Thursday's Frosty Mug: "Year In Review" Season

Some things to read while finding your inspiration (h/t Baseball Musings).

As 2012 draws to a close, it's time to take a look (actually, probably multiple looks) back at the year that was. Adam McCalvy has a list of his top five moments from 2012, led by Ryan Braun's attempt to repeat as NL MVP.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Lucroy made a featured appearance in Jayson Stark of ESPN's annual "Strange but true" roundup of 2012. His pair of seven-RBI games last season put him in pretty elite company.

Along the same lines, our look at 2012's most notable home runs continued yesterday with a Brew Crew Blasts bonus entry on the longest homers hit by opposing players. The series continues on a happier note later today.

Speaking of home runs, The Book of Gorman has a great look at a Ryan Braun at bat against Francisco Liriano in June that ended with a long ball and a clear demonstration of one of the things that makes Ryan Braun great.

Coming back to the present, we're reminded again today that the Brewers haven't done much this offseason to address the team's needs. Lou Olsen of Reviewing the Brew says the Tom Gorzelanny signing was too little, too late.

It's also worth noting, though, that the 2013 Brewers should have Chris Narveson after he missed nearly all of 2012. Also at Reviewing the Brew, Benjamin Orr looks at what we might be able to expect from the returning lefty.

In the minors: 2012 Wisconsin shortstop Yadiel Rivera had a hit and played eight innings in the outfield last night in Santurce's 9-1 loss to Caguas in Puerto Rico. You can read about that and more in today's Winter League Recap.

Around baseball:

Mariners: Designated pitcher D.J. Mitchell for assignment.
Pirates: Designated pitcher Chad Beck for assignment.
Rangers: Designated catcher Luis Martinez for assignment.
Red Sox: Acquired reliever Joel Hanrahan and a minor leaguer from the Pirates for pitcher Mark Melancon, outfielder Jerry Sands, infielder Ivan DeJesus and a minor leaguer.
Yankees: Signed outfielder Matt Diaz to a minor league deal.

Today in former Brewers: Phillies Nation has a look at the Philadelphia career of Don Money, which is frequently overshadowed because it preceded a Hall of Fame career for Mike Schmidt.

Here's another reminder that the life of today's baseball player (especially in the minors) is different from what it was not that long ago: Ashley Marshall of MiLB.com has a great look at how teams handle players on social media, what they ask them to tweet/not tweet and why they don't simply instruct players to shut their accounts down. (h/t @Mass_Haas)

Finally, we'll wrap up with something you don't see every day: @UniWatch has a photo of Hall of Famer Frank Robinson in a Brewer uniform during his brief time as the team's hitting coach in 1984.

Oh, and today is a Woot-off day.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to see a giant penny.

Drink up.