thebruce44

Not sure if anyone else has read Michael Hunt's latest opinion article : Need for upgrade: Deal could cure Brewers' woes Now I have read a lot of head scratchers in the JS before, but this is the first time I actually felt the need to send in a comment. Coupled with Tom creating a "fight between Melvin and Braun" I have really had it with their sports section. I have included my email to Hunt and his editor below, as I thought others might want to see it. We will see if I get any kind of response. Mr. Hunt, I typically look forward to reading your opinion articles on the Brewers as I think you add a lot over the beat writers, but I was very disappointed by the irresponsible reporting in this article. I have shaken my head many times over stories I have read in your paper before, but this is the first time I have felt the need to actually send an email. I will keep it as brief as I can, but first of all you claim that the Brewers offense is ranked 12th in the National League. I am guessing you are using batting average to come to this conclusion, because by nearly every other statistical measure, the team is ranked in the top 5. Most people would agree that OPS would be the best method, and in that regard the team is currently ranked 3rd. The reason I have an issue here is that I have been hearing casual fans call into radio stations lately bashing Braun and the offense. While the team has its issues on offense (Kendall, Hart, and Hardy come to mind) every team does. To suggest this is a problem and back it up with a somewhat random statistic, all the while not mentioning what statistic you are actually using, is wrong in my mind. Then, as if the casual fans need more ammunition, you stated "the Brewers are paying Braun face-of-the-franchise money to be a leader." Huh? His contract is extremely reasonable as he signed for security early in his career instead of going the Boras/Prince route to get as much as possible after arbitration. He is the face of the franchise by his choosing and he should be admired for his commitment, not condemned. Next, you wrote "As the Sabathia blockbuster demonstrated, the future is always now for a franchise like the Brewers." We obviously have a differing opinion on whether or not Gamel or Escobar should be traded for help this year, so I am not going to argue with you on that in this email. I do think it’s silly to suggest that a small market team like the Brewers should operate with the idea that “the future is always now.” This could not be further from the truth, and the Brewers have expressed this view many times when saying they would like to be similar to the Twins and Athletics. To play the "Sabathia card" here is a low blow as well, since that situation was completely different. At the time the Brewers had Sheets (and had to assume he would finish out the year healthy) and assumed they could get the best 1-2 pitching combination in the majors. This year, Yo will most likely hit a wall somewhere on the plus side of 150 IP just as Parra did last year. Even if he somehow defies all known historical data on young pitchers increasing their innings, to suggest that a Yo and Vazquez tandem is even in the same realm as Sheets and Sabathis is ridiculous (and I have long coveted Vazquez for his modest salary and great peripherals). In closing, we clearly disagree on the Brewer's chances this year trade or no trade. I am fine with this, as I think most people want the team to go for it and opinions will always differ. I do have a problem with the manner in which you defend your position, as you will take many fans with you through questionable logic. With the amount of readership you have, I feel as though you and your editors have a responsibility to report fairly in terms of the players you cover and the statistics of the game even if it is an opinion article. I hope you have taken the time to read this, and it doesn't come off as "flaming" similar to what Tom experiences from time to time in his blog. As I said, I am a fan of your writing, but in this case I have to take exception. Thanks for your time,

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Thats crazy. I have been riding the redline at least 5 times a week for the last 2 years and have never seen anything approaching that.

Metra does run to Kenosha, as seen on their website www.metrarail.com. The problem is that the Kenosha service is very poor. I would second the people who have suggested the Yellow line from Skokie. Check the CTA website to make sure the train is running and when it stops running though so you don't miss it. There is plenty of parking and it is a very safe area. If you plan on getting back to your car when it is still light out, the Redline Howard stop makes a lot of sense too. Then you don't have to bother with a transfer or anything like that, but its not the best area at night (perfectly safe during the day, especially at the station).

I think you will really like the Evanston area brewtacular. Let me know if you have any other questions and I will try to help out as much as I can.

If you guys remember, Milledge was suposted to go #1 in the Young - Weeks draft before some off the field problems. He was looked at as the #1 pick for quite a while before the draft, and when the previous season ended and we knew we would have the second pick, at the time everyone had him going #1. He ended up slipping to #10 I believe, but the talent was always there in my mind.

