HebrewHammer

Then there's this little tidbit: "Dodson had been allowed to leave the Marathon County Jail, where he was serving time for a theft conviction, to help take care of his children, police said." Great.

Well if it's true then it looks like he's getting some confidence. If it's true I'd read his comment as saying that he's raking AAA pitching real good and it isn't fair to AAA pitchers for him to play at that level. He's MLB caliber but he had to work through some things and get some confidence back. Look at his numbers with pitches in the strike zone, he's just not making solid contact. Great eye this year mainly but it should be obvious his wrist is preventing good contact or because of his wrist in the recent past he picked up some bad habits with his swing he needs to work through. We need Weeks to be productive for this team to succeed.

These owners have to learn to control themselves a bit more. 30 million for this guy is just plain stupid. He;s a good player, but maybe a 3 year/20 million dollar deal?

That's actually really funny and I'll do the same. I'm blaming Mc Donald's for turning his triples into doubles!

Too darn cute.

Although looking it up the Brewers score in a bell curve. However, we are very bad as a team offensively in the 7-8-9 inning stretch.

Usually teams score fewer runs every "Set" of innings. That is, every 3 inning block results in fewer runs. So Braun going "cold" after 6 isn't rare. He's also a rookie. Pressure situations like that will come. Unless he's like ARod and just a regular season, no clutch guy...

I don't get why people like Spotted Cow. It is flavorless for a wit beer. Ding! ding! ding! ding! ding! By and large people don't actually like the taste of most beers. Spotted Cow is rather sweet and goes down easy. I find it disgusting myself, but then I liked it way in the past before my pallet was sophisticated. People like Spotted Cow for the same reason Bud and Miller Light are the USA's most popular beers.

I agree with JohnBriggs12.

Yup, no "puppy food". They make a dog grow more and faster and not something our dog needs. It's on Canidae Lamb and Rice meal. Something like 23% protein I think?... We try and only give it "all natural" things. For instance, no raw hide bones but rather real bones. They cost a little more but are much healthier for the dog. The vet talked to us about a raw diet, consisting of all raw meat, ground bones and vegetables, etc, but we decided to stick with the breeder recommended food basically because of cost and practicality. Carbohydrates aren't that good for dogs all in all, but rice and such isn't the worst. And the protein balance is right. Also, all treats are of good quality and not from China. Sounds like your dogs are fun. Ours is only 5.5 months old (and big!) and will start some agility training soon and eventually obedience school. We'll see what shes capable of and enjoys. You're right about them loving a job though. I might have to look into that dog scooter. Will make walking....easier. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Dish Network is the best for HDTV content right now. Direct TV was supposed to have a boatload more HD Channels made available this year but haven't delivered yet. Also, if you're in the Milwaukee area, they won't send you an HD feed for CBS because of some contract issue with the local affiliate. You'll have to get an OTA antenna for this. It sucks. Big time. Cable is decent but the quality is lacking a bit. But the fact you can get an HD DVR for like $6.00/month is a steal! Personally, I had Direct TV and liked it but I'm going back to Cable.

