TooLiveBrew

I'm sure Baker could find a way to convince himself that a square bowling ball would knock over more pins. I mean, come on, it has corners!

Exceedingly Stupid Propaganda Network WE SCREEMM IT SO ITS TRUE!

Maybe things have changed since the early-mid 90's, but no one had any respect for marketing then. Yea, except for those ridiculous marketing and advertising companies. jlau, whatever makes you the happiest & motivates you the most is the way to go. Don't worry about money or 'employability' yet. A good company will be able to see that yuo have the skills and that you're a strong hire. As long as you're well-rounded and feel comfortable interviewing, you should do very well. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

I guess it depends on how narrow you think above average is. For a corner outfielder, I don't think an OPS + of 120 is a huge step from above average. You could call him good. but with vague adjectives, there will always be some kind of gap. When you factor in Rios's D, he's well above "above-average." Not to mention that Rios is only growing into his power. that's a lot for merely an "above-average" player Hey -- you can go sign Jeff Francouer! He hasn't inked yet, and he's walking more every year!

http://wgntv.trb.com/sports/custom/weblog/wgnsports/archives/DSCN0218_001.jpg Sometimes, you just have to 'get things started' with the hit-and-run. Thankfully we have Lou!

Ok, I promise I won't be a super-bum & paste stuff all the time, but as far as I can tell, Will Inman is quite close to heading to AAA Portland. Once he's here, I promise to bring reports of his performances... and I can't wait to see him pitch!

The two-fisted slobber....ER is the only way the notion of "Slobber" makes sense. I can't conceptualize it not being "Slopper"

The Yanks make an absurd amount of money from their TV network. It's insane. And Cleveland CAN and will spend to keep CC. At least I hope so... Just like they spent to keep Manny Ramirez! Sure, they could cripple their payroll capacity on one huge contract & have nothing else to spend like Texas did with Rodriguez, but CLE's a smarter organization than that.

You're right, your unrealistic expectations date back multiple seasons.

What the HELL is Dusty doing? Ha! Rluz, be sure to read the fjm.com links if you haven't already. On second thought, if you have, just go back & read them again... you'll still laugh like it's the first time. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif EDIT: Here's Red Hot Mama's take: "The game gave Dusty Baker his first victory as a Reds manager. Unfortunately, I'm not too optimistic that there'll be many more of those, especially since Baker had Edwin BUNTING with no outs. The best part might have been Jeff Brantly on the telecast ranting against Encarnacion, saying he wasn't clutch and since he couldn't bunt, he should have been pinch-hit for. He was interrupted by Encarnacion's ST[H]U." Also, I noticed that she has our own Manny Parra entered in her "NLC's Hottest Baller" contest. Somehow, he's losing big to Jason LaRue. Yes, that - ugly - Jason LaRue.

I figured this would happen. If Yost got better as a manager it would be all because of Simmons and if he didn't it would be because he didn't listen to Simmons. Zman credited experience, not Simba.

Gwynn is a below average hitter, according to OPS and any other offensive statistic Including that time-honored one, "batting average" I've seen him enough to know it's not much better than average. There's that classic line again... And also, if that's what you "know", why say something absolutely ridiculous like "no range" to convey that?

The organization loves him because of his work ethic, his preparation, blah..blah..blah. The bottom line is right now, last year, he is not that good. So the "soft-tosser" line has now been moved to around 90 mph? I don't like Dave Bush, blah...blah...blah. Anytime there's a statement like "bottom line is...", I get wary.

