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
|
25 | 20 | .555 | 0 | Lost 1 |
|
St. Louis
|
25 | 21 | .543 | 0.5 | Lost 2 |
|
Houston
|
22 | 23 | .488 | 3 | Won 4 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
21 | 24 | .466 | 4 | Won 1 |
|
Milwaukee
|
19 | 26 | .422 | 6 | Won 2 |
|
Chicago
|
15 | 30 | .333 | 10 | Lost 10 |
(updated 5.26.2012 at 6:00 PM CDT)
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