No offense taken, but considering I work in the south end of the loop and my commute is about 25 minutes, I am going to disagree Homer. Evanston can function as its own city, and there is plenty to do there due to the college and a very nice downtown area, but it is perhaps more a part of Chicago than many of the western parts of the actual city and is serviced by the CTA very well. If your wife wants to see the lake and she is looking for it to be less crowded, Evanston offers many great beaches. The one closest to the Campus is fairly crowded but the others never are. If you want a beach with lots of people and things to do, I would recomend the lakefront around Belmont Harbor in the city. Evanston is also known for its dinning. Every restrauant I have been to has been pretty good, and quite a bit cheaper than the loop or Lincoln Park. For shopping, I can't really recomend much, but my mom comes down all the time from Milwaukee to go around to the stores near the Main Street El stop. The downtown area also has a lot of interesting stores. There is also a lot of outside recreational activities that you could find out more about by cheaking the city's website. Hope that helps.

There's a botanic garden in Evanston? I live in Evanston and had no idea. For pizza, go with Lou's. I have never been to the Taste mostly because it strikes me as a lame Summerfest with an emphasis on food instead of drinking and music. It will be nice to be down in the park though once the fire works go off though.

Disappointing second half for sure. I know Donavan said something to the effect that there are no more moral victories for the US and I want to hear that accountability from him, but there were a lot of positives to take from this game.

Spector's cross was amazing on the first goal. I can't believe I am watching US soccer right now. We are never going to be a high possession team, but with our counter attack we look capable of beating anyone in the world right now.

In all seriousness, what would it take to get Double D back from the DBacks?

Send Gamel down and call up Hurricane. McGehee starts full time at 3rd, with Hurricane at 2b and Consell as the supersub (3-4 starts a week to keep him fresh). Tell everyone involved that this is how it will be until the AllStar Break, when you will reevaluate things. This gets the hot bats in the lineup, gives everyone defined roles, lets Gamel get his stroke back in AAA, and removes any chance of Gamel getting super 2 status. Pretty much solves every problem.

inFAMOUS is absolutly fantastic. I haven't been able to put it down since I started it, and the last game I did that with was Zelda: WindWaker.

http://www.techimo.com/forum/attachments/debateimo-politics-religion-controversy/21926d1237215958-about-global-warming-why-not-just-throw-up-shade-simpsons-20sun-jj-001.jpg We need one of these.

Yes, I will never belive anything I read on Brewerfan.net ever sense that Jemile Weeks fiasco 4 years ago.

I am more concerned with the offense than the pitching, so I hope any deal includes a high OBP leadoffish hitter. Prince and Braun can't carry the offense for the whole season.

Mr Belding was on Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia as a gym teacher accused of molestation...it was pretty funny.

Free Ginter!

We shouldn't have to give up anything near any of the players mentioned in this thread. Less than a month from now, the Pads will be willing to give away Peavy to any team who will take on the final year of his contract and convince him to waive his no trade clause. A 5-10 prospect and another throw in should be plenty, especially compared to the crap the Cubs were offering.

He must have been traded to the other league mid season or something? Some kind of technicality?

Considering the entire offense (outside of JJ) slumped last year and a new coaching staff is actually getting through to the free swingers, I think the offense can absolutly keep this up. Starting pitching will come back to earth a bit with a couple of blowups here and there, but I do think we will finish the season in the top 4 or 5 for quality starts. The way the staff has been constructed is exactly how a team like this should be set up since the offense will win most of those games. I would put us at 90-92 wins going forward, with the idea that a mid season trade for a SP could add 2-3 more wins to that total. Optimistic, maybe, but I really think people are underestimating the effect the coaching staff and previous playoff experience is having on our players.

But everyone loves Gamel Toe.

I think Cam would be the best choice at leadoff. Harts bat might come around later in the year, but his OBP isn't high enough to be leading off right now.

I am making a Gamel Toe shirt for my site, so thats what I am going to go with from now on.

Whats wrong with Mat the Bat? Otherwise, the team could use a T-Bone.