Uhh, what?

I think a big reason why they fall over themselves to say the Cubs are better is the fact the Cubs built their team the media-friendly way. Lots of free-agent signings with big names thrown in plus a flashy manager makes for plenty of storylines. Throw in the fact they haven't won since 1908 and play in a large market and it's media heaven.

The Brewers and teams like them, on the other hand, are ignored in large part because I don't think a single baseball analyst at ESPN has any idea how to talk about building a team from within. They give lip service to teams like Oakland or Cleveland or Minnesota that develop guys in their minor league system, but they don't delve any further. Even the few good analysts over there couldn't tell you squat about balancing a 40-man roster or not rushing players through the minors, or timing it out to hit arbitration at the right time or, heaven forbid, locking up players before they hit the free agent market.

If the Brewers do get in the playoffs, I guarantee you that all you'll hear are these couple topics, correct or not:

1. Ben Sheets will likely take free agency after next season and the Brewers will be doomed.
   
2. Jeff Suppan has been a "clutch performer" and come up big as a free agent signing for the Brewers, steadying all the young guys in the rotation.
   
3. Craig Counsell and Damian Miller are excellent veteran leaders, sharing insights they gained playing for the 2001 WS Champion Arizona Diamondbacks.

That's about all they'll really have to talk about. Going through the lineup will be another adventure:

1. Hart -- "Well, this kid is very tall, kind of like Derrek Lee, but he lacks the pop in his bat that Lee has. He still has a little power but his best asset is his speed, since he has <flip through game notes> 17 stolen bases."
   
2. Hardy -- "He got off to a huge start this season and was a controversial all star pick. That reminds me, how 'bout Jimmy Rollins?"
   
3. Braun -- "Braun came up and hit well earlier this year, but I still think Alex Gordon and Ryan Zimmerman will be the class of that draft. He might hold down the position with his bat, but I tell you, the Brewers would be much more comfortable if Corey Koskie could have come back with his glove to man the hot corner."
   
4. Fielder -- "Prince is of the same build of his dad. I was talking to Cecil the other day, can you imagine a 12-year-old hitting a ball into the upper deck of old Tiger Stadium? Prince (or should I call him Cecil, Jr.?) was a starter on the all-star team this year -- everyone likes a big, fat guy."
   
5. Estrada -- "You can't go wrong with a .300 hitting catcher."
   
6. Jenkins -- "Jenkins has been here in Milwaukee the longest of anyone on the team. He's really a clubhouse leader, showing the young guys on the team how it's done."
   
7. Hall -- "Hall's a utility player the Brewers stuck in center field this season. He's been a disappointment with the bat and his defense isn't up to par with the rest of the league. You have to wonder who the Brewers will go after in the free-agent market to upgrade this spot in their lineup."
   
8. Weeks -- "Weeks has been bothered on and off by wrist issues and that's really held his bat back in his career. Plus, his defense is terrible. Mark my words, defense wins championships. The Brewers might have gotten lucky in a weak division this year, but unless they spend millions like the other teams getting players who can field their positions well, they won't win a thing, or my name isn't Steve Phillips."

Alright, I didn't mean to ramble on, but I was on a roll.

That's probably exactly what will happen, the Brewers have been winning quietly, while the Cubs get all the attention, those not paying attention probably think the Cubs are in first.

This title is what one of my friends usually says when I say something off-the-wall or otherwise crazy (which is a lot, I suppose)..."uhh, what?"

I agree that it's more general than simply against the Brewers. If anything, people probably see a small-market team doing well and think it's a bunch of misfit Moneyball hacks that will fall apart soon.