Ulice Payne

Please continue Brewer Fanatic's broad editorial tent. I am a Harold Hutchison fan. His articles are unique, well thought, and come from a place of genuine conviction. I don't read him as contrarian, although he often is the only voice from his particular viewpoint. It's nice to read a voice that cuts against the grain, that doesn't follow a template. I've been a fan of Harold since way back when he wrote as Clancy on brewerfan.net. We are fortunate to have several talented writers contributing to Brewer Fanatic, and I read them often. But I always click on a Harold Hutchison piece because it'll most likely be something I never would have considered myself.

Three suggestions. Braun almost got traded to the Dodgers for Yasiel Puig in 2016. How close was that to getting done? The 2022 trade deadline still looks puzzling. A first place team trading away their closer, and then needing to DFA one of the players they just acquired... It really looks like there were other deals that fell through leaving Milwaukee holding the bag. I've always wondered if the mishandling of the 22 deadline resulted in Stearns being set aside but not released, like an unannounced suspension. Finally, I think a deep dive on the 2008 season would be worthwhile. The low point in May getting swept in Boston when it's suspected that Yost almost got fired, along with the closed door team meeting that followed; the trade for Sabathia, the firing of Yost with only two weeks to go; the final victory over the Cubs and then waiting for the end of the Marlins-Mets game... The first Brewers playoff team in 27 years had a lot going on.

Thankful that the Brewers got the bye to give us an extra few days to figure out what streaming services we need to watch them in the post season. I think HBO Max will see us through the NLDS. Has anyone figured out what other streaming services we'll need?

I have Contreras on my ESPN fantasy team, and when checking on him this morning, found this information attributed to @Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com;

Brewers win 90 and barely take the division in a squeaker over Chicago. Monster seasons from Chourio and Contreras. Woodruff wins at least ten games. Mitchell stays healthy and puts it all together. Hoskins is better than last year, but still not great overall. Megill saves 40. The front office has saved some money for the deadline, but still only acquire an undervalued reliever that they turn around and a versatile infielder. We all clamor for them to get a third baseman, but instead they leverage the infielders as a whole playing matchups and the hot hand. Pirates and Reds make significant strides. Cardinals flounder all year. Brewers host the Wild Card Series. We all just wait and see.

My wife and I just rewatched Freaks and Geeks. I missed a lot of episodes the first time around. Outstanding show. Cancelling after just one season was a crime. You deserved better, Bill Haverchuck.

I like how you snuck Sasaki in there too....

I was at the game on June 19, 2008 where Dave Bush no-hit the Blue Jays through seven, with Lyle Overbay breaking it up with a homer to lead off the eighth. The Brewers bullpen then let in six more runs, with Milwaukee hanging on to win 8-7. My buddies and I all skipped out of work early to go. Fun game, great day.

Time to let Willy move on. Keep the team young and the roster flexible. I'll always be an Adames fan, but best to let another team pay him during his eventual decline. I hope he gets a huge deal. He's earned it.

Thanks for this. Always enjoy your stuff.

Agreed. The Brewers should not be signing anyone long term. Yelich should be the last player to retire as a Brewer. This team needs to stay focused on young players, and let other teams pay high prices for older players' declining years.

https://sports.yahoo.com/report-mlb-hit-king-pete-rose-dies-at-83-231616652.html Rest in peace, Hit King.

We don't normally have a live TV streaming service, although we get Bally's for the regular season. Fortunately, the Brewers have given us the annual problem of finding a streaming service every October to see the playoff games. We'll need ESPN and FS1 for the NL games. TBS for the AL. FOX for the WS, but that can be pulled in on the antenna. Looking around, I believe Sling Orange & Blue will be the best place to get those channels. Looks like it will cost $27.50 for the first month. Checking before I sign up Tuesday morning; has anyone found a better option?

Ghostbear is awesome. Every couple months he shows up and says his piece; then drops the mic and walks away. As pandemonium ensues....

My uninformed opinion is that Hader for Gasser / Ruiz was step one at the trade deadline, and step two somehow fell through. I believe this mis-handling of the trade deadline led to Stearns being forced out of the GM role, with it all transpiring on the downlow out of respect for the personal relationship between Attanasio and Stearns. Furthermore, my guess is the way Stearns was handled gave Counsell second thoughts on staying with Milwaukee long term. Hopefully someone spills the whole behind-the-scenes story one day. Even with all that, Gasser looks like the real deal and the Ruiz-Contreras move was truly inspired.