SoCal Brew Crew Fan

While it certainly hurts the Cards in '12 and I always enjoy seeing Cards fans in pain, they probably dodged a longer term bullet. Their discipline will likely be rewarded over time. They will still be the favorite in the division, but not by much. For Pujols, what a dumb move. If the gap was $50-70mm, fine take the dough. Better the Angels than the Marlins where things will probably end badly. He probably felt insulted by the Cards. If the gap was $20-30mm, he'd have made that up over time by being absolutely revered in St. Louis with plenty of endorsements and a giant statue next to Stan Musial, etc. In LA, he's just another rich star...we have plenty of those out here. Maybe he wins a series, but it's not as big of a deal out here. He'll never be Kobe...but he could be Kevin Brown. Sure, he'll sign some balls at a strip mall in Irvine someday or get on a few of Arte's old billboards, but when he starts going down hill he won't get the pass he would have in St. Louis. It's a larger scale of Robin Yount vs. Paul Molitor...Yount is still walks on water in Milwaukee, Molitor is a cool guy that used to play for the Brewers and was really good. Big difference. Hope the dough was worth it, because he just gave up something that was priceless.

Hey cbus I went last year and it was a total BLAST! The coaches were great, the other campers were really fun and just being out there playing baseball was awesome. How often do you get to hang out for a week with a bunch of people that love baseball and the Brewers that much at our age?!? I'm planning on returning next year for sure. As far as stuff to bring, they do cover most of the things and there is daily laundry service for the baseball clothes (they'll have sharpies to put your locker number on your clothes and it will be hanging up the next day when you arrive). What i would suggest are: 1) Baseball sliders. They give you a pair of stretchy undergarments, but the sliders give you a little more padding. 2) Glove - obviously 3) Cleats - I would highly suggest getting these broken in before you get there...the shoes and your feet. You'll be on your feet in these a good 8 hours a day. 4) Sunglasses - The angle on the sun on a few of the fields is brutal. Especially in the outfield. 5) Undershirts - They give you a couple, but I might bring one long sleeve warmer one. The ones they gave were the dry fit types. We ran into some really cold weather on a couple days. 6) Jock and supporter - don't be a hero here...if you are playing anywhere besides outfield, you are going to want one. You just never know where that ball is going after all these years. 7) Shower shoes - not mandatory, but I like them for the locker room. 8) Pads or braces depending on your body. I wore some knee pads for my bum knees. 9) Money - If you forget or want anything, just bring some cash and the clubbies will get it for you at a reasonable price. When it got freezing cold last year, a bunch of us bought those warm winter Brewer jackets that were life savers. The other items are optional...some guys bring their own bats, but they have plenty. You get a hat, uni (home and away tops), batting gloves, a few undergarments, socks, belt, a smaller bag for clothes (not big enough if you bring a bat, but fine otherwise) and they have helmets. I got everything on eastbay. Sometimes the stock at the local stores is limited. Have a great time...ping me if you have any other questions.

I just rolled into town for the weekend...never been before...is it worth going to on Saturday?

Simply could not ask for more out of an owner than the Brewers have gotten out of Mark A.

Good for him. I wouldn't want to retire at 41 either. I wouldn't want the Brewers to sign him, but I never fault an athlete for trying. My guess is Northwoods League will be his lone option.

1. Pujols- Cardinals 2. Fielder - Mariners 3. Reyes - Giants 4. Wilson - Yankees 5. Jackson - Nationals 6. Rollins - Phillies 7. Ramirez -Dodgers 8. Beltran - Tigers 9. Papelbon - Red Sox 10. Ortiz - Red Sox

I think "lousy" overstates the negative case on Braun as a fielder. I don't think Braun is lousy at all, but I sure don't consider him an elite fielder. If you win a "Gold Glove", theoretically he should be one of the top 3 fielders in his respective league. While he makes some plays through his sheer athleticism, he's hardly elite. I'd save "lousy" for someone like Yuni.

Braun Gold Glove Nominee Ryan, I love ya brother...but really? I guess if Yuni hit a little better he'd get nominated too. We can only hope this type of national recognition seeps into the MVP race as well. That's an award Braun really deserves.

