Tuesday's Frosty Mug: Award Season Begins

Some things to read while looking for snacks.

The Milwaukee Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) handed out their annual Brewer awards yesterday (FanShot), with few surprises:

• Ryan Braun and Yovani Gallardo were unanimous choices for MVP and Most Valuable Pitcher.
• Aramis Ramirez nearly swept the vote for Top Newcomer, with Norichika Aoki named first on one of the eight ballots.
• Marco Estrada won the Unsung Hero Award in a close vote over Carlos Gomez, Martin Maldonado, Mike Fiers and Aoki.
• John Axford was named the team's "Good Guy" in a split decision.

Braun, of course, has his sights set on a somewhat larger award. For what it's worth, John Barten of The Hardball Times has him third on his ballot for the NL's best player behind Buster Posey and Yadier Molina. Aramis Ramirez is seventh behind Chase Headley, Andrew McCutchen and David Wright.

As of this writing Braun is also running away with the #1 spot on our list of 2012's MVBrewers. You have until 2 pm today to cast your vote, and the poll for the #2 spot will open at 3.

Elsewhere in glances back at the 2012 season:

• Call to the Pen covered the Brewers as part of their season review series.
• The Wisconsin Sports Die-Hard gave a 2012 grade to everyone but bullpen catcher Marcus Hanel.
  

Meanwhile, in free agency: The Book of Gorman has a plea for the Brewers not to pursue Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse this offseason. Lohse had a career year in 2012 with shiny numbers like a 16-3 W-L record and 2.86 ERA, but is 34 years old and has pitched 200 innings just twice in the last nine seasons.

Maybe the Brewers should consider signing someone who pitches inside. There's not a single 2012 Brewer represented on Bill Petti of FanGraphs' list of the pitchers who did the best job on the inner half of the plate this season.

This is Doug Melvin's eleventh offseason at the helm of the Brewers, as he was hired in September of 2002. Depending on how you count Twins GM Terry Ryan (who was hired in 1994 but stepped away from the role from 2007-11), Melvin is either the eighth or ninth longest-tenured general manager in baseball. He's still only the second-longest tenured in Brewer history, though, trailing Harry Dalton.

In the minors:

• It was a quiet day internationally but three Brewer prospects cracked the starting lineup in the AFL and combined to go 1-for-9 in Phoenix's 4-2, 10 inning loss to Salt River. You can read more about that in today's AFL Recap.

We know the Brewers won't be there, but we're still planning on holding a BCB meetup to watch Game One of the World Series at The Tracks Tavern and Grill in Milwaukee on October 24. Make plans to join us and RSVP today, if you haven't already.

Around baseball:

Phillies: Hired Wally Joyner as their assistant hitting coach.
Reds: Signed manager Dusty Baker to a two-year contract extension.

Today in former Brewers: Miller Park Drunk has a guide to (mostly not) rooting for former Brewers in the playoffs.

We've got an interesting collection of baseball economics notes today:

• The Yankees are blaming StubHub for their inability to sell out ALCS games, admitting fans are bypassing the ticket office to get better deals on the resale market.
• While the Yankees and Tigers play in a half-empty stadium, though, LCS TV ratings are way up over a year ago.
• Finally, Gaslamp Ball breaks down some quotes from Bud Selig on why outgoing Padres owner John Moores was allowed to take some money from the team's new TV deal with him on his way out but Dodgers owner Frank McCourt was not.

This morning's edition of Today In Brewer History marks the first anniversary of a day I'd still rather not talk about. Chris Jaffe of The Hardball Times notes that it's also been 3000 days since Aramis Ramirez's second career three-homer game. Finally, today is 1994 Brewer Brian Harper's 53rd birthday, and Plunk Everyone notes that his 44 career HBP are the third most ever for a player born on October 16.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find my checkbook.

Drink up.