TSack27

Don't forget about having a manager with 1) experience at the major league level and 2) success at the major league level.

When it comes to on-field success, I personally struggle to understand why recycling old managers that nobody else wanted last year is better (just like recycling CEOs of companies after they get bought out to go away for their failings). The big name may help with free agent recruiting and selling tickets & advertising, but that is no assurance of managerial success. I believe the ability to relate to the changing younger generation of players and the energy to keep up with them is important (and some of the names listed seem to have a history of being stubborn and stuck in their old ways when things don't go as planned). I can't help but think of the situation in Tampa - the much heralded & traveled Lou Pinella couldn't get it done, but the relatively unknown Joe Maddon is pulling many of the right strings. All that said, for all the good alternative thinking Sveum showed in his 2+ weeks, starting Suppan in the crucial game 4 may have been akin to shooting himself in the foot.

Well, we had just driven an hour from where we were fishing, with two trucks & travel trailers. We were on the outskirts of town along the highway in the direction we had to head after the game. None of the locals could give us an idea of where we could be assured of finding a sports bar that would have satellite on that side of town. So rather than drive back into town with two campers during the peak of tailgating time and then fight even more traffic getting those campers back out with the traffic chaos that follows the game, we jumped on the highway and got to a place we were assured of seeing the Brewers. So back to the ratings topic, how do the TV stat trackers decide who is watching which game when they channel surf, have picture-in-picture, or two televisions? What about those sports bar that have 2 or 3 Packer TV's to every one Brewer TV? Based upon other things like news coverage and memorabilia sales leading up to this day, seems like the Packers still lead in this state. So while the Brewers are closing that game, I do have to agree with the initial post - not surprised by the Packers lead, just surprised by how much and that is what has me questioning the data collection.

How do you think those of us that watched the games picture-in-picture, and flipped whichever one was in the middle of bigger action on to the large screen, were accounted? (And before you question priorities, we were in the Green Bay area for the weekend with a dozen guys to all try to appease viewing preferences and planned to watch the games locally at a place with multiple TV's. But due to the FOX/Time Warner fued pulling the Packer game off cable, the place we were at could only get Packers with the antenna and Brewers only on cable, not both at the same time... and since it was GB, they went with the Packer game on all TV's. So being an out-of-towner and learning this just an hour before game time, we cut our weekend short and raced back home to catch first-pitch and kick-off at home where we assured of getting the Brewers and could control the remote.) I just appreciate that the Brewers put us in that position on Sunday. Chicago fans didn't have to worry about Bears & Cubs games overlapping http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

I don't believe there was any 2007 carryover. I thought the Brewers performance in the playoffs was a carryover from the month of September.

And as that latest update starts - "The Brewers don't hit with runners in scoring position. That is the common denominator." Should be a safe assumption that most of us can agree that there are some black holes in the lineup that need to be filled for any manager to succeed further. Having Kaplers's bat available could have made the manager look better the last couple of weeks (I still wonder how things would have tourned out with another left-handed power bat in the line-up and a rock-steady glove at third... sad that Koskie's concussion robbed him and fans of some more potentially good seasons)

"Notes: Sveum ends small talk" - http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=800536

First off - I hated the thought of Suppan starting. But any chance Dale had to deal with the thought in the back of his mind that the owner was the one that pushed for the Suppan signing, and the owner had a big hand in the change in managers, and had to consider that if the owner was (over)paying to bring in a playoff reputed pitcher that should at be given the chance to live up to that billing, rather than dealing with hindsight? And in regards to the small ball, he came out in the past week saying he was abandoning that idea. Quick & decisive changes in direction based upon what is in front of him at the present time is something that I believe was lacking from his predecessor (and a big reason many wished the managerial change to have been made sooner) Whether he gets a chance to manage next season will be debated for many weeks to come, but Sveum's actions have improved my impression of him from the time he was first awarded the position.

I wasn't at the games, so I can't empathize with what the fans were thinking & feeling, but I thought the regular season finale experience was enough to cover the whole season. As it is certainly tougher for both fans & players to deal with post-game situations after a loss, I am anticipating there to be some nice post-season wrap-up stories in the paper and on television after the heartbreak of the season passes, and the team will take those opportunities to thank the fans again.

Thanks for the reminders that it is not always this way with every family. Until reading these stories, I had not thought of our family generations as a whole. I grew up and still live 3 hours away from Milwaukee, so attending games is not near the frequency of many posters. My first game was with my Grandpa, Dad, Uncles and Cousins in the late 70's (Sixto Lezcano hit a homer and I got some blue & yellow striped tube sock that I'd wear for years after that). One of my nephews attended his first game within a month of his birth and his first opening day with us before his first birthday, so he probably won't remember his first experience as much as I do. A year ago, we were able to take Dad, all the sons & grandsons to a game together; unfortunately Grandpa had passed - so while not ever all at one, I'm proud to be part of four generations of Brewer fans. I'm also realizing how cool it is to have this continue on the non-professional level. I remember being bat boy and score keeping for Dad's softball team growing up and he coached all four of us through little league. Now, Dad and Mom come to our softball games (all four brothers played together this summer), with Dad keeping our scorebook and the grandsons chasing our homerun and foul balls. While this is not the case with many families, I will use these points when others argue that sports are overrated and we need to focus more on financial, political & educational issues - I credit the upbringing from my solid family structure with leading to my overall stability in these challenging times, and being a participant & fan in sports has helped in those experiences. Through thick and thin, win or lose, our family looks forward to watching games together and will always stick by the Brewers - Thanks for a great season guys!

Anything but Dodgers vs. Red Sox. I don't think I would be able to tolerate all the Manny back to Boston hype.

BBtS, may I have permission to use that as a reply the next time a get a message from an obnoxious Cub fan that needs to be put in their propoer place (with proper acknowledgement given)?

Since I'm headed out of town for the weekend and won't be near a computer (don't worry, we've already found places to watch the game), let me just wish the Brewers the best of luck at Miller Park, and please give me a Game 5 IGT to come back to next week. If things don't work out as hoped, please try to remember to have enjoyed the season and remain civil towards your fellow posters.

Maybe even 23 - Brewers get to come home for games 3 & 4, Cubs have to go on the road (and while hard to do, the Cubs looked even worse in their losses). Plus their playoff history of being able to come back from 0-2 deficits in the first round after your Cy Young winnning pitcher loses in game 2.

Hey, did the wind finally help us with one... too little, too late.

Sure there is. Under the poster's name, there is an 'interact' dropdown menu, with an option to select 'ignore'

I know many of you never want to hear about 1982 again, but since I need to look for a glimmer of hope... remember how the Brewers started in the first round of the playoffs back then? PS - Cy Vukovich lost game 2

Hart can't possibly hit into a DP here, can he? EDIT: Take one in the ribs, that may be the best approach going now (don't get picked off)

And why again aren't managers allowed to question umpire's ball & strike calls? The integrity of the game has to come into question when evidence like this exists.

Care to predict one in the top of this inning, too... and pray that you are right?

Ya, but it'll just be a solo shot when we are already up 7-0.

One batter later, but ya

Give CC a couple of more runs to work with.... I dare you!

Hey Mike, that chunk of lumber on your shoulder isn't just for decoration.

Based upon the posts in the in-game thread, was Smoltz as hung-up on Yost's firing and letting that affect his impartiality the rest of the game as the comments made it sound like, or was that just frustration of the game talking?