CheezWizHed

With starting pitching, you just never know... I don't think we will, but I think he has some upside as a starter yet.

Yeah, I'm annoyed when I do listen to a game and then remember we are on the road and there is no Ueck... Or during the HOF stuff when we were at home and he was off inducting Selig. Another thing that I've noticed in recent years is that for several innings there will only be one guy doing both color and play-by-play. The two playing off each other is what I've enjoyed. It feels like you are stuck with one guy talking to himself... Was it Ueck and Joe Block pairing where Ueck would get into uber-story mode and Joe would be inserting game play-by-play during Uecker pauses while using a monotone, semi-whisper. "So, I hit a home run once.... .. and the pitcher never forgave himself." Maybe my sense of humor is off, but I always thought that was hilarious.

I don't have a good example, but I've heard a few (even from our stand-in announcers) that have left me thinking... wow, that was a terrible home run call. It was like they made a top 10 list in their hotel room and are trying them one-by-one to see what works. And they sound forced. I'm pretty certain Uek's was spur of the moment and became iconic.

I guess I don't care all that much when we're 55 - 72 and completely out of the race and Ueck is just filling time with his fluff stories, but when we're a game back or whatever and in a one run game in the 8th, I kind of want to know what's going on! True. I suppose part of it is how I watch/listen to a game too. If I'm listening, 90% of the time I'm doing something else. So I'm only paying 50% attention anyway. If its a big game or tight, I tend to watch it or follow online also. Maybe its loyalty for having one of the best announcers through the years that brought amusement through terrible seasons that I defend him. He certainly has slipped over the last 5 years or so. But frankly, I don't care. He is a legend and I'll take him as long as I can. We will miss him when he is gone and that probably isn't very far away. I still do remember when I first started following the Brewers closely and was trying to figure out why they got some actor from "Mr. Belvedere" to announce for us...

Dominate for Griep is a little strong. Nice ERA (2.05 in '16, 2.18 in '17), but his K and BB rates went from good last year (8.5 and 2.8/9IP) to weak this year (7.4 and 4.4). Its his first year at A+ and he hasn't repeated any level. So I don't know why you think he has been skipped. I do agree about Jungmann however. He has rebounded nicely, especially at AAA this year.

Hahaha... I've been listening to him since the mid 80s and there were innings that I never heard how any of the 3 outs came in, but it was still good. I have no idea how long he will announce but legends tend to get more sway in what they do.

My wants: RHP Tristan Archer, IF Mauricio Dubon, UT Nate Orf, C Jacob Nottingham, RHP Freddy Peralta, RHP Aaron Wilkerson, RHP Marcos Diplan, 2B Franly Mallen, RHP Devin Williams My prediction: RHP Tristan Archer, IF Mauricio Dubon, C Jacob Nottingham, RHP Freddy Peralta, RHP Marcos Diplan Diplan is questionable given his performance this year at A+, but given last years loss of similarly talented Miguel Diaz, I think they protect him.

[sarcasm]I think contractually, the Coors/Miller owned Brewers can't elevate Tyler Heineman to the MLB squad unless he changes his last name...[/sarcasm]

I wouldn't mind trading Broxton in the off season and using Brinson and Phillips in a platoon. Then you can get both ABs and play the hot hand at the same time while giving them the best opportunity to succeed. Then if both are showing starter capabilities, deal with that "problem" in 2019.

Bravo. JB should be writing ad print for MyPillow! -> Fade in... Beleaguered pitcher gives up towering home run with bases loaded. Manager in the dug-out throws a Billy Martin-esque tantrum. Fade out... Fade in later in the hotel that night. The totally relaxed manager sleeping comfortably while the narrator (Morgan Freeman) says, "My Pillow is so comfortable that you can sleep even on nights when the bullpen blows a big lead". That's money right there... I tried one in the mall the other day. I'm a stomach sleeper and it still seems too poofy for me. FWIW, if Swarzak is throwing pitches while on muscle relaxors, it should only be against the Cubs or Cardinals. After he beans 3 guys you can bring in someone else...

To be honest, this is almost exactly how Perez started playing OF. Showed some skills in BP, got in a game. Made himself a super-sub. Maybe that becomes Villar's path too. Or maybe this was a one-off game. He has been hot lately and CC is trying to shake up (wake up?) the offense. I wouldn't put too much stock into one game.

Ugh... Still might be ready for a Sept call up.

Will the Brewers never learn? First Suppan now Swarzak. I hope they got rid of the sharp salad tongs at least.

A max-lefty lineup was the reasoning given in the pre-game. Nova was giving up a 300 OBA against lefties. Of course, we make him look like an Ace...

Blast... My TV got accidentally shut off and I resumed where I was, but now I have to listen to Bill... I liked the game sounds only. It was like being at the game.

