Joseph

From the outside, this looks like a huge get for you guys. Congrats.

I had a helluva good time in your fair town, despite the blown save by Coco on Friday night. I know you guys all loved that, considering how much love was displayed for him as he entered the game. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Miller Park is quite nice, though as some of you said it doesn't have a ton of extra features, that still doesn't make it a bad place at all. What hommages to the past they do have are nice, the statues, the inlaid 'home plate' plaques in the ground around the outside, the history of Milwaukee and area baseball [though it felt really stuck in that weird corner of the park. I didn't even find it the first night]. It was all nice and again the stadium was really fun to watch a game in. We were right behind home plate on Friday night for that inside the park job Rickie laid on us. He's a really good player to watch, hope you guys have him for a while. I had no idea exactly how much Craig Counsell was loved there. I know he was popular and all, but he was maybe the loudest ovation of the night, aside from the walk off win cheers. Much credit goes to the fans too. You never know what you're going to get at any given time, but every one around was polite and accommodating both nights. We sat next to some very vocal fans the second night and they congratulated us on the win and even inquired if I was doing alright [i was dehydrated from roaming all around all day long and actually missed a couple innings of the game]. All the fans were enthusiastic and into the game. There was almost a football passion amongst them which is not the norm for a lot of fans I've been exposed to. It was nice to see. As for the city itself....we did a few of the likely 'touristy' things. Of course we did the brewery tour at Miller. I expected a shot glass sample at the end, not a full beer, well....three beer. That was a pleasant surprise and likely a contributor to my dehdration later. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif We ate at a place called Foy's which was right next to the hotel in some Irish group of bars. I wasn't a fan, I couldnt hear the waitress and we had to pay after every round because people apparently just walk out all the time or something. Had a breakfast as a place called corner cafe I think....maybe? Was good. The bloody mary my friend had was garnished with bacon. Very odd, but funny. Also visited the museum of art, fantastic looking building, and impressive displays inside. Very cool thing to see. Saw the Pabst Mansion, I'm a history nerd as well, so I particularly liked the mansion. Very strange to see it next to that office building or whatever its situated next to now, but still a cool thing for a dork like me. Really liked the city alot. I had no idea some of the old architecture it possessed and how nice the whole area around my hotel was. Lots of bars, lots of old, well maintained buildings, and just a really nice time all around. Thanks for all the suggestions. I know I'll be headed back there sometime and will get to more of what was thrown at me as things to do. I really appreciate it. Also, I have 2 Ryan Braun towels, hawing and bikage77, you guys still want them?

This is going on all over the country guys. Cincy had two major sports radio stations, one that did ESPN or FOX Sports, the other was local and was filled from 6 AM til 9 PM with local sports talk. Now they are an ESPN station and the other station is gone. There is a local block from 3-6 PM which is good, but the rest is ESPN and I worship at the altar of Jim Rome compared to what I think of Colin Cowherd and I really don't like Jim Rome at all.

I'd be happy to nab a few, got four people all told at the games. I usually just don't take the giveaways in parks I'm visiting and try to leave those for the home fans, but I wouldn't mind grabbing them if you guys would like em. I dunno what they are giving away either day so if its something anyone wants, let me know.

Congrats folks. Good looking lineup of players. I of course think Phillips should have been the 2b starter, but then again Bruce is a questionable choice overall. Just shows what a hot month will do.

Sitting in 118 on Friday and 124 on Saturday. Anyone gonna be in that area?

Oh I just mean realignment in general. I have a fantasy of hockey here in Louisville, but I don't know if any team is up for moving aside from Phoenix.

Easy one for me, the Four Horsemen, Flair, Ole, Arn, Blanchard.

Yes have some decent seats already thank goodness. Hard to get tickets to a first place team!

I'm all for realignment, but as a Blackhawks fan I'd hate to lose being in the same conference as Nashville, Columbus, St Louis, and Detroit. The first three because I can travel there very easily to see the Hawks, and the last because its Original 6 rivalry stuff.

Thanks so much folks. There is really a lot of good information and suggestions. The wife and I are checking most of them out. I'll let you know what we end up doing. Also yes, if anyone tailgates and doesn't mind an outsider/'enemy' I'd love to join you. Thanks again, a lot to read here!

Please don't resign him! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif He owned us when he was with you guys.

