tmwiese55

I think everyone is reading a bit much into this. I take it as a veteran just increasing his versatility. And from the Brewers view you know that you have him in case of emergency, say Lind goes to DL or if Clark goes to AAA. I agree with those that said Braun should be also adding this to his game. He'll likely have to move there in a few years anyway. And specific to this year and next, he's RH and Lind is LH. As hard as it's been to find a competent 1b I'd have to think it would be easier to find a respectable righty outfielder to play vs lefties. Some days you could have Lucroy at C, Braun at 1B, and a righty OF who is a better hitter than Maldonado.

Still really lost on why you focus on Gomez...he is not the problem. Good point, I don't like how this all ended up being about Gomez. Yes he's the most blatant example but this was a problem throughout the whole team last year, all year. I remember conversations even April, in spite of them winning almost every game, about how dumb they were playing and eventually the luck would run out unless it got cleaned up. I remember, Braun airmailing multiple cutoff guys, a ton of botched bunts early in the season. I hate bunting to begin with so that really ticked me off. No comments on my post regarding how we run into outs to draw throws away from a play at the plate? Am I the only one that sees this?

"Also I think you are completely wrong if you don't think Gomez is trying to improve every year. Now turning off his steals of 3rd with less than 2 outs would be fine with me and that is something they can definitely control." You're actually agreeing with me here. That is my point, he should be trying to improve and one has to trust he's trying. My issue was with those arguing that he's good now and that's what he is, accept it. The thing that I doubt is an option is that any manager can do something to make a player's weakness disappear in a year or two. Which seems to be the complaint as far as I can tell. That in no way should imply people stop trying to get him to make better decisions. Just that we have to accept it is who he is now and that is actually pretty darn good. Given there is a reasonable explanation to go the route RRR did with him and other ways of approaching it haven't produced anything close to his production this approach did, why complain about doing it this way? -I think this is pretty spot on. You're pretty much saying what I am. My point was with those saying it's fine and that he can't improve. You have to try to clean it up a bit. If it saves 6 outs throughout the season, it might save you a win or two.

"Gomez was 10th in WAR in the entire MLB last year. Nit-picking the faults of one the greatest Baseball players on Earth today, when there are literally a thousand bigger problems with the Brewers franchise, is really something else." This is pretty much the point I have issue with and what I think is bizarre, what player do you tell that he's good enough and doesn't need to improve? Especially when these are so easily correctable mental mistakes. It's not fixing a hole in a swing or increasing speed, it's purely mental. If the relay guy has the ball just outside the infield, listen to the 3B coach and don't try to score. If there's two outs and you're on second, don't steal third, you can already score from 2nd barring a miracle throw. You don't think Mike Trout has tried to improve every year? Also, in those SB stats listed, you don't see the 12% dropoff last year? Isn't the common threshold that you should be above 80%? He wasn't even close. And again, I'm fine with him stealing at pretty much any time other than 3rd with two outs, especially since he hits leadoff so often so you have your best hitters at the plate when he's on second. The really bonehead things come on batted balls when he gets thrown out by 30 ft, this should just not happen. Getting thrown out is fine, he's amazingly fast and should push the envelope but if you decide to go and get thrown out from that far you've made a huge mistake. I love Gomez, I'm shocked how often people on here talk about trading him and selling high with him (and Lucroy too). I would pick him as my favorite player and I don't think it's really close. I just don't accept the argument that he can't improve himself or his decision making. Improving this should not make his other skills go away as people seem to be implying.

