Thursday, March 17, 2011
Marcum Exits Early
Now Marcum is feeling shoulder tightness... If I was Roger Caplinger I'd be worried about being next myself. The man must be exhausted at this point.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Greinke MRI reveals hairline fracture in rib, out 2-4 weeks.
Looks like Amaury Rivas or McClendon may get an extended look the first couple weeks of the season, considering Rogers' shoulder issues. I would guess that all but assures Yo getting opening day.
I'm all for a game of hoops on the side, but players have to be smarter than this, or at the very least, report it so it gets it's due diligence immediately.
EDIT: Turns out Zach was forthcoming to the team at the time, so chalk one up to posting in frustration.
Looks like Amaury Rivas or McClendon may get an extended look the first couple weeks of the season, considering Rogers' shoulder issues. I would guess that all but assures Yo getting opening day.
I'm all for a game of hoops on the side, but players have to be smarter than this, or at the very least, report it so it gets it's due diligence immediately.
EDIT: Turns out Zach was forthcoming to the team at the time, so chalk one up to posting in frustration.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
PBA Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship
For those that think pro bowlers benefit from the engineering of modern bowling equipment, this is the event to watch, Sunday Noon CST on the 4-letter.
These dudes are Sick!
These dudes are Sick!
Quick Crew Thoughts 3/5
Trick photography or a skinny Prince... not that skinny Prince.
In other news, Takashi Saito may well be THE stabilizing force in the bullpen for the Crew this year.
I'm hoping for a speedy recovery for Manny as he seems to be the classic "million dollar arm, five cent head"-type. Let the opponent see him for one time through the order, then get him out of there. Also, with so much riding on the starters, he's a decent option for a spot start or two.
Was the Crew trying to lock up McGahee as a couple-year stopgap when Prince leaves?
If no one is reading Witrado's drivel, is there still drivel to be read?
In other news, Takashi Saito may well be THE stabilizing force in the bullpen for the Crew this year.
I'm hoping for a speedy recovery for Manny as he seems to be the classic "million dollar arm, five cent head"-type. Let the opponent see him for one time through the order, then get him out of there. Also, with so much riding on the starters, he's a decent option for a spot start or two.
Was the Crew trying to lock up McGahee as a couple-year stopgap when Prince leaves?
If no one is reading Witrado's drivel, is there still drivel to be read?
Wausau West 5 - Middleton 0
Congratulations to the Warriors on a spectacular tournament & to Coach Susens on his first state title. Class team, class man. Highlight was young Mr. Poirier busting out the championship belt on Friday night.
And a special congrats to my buddy Grossy, one of the fine assistant coaches. Much props, dude.
And a special congrats to my buddy Grossy, one of the fine assistant coaches. Much props, dude.
WI State hockey
The old alma mater Wausau West is in the state finals today vs. Middleton at 2:15. I hear it will be played on WAOW if anyone is looking for something to watch.
Good luck to the young men & my friend Chris, one of the great coaches on Coach Susens' staff.
Good luck to the young men & my friend Chris, one of the great coaches on Coach Susens' staff.
Is it just me or is Charlie Sheen more spastic than Michael J. Fox? Kids, the drugs can harm you.
On the other hand, why does everyone care so much? Other than Chuck making sure he's in the news 24/7, why should we care if he wants to party, be the meat in a half-pornstar, half-nanny sandwich, and talk out of his ass?
This may well be the start of the greatest reality TV ever... what's the over/under on a televised OD? I always said I'd start watching Survivor when it became about actually surviving: put these ying-yangs on an island & last one alive wins. Ricky Vaughn may be playing his own game of Survivor.
On the other hand, why does everyone care so much? Other than Chuck making sure he's in the news 24/7, why should we care if he wants to party, be the meat in a half-pornstar, half-nanny sandwich, and talk out of his ass?
