Bernman23

Corey Hart is displaying a bad habit of misplaying a ball in the outfield and subsequently striking out in the next AB on balls nowhere near the zone. On that Lee fly in the first, not only would Jenkins have made the catch superman style, he would have also potentially prevented Soriano from scoring. Not longing for Jenkins over Hart, just pointing out that Hart has his drawbacks. He doesn't make many tough plays in the outfield and makes mistakes on some easy ones also.

I want to play the Yankees in the World series so we can see the cocky Ryan Braun call his shot in game 7 ala Babe Ruth, in the house that Ruth built. Yankee fans would be wicked pissed. I was hoping someone in the NL would do it in the all star game. One time in my life I want to witness somebody with the balls to call their shot and skill to follow through. Edit: Pared back unnecessary part of the quote. - Toby

Nedly, wouldn't want to offend your light hitting catcher by pinch hitting for a guy who actually at least has a remote possibility to tie the game with one swing of the bat. Probably didn't end up making the difference between winning and losing, but excuse me for being someone who wants to give his team a chance to win at all times instead of de facto surrendering.

Ah, you've got to love the unwritten rules of baseball. You CAN'T use the eyes that God gave you to watch/admire YOUR home run, which is a completely victimless action. You CAN throw a ball 95 miles per hour into the square of a guy's back, possibly injuring him, severely if you miss and the ball hits him in the head. Huh?

That's the only legitimate argument I've seen. But you aren't in as good of a position to judge as Braun because he's the only guy who felt how his bat contacted the ball. Most hitters seem to know even they they barely clear the fence. The fact of the matter is it went over the fence so you have to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I hate this double standard that has traditionally existed that says hitters can't watch their home runs and celebrate, while some pitchers like Zambrano are allowed to resort to histrionics anytime they strike somebody out. What's more difficult to do, strike someone out or hit a home run? Hit a homer of course by far. So a home run deserves more of a celebration. If pitchers don't want hitters to watch homers, don't allow them, it's as simple as that. Once a hitter has went yard he has earned ownership of the baseball from the pitcher.....he can do whatever he wants with it those next few seconds before fans fight over it like savages. To the winner go the spoils. I want more celebrating in the game of baseball and not less. Show that you care.

He simply doesn't take enough pitches Fans get on Braun for his lack of patience, but Hart isn't any better. You have a pitcher walking guys left and right, Hart has the count 1-0 and he swings at a slider off the plate. That's why his career numbers have been so abysmal with the bases loaded. Every time he comes up in those situations he's trying to be a hero and swinging at pitches 2 feet off the plate. Not difficult for a pitcher to retire such an impatient hitter. Corey Hart: He's strug-gul-ling.

This is so messed up

Read more closely and don't have an agenda.....I alluded to Branyan struggling from the end of June up until now. I just wanted to include that 7 AB stretch and not just limit it to July, because his struggles began a little earlier. The platoon was abandoned recently, not right after June. Beltre has a .259 BA/.762 OPS, which is below average for a 3rd baseman. You're projecting what's valuable to you by saying money is all that should be necessary to satisfy Bill Hall.

Branyan had been strug-gul-ling before Yost demolished the platoon. He was 0-7 with one walk his last 3 games in June and is hitting a putrid .167/.485 in July. Understandably I think Yost is just figuring the same ol' Russell is back that has gotten him jettisoned from 7 different teams during his 10-year career. You might as well sell that stock before it plummets even more. I hardly think he's being treated less unfairly by us than he has by anyone else. We're one of the few teams actually still willing to give him a big league roster spot. Hall is owed somewhat of an apology. He controlled his own destiny at the plate so he brought on some of the criticism, but he has made a lot of sacrifices and has been a phenomenal representative for the Brewers throughout his career. I think all the guy wanted was to be shown is a little leniency in exchange. Hall's monetary compensation is really a secondary issue. I think he should be applauded if anything for not being satisfied with a paycheck like Adrian Beltre probably would. The guy is trying and wants to be regarded as a valuable member of the team and community.

Sleep meds have less side effects

It gets the job done just as well I bet, but it's not as fun......you're addicted to sleep meds!

What were you prescribed, Ambien? Sometimes if you stay up after taking those they can make you feel like you're floating in outer space. It's pretty sweet!