Not much success for Schierholtz, Bowker, & Burriss last night, but that's mostly due to Portland's Josh Geer (2007 Texas League Pitcher of the Year). Geer was very impressive -- 7 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB / 4 K -- on just 80 pitches (53 strikes). He works/ed very quickly, and was dialed in for most of the evening. Geer was perfect through 3 IP, then walked the second batter in the 4th. In the 5th, he gave up a solo HR to former Beaver Justin Leone with two outs to lose the no-no. Geer operated mostly with a sinker in the 82-86 range, but as he tired it slipped to around 80-84. However, he didn't lose any of its great bite, so perhaps he was intentionally sacrificing velocity to retain movement. Geer mixed in a CH in the 70-74 range, and it was devastating when he threw it 'right'. Oftentimes he'd lose control of the pitch, and I wondered if it was due to him trying to throw it too perfectly. The reason I guessed that was that he missed quite a bit with the CH when he tried to use it as his strikeout pitch. When Josh would just mix the pitch in naturally (not 'save' it to try for punchouts), it was most effective -- made several Grizzlies hitters look like fools. Chase Headley was not very impressive, which is funny because he finished the night 1-3 with a BB & an RBI single. Isn't that the sign of a special player? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif He grounded into a 5-4-3 DP in the 5th, and took a flat fastball for a called strike 3 on a full count in the 7th. That strikeout looking was not good; he looked like he got caught guessing on another pitch, bc the FB was right over the plate, and Chase immediately bent down to start taking off his shin-guard -- no argument whatsoever with the call. Chase made several putouts in LF, but was not tested in any way. Matt Antonelli had an interesting night, which was made to look much more impressive by some home-town scorekeeping. After pinch-hitter Marshall McDougall cleared the loaded bases with a double to the LC gap, Antonelli drove a high, slicing fly ball to RF (ball moved toward the foul pole as Matt is a RHB). Schierholtz looked totally lost in RF, and completely misjudged the ball, allowing it to drop & bounce to the wall (it bounced just short of the warning track). This ball should have been the 3rd out of the inning without question -- a tall, lazy flyball. In any event, McDougall came in to score, and Antonelli hustled his way towards third. The relay throw was almost as bad as the non-catch, barely eluding C Elezier Alfonzo backing up the throw, and Antonelli came in to score. I have no idea how, but the ball was scored a triple with Antonelli scoring on a throwing error. Matt finished (officially) 2-3 with a BB, a single + stolen base (2B) in the third, HBP in the 5th, and reached on a fielder's choice in the 7th, in addition to his "triple." In the field, Antonelli had mixed results. In the first, he barehanded a drag bunt from Emmanuel Burriss that barely eluded Geer's lunge off the mound. He made a nice charging play & running sidearm throw for the out. However, in the 6th, he tried to backhand a line drive that was scorched right at his feet, and it ended up smacking him on the right shin or calf. This was appropriately scored an E4 - but not an easy play. The next batter grounded to short, and Antonelli turned in a strong throw to complete the inning-ending 6-4-3 double play. His mechanics on the throw, though, were terrible -- he leaned in toward the mound off of 2B, and the delivery was almost submarine-sidearm. In all, Antonelli looked very raw at 2B (at times uncomfortable), and I can see why many feel he'd be best utilized in CF/OF. Beavers' C Nick Hundley smacked a laser-beam of a HR to straightaway LF in his first ever AAA AB, which was very cool to see, and finished the game 1-3 with a SO & GDP in the 3rd. He was in synch with Geer all night behind the plate, but the Grizzlies' lack of baserunners didn't allow me to get a look at his arm. He didn't have to block much, as Geer was dialed-in, but Hundley also didn't let anything get by or away from him.

Kudos to Thhhhhhhom Brenneman for standing up to Brantley's idiocy, even before the HR. My biggest beef with commentators is that (typically) they have free reign to make absurdly uninformed comments with no one to hold them accountable. Imo that's why firejoemorgan.com has done so well. It's great to know that Brenneman isn't a patsy. Unfortunately for him, working with Brantley & Baker all season is going to be maddening. My favorite part: "You're the home team -- you have to tie the game." Yea! Only three outs left, we've already got the tying run on base... let's give an out away for free! We'll still have two left! All the people that complain about Bill really need to look around the league. It could be much worse. I've said this before, and will again now... Our TV broadcast team is as good as there is working right now in MLB. Be very happy, Brewers fans. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

LaPorta and Gillespie are 23 at AA They were both college seniors (iirc) when drafted, to explain the ages. I'd bet on both Matt & Cole hitting Nashville this year.

