The stache

Every time I read an article about Stephenson, Jose Fernandez, Taylor Guerrieri, Matt Barnes, Alex Meyer, or Sonny Gray (all drafted behind Taylor Jungmann) thriving , baby Jesus cries. Hell, all of them except Fernandez were drafted behind Bradley, too. I think I'll join you in watching a few of Jungmann's latest starts. I have to find something positive.

Thanks, theCrew! This is all new to me. I just want to be able to watch baseball, and I wish I could go to the minor league games in person. Lalli just crushed a home run to center (4) with Khris Davis on after a hbp.

I guess what I'd like to be able to do is combine the box score with the game cast. Possible? Home runs by Lalli (3), Prince (2) and Hunter Morris (8).

I just signed up for milb.tv as an add on to my mlb.tv premium subscription, and had a question for you guys about picture quality. I'm watching the Nashville Sounds play the Tacoma Rainiers right now live. Now, I'm not expecting the same type of image quality I get with mlb.tv, which is high def, but is this how you guys watch the games (with the game embedded on the same screen with the schedule and ads), or is there another option for a separate popup window I'm not seeing? http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/1333/milb.png Don't get me wrong, $10 for the rest of the season is a great deal, and I can watch any Nashville or Huntsville game (and a lot of other MLB affiliates), so I'm ecstatic. I'm just wondering if there's a different way to watch the game. The only other options I'm seeing is full screen, and the picture quality then is not so hot, even with nearly 60 mbps download speed on FIOS. Thanks!

My question is, are there any more Arcia boys on the way? That's two prospects that have scouts drooling. I'm going to have to start keeping my eye on Orlando. It's great to hear about a Brewer prospect that is going to move. Let's just make sure that he stays in our system, and that Dougie isn't trading him away for a two year rental.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals are beating the Padres 5-0 in the 6th. Their starting pitcher, Tyler Lyon, who I've never even heard of (9th round draft pick from Oklahoma State in 2010, the 289th pick overall) is throwing a three hit shutout in his Major League debut. The Cardinals keep finding pitchers, and we can't find one decent one.

I've had similar thoughts recently, Bombers. If the Brewers truly want to establish themselves as a winning franchise, they cannot accept the status quo when it is not working. As I've said before, we cannot afford to be big players in free agency. We need to draft and develop, and keep our own talent. And we need young, talented players consistently moving through the pipeline. If the Rays can stay competitive in the AL East with their payroll, if the A's can stay competitive in the AL West with their payroll, we can do it, too. But does Mark Attanasio have the audacity for such a radical overhaul?

Luc had a pretty good day at the plate yesterday. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this will be the beginning of Jonathan breaking out of his slump.

Thanks, toolivebrew. I was unaware that the off topic board would also include baseball discussion. I know the baseball card discussion was allowed on this board. If you or another mod reading this can merge this into the other discussion, I'd appreciate it.