Thurston, it doesn't seem you would fall into what I was getting at. I by no means want him benched or traded. It does remind me of an incident with Andruw Jones, after hot dogging a ball in CF in his early career I believe he was pulled mid inning on defense, again, I'm not advocating that, this just reminded me of it. I was more getting at the point of view, of the good outweighs the bad, accept it. or what more do can we ask from the guy, he's improved so much. Also, when stealing 3rd as your example, it's pretty much too late at that point. once you go you go, if you try to go back to 2b you'll end up in a rundown. This is a pure decision making thing, simply don't steal 3rd with 2 outs, done. That's the simplest thing when looking at SBs, for a guy like him almost any other attempt is acceptable. The real bonehead things for Gomez come after hits when he just keeps running until he gets thrown out at 3rd or home. Any time it's a close play I can accept as being aggressive, it happens. When you're often thrown out by 1/3 of the baseline or more you need to check yourself a bit. I never said RR isn't trying, I was referring to other comments on here suggesting that and/or that he is encouraging/endorsing this aggressiveness and accepting the dumb things that happen. I'm sure he's doing his best. But it is his job as the leader to get his team to listen to him, if they won't listen yes the players are at fault but so is he if the players don't respect him. I think others on here argued about RR encouraging the aggressiveness and stupidity, no way I believe he's dumb enough not try clean this up this year. Or they were suggesting that he should just accept this rather than try to coach him, no way, he should be trying to improve him and I'm sure he's trying. On a side note with baserunning. Anyone else notice how often we run into outs just after a runner scores. Almost as if the guy still on the bases voluntary puts himself in harms way in order to make sure they don't throw the ball home creating a close play at the plate. Kind of like, here's a free out if you let that run score. I watch a decent amount of bball outside of us and this is way more common for us. Anyone else know the type of plays I'm talking about? It's tough to get big innings going when you give up free outs like this.

So Ennder, you just accept that he can't improve? There's no reason a player can't get smarter with age, it happens in all sports very often. Examples, in baseball an older player learning to hit opposite field as he ages or a pitcher learning placement as his velocity goes down. In basketball, learning to take better shots and reducing turnovers usually comes with the maturation procession. There's no reason he and everyone else shouldn't be pushed to improve and yes it is the manager and his staff's responsibility to try.

I generally agree with the original poster and see the point. Gomez is of course the biggest offender but it was all over the team last year and I was frustrated all year by it. Then I flip on the first Spring Training game and Scooter is on 2B in the first inning. Gets chased back after one pitch and then picked off and caught in a rundown the next pitch, i know it's one play in spring training but it just made me roll my eyes. I'm as big of a Gomez supporter as anybody and was in the Free Gomez camp years ago. I never thought he'd be this good of a hitter but had the attitude that his D is so good that who cares, just bat him low in the lineup and let him hack, any offense you get is gravy. For those making the argument that RR freeing him and his aggressiveness is what has made him good, I think you're missing two key points you're acting like these things are mutually exclusive. He can be aggressive and swing hard without making just asinine decisions that lead to him getting thrown out by 30 ft and/or attempting a pointless steal of 3B with 2 outs when Braun is at the plate. You're already one of the fast players in the league, you don't need to be at 3B to score on a hit. Try to steal third all day with 1 out though, that is smart aggressiveness. Second, you're kind of insinuating that he's good already and therefore shouldn't be asked to improve. That is just illogical. It would be like saying well player X is hits 300 with a 333 obp, wouldn't we all be still wishing he took more walks and got the obp over 350. Or Khris Davis is a good example, he's been pretty good and has good power, but are we are still saying it would be great to move the average up a few points and start taking more walks to get a respectable obp.

If you haven't seen Arrested Development it's a must watch, assuming you want a comedy. Since you're coming off BB and mentioned SOA you might be looking for a drama again. Besides the ones everyone will recommend (Wire, Sopranos, 24, etc.) I would recommend The Shield as number one. Hugely underrated and one of the earliest shows in TVs golden age of dramas that helped start this trend.

173-0.

I think if we win out that we'll find a way to get a 1 seed. Either Villanova will lose or we'll leapfrog whichever ACC team loses in their tournament, almost for sure if its VA. Debatable if its Duke. It seems the general consensus out there is that we're the second best team, so any benefit of the doubt should go our way to avoid us getting stuck with Kentucky.

I don't think I'd give up Mayo and a 1st Rounder for Stauskus. Yes he's was a higher pic than what that Clips pick will be but he's so far been a disaster this season and around the deadline it seemed like Sacramento was begging to give him away. I'd still take a flyer on him and hope for the best, I just feel like Sacramento wouldn't need that much to give him up. If Mayo were willing to stick around here on less money I'd love to have him back, assuming his attitude/effort keep up all the way through next season. I highly doubt he'll pull 8 mil/year on the market at this point. If they don't want him back though he'd be a great guy to flip at next years deadline, hope you can get a late first rounder from a contender.