Hey folks. I am coming up to Milwaukee next month to see my Reds take on your beloved Brewers and I'm hoping to get some honest ideas about the trip. It's one of those bucket list things some baseball fans have, to visit every MLB park. I'm trying to add my own spin to it and see the Reds in every MLB park though. Right now I'm admittedly getting low hanging fruit by staying in division, but its one more to check off the list. So far I'm in the beginning stages having only seen the Reds at Riverfront and GABP in Cincinnati and in LA at Dodger stadium. I've never been to Milwaukee before so I'm looking for lots of stuff. First off, I'm assuming you guys have similar midwestern sensibilities to Louisville where I am and Cincy where I attend most games and I'm not going to be accosted for wearing Reds hats or shirts in Miller Park. That a safe assumption? Next, parking....is it ample around the park? Any place I should avoid? I'm sure I'll walk all around the park, but are there any particular spots I should hit with some good Brewer history? Plaques, statues, etc? Ok, ballgame aside.... I'm staying at a place called Aloft. Great places to eat? I like anything and everything from 3.00 sandwiches to upscale stuff. Other things to do? I'm a museum, zoo kinda guy if that helps. I appreciate any tips you guys can give. Thanks.

Great game last night. Vancouver 1 Bruins Nil

CWH, how I wish that were true, but we all know it would make a very very minimal difference. Maybe in the event someone didn't care about a position they might. For example my wife used to love Jason LaRue, when they traded him a few years ago she hated David Ross because he was the reason LaRue was gone so she would vote all Reds except at catcher. In a case like that she might look at the stats, but most people are voting either for a guy they know deserves it, or for the hometown guy and stats aren't likely gonna sway anyone. Chase Utley was brought up before. How many people vote for him based on reputation? A ton I bet. Add in the Philly size factor and he's gonna take a lot of votes from a guy like Phillips and Weeks who both are playing well and deserve votes based on PERFORMANCE and not just reputation. As an outsider looking in at your team though.....I think Braun and Marcum are safe bets to make it with YG in the discussion. I think Phillips gets the starting nod and considering Bochy is managing I'd not be surprised if Freddy Sanchez is the backup.

You guys have every reason to expect a series win in Cincy for the first time in a while. Our pitching is beat to hell and the bats aren't doing much at all.

I still don't know why we made the move with him. Early speculation was that we'd be adding Dontrelle Willis to the 40 man to activate him for tonights start, but he's on the DL himself now so thats out.

Congrats to the Canucks.

DRH was/is a one trick pony. When that pony is going well he's really effective as a loogy/max one inning guy. When its not going well and he can't spot it, he's in trouble because his fastball is low to mid 80s. Ie amped up batting speed. If you guys use him well and don't over expose him, you should have some luck with him.

Curious. Was anything Phillips said about them untrue? I personally don't think so. They are whiny %+*!%*@ in most cases. What Cueto did well, thats indefensible, but aside from the kicking, whats he done that is as annoying as LaRussa, Carpenter, etal? Let's not forget they have a catcher who cadillacs around the bases when he hits a home run. As for 'wanting' a rivalry, no offense to anyone, but the Reds organization [and thus its fans] know rivalries. The Reds and Dodgers of the 60's, 70's and 80's.....well the Yanks and Sox is a made for TV rivalry in comparison.

Sharks weren't gonna roll over and die. You know they'd get at least one, and I'm betting 2. Still the Canucks series to lose.

Rumor is right now its Catherine Tate. I'm not thrilled by that choice.

You guys scare me more than the Cards in terms of a team I think has a chance to contend. You've had a good streak recently and thats a big thing. With the pitchers coming back from injury, or at least Grienke, you should be only improving. Your lineup is fear inducing, a lot more so than the Cards. Hawing, by all means run with the comment. He said it after all [more or less] so have fun and give him hell when he visits town.

In the opening round I reallllllly thought we were in Luongos head. Then when your coach started the backup in game 6 I was sure of it, but kudos to all of them for getting through the Hawks this year. I know from being a Jordan fan back in my teens and twenties that there is always a demon to exorcise and they sure did it up big this year. Was a great series. I saw a few of the games against Nashville and they didn't look bad against them either. Looking forward to the Sharks game tonight, should prove an excellent series.

I like Sedin, just pulls off the headphones and says 'Bad memories' repeatedly and walks away. Your boys look good this year though, how do you think they'll do the rest of the way?