It's not like hitters become magically better once you reach the playoffs. If Torres succeeds against playoff caliber teams in the regular season with his stuff, no reason he can't carry it over to the playoffs. The only variable that changes is pressure, which is independent of stuff. Splits against teams over .500: Min: 3.1 IP/0.00 ERA Philly: 1 IP/0.00 ERA NYM: 4 IP/2.25 ERA Stl: 7.1 IP/2.46 ERA Fla: 2.2 IP/3.38 ERA Bos: 2.2 IP/6.75 ERA Chi: 2.1 IP/11.57 ERA Which equates to about a 3.5 ERA. Torres isn't going to win us extra games by how dominant he is, but he's perfectly adequate for a postseason closer, especially if his experiences as a veteran have prepared him more than a youngster who may be rattled by the newness of the situation. Visa vie utilizing Gallardo's abilities out of the bullpen I love the idea. He won't have to run the bases like he did as a starter. Pitching in and of itself requires little to no athletic ability. 5-5.5 months removed from an ACL should be enough time.

Russell Branyan is not a very good defender. A great case in point was a sequence early in the Reds' series. One of the hitters saw that Branyan was playing incredibly deep because he doesn't have good range. He capitalizes by laying down a bunt to start the inning and Russell's slow-footed butt gets nowhere throwing the runner out on 1st. That gimme runner came around to score. Not an error....but nevertheless Russell's defense cost us a run. Fast forward to later in the game, Russell charges a bunt laid down barely in front of the plate, while vacating his position at 3rd base, where the runner could have been thrown out if he showed more awareness. Yet another runner who came around to score because of Russell's defense. Offensively, he fails to adapt his approach to a given situation, making him an extremely incomplete hitter. Nobody on and nobody out, your primary approach should be to get on base because statistical probability is you'll come around to score. Branyan's overall walk percentage from '05-'07 was 14.3 percent. Ironically, with nobody on/out his walk percentage plummeted to 6 percent. Hey, shouldn't you be trying to get on base, dude? Another situation hitting stat where he failed to make an adjustment was with runners on 3rd and less than 2 outs. The primary objective should be to make quality contact, hopefully ensuring the run will score with an out or a base hit would be a bonus. The least desired outcome would be a strikeout. Overall, his strikeout percentage per PA from 05-07 was 33.7 percent. Ironically, his strikeout percentage jumps to 45 percent. Shouldn't you be trying to make MORE contact, dude? And Russell is a perfect example of a player who OPS overrates. OPS doesn't factor in the effect of a single having the ability of moving a runner two bases and often drive in a run. Walks obviously can't accomplish the same, often not moving the runner anywhere, at most 1 base, rarely scoring a run. And a player will be statistically credited for a walk to set up a double play, I find it hard to give credit to the recipient. A gross disproportion of Branyan's walks from 05-07 were of the intentional or pseudo intentional variety when a team is being overly careful because they aren't worried about adding a baserunner and are going to extra measures to avoid a run. Singles are inherently more valuable than walks. Of course "3TO" is notorious for doing little (in relation to his colleagues) outside striking out, walking, and hitting a home run. Of course Russell's all or nothing style leads to erratic offense. A player littered with Branyans is bound to have 10 runs one game and 0 the next. Another player who hypothetically produces 5 EACH game, would result in the same average runs per game total, but a higher win expectancy because you'd have a reasonable chance to win every game. Consistency breeds more success. Then there's Russell Branyan on the base pads, where he possesses below average speed. He compares to Prince Fielder in that area. Pretty much a 2-3 stolen base (projected) per year guy (back end of double steal and near fielder's indifference) and around 1 triple per year (projected). So he's not going to take the extra bag. I'm fine with that. But when guys are really a detriment on the base pads are when they can't score from 2nd on a single, from 3rd on a would be sac fly. Those are costing you runs that statistics do not measure. Russell does that on occasion as well because of his aforementioned lack of speed. He's a guy who needs to carry practically a .900 OPS (at a position where players are usually pretty good offensively) to compensate for all of his immense deficiencies which have caused him to bounce around the majors for years.

Linebrink for Inman and Garrison Estrada for Davis and Eveland Those are the worst two during Melvin's tenure by far. And those aren't in retrospect. I was livid about both when they were executed, especially the Linebrink deal. Linebrink was scuffling, while Inman who was a 2nd round pick who was even far exceeding lofty expectations. People would overreact to Inman's fastball and conclude his stuff was average based on that alone. Half of major league starters throw fastballs at his speed, but don't have his entire arsenal, nor do they have his control. And how often do players that brash do nothing in any sport? Confidence is king. I liked Garrison quite a bit as well. He's always going to be tough on lefties because of his arm angle and he has a good makeup also. Just a vomiticious trade by Doug. As far as the Arizona trade is concerned, was it not foreseeable that Eveland would be a bona fide major league starter? A lefty who throws low to mid 90's with a couple solid offspeed pitches, who was also very productive for his leagues at young ages. He had a 2.84 ERA w/ 5:1 K:BB ratio at 20 in low A. 2.72 at 21 in Huntsville. 2.74 at 22 in Nashville. Yet he was basically a throw in. Doug was outstanding for the Brewers, outside of one season, following which we sold low. All we got in exchange for the two was basically a fat malcontent.