I'm watching the game on my TV's MLB.TV app and restarted from the beginning. Now I have no commentary audio, but do have the game sounds audio. I kind of like it...

And there's your first no-hitter of the season, a 7-inning, 4-pitcher gem via Burgos/Snow/Ramirez/Lopez! Not the sexiest no-hitter, but it was against the Cubs!!! A no-hitter against the Cubs is sexy even if it came by an 87 year old grandma throwing underhand...

My one concern with Ramirez is how many innings he's pitched this year after not having pitched for 5-6 years. Fifth most innings on Biloxi this year. He is 28 years old and pitched 67 innings this year. Its not like he is 22 and pitching 160 innings. Certainly the BP induces more wear and tear on an arm by getting up and warming up so often. But given his maturity, I wouldn't be too worried about the increase from no inning the week before. Ramirez and Ventura might be added to the 40 man (I'd hope Ramirez is a lock for the 40 man). I'd like to see Houle back next year also. Given Houle's injury history and the fact that he is a catcher, its just going to take more time for him to develop. 647 OPS isn't anything to be excited about, but he does sport a 324 OBP which is very good given his BA (234). I've heard good things about this D, so if he can pick up his stick a little bit, he could make a decent backup C. Given Barrios' injury, he is another that could easily come back as a MiLB FA. And is probably worth bringing back as long as his injury hasn't hampered him long term too badly.

But WW died at the end too... and lost the war... Not that I disagree with your intent, but just sayin...

The Packers have a lot of interesting depth this year; far more than roster spots. It will be interesting to see who they pick at the cuts. My view of the WRs: Locks: Nelson and Adams - Just to emphasize how wide open I see it, I think these are the only two that are fully safe going in. Probable: Cobb - Highly versatile (good slot receiver, punt returner, RB, motion play galore) and very smart football player. But have we seen his peak already? Injuries and age slowly creeping up on a player that was never fast to begin with (though decent quickness). Also can't play the edge. Mostly likely makes the roster, but a chance to be cut/traded if other WRs really step up this year. Bubble: Allison - Runs good routes, has good hands and a great catch radius, but on the slow side for a WR. I would list him at probable except that he is suspended for a game. If there is more behind the scenes to his suspension, the Pack may just cut bait. Davis - Blazing fast, decent hands, poor routes. Can return punts and kickoffs. A development project when drafted (ala Jeff Janis) that needs to be more reliable on his routes to gain Rodger's trust. Could he supplement Janis' role this year? Janis - Well, since I brought him up... Great special teams player, very fast. Could be Jordy 2.0 if he could run routes. But alas, it looks like Janis has peaked at "inconsistent" route runner. Which is a death blow to get much playing time in our offense. Runs go routes beautifully. Killer as a gunner on coverage teams. But without any ceiling left, I predict he won't make this team. Hopefully, we can trade him. Davis takes his place as speed-du-jour. Yancey - Given that Yancey was a 5th round draft pick this year, he will be given every opportunity to make the team. 5th round picks don't get cut in year one very often. Although, I thought Yancey was a bit over drafted myself. He has good size (6'2") and 4.48 speed, but poor route running and not the best hands aren't a great combo. Might prove himself to be a good football player, but right now I prefer Dupre over Yancey. Dupre - Tall WR with decent speed (4.46) that was ranked the #1 WR coming out of HS. College didn't really work for him, but still shows those skills that made him #1. Just underdeveloped now after college. Recently concussed, I wonder if the Pack might take it easy with him in preseason and sneak him to the PS for a year of development. 7th round picks have been running ~50% chance of making the final roster year in and year out. McCaffrey - Family roots add some interest here (genes do matter). Was a last-season pickup last year after not making Oakland's PS. But he seems to make plays. Plus being tall (6'2") and a 4.36-40 at his pro day, make him interesting. Clark - I'll admit that I only really noticed this player during the first pre-season game. But a very interesting guy. 6'6" that played one year of college ball. Has only watched 2 games of NFL football (that one concerns me). So extremely raw, but highly talented former BB player. Surely will go to PS, but already showing some talent. So one could say that we could easily go 6-7 deep with 5-6 NFL ready players while still adding a couple good development guys to the PS. I'm sure other NFL teams are going to come cherry-picking whomever we cut however. My prediction: NFL team: Nelson, Adams, Cobb, Davis, Allison, and McCaffrey Practice Squad: Dupre and Clark Janis - playing in the NFL somewhere Yancy - picked up on someone's PS or possibly 53-man roster.

North and south are defined by the poles one which the planet rotates. East and west are arbitrary.

No "He Hate Me"?

[sarcasm]If Kotsay could play CF, I think Bruce could... Or maybe try him at 2B. He has zero career errors there.[/sarcasm]

Just kidding Jeff. We don't ban people for stupidity. We just pity them.

some of us like the purple up here [sMIRKING FACE] Ban hammer coming on his second post... that must be a record.