For the price paid I can't object to it as it adds depth and he was generally fine last year, outside of the end stretch when everyone fell apart. I'm still nervous whenever he comes in the game and it's not a 3 run lead though. Seems like he walks the leadoff batter way too often (like Turnbow and Axford did) or at least rarely goes 1-2-3, and then he's always at risk for the HR when the hitter guesses right on the changeup/fasterball. It seemed last year he greatly reduced the walks though from previous years, and quick glance at stats looks like his last two seasons have roughly cut his walk rate in half compared to his career prior. So at least that's been improved, but whenever someone gets on I get nervous. For some reason I think I'd rather go with Broxton as the closer, I know the stats won't back it up but for whatever reason I would trust him more. I suppose it's just out of only having him for a half season so I don't have bad memories of him as he was really good for us other than the one game right at the end of the season.

Saw an article on Grantland today hyping Nova so I looked a bit more into them. I'm sure none of us have watched them much but they're heavy on Junior/Seniors and have 6 different guys averaging 9 ppg. These are usually two big things I look for in tourney teams (aside from blue bloods like UK, KU, Duke who are a threat at all times), so there's a lot to like here. Again, if not in a 2nd tier conference and not have the Nova history I and most fans probably would be giving them more love. I'll definitely pay closer attention now, we'll see if they can make the sweet 16.

couldn't figure out a better way to post this (http://grantland.com/the-triangle/nba-shootaround-villain-ball/) There's a comparison in there between Kidd and MCW in their early careers, showing their numbers and per 36 min stats. I missed most of the game last night but I think they might have discussed it on TV too. take it for what you will but it's interesting.

Yea I suppose they don't have any awful teams like the B1G has in their bottom 4 teams. But your comment just tells me they're just being highly regarded right, that's my point, they're being too highly regarded. Cmon guys, their second best team is Butler. Nova, Butler, Gtwon, Providence, St Johns, Xavier, Depaul, Seton Hall, Creighton, Marquette. That is the current conference, this is a mid major conference. Half these teams weren't even in a major conference two years ago, take away the name Big East and this is just a step up from the MAC or MWC, Conf USA. Essentially they just poached the better teams from those conferences. Say what you will, nobody will fear any of these teams in the tourney and they might only get 4 teams in (likely 6 though). This was supported last year by their top two teams last year and high seeds Nova and Creighton both getting bounced in round of 32, and Nova's been bounced for several years in a row early. Of course the whole league can change that by doing something this year but i'll believe it when I see it.

Wasn't Smith pegged as a potential starter when we got him? I could be remembering wrong but maybe he'll the one getting stretched out and able to do multiple innings on the ML roster while Thornberg is in AAA. With no 6th starter like we had most of last year, someone will have to be able to grab 3-4 innings here or there.

The article I read said this involves at least cocaine, so maybe heroin too. He was given his own set of rules when he was re-instated years ago, gets tested like 3-4 times per week. apparently he didn't fail a test here though, he voluntarily came to MLB admitting his relapse. I'm sure they'll factor that into his suspension and chop some games off. I understand all he's had to overcome but he's had a relapse in several recent offseasons if my memory serves me, so they have to give him some kind of suspension.

"wow, pretty crazy statement to read. Nova had several crappy years but entered the tourney highly ranked last year before being knocked out over the weekend by eventual champs UCONN. Why are you writing off one of the nation's best conferences? They'll likely get 6 solid to very good teams into the Big Dance." Seriously, you think the current Big East is one of the best conferences? You realize all the big programs are gone now don't you? I don't see your point about them losing in the round of 32 last year as a 2 seed after a 5 loss season as validation, I actually think it proves exactly my point. And the two times they made the tourney previously they lost in the first round. And the time before that the round of 32 again (as a 2 seed). 09 they made the FF and they've been a disappointment since. Obviously after our loss they have a strong case vs us but I was just saying I hadn't been paying attention to them for those reasons. And really I'd love to get them as 1,2, or 3 seed in our bracket.

If the people of Milwaukee and the politicians can't see the value of an NBA franchise in their city then they deserve to lose it. The NBA is blowing up right now, you'd have to be a fool to allow a team to leave. And from the owners perspective, why should they change their strategy to chase a stadium here. If the teams leaves they stand to make hundeds of millions. They should stick to the best team building strategy they see and then it's on the city to get on board, if not, build the team in Seattle or take the money you'd get by selling it and move on. They paid around what 500 mil, they'll get at least 750 from the guy in Seattle. Plus there's some kind of NBA deal written into it guaranteeing if there's no arena they can cash out and I think it guarantees 50 mil profit.