Somehow the Rockies manage to draw more inspiration from the Brewers gifting them their playoff spot last season. Shouldn't it be the other way around. We're a far superior team yet somehow they're on the verge of winning 5 of 7 on the season.

Mota is the worst two out and/or 0/1-2 pitcher in the majors. The guy has major psychological problems and needs to be DFA'ed immediately. He's almost single-handedly lost numerous games this season. I mean those are team demoralizers when it looks like you're going to get out unscathed but the momentum turns in the opposite direction instead.

I stopped following baseball and the Brewers basically from about '99-'01. The games didn't move quickly enough for me. I was an intense dude in his late teens to early 20's, who was infatuated with speed metal, and preferred faster sports such as basketball, soccer, and tennis. As proof it had nothing to do with being a bandwagon fan, I rejuvinated my interest in both the team and sport when the Crew were in their midst of their worst season ever. A mellower attitude accompanied by a new found affinity for classic rock eased the pain. I think if the Brewers haven't overtaken the Cubs prior to September, but are still in striking distance, we'll win the division. I expected the collapse when we were 8-9 games ahead in '07. We just don't play the frontrunner role well because we've been one of the lovable loser teams in baseball the last 25 years, but have a passionate fan base, who was hangs on every pitch/swing when we're finally seen as contendahs. That's a lot of pressure for pitchers and hitters to bear while executing at the highest level. Billy elongating his swing trying to be the hero, Rickie too petrified to swing the bat period, Turnbow terrified of being a goat if he makes a mistake so he walks almost a batter an inning. The pressure right now is on the other lovable losers since they have the expectations and are now the hunted. You think it was a random event that what was then ace Mark Prior became a gas can AAAA caliber pitcher when the Cubs held a relatively commanding 3-run lead only a few outs away from the World Series? It was random chance that the Red Sox finally overcame the Yankees to make it to the World Series in '04, when they were down three games to nothing? As long as we're the tiger in the brush at the edge of the jungle, and not the fearful villager all by his lonesome.....I like our chances.

Sheets. He'd be more willing to take at least a minor pay cut to stay with the Brewers. He had been thirsting to win with this team for years and he leaves just when things are starting to get interesting? He's got business interests in Milwaukee tying him here like the Admirals. He has at least one child who'd have to change schools. And I doubt he's incredibly motivated by getting absolute top dollar over any other factors like so many athletes today. I mean small things like fantasy football and wearing Saints' helmets in interviews ala Ricky Williams titillate him. Sheets because he'll be more affordable.

Remember that inning if the Pirates can come back. Brewers squander a 3rd base and nobody out opportunity. It was Russell Branyan who squandered a 3rd base and less than two out chance in the top of the 8th or 9th, which preceded the D-Backs comeback on Thursday. We really could have used that extra run. Got to keep putting the pressure on especially with how tenuous our bullpen is.

Just so it doesn't seem like sour grapes afterward to Tribe fans, in case Salome gets dealt, I've never been very high on him anyways. Being 5'7" limits his power potential and I have to question a guy who can't draw walks with such a small strike zone. He might be able to hit 88 MPH cheese at his eyes in the minors, but not 95 MPH cheese in the minors. I'm rooting for a Gamel + Salome for Chocolate Chunk type deal.

He had a 2.37 ERA in September, 2.57 in August, so I doubt it. But nobody knows. I'm just broaching the topic because theoretically we're acquiring him to be a rock solid #1 or 2 in the playoffs, when he may or may not project that way under the circumstance.

We're hoping he can play 3rd base in the same way we hoped Braun or Hart could. I never said Gamel wouldn't be value to the Brewers at all, for reasons like he's left-handed and might be versatile since he's athletic. I just provided a counterpoint to a point. You can't ignore that Laporta has been consistently the more elite prospect. (fixed code --1992)

It's a small sample, but Chocolate Chunk had an ERA of 8.8 during his 3 starts in the '07 playoffs. It's not damning, but a concern. You never know how specific top players are going to respond to the heightened pressure.