He's a bad dude, he showed it against the Brewers and other NL Central opponents, many of his players follow his mean spirited hypocritical personality...good riddance. He can now settle in to finish his book on the unwritten rules of baseball. The only bad thing is we'll never have a chance to get even with him because in the end, he did have the last word. I only hope the Cardinals fall into a Cubs-esque demise that gets me through my remaining days.

3 guys in my office come by this morning..."wow, did you see Carpenter f-bombing Napoli last night? You were right, that guy really is a jerk."

...and look who gets the big hit...eat it Carp.

Michael Young...just love that guy. Way underrated player.

RR needs a strong 8th inning guy to protect himself since he has no clue how to manage bullpen matchups. They should just go out and sign another closer ala KRod.

Of course because of Nyjer's rep he gets all the blame nationally, but anyone who follows the NL Central knows what garbage that Carp, the drunk and all the roids rage in that dugout are about.

Beltre on his knee to hit one out...don't they know that's just not a classy thing to do?

I wouldn't go so far as to blame the umps for the Brewers losing the series or for Marcum's implosion, but I agree the zones were tight. I'd be all for replacing the umps with technology. I don't get why people are enamored with the human element in the game. Humans were smart enough to design systems to overcome bad judgment...there's your human element. I'd rather pay some MIT folks to implement a better umpiring system than pay these jokers what they make...baseball and society would be far better off.

I'm on board with this strategy.I like this as well, but I don't believe we'll be able to get Reyes. We definitely need an upgrade at SS, but so do many teams and the market is shallow...I have this sinking feeling that Yuni will be back, although I hope they let someone else get sucked in by the playoff run he had. A 2.0 WAR like Barmes would work. Gamel/Green/Hairston/McGehee could be an interesting 1B/3B platoon, with Hairston as a super sub as well. They need a RH bat off the bench. I'd extend Greinke...it's our only chance to get him at a decent price. They need to have a base level of pitching with Greinke/Yo they'd be set. I'd trade any of those guys mentioned if we can get an upgrade...Hart's days in the OF may be done, so trading a Green or Gamel if they can get value and move Hart to 1B is ok too. Wolf may have some value, Marcum's may be impaired. They could always wait to trade one during the year if they aren't in it...if they can do better than the comp picks. I'd keep throwing arms at that bullpen as well...I'd offer arby to KRod too, eve though he won't take it and I wouldn't mind if he did. Saito would be a good one to get back, but you have to treat him with kid gloves and hope the age time bomb doesn't go off. They won't be the favorite, but they can probably go into the year with an expected 85 win team and see what happens.

I wouldn't be so opposed to buying a couple years of his decline if we can get the prime of his career...which he may just be entering. A 6 year deal at $125mm is about as far as I'd go. Someone will go way north of that. My guess is something in the 7-8 year range for $160-180. Too many teams just below the big two that think they are one big bat away.

Hmmm...Milwaukee legend Hank Aaron or Paul Molitor throw out first pitch...or have a clubby in a fuzzy outfit. Not a good moment.

Terrific season Brew Crew. Thank You Mark and Doug for the best hot stove of all time...and way to keep at it during the season. After all those hopeless years, you not only gave us hope but a winner to boot. Thanks to Brewers fans all over...if Milwaukee doesn't pack the house, this just doesn't happen. After attending a playoff game in AZ with 10k empty seats and seeing the place jammed and electric last night, I really can say Brewers fans are the BEST! Thanks to a fun group of players...this team not only won, but they were a blast to watch. The MVP and the Franchise Ryan Braun...I love that when my kids go to college, he'll still be a Brewer. Thanks Prince...I wish you all the best, you gave it your all. All the other Brewers...you guys are a lot of fun, let's do it again next year! Special appreciation to my interweb friends at Brewerfan...you guys are a home away from home for this homesick cheesehead...thanks.

Maybe it will be Shaun Marcum as a way for RR to get out of using him yet still keep his promise to start him.

Haha...no big secret hawing! I'm in section 116...I'll be in the home Molitor. Say hi if you see me...would love to meet some interweb friends!

Brian the Automator?

They have to have Hank at some point...I figure they've been saving him for the next round. I'll guess Jeff Suppan.

I know how St. Louis feels right now...up 3-2, just need to win a game on the road after a big win at home in game 5. Starting a pitcher recently acquired for the stretch run with the aging ace in the hole...yeah, I know how you feel St. Louis.