Thanks for the information. And like I said I'm by no means an expert on anything regarding dogs but just someone whose researched a lot and tried to gather as much knowledge so I have a happy, healthy pet that's enjoyable for its lifetime and beyond. For the crate comment, I was just suggesting don't just get a crate and throw the dog in there the next time you go out. You have to "train" it initially, like you suggested. As for my Dane, we found a terrific breeder in Wisconsin. She's far away so it took more commitment but we visited her kennels and had a mental check list of our requirements. Some things we wanted to make sure of was: The Kennels were clean, she didn't breed too many types of dogs (she only breeds Danes, and only Fawn and Brindle ones), she was knowledgeable, she required all types of credentials from us, etc. In short, she didn't run a puppy factory and he dogs (and the puppies) all appeared healthy and happy. Her main interests in breeding the breed was health. She didn't inbreed and she had proof of this in AKC documents, etc. After getting to know her you knew it was likely she would produce a healthy, well tempered puppy that would also fit the standard as well as an added "bonus". Some people we know thought she was actually too strict because she got to pick what puppy was ours. Her rational is she lives with them for 8 weeks, is an expert and is made aware of our lifestyle so she can pick one that suits it. Also, we're not getting one to show so I'm sure she'd rather sell "standard" ones away to showers and breeders, etc. We also had to build a fence by her order and sign a contract that basically says if we screw up or don't want the dog anymore, it becomes her property. It sounds strict but she does it to protect any dog she breeds and it's pretty admirable. She puts the dog ahead of the buyer and she does everything to help them. If you play by her rules, you'll have no problems. Her puppies are in such demand that if you don't like her style then she flat out recommends you go elsewhere and find a breeder that suits your requirements better. It also is nice that the veterinarian we use has 2 of her Danes and can vouch for her. These are characteristics you should look for in a breeder. And you're right; there's no guarantee you're going to find a great breeder for the breed you want anywhere close! Lots of time and research might be needed. And I agree about mixed breeds. They tend to stray away from genetic dispositions. In Danes we have to worry about bloat and hip problems of course. Although our breeder has breed to minimize risks of these things, you can't ever be 100%. Not inbreeding helps. Mixed breeds are also just as great of pets as any other dog too if not better it seems. I suggest for whatever breed you want to lookup the association for that breed and reference their list of certified breeders. Then check them out yourself and do your homework. If you want a typical "pet dog" mixed breed, try and do homework on the breeder. There's a lot more fly by night, 7-Mile Fair type breeders out there for these kinds of dogs. Some even pass them off as pure breeds, or "Rare colored" pure breeds. Lastly, getting a puppy is like getting a kid. Lots of time, love and patience is needed to create a happy pet that you enjoy and that enjoys you. The extra time you put in when its a puppy will pay off when it becomes a young adult and beyond. If trained well early on, you won't have to worry about the dog becoming anxious due to separation, storms, cats, etc.

Often the first pitch will be a great pitch to hit because the pitcher almost always wants to throw a strike. But you have to imagine pitchers know Estrada wants to hack away and aren't going to keep throwing typical first pitch material to him, considering the damage he's done with likely first pitches in the past.

Oh, I thought this thread had to do with a race....and Estrada....and I figured he wouldn't be very good at racing. But since this thread consists mainly of you talking to yourself, I guess I'll let it be and let you continue on.

I'm not sure why Villanueva isn't on that list...over Wise anyways.

I still think the Estrada trade was a good one. Doug Davis makes way too much money and sadly, Estrada was an upgrade at catcher for us and also allows us to keep Miller fresh all year. Estrada would be a really good player if he would gain some patience and start to swing at good pitches. He keeps swinging at first and second pitches which are usually garbage to him. Why would a pitcher have any incentive to throw a strike on the first or second pitch? Estrada has a really, really good bat. He really does. What he doesn't have is good pitch selection.

Estrada, eugh. It's amazing how slow this guy is. He hits a dribbler to third and although you expect basically anyone to be out, he's not even in the TV's picture when they pan over to first base for the throw. The guy needs to be batting eight.

Hopefully when Weeks comes back he'll start raking and we can move him to the #2 spot. Then move Hardy to #7. #6 should be Jenkins. This all assumes of course that Weeks hits and plays like we know he can when he comes back. Also, I'm not sure Yost wants Estrada in the #8 spot due to his lack of speed.

Well, it's evidence Milwaukee cares more about their team than the players? Brewers come before players? I remember when I was a kid Gorman Thomas would get cheered when he came back. But he was a pennant winner for this team. Molitor got boo'd I believe and that's despicable. But booing all these other guys is ho-hum to me. I mean, they played for terrible, terrible Brewers teams. We're doing better now.....I don't know, it just doesn't seem bad to boo these guys who aren't with us any longer. They're not Brewers so why not be jestful with them a bit? I mean, I'm supposed to cheer for some guy who helped the team win 60 odd games a year for how long?

Has nothing to do with yesterday. It has everything to do with the fact this team hasn't shown it can win on the road all year. I don't expect that trend to just stop. I mean, I hope it does. But I don't seriously think it will. Once this team learns how to win on the road, look out. I guess I don't see how they can "learn how to win" on the road. I won't deny that it's been the trend, but really you play the same game whether you're on the road or at home, except for some managerial differences in the latter innings depending on if you're leading/behind/tied. The bases are 90 feet away and the mound is about 60 feet, true. But that's only part of the game. For whatever reason these guys, mainly young guys, haven't figured out how prepare for a game outside of their comfort zone: home. They likely don't have good routines and haven't adapted to the challenges travel and stresses that new environments put on you. Whatever it is, the proof is in the pudding. These guys don't play the same at home and on the road. Their approach to the game is different and their preparation is likely different. This is something a young team will have to overcome and comes with experience. Obviously they've traveled with Minor League teams, etc, but it's different at this level because the margin of error is so small. On lower levels, these guys could bring a lesser performance and still get away with it. At this level, losing anything because of poor preparation will result in almost certain road failure. It's this way in any sport I've seen usually. Young teams very often have difficulty on the road due to the mental aspect being vastly different.