This may well be the start of the greatest reality TV ever... what's the over/under on a televised OD? I always said I'd start watching Survivor when it became about actually surviving: put these ying-yangs on an island & last one alive wins. Ricky Vaughn may be playing his own game of Survivor.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Brewer Spring Training Officially Begins Tuesday
I don't usually get worked up for ST. All it means is real baseball is coming soon. You'll inevitably hear stories about how so&so is in the best shape of his career, another guy is a pillar of his off-season community, and a manager will deem his team will be aggressive, yet patient, at the plate.
If it was any fluffier, you'd need to douse your computer in Snuggle.
Here's all you need to know: baseball's on it's way, the rest is just details.
If it was any fluffier, you'd need to douse your computer in Snuggle.
Here's all you need to know: baseball's on it's way, the rest is just details.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
WORLD CHAMPION, GREEN BAY PACKERS!!
So after a busy week, I finally have a chance to comment on Sunday's game. And what a game. Putting the onus on Rodger's to win it through the air (though, I think they could've run the ball more out of those spread looks. Starks had a very effective 11 carries).
I was a tad off on my Rodger's prediction, being short on the rushing total. I would've been way off had anyone held onto the ball in the middle of the game. He very well could've gone 450/5td's. Just an outstanding performance by what seems like a very grounded, respectable young man. I think he threw that late 3rd down pass to Jennings over the middle just to prove to people he could... that was a cocky throw, every bit as good as the kudo's they spew all over Peyton Manning. He was so good that Polamalu was a complete non-factor.
And did anyone else see the microcosm of the season with various key players going down & others stepping up? Jarrett Bush, of all people, doing a nice impersonation of C-Wood from the slot; Pat Lee going outside for Shields; Jordy, despite some drops, channeling his inner Don Beebe for a huge game. Credit McCarthy for changing his style late in the season & almost walking, talking, & coaching with an air of cockiness that his team fed off of.
Quite the season, quite the TEAM of men assembled by WI's favorite whipping boy (though I am on record as supporting TT from the start). From the guys we're getting back next year, I'm confident that with health, this could be special again. In the words of Kevin Greene... "It is time".
I was a tad off on my Rodger's prediction, being short on the rushing total. I would've been way off had anyone held onto the ball in the middle of the game. He very well could've gone 450/5td's. Just an outstanding performance by what seems like a very grounded, respectable young man. I think he threw that late 3rd down pass to Jennings over the middle just to prove to people he could... that was a cocky throw, every bit as good as the kudo's they spew all over Peyton Manning. He was so good that Polamalu was a complete non-factor.
And did anyone else see the microcosm of the season with various key players going down & others stepping up? Jarrett Bush, of all people, doing a nice impersonation of C-Wood from the slot; Pat Lee going outside for Shields; Jordy, despite some drops, channeling his inner Don Beebe for a huge game. Credit McCarthy for changing his style late in the season & almost walking, talking, & coaching with an air of cockiness that his team fed off of.
Quite the season, quite the TEAM of men assembled by WI's favorite whipping boy (though I am on record as supporting TT from the start). From the guys we're getting back next year, I'm confident that with health, this could be special again. In the words of Kevin Greene... "It is time".
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Super Bowl XLV eve
Welcome to the machine...
It's the eve of an unexpected GB Super Bowl appearance & I'm here to offer my pseudo-analyst, wanna-be-journalistic opinion for tomorrow. So sit back & come on in, the water's fine.
I've kept some distance from the hoopla this week to keep my mind pure in the hopes that I can process my thoughts, regardless of what my heart feels. I have 5 distinct points to make before my prediction, so here goes:
1. Kurt Warner did the dirty work. What I mean is, once AZ spread the Steeler's out in their SB, the rock started flying. Why I think this plays into GB's hands is Warner liked to hold the ball (probably an after-effect from his STL days). Rodger's can get the ball out extremely quickly to a multitude of receivers.
2. PIT D vs. GB D: Tough call. I actually give the PIT LB's the edge here, by a considerable margin. Polomalu & Woodson cancel each other out, making the GB tandem of Williams & Shields superior to PIT. Who gets the big TO, the big stop, the momentum swinger? There's the rub.