"My problem with pregame shows is that in a 162 game season, there is no need for a half hour pre-game show before each and every game. A half hour pre-game before the first game in a series would be fine, or even the first game of the week, but a half hour before every game is wholly unnecessary." I totally agree. I used to think was just related to the Brewers getting good as to why this type of stuff has increased but have since realized that its just the general boom in sports and tv revenue and it's happened to everyone. Go back like 12 years and for a TV broadcast you had the guys in the booth (Rock and BA) and maybe one sideline person (Coshun or Sophia). Now you have the booth, one sideline, two guys at a table in the outfield. And at least one, maybe two guys in the studio. Do we need up to 7 people for a baseball tv broadcast? 3 people tops. I'm still fine with cracking down on the hitters walking around and their antics in spite of the thing about preparing for a pitch. They only need to do that because they've been allowed, it's all in their head. Yes there might be an adjustment period but they'll get over it.

I know what you mean. I wasn't laughing the whole time or anything but it wrapped everything up cleanly in a nice happy ending way so it was fine. etter than the way most shows screw up their finales. Funniest part was probably Jean Ralphio, has to be one of the best bit characters every. Right up there with David Puddy.

"Convenient how he arrived at this awakening AFTER his contract extension was signed...pretty easy to say this as you're getting over 2 million per year to not even play basketball." He had us on the hook for 44 mil, I think he did an honorable (has to be a better word than that I guess, but you know what I mean) thing here. I think he should be applauded for it. He could have given no effort and a bad attitude until they told him to just go home, he'd get the full money then. This is what Gilbert Arenas (and many others) did, if I recall he was the second highest paid player in the NBA last season and he hasn't played in years.

Threes were wide open in the first half, if we hit 3-4 of those like we normally do it's a whole different game. Wide open 3s are the second best shot in bball, especially for a team that shoots as well as UW. They just didn't go in, it happens, especially a tough road environment on short rest for a team that's basically been only playing 5 guys for the last month due to Dukan being terrible lately. One thing I've been annoyed with by UW fans the last several years is complaining about shooting so many 3s when they don't go in, but no complaints when they do go in. That's our offense, it's what we do, sometimes you miss though. 1 seed is tough now, it's pretty rare that a 3 loss team that wins the B1G Regular and Tourney Championship (assuming a win out, which is no guarantee) doesn't get a 1 seed, some years you might be number 1 overall. It could totally happen this year though.

Tyler Ennis already sucks? He's a rookie first round pick who hasn't even seen the floor yet and you're already writing him off. I loved him in college last year, really smooth and a shot maker at crunch time. and as far why everyone saying this is the guy Kidd wanted. Well that's because that is what all the 'insiders' have reported since this happened. Yea of course it could be the spin the team is putting on, but there's really no reason not to believe it, and if you're that cynical that everyone is lying about things when they really have no reason to lie then you probably have bigger problems than an NBA team. And yes I'm fine with limping into the playoffs, what's the difference between the 6 and 8 seed, you're losing first round anyway. The old Bucks would have been to get jacked about making the playoffs, get spanked. Then sign everyone involved to extensions. They're keeping flexibility in order to try for a legit title run in 4-5 years. Being the Bucks it'll probably all fall apart (started already with the Jabari ACL) but I see their strategy.

"anything to cut commercials down with I'm fine with too. I obviously don't watch commercials often on TV and I think it kills the in person experience. I'm not one to get up 10 times a game to get food/drink/bathroom and I'm not a fan of those who do, get the game going. They'll bring almost anything you want to the seat and if you need something get up once in the game and get while stopping at the bathroom, done. Making all games pay-per-view would do that. Personally, I'm fine with TV commercials paying the way so I can see the games for free." Yes I of course prefer them being free as well. However, it has gotten more and more every year so anything to curb the greed is fine by me. I understand they have to be involved but instead of 90 seconds, wouldn't it be nice to only be 60. or instead 120, they're 90 etc. This one of the reasons the NFL has almost become unwatchable to me unless it's the Packers playing, who I even still fall asleep. There was a huge uptick in commercials about 8 years ago (not only in how many but in how long they are) along with the huge financial boom that has been the nfl. For example, TD is scored, 3 minute commercial. Kickoff for touchback, 3 minute commercial. Yet this country is obsessed with the NFL while complaining about how slow MLB is. I also agree with the games should start at 7 instead of 7:10. Now that every team has their 30 minute pregame show there is no need for this anymore. It used to be there in order to give a short preview, not needed anymore.