Great article on managers doing "new" things from the Wall Street Journal .

Quotes from Jim Powell and Doug Melvin. 

This part is interesting:

But if Mr. Melvin had his way, the Brewers organization might be even more progressive. He has another counterintuitive idea: using relievers to start the game, and delaying the "starting" pitcher's entrance until the third inning or so. The thinking is that starters are typically among a team's best pitchers, yet nowadays they often pitch only through the fifth or sixth inning, well before many games are decided. By having them pitch later, they'd be around for the higher-leverage inni

I went to see the Mesa Solar Sox tonight, mainly to see Matt LaPorta and check out the Arizona Fall League scene.

LaPorta had 2 plays in left field.
The Bad: He had a foul ball down the line that he should have caught knocked of his glove.
The Good: He came in well on a high fly and called of the SS and 3rd Baseman and made the catch.

Hitting
The Bad: He K's his first 2 ABs.
The Good: He hit a rocket line drive HR to left center.

It was a small mixed crowd, probably 500 people. The players wear their MLB team's uniforms and AZFL team hats. $6 tickets for an adult. One concession stand is open. Dogs, Nachos, Pretzels, Beer, Soda and Water.

New quote from Ned from Jsonline.
 http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=655433

"If they put a couch in the dugout, we'd get it right every time." - Brewers manager Ned Yost, noting that second-guessers watching at home always make the right move.

Ok...my response is

if they put a couch in the dugout Ned would be more comfortable sleeping during the games

someone's got to have a better one that that....

Milwaukee's favorite columnist changes his mind about Ryan Braun. This guy is ridiculous.  

May 3, 2007
"In the continuing absence of Corey Koskie, Braun might've made the team out of spring training had he defended third base better. As it has turned out, the Brewers have done just fine with the veteran platoon of Tony Graffanino, who made a nice defensive play to his right in the third inning Thursday night against Pittsburgh, and Craig Counsell. There is no guarantee they'd be better with a rookie."

June 23, 2007
"With his compact stroke and his comfortable approach in the box, Braun, according to one longtime Brewers observer, puts one to mind of a young Paul Molitor."

So keep him in Nashville for him to develop to he reminds me of an all-star.  What a joke.

Hunt does try to cover his ass by saying  "It was written in this space not so long ago that leaving Braun in Nashville all season would be a certain sign that all was well with the Brewers."

Michael, do you honestly think they would have kept him at AAA and let one of their best hitter develop?  I was also at the first Spring Training game when he had 2 HRs and a double and I knew he wouldn't be down all year developing. The idea that he even needed any developing is so abusrd i don't know anyone who can even try and defend it.

Considering he was comparing the combo of Counsel and Graffanino to Braun less than 2 months ago why does he even have a job?  I guess you don't have to be accountable for anything when you work for the Journal Sentinel.  

this team isn't bush league but the media coverage is.