I've been a big fan of baseball since I was a kid, and have watched every baseball movie I could find. And over the years, I've found a few films that I keep going back to as my favorites. These are movies I never get tired of watching. Some are based on players or teams that really played the game. Others are fictional. Some take me back almost a century ago, when the game and America were different. Others will take me back just a few years. But no matter how they differ, these films continue to resonate with me. So, without further ado, here are my five favorite baseball films of all-time. 1. The Natural. It seems everybody has a strong opinion about this movie. People either love it, or they hate it. Well, put me enthusiastically in the "love it" category. I remember the first time I ever saw this film. The feeling I had when Roy Hobbs hit the ball into the lights to win the pennant at the end was incredible, and upon subsequent viewings, I still get chills when Barry Levinson yells out "He did it. Hobbs did it!". For me, Robert Redford circling the bases with the sparks flying down on to the field, and Randy Newman's exceptional score playing--is cinematic perfection. The camera perspective makes Hobbs appear larger than life. As he rounds the bases, the expressions we the viewers see are priceless: Iris seeing the man she loves, the father of her son, circling the bases in a moment of personal redemption. Pop Fisher with tears in his eyes as he realizes his lifelong dream. The Judge realizing he's out as co-owner of the Knights. It remains an iconic moment in motion picture history, and one of the greatest endings to a sports movie. I know that Bernand Malamud's novel ended differently, with Hobbs striking out, but I prefer the triumphant ending of the film. The issue many seem to take with the film is the realism. There are certainly elements of the film based on fact. The "Whammer", for one, is an obvious reference to Babe Ruth. Hobbs being shot by Harriet Byrd was based on the real life shooting of Eddie Waitkus, and served as inspiration for the book. And Redford's portrayal of Hobbs was a nod to his favorite player, Ted Williams. But the film is allegory. It is a loving homage to the game itself, and not meant to be taken literally. For me, it is incredibly entertaining. I've probably watched the Natural from start to end at least thirty times, and it holds my attention the whole way through. 2. Eight Men Out. An outstanding period piece that takes the viewer back to the events leading up to the 1919 World Series, which members of the Chicago White Sox threw for money. The "Black Sox" scandal forever changed the game, and resulted in the lifetime banning from baseball of eight men, including one of the greatest hitters to ever play the game, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. The movie's realism is incredible. The actors in the film were chosen not only because of their rising star power, but because they could play the game. And it shows. The movie is entertaining. The bad guys (chief among them gangster Arnold Rothstein, a name familiar to Boardwalk Empire fans) are easy to despise. But there is unexpected complexity to the story. On it's face, cheating is deplorable, and the men banned by Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis seem to get their just deserts. But it's not as simple as that. The film reinforces the feeling held by many, that Joe Jackson was not complicit in the crime. And while some of the players were out to make just a quick buck, others were just looking for financial security as their career drew to a close (David Strathairn is excellent as star pitcher Eddie Cicotte). Eight Men Out takes you back to a time when America's Pastime was thriving, before the Great Depression nearly wiped the game out. 3. Moneyball. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this film. Like Eight Men Out, it sits on my DVR marked "save until I delete". There's not a lot I can say about the film that hasn't been said already. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill are both outstanding, and the film is highly entertaining. I don't want to start a whole sabermetric discussion, so I'll stop there. 4. 61*. This is one I just saw recently for the first time, and it made a lasting impression. I've always been fascinated by the summer of 1961, when Yankee teammates Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris both pursued Babe Ruth's single season home run record. After watching the outstanding "making of" documentary on the disc, I jumped feet first into the film. Director Billy Crystal's love of the game is evident throughout, and the attention to detail is absolutely stunning. The performances are outstanding. You really need to watch the aforementioned documentary to appreciate just how massive an undertaking shooting this film was. Highly recommended. 5. This is a tough call, as I like Field of Dreams, Major League, and Cobb, all for different reasons. But I think I'll go with A League of Their Own. The subject matter has always fascinated me. When my Uncle Joe died, he left me a few of the baseball books he'd collected. Two of them included stories about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which existed from 1943 to 1954. We all know that many Major League players were called to active duty in World War II. What many baseball fans do not know is that when they were overseas, many young women played professional baseball. It's been a while since I've seen this movie, but it sucks me in every time I see it. Another highly recommended film. Penny Marshall does a fine job directing an all-star cast. So, what are your favorites, everybody? Doh: edit. I forgot Chasing 3,000. I'm a big Clemente fan, and I thought that was a pretty touching film. Two brothers driving cross country to see Roberto get hit #3000. Highly recommended (and also on my DVR).

I don't know if it will work in Rickie's case, but I have seen it work before. Players slump for a variety of reasons. Mental struggles, injuries, fatigue, or something as simple as a flaw in their swing/pitching mechanics. I've never heard Rickie complain once, nor have I heard him making excuses. Who knows what's going on with him right now. But give him a few days off to rest, and put him back in. It couldn't hurt, and it might just help.

Spot on with the grade on Jim Henderson. Thus far, he's been lights out in the Majors this season: 9 for 9 in save opportunities with a 0.95 ERA and a minuscule 0.79 WHIP. He's got a nifty 23:5 K:BB ratio in 19 IP. 10.9 K/9 IP. An excellent read thus far, Rams (I am still working my way through it). I'd be curious what your take is on Clint Coulter's long term prospects. He's got the big arm, but do you see him remaining behind the plate, or might he be moved to third base? As much as I want us to keep drafting pitching, I'm encouraged by the guys we drafted early last year. I especially like Mitch Haniger. I could see him as our right fielder of the future. I think his upside is a little higher than he's being given credit for.

I'm encouraged by Hunter's two homer performance coming off the DL. He's starting to pick it up again. What was the word on Bradley? Arm issue?

Agreed, and that's been something I've seen Nationals fans post repeatedly with Bryce Harper. He's a "110% go" all the time kind of player. If he's going to have a long career, he needs to learn how to pace himself.

I like that he takes a lot of pitches. Two walks in that video is encouraging. His swing looks a little long, but nothing I'd be too concerned about. Victor's going to have some incredible bat speed when he's fully healthy, and back in rhythm. Nice young man, too. My best friend in Wisconsin went to Brewers Fan Fest, and Victor played catch with his little boy for a bit. He also tweeted a thank you back to me after I gave him a congratulations for his first home run.

