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There were many positive things to come out of the 2014 season.
As tough as it will be to look back at 2014 after the collapse, it wasn't all bad. There were many positive things that came out of the team this season. Yesterday, Derek looked back at the 2014 season and remembered some of the good and bad moments. New free agents, positive trades, the development of young players, and more happened during the season. It may not be much consolation, but it could bring some hope to the possibility of the Brewers competing in 2015.
One of those is increased attendance at the home games.
With a strong start to the season, the Brewers were able to get attendance up this season after a couple of seasons where it dropped. Yesterday, attendance figures were released for the league, and the Brewers had the largest increase in attendance in the league. Their overall attendance was also the eighth highest in the league. Most of that was helped by a strong start and staying in the playoff race until the last week of the season. The Brewers need good attendance to be able to afford the free agent contracts they have. Hopefully this will allow them to continue building the team.
Ryan Braun will have surgery on his thumb.
One of the reasons behind the Brewers collapse was an injured Ryan Braun. With his thumb bothering him all season, he was only a shell of his former self this year. Braun finally decided to take care of the issue and will have surgery on the thumb Thursday. It's not a guarantee to work, but the procedure selected should minimize risk to Braun's ability to play. Hopefully the procedure is a success for Braun, because the Brewers need him healthy if they are going to compete in 2015.
Cram Session
- The Brewers are taking emotion out of the equation on the Ron Roenicke decision and will not make one until next week. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel looks at the decision Melvin has to make, as well as other pending decisions this offseason.
- On Brewers.com, Adam McCalvy has his review of the 2014 season, as well as a preview to the 2015 offseason.
- Voting is underway for the Hank Aaron Award, which is given to the best offensive player in each league. Jonathan Lucroy has been nominated for the Brewers, and you can vote on MLB.com for who you want to win.
- The Brewers offense struggled at the end of the season, but was it just the Brewers that had a decrease in offense? Nicholas Zettel of Disciples of Uecker looks at offensive outputs around the National League and if they favored the hitters or pitchers.
- There were definitely some great moments in 2014. Enrique Bakemeyer of The Brewers Bar put together a top 10 list of his favorite moments from the 2014 season.
- In the minors, Michael Ratterree won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award as the top defensive right fielder in all of the minor leagues. Only one is given to each position throughout all of the minor league levels, so this is a big honor for him.