batman

remember, Gary Bennett had the better year offensively Yes, but that didn't stop us from pining for Moeller for the good part of the season. All my pining is now directed toward Miller. ~Bill

By the way, I absolutely HATE watching Chad Moeller in the lineup. It's painful. Last year we looked forward to seeing him because the alternative was Gary Bennett. Now that we've been spoiled by Damian "Ted Williams" Miller, the dude is like a scourge on our dignity as fans. I guess that's the problem with rising expectations. I'll have to get used to that. ~Bill

Is this the one game a year (loss) difference between the worst defensive first baseman and the best. Maybe, just maybe, there is more than ONE game detriment to playing a below average defensive first baseman. H0ffy, whoever explained this to you didn't do a very good job. Step One: Identify the value in runs saved or runs allowed of a first-baseman's defense compared with another first-baseman's defense. Step Two: Identify the value of runs saved or runs allowed in terms of wins. On average, a good defensive first-baseman saves less than 10 runs a year compared with a bad defensive first-baseman. The value of ten runs over the course of a season is about one win. Maybe the bad defensive first-baseman will make all of his bad plays in one-run games and therefore cost his team ten games. Maybe he'll make all of his bad plays in blowouts and therefore cost his team no games. But on average, those bad plays will be distributed such that they are worth about one win. ~Bill

Did we sign Ben Grieve today? How did I miss that? Jeez. I've seen Over-40 Men's Slow Pitch Softball teams with better defenses than this. ~Bill

Last year when the Brewers played in Puerto Rico (site of the famous Helms incident), Juan Nieves did an interview with Jim Powell that was uber-sweet. Juan Nieves, despite speaking English as a second language and being employed his entire adult life as a baseball player or coach, managed to sound more professional, engaging, and polished than Bob Brainerd did tonight while talking about Juan Nieves. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, FSN North. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/happy.gif ~Bill

This umpire is ridiculously terrible. There have been three times already where hitters requested time and he didn't grant it, something that almost never happens, and his strike zone is odd and inconsistent. Maybe he enjoyed a few too many Champagne of Beers before the game. ~Bill

Brady + obp + ba + defense - speed >> Pods Only if he stops trying to steal everytime he gets on base. 'Cause that would effectively make his OPS zero. ~Bill

For those following along without the TV feed, Clark was thrown out by like five feet, and it wasn't a hit and run. *Vomit* Pujols is so good. Wow. ~Bill

Apparently Bill Schroeder didn't get the Branyan memo, as he just attributed the Muscle's absence to him being "a guy that's struggling at the plate." Shut up, please, Bill. ~Bill

I attribute all of Geoff Jenkins' struggles to the lame, Jeff Bennett-esque mustache-less goatee that he's currently sporting. Yuck. Nice hit, though. ~Bill

I can't believe Brady Clark swung at the first pitch in the first inning. That's like the first time he's ever done that, and that. What was he thinking and that? You know, and that. Eh? ~Bill

I like that reason better. Me, too, although I hope Russell is okay. What is one supposed to do when their religious leader isn't feeling his best? ~Bill

I guess Ned said there's something wrong with Branyan's throwing arm. That might have played a part, too. Yeah, thanks Bruce. I hope he's OK. Doesn't say much for Helms, though, that he can't even break into the lineup as a late replacement, eh? ~Bill

Now that's some ridiculousness. What is Yost, Dusty Baker? Deciding to sit a better player because of a "matchup" that's based on nine at-bats? He's 0 for 9 with 5 Ks lifetime against Suppan. Those ABs came, ahem, in 2000 and 2002 while Branyan was an Indian and Suppan was a Royal. Both guys are different players than they were then, and I sincerely doubt that those at-bats are representative of Branyan's "true talent" against Suppan. Anyway, let's get it on. EDIT: Thanks, endaround. Daron just said it was because of Branyan's struggles against Suppan. Hopefully you're right and he's wrong. ~Bill

Series Preview: www.brewerfan.net/ViewDai...portId=362 No pitching matchup breakdowns this time, but I did include links to Cardinals' sites that interested parties might want to check out as well as the other usual stuff. Enjoy, ~Bill

Obviously, numbers are important, but I'm working on a few different things right now. My numbers may not be as good because I have to work on these things to be better down the line. Just watch Tiger Woods. He revamped his swing over the last year, kind of had to take a step back, and come back and won the Masters. Sometimes you have to step back, reassess your delivery and mechanics, to be that much better a year down the road. That is absolutely phenomenal to read because he's absolutely right. I have a feeling that Mark reads brewerfan at least occasionally and I'm sure it's hard to read criticisms and constant questioning from fans, but he's going to have to live with that and forget about the statistics he puts up this season. None of us should care if he struggles so long as he's committed to making those mechanical changes and continuing to develop his skills as a pitcher. The Mt. Ararat video of Rogers from MLB.com's draft coverage is of a pitcher that is clearly powerful but who throws somewhat uphill and whose stride is well to the arm side of his body. He was "whip arm[ed]," to quote the MLB.com scouting report, and his mechanics were inconsistent, neither of which is good for effectiveness or health. He falls off the mound pretty dramatically toward first base and his glove arm is extended toward the plate, not cocked into a power position and driven down during his hip turn. He obviously got results, and no one's mechanics are going to be perfect. But he really profiled as an injury risk to me then (and still does now, re-watching the video) without some pretty significant alterations to his mechanics and delivery. The thing that the Brewers were most high on about Rogers was his makeup, and that's what is going to get him through the ups-and-downs that will accompany his first full season in pro ball. The fact that he recognizes the importance of development vs. performance is a great indicator that the Brewers were right about him. Anyway, thanks for the link, Mr. Haas. ~Bill

Ugh. Please go back to the Sausage. Brainerd may be the nicest guy in the verse, but I sicken when his image taints my eyes, especially the beauty of my 55" Sony LCD TV. The only saving grace is the pause button provided by my Sage driven HTPC. Jeez, can I come over to your house and watch the game? I predict that Albert Pujols will be good. ~Bill

He is a good guy, and a friend of mine. I used to work with him in Eau Claire, and he was in my wedding. I'm not married, but if I was I would say the same thing about Keith Ginter and Russell Branyan. Except the friend part. And the Eau Claire part. Nevermind. ~Bill

Speaking of special occasions, today is Jackie Robinson Day. ~Bill

Hey, they finally fixed the "IP" bug! Fantastic outing by Dillard... WOW. ~Bill

Happiness. FINALLY. ~Bill

EL CABALLO!!! ~Bill

Wow, Overbay bunted. And he bunted well. Carlos gets a chance with the bases loaded and nobody out. Bueno. ~Bill

I wanted him to hit and then replace him. He is a decent hitter and that saves the bench for 9th inning or later. I wanted Magruder for a LHP later on...no big deal. Yeah, I hoped they'd pinch-hit for Jenkins if he has to face Gonzalez. That dude is really good. Without Magruder, no one can replace him defensively. ~Bill

Two pitches, two outs. You know you love him. EDIT: Six pitches, three outs. Ownage. ~Bill