Has nothing to do with yesterday. It has everything to do with the fact this team hasn't shown it can win on the road all year. I don't expect that trend to just stop. I mean, I hope it does. But I don't seriously think it will. Once this team learns how to win on the road, look out.

That's a really great list. I'd probably fit the first game against the Phillies this year on there. Here's the recap: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270514122 Essentially we blew a huge lead again by giving up 6 in the eight inning. Turnbow was on the hook for it and it started the first bad part of the season.

Forfeit the games and rest the bullpen is probably the best idea. At least everyone gets a nice 3 day vacation to rest up and continue.

Sounds like a few people have the same dog issue. I'm by no means the "Dos Whisperer" but before I got a puppy Great Dane I read up a lot on it, did research and have enjoyed great results. Something to consider is this: A good dog isn't born. It's made. That is, a dog is only going to be as good as the time and energy put into it. Especially in its first year, the critical year. If you got your dog after it was a puppy, it's very hard to know if the previous owner trained it well and rewarded good behaviors. You're taking a huge chance so be careful. Also, getting a dog from the Human Society, although a wonderful, humane thing to do, is also very risky as many of those dogs have been abused, abandon and almost without a doubt weren't trained well. And not to sound snobby, but probably not breed too well. Not that this is always critical, but dogs breed from good AKC breeders (or even non AKC for non-pure breed dogs) will almost invariably be breed for good temperaments, good health (DNA testing now days is fantastic) and make superior pets, if the right time is put in. Just some things to consider when considering a dog. Also consider that when you get your puppy (it will be ~8 months old probably, but never younger!) it will require lots and lots of supervision, training and patience. Socialize your dog with as many others as possible and take them to puppy school. As for thunderstorms. No dog should ever have a problem with them, or loud noises for that matter. Then why do some? Because at a young age they were never taught how to deal with them. Most likely upon their first storm the dog got a little scared. The owner coddled the puppy, reinforcing this fear! This is critical. When your dog gets fearful of anything, NEVER coddle the animal as it reinforces the fear. Your dog really believes there is something to be fearful of! What you need to do is make a game of it. When the thunder comes down, have treats ready and act like it's fun, like it's a game. And reward the dog for enjoying the storm and loud noise. Very soon your dog will never be afraid of storms. It almost sounds counterintuitive and for a human it is. With our children we would comfort them and reassure them it's going to be OK. Holding them often helps when they are babies. This doesn't work the same for dogs. A puppy with its mother would look to it and see she isn't afraid of the storm and then realize it's OK. But when you (you are the puppies mother in its eyes!) coddle and it, the puppy now things it's going to die and you're scared, etc, etc! Make it fun and the dog will stop "misbehaving" during storms, fireworks, etc. Hopefully your dogs aren't too old. They very well might be. As for crating, don't. Not your dog. This needs to be done at a young age. As others have said, the dog will see it as a den and accept it. But if a dog has never been crated and then when it's 7 years old it's crated, it won't respond well. You'll have to work this in to its life like anything now. However, other users are right that a puppy should be crated to make it aware a crate is OK. But crating a scared dog that's going to pee on itself isn't humane at all. Also, don't yell at the dog for peeing in the house. Its YOUR fault it pees in the house, not its fault. Also, a dog will have no idea what you're punishing it for. If you can't discipline your dog within 8 seconds of whatever it did, then don't discipline it because it won't understand. No offense but you're dog isn't trained well, has been misinformed and isn't very sociable if it's attacking cats and has killed them. No dog should ever do this and it's only the owner(s) to blame. Your dog has terrible anxiety and a fear of loud noise and isn't socially trained well (or even acceptable) it would appear. It might be too old to change now. But keep my advice handy if you get another dog.

Although there would be the potential for a fun race, I'd find just as much fun and excitement in watching the Cubs fall apart because of an injury and watch the Brewers surge.