I don't think we need him to be the Axford of the 2011 to be successful. We've got a guy that, at least thus far, has been lights out closing it out (knock on wood). If John's head is right, he can come in to any situation, and blow people away. Maybe the 8th inning is the best use of him. I'm pretty superstitious when it comes to baseball (not Wade Boggs over-the-top superstitious, lol), but it's working, and I just don't think you mess with a good thing. If we've got a kick butt 8th and 9th inning guy, we're shortening the game down for the opponents. They know they have to score before the 8th. The Yankees had that. For a while, the Giants had that. I don't think we're quite there yet, but it sure would be nice to get the back end where it was in 2011. One less thing to worry about.

Bulls eye. I think over the long run, a team with outstanding pitching and defense will be more successful than a team with great hitting. Offense is sexy. "Chicks dig the long ball", etc etc. Long home runs make sports center. While you don't see a lot of Giants rounding the bases, when they do, they do it dreaming about the shiny rings they have back at home. It's no coincidence that the two times the Brewers have gotten into the playoffs recently, it's been pitching that's led the way. We don't get into the playoffs if not for C.C. Sabathia pitching out of his mind in 2008. And, we don't get in, and make it to the NLCS in 2011, if Gallardo and Greinke aren't an outstanding top-of-the-rotation one-two punch. Can the inference that the Brewers have not been successful as a franchise because of their lack of pitching be made? Perhaps. How many twenty game winners have the Brewers had? When was the last time the Brewers had a Gold Glove winner (Gold Gloves being an accurate gauge of defensive ability is another discussion altogether). The Brewers are revered for hitting home runs. Look at how their rosters have been constructed. The Brewers are near the top of the home run leader board nearly every season. In the 80's, it was "Bambi's Bombers" with Gorman Thomas, Ben Oglivie, Cecil Cooper, Robin Yount, Ted Simmons, etc. In the early 2000's, it was Sexson, Burnitz, Jenkins. More recently, it's been Braun, Fielder, Hart, Weeks. Maybe we need to completely rethink how our team is constructed.

I'd love to see a gif of Aria Stark shooting arrows as she says those names. A fellow Game of Thrones fan. Nice! I don't want Ax or Rickie shot, or off the team. I just wanted them to sit down for a while, to regain their composure.

I agree, chadomac. The bullpen overall has been much better this year. Ax has been good his last three appearances. His pitches are looking good, which leads me to believe the problems he's been having closing have been mental. Henderson is doing a great job closing out games. If Axford can evolve into a kick butt setup guy (like David Robertson of the Yankees), I'll be thrilled. He'd be overpaid for the position, but if it works, meaning we shut opposing offenses down more consistently late in games, what the heck.

Absolutely. There's something to be said about trying too hard. Look, Rickie Weeks is the starting second baseman of the Milwaukee Brewers, and he'll probably be the second baseman of the Brewers next season, too. I don't think there's any Brewer fan out there that's more disappointed in his performance than Rickie is in his own play. And nobody is giving up on him. We're not turning our back on him like Don Corleone. We all want him to succeed. But if he's pressing, maybe the best thing for him would be to sit for a few games. Bianchi has a hot bat right now, and I'm sure that Rickie understands you go with whomever gives you the best chance to win. Right now, Rickie is not that guy. A week from now, he might be. We all accept that Rickie is a streaky player. When he's off, especially the last two seasons, he can be really off. When he's on, he can carry a club. Let the man step back for a few days, take a breather, and then put him back in.

Absolutely. When a player is doing well, I'll be the first person to give them a pat on the back. When they're not, and our manager inexplicably continues to play them when there are other options to try, any Brewer fan is going to vent, myself included. I'd imagine if you went to a sports bar, it would be much the same. You can have ten guys watching a game, all astute baseball fans, and their behavior will no doubt be directly tied to the team's performance. They'll clap and cheer, and exchange high fives when things are going well. When they're not, they'll boo, and grumble. Why why an online discussion about the game be any different?

Here's her hubby, apparently they still live in Waukesha. http://www.linkedin.com/in/timtrovato Tim Trovato. I had a Brewers yearbook signed by a couple of the players, but lost it moving down to Texas.

Welcome to the forum, Sean. Let's see, I'd have been 10 years old in the summer of '82. It was a great time to be a kid growing up in Milwaukee, and my teacher, Mrs, Trovato, got us all kinds of Brewer goodies, as her husband worked in the front office for the Brewers (I forget what position). I remember playing in WPR baseball, and all the kids on my team had their favorite Brewer. A couple of them had their Robin Yount batting stance and swing down to a tee. I unfortunately was more like the Mark Brouhard of the team.

There's no guarantee that Rickie will improve. I hope to God he does, as I don't like seeing him like this. But we might just have to accept that maybe his physical skills have diminished a little, causing him to become a less effective offensive player. I'd like nothing better than to see him break out of it and show he can still be a solid contributor to the team.

It was great tonight, and the pen's performance has been improving. If our offense can start scoring more consistently, and driving in runs when they're in position, we can slowly get back into this. We did it once, we can do it again. We just have to take it one step at a time.