3. Mendenhall vs. Starks: Obviously, the untrained observer says Mendenhall, because the Pack has no running game. Pshaw, I say. The Pack is more balanced than given credit for, sticking with the run, regardless of success, yet having some. Still, I give PIT the edge here, but only because of the next point...
4. PIT will need to run more, because this isn't 2009 anymore & I'm just not sold on the "escapability" of Big Ben. GB will get to him & get him hard. And I think it will happen early, setting the tone for this...
5. I predict that Aaron Rodgers will turn in a top 5 SB performance, just a couple rungs down from Joe Montana's 4 TD & Steve Young's 6 TD games. This young man is on the precipice of greatness that I simply cannot fathom. Final line: 28/39 - 3 passing TD - 46 yds rushing - 1 rushing TD... all the way to the MVP.
Like I said, I've been tempering my enthusiasm to think this through and on the eve of SBXLV, it's clear to me (unless it's just gas) that the silver phallic trophy will be coming back to WI. Aaron will do for Donald Driver what Brett Favre did for Reggie White.
Final score: GB-38 PIT-30
It's the eve of an unexpected GB Super Bowl appearance & I'm here to offer my pseudo-analyst, wanna-be-journalistic opinion for tomorrow. So sit back & come on in, the water's fine.
I've kept some distance from the hoopla this week to keep my mind pure in the hopes that I can process my thoughts, regardless of what my heart feels. I have 5 distinct points to make before my prediction, so here goes:
1. Kurt Warner did the dirty work. What I mean is, once AZ spread the Steeler's out in their SB, the rock started flying. Why I think this plays into GB's hands is Warner liked to hold the ball (probably an after-effect from his STL days). Rodger's can get the ball out extremely quickly to a multitude of receivers.
2. PIT D vs. GB D: Tough call. I actually give the PIT LB's the edge here, by a considerable margin. Polomalu & Woodson cancel each other out, making the GB tandem of Williams & Shields superior to PIT. Who gets the big TO, the big stop, the momentum swinger? There's the rub.
3. Mendenhall vs. Starks: Obviously, the untrained observer says Mendenhall, because the Pack has no running game. Pshaw, I say. The Pack is more balanced than given credit for, sticking with the run, regardless of success, yet having some. Still, I give PIT the edge here, but only because of the next point...
4. PIT will need to run more, because this isn't 2009 anymore & I'm just not sold on the "escapability" of Big Ben. GB will get to him & get him hard. And I think it will happen early, setting the tone for this...
5. I predict that Aaron Rodgers will turn in a top 5 SB performance, just a couple rungs down from Joe Montana's 4 TD & Steve Young's 6 TD games. This young man is on the precipice of greatness that I simply cannot fathom. Final line: 28/39 - 3 passing TD - 46 yds rushing - 1 rushing TD... all the way to the MVP.
Like I said, I've been tempering my enthusiasm to think this through and on the eve of SBXLV, it's clear to me (unless it's just gas) that the silver phallic trophy will be coming back to WI. Aaron will do for Donald Driver what Brett Favre did for Reggie White.
Final score: GB-38 PIT-30
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Championship Eve
So here we are, same position as '07, yet somehow this feels different.
'07 was the last year of Favre, '10 is Rodger's chance to shine. So here is my take for 2pm CST 1/23/11:
1. Poor field or not, GB's 5 wideouts will certainly find open space against CHI's secondary.
2. While the field may slow both D's down, GB's schemes will get to Cutler more than CHI's 4-man will to Rodgers.
3. If GB stops Forte early, the game is over.
4. Who makes the first mistake? This may well determine the victor.
5. Aaron Rodgers is simply playing a different game than anyone else right now.
So there you have it. Sure, I could be wrong (just don't tell my wife), but I try to watch football with the same level head I watch baseball & I don't see any way the Packers are not moving on to SBXLV (or whatever the Romans say it is).
Anyhoo, GO PACK GO!