For whatever it's worth, Santos is scheduled to pitch the 4th game of this series, which falls on Sunday.

Hey guys, one very interesting Brewers-related note from opening night tonight in Portland: RHP Victor Santos, listed on the active roster for the Fresno Grizzlies, spent the entire night sitting in the front row behind home plate... working a radar gun & scouting sheet. Is this a common thing? Victor seemed to be learning as he went, sitting next to what looked to be another, more experienced scout. And btw, no, there is no way this wasn't Victor. I know that greasy hair & lazy eye when I see 'em! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

That's off Fresno's website. Aye aye aye - I know, I know, small sample, there's good talent in AAA, etc. Just... YIKES.

Well, if you thought only mustering 5 hits was bad... GRIZZLIES SET ATTENDANCE RECORD, BEAT GIANTS 03/27/2008 1:10 PM 03/27/2008 1:10 PM - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2008 Contact: Paul Kennedy 559.320.2526 GRIZZLIES SET ATTENDANCE RECORD, BEAT GIANTS Giants And Grizzlies Renew Player Development Contract Through 2010 In On-Field Ceremony FRESNO, CA - In a banner night for the city of Fresno, and the Central Valley baseball community, the Fresno Grizzlies established a new Chukchansi Park attendance record on the same evening they defeated their parent club, the San Francisco Giants, 4-3 in an exhibition contest. A standing-room-only crowd of 14,084 packed Chukchansi Park for the game, the Giants first visit to Fresno since 2003. The Giants struck first in their first time at-bat, but Fresno responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning against San Francisco starter Barry Zito. After the big leaguers took the lead back with two runs in the sixth inning, the Grizzlies responded with a run of their own to knot the score at 3-3. In the seventh, after Travis Ishikawa reached on an error, Fresno's Ivan Ochoa doubled to deep-center to score him with what proved to be the game's deciding run. Zito suffered the loss, while Fresno's Billy Sadler earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief. The packed house also got a surprise following the 4th inning on the Chukchansi Park field. Grizzlies managing partner Chris Cummings was joined by Giants president and managing general partner Peter Magowan for a special ceremony where the two men signed a renewal of the Player Development Contract between the Grizzlies and Giants. The relationship between the two clubs, which has existed since the Grizzlies inaugural season in Fresno in 1998, was extended for two more summers, through the 2010 season. The announced crowd of 14,084 eclipsed the previous mark of 13,970 established on August 31, 2006 when the Grizzlies defeated the Portland Beavers 7-1 in their final home game of the campaign. The regular season at Chukchansi Park begins on April 11th when Fresno hosts the Tucson Sidewinders in Pacific Coast League action. For more information on the Grizzlies game schedule and promotional calendar, please call 559.320.HITS or visit fresnogrizzlies.com.

Yes a lot of managers signal in defensive/IF positioning via the catcher. Iirc some managers will actually call for certain pitches in certain situations, and pickoff moves often come from the dugout.

Just remember the pen is mightier this year. You're sittin' on a gold mine Yost!

Pat Summit would be a joke! Give me a break. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/eyes.gif

Imo it all depends. If it's earlier in the game, you're obviously not going to want to hook your SP. Later in the game, I'd guess swapping pitchers out is the better move, but teams can counter with a second pinch-hitter. Not saying that's reason to just toss go with IBBs, just the first wrinkle that came to mind. I do think the general concept of 'setting up the force play' (aka adding another baserunner to the equation) is the kind of optimistic managing that I get on Yost so much for employing.

Agreed with gifted. Part of 'handling' TBow is his psyche -- he didn't exactly get treated like a fan favorite last year, and admitted it was bugging him. The risk of Derrick walking the first two guys & giving up a dong, along with the subsequent booing & decrying of him by the fans, is significant imo. I'd hate to see the 'fans' jump all over Turnbow without even 5 games under his belt. With wind blowing out of Wrigley, not many leads are safe. Riske was solid today, and wasn't pitched on b-2-b days. Now we have Turnbow to come in to start an inning tomorrow, and that's some serious gas to throw at a team trying to avoid being swept at home for their opening series.