'07 was the last year of Favre, '10 is Rodger's chance to shine. So here is my take for 2pm CST 1/23/11:
1. Poor field or not, GB's 5 wideouts will certainly find open space against CHI's secondary.
2. While the field may slow both D's down, GB's schemes will get to Cutler more than CHI's 4-man will to Rodgers.
3. If GB stops Forte early, the game is over.
4. Who makes the first mistake? This may well determine the victor.
5. Aaron Rodgers is simply playing a different game than anyone else right now.
So there you have it. Sure, I could be wrong (just don't tell my wife), but I try to watch football with the same level head I watch baseball & I don't see any way the Packers are not moving on to SBXLV (or whatever the Romans say it is).
Anyhoo, GO PACK GO!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
It's OK, Aaron
Well, I guess if you have to sit at home after a Pro Bowl snub, this is better than a swift kick in the groin with a steel-toed boot.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
MLBTR Top 15 of 2010
The Crew's acquisition of the Zack Attack comes in #3.
As a man who watches Packer football partly because the Brewers don't play in December, I'm trying to temper my enthusiasm toward the starting rotation... but, damn, if this Kool-Aid doesn't taste exquisite.
As a man who watches Packer football partly because the Brewers don't play in December, I'm trying to temper my enthusiasm toward the starting rotation... but, damn, if this Kool-Aid doesn't taste exquisite.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thoughts on the Crew
So I've lived with the trade that, had Greinke gone to NY, would've shook baseball. As such, I'll be happy having 3 Opening Day starters in the rotation & still being a slight underdog.
Anyway, here's my thoughts in no particular order:
1. Trades of prospects, for obvious reasons, cannot be rated immediately. Case in point, the CC trade is still in the Crew's favor as LaPorta & Brantley have made minimal impacts on the Indians. In the Greinke case, the Brewers received the best player, hands down. Former Cy Young, 27 years old, 2 more years under contract. Best player.
2. Prospects are just that, prospects. Do they all have room to become above-average? Definitely. Would they help push the Crew to the 85-90 win range? Probably not.
3. Which brings us to this: What was Milwaukee's biggest weakness in '09-'10? Starting pitching. Consider that nuisance addressed.
4. I think this gives the Brewers 3 years to restock the system. Health-given, they should challenge in the Central the next two years, then a one year grace period.
5. If you consider LuCroy, the top 6 batters in the 4th ranked NL offense remained untouched.
All in all, my excitement level for Brewer baseball was ratched up from it's usual frenetic level. I say sit back & enjoy the ride
Anyway, here's my thoughts in no particular order:
1. Trades of prospects, for obvious reasons, cannot be rated immediately. Case in point, the CC trade is still in the Crew's favor as LaPorta & Brantley have made minimal impacts on the Indians. In the Greinke case, the Brewers received the best player, hands down. Former Cy Young, 27 years old, 2 more years under contract. Best player.
2. Prospects are just that, prospects. Do they all have room to become above-average? Definitely. Would they help push the Crew to the 85-90 win range? Probably not.
3. Which brings us to this: What was Milwaukee's biggest weakness in '09-'10? Starting pitching. Consider that nuisance addressed.
4. I think this gives the Brewers 3 years to restock the system. Health-given, they should challenge in the Central the next two years, then a one year grace period.
5. If you consider LuCroy, the top 6 batters in the 4th ranked NL offense remained untouched.
All in all, my excitement level for Brewer baseball was ratched up from it's usual frenetic level. I say sit back & enjoy the ride
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Brewers Weigh 2011 Against Future
MIL gets Greinke, ESPN begrudgingly admits there is a team in WI.
I linked to the originator of the flurry of activity last night, Bernie's Crew's Jim Breen. Congrats, Jim on the scoop. It would do well that the powers realize that bloggers have merit.
So the rotation in '11 looks like this: Greinke, Gallardo, Marcum, Wolf, Narveson. The offense stays essentially in tact from 1-6. I really don't have much to add that hasn't been said in the blogoshpere: Doug mortgaged the future for a last run with Fielder, possibly Weeks. Being Christmas it's only right to remember you must give to receive.
Let's remember, Escobar, for all the highlight plays, regressed throughout the year offensively. Cain tailed off when teams realized he's closer to a pull hitter than a spray hitter. And don't forget, Cain may have endeared himself running into walls, but Gomez is the better defender. Odorizzi is a solid young pitcher, but one that was only in A ball last year: again, give to receive.
Greinke has been one of the top 5 SP's in baseball the last 3 years, and he's only 27. As is the case with Marcum, AL pitchers coming to the NL usually see greater success than vice versa, since they get that DH out of the lineup.
All in all, the Crew needed pitching, they went out & got it. Is it February yet?
I linked to the originator of the flurry of activity last night, Bernie's Crew's Jim Breen. Congrats, Jim on the scoop. It would do well that the powers realize that bloggers have merit.
So the rotation in '11 looks like this: Greinke, Gallardo, Marcum, Wolf, Narveson. The offense stays essentially in tact from 1-6. I really don't have much to add that hasn't been said in the blogoshpere: Doug mortgaged the future for a last run with Fielder, possibly Weeks. Being Christmas it's only right to remember you must give to receive.
Let's remember, Escobar, for all the highlight plays, regressed throughout the year offensively. Cain tailed off when teams realized he's closer to a pull hitter than a spray hitter. And don't forget, Cain may have endeared himself running into walls, but Gomez is the better defender. Odorizzi is a solid young pitcher, but one that was only in A ball last year: again, give to receive.
Greinke has been one of the top 5 SP's in baseball the last 3 years, and he's only 27. As is the case with Marcum, AL pitchers coming to the NL usually see greater success than vice versa, since they get that DH out of the lineup.
All in all, the Crew needed pitching, they went out & got it. Is it February yet?
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Lawrie to TOR, welcome to Brew Town, Shaun Marcum
The Crew addressed some pitching needs with the acquisition of Shaun Marcum.
One hates to lose a young bat like Lawrie's, but Marcum has posted a career sub-4 ERA. He did have TJ surgery in '09, but came back last year to pitch just under 200 innings. I suppose, you gotta give to receive.
I would assume he slots in ahead of Wolf & behind Yo. Solid start to the Winter Meetings for Doug.
One hates to lose a young bat like Lawrie's, but Marcum has posted a career sub-4 ERA. He did have TJ surgery in '09, but came back last year to pitch just under 200 innings. I suppose, you gotta give to receive.
I would assume he slots in ahead of Wolf & behind Yo. Solid start to the Winter Meetings for Doug.
A. Gonzalez to BOS Off
The BoSox were unable to come to a contract agreement with Adrian Gonzalez, effectively voiding the trade from SD.
Looking at the agreed upon return, Brewer fans should realize that a boon-type package will not be the return for Prince. Additionally, any team trading for the big man will probably want a contract extension in place before pulling the trigger, much like the BOS/SD case above.
It's becoming more clear (to me, at least) that the potential return of 2 high draft picks in '12 will be the return on Fielder, as I don't see many teams dealing away picks. The philosophy of most teams has changed to young players=cheap salaries.
UPDATE: Never mind...
Looking at the agreed upon return, Brewer fans should realize that a boon-type package will not be the return for Prince. Additionally, any team trading for the big man will probably want a contract extension in place before pulling the trigger, much like the BOS/SD case above.
It's becoming more clear (to me, at least) that the potential return of 2 high draft picks in '12 will be the return on Fielder, as I don't see many teams dealing away picks. The philosophy of most teams has changed to young players=cheap salaries.
UPDATE: Never mind...
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Berkman to Cards
The former Houston Astro will be placed in left field with Matt Holliday being moved to right field.
The 34-year-old last played in the outfield in 2007 when he turned in a putrid -48.4 UZR/150, with most of his work coming in rightfield.
Let the comedy of errors begin...
The 34-year-old last played in the outfield in 2007 when he turned in a putrid -48.4 UZR/150, with most of his work coming in rightfield.
Let the comedy of errors begin...
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