BillScottCanRake

I don't think teams are shying away from him because he is a clubhouse cancer. I'd guess at this stage of his career that Bonds could be an angel for three months on a contending team. I think teams are shying away from him because of the media hordes that will follow him (and his new team). You aren't just adding a 480 OBP guy with decent power who hits left-handed to your team. You are also adding a guy who is widely thought to have used performance enhancing drugs and has been indited by the United States Government. Regardless of what you think about his guilt or innocence or how performance-enhancers have affected his career, the media circus that is Barry Bonds is something most teams look to avoid. If Barry were 35 and capable of hitting 50 home runs, I think teams would be more likely to look past the "extras" Bonds brings to a team. But he's not 35, or even 40, but will be 44 in 13 days. He could well be an asset to a team, but it's going to need to be a team that is used to spending lots of time with the media and a team with lots of strong veteran leadership. Otherwise, GMs aren't going to risk signing him. I don't think there is any sort of conspiracy myself. I think his troubles and age have caught up with him and he's no longer worth the trouble.

I'm from the otherside of the state from you (La Crosse), so I can't recommend any course, but I can comment on a few things. When I played golf somewhat regularly (five-plus years ago), I played 9 holes a couple of times a week after work, and then 18 holes on the weekend. It was simply a matter of time- I didn't have time for 18 on weeknights, but I did on the weekends. A lot of less serious golfers I knew loved playing 9 holes, however. I think 18 is just too many if you are going to shoot 120+, and there are a lot of people out there like that. With regard to Whistling Straits, last time I checked it was 350.00 plus tip for your caddy. Considering I haven't played regularly in a while, that's too much for me to spend. But I was there on Friday when the PGA Championship was there a few years back, and the course is A+ spectacular. If I ever start golfing weekly again, I'll play there someday.

I'd add Miracle to your list if you like hockey.

Nice work compiling the list. I'm sure it wasn't very much fun putting it together. I agree with Homer that it would be very interesting to see how many games the Brewers have "stolen" this year. Without researching it myself, I am guessing the number of blown games and stolen games is a lot closer in number than they were last year.

I kind of agree with pitchleague on this one. Perhaps its because of the last 20+ years of futility has conditioned me to expect the worse, but I can almost picture Yo turning into the next Fransisco Liriano because he's trying like mad to come back this September. I know the organization's mentality for the year was set by the Sabathia trade- "We are going for it"- but trading prospects for a rental is different than a young star pitcher coming back from an injury. I don't have any medical training or background, but something about this doesn't "feel" right. I know it is entirely probable that Yo is on schedule, and he isn't being rushed. And maybe throwing off flat ground means he is still 8 weeks from throwing off a mound. That said I really do fear he is rushing to get back because he wants to be part of this team. I think he needs to be 100% healthy before he sees any time in a game, and give the layoff, I'd prefer the first couple games be in Huntsville or Nashville, or in Arizona next February, not against the Cubs with the playoffs on the line. I am not at all concerned about his ACL at this point. If pitching were only about using your arms, I'd wheel him out there tomorrow. Because it's not just about his arm, I worry about a change in delivery to compensate for any pain, strength or flexibility issues he may be having. Again, this may be years of negative conditioning, but I don't think it's worth risking his 2009 or beyond for 20 or so innings in 2008. On a more positive note, as much as having a healthy Yo would help, I think the Brewers can win without him if Melvin can shore up the pen.

I really don't think there is an inappropriate time, so long as you don't wait until an obviously bad time (i.e. right after dinner arrives, as you are leaving the restaurant, etc). Since you are asking at a restaurant, you don't have total control over things like when the waiter/waitress comes, when the food comes, when other customers pass by, etc. If it were me, I think I'd order whatever you will be drinking with your meal and when the waiter/waitress delivers them, ask for a few minutes to decide what you want to order for dinner. That should give you an opportunity to say what you need to say with minimal chance of being interrupted, and that way you don't have to worry about someone eating. Good luck!

I'm with Joey on this one. I'd be more inclined to say "I asked you here tonight to let you know that I will be asking your daughter to marry me..." rather than "I'd like your permission to...", unless you are fully prepared to not ask her if they say no. I wonder if I made some sort of huge etiquette mistake by not including Jeanette's parents in our discussion? I asked, she said yes, then she told her parents what was happening. They seem to like me well enough, but I wonder if I missed something.

zzz, the Brewers presser is at 11am Milwaukee time.

Hey guys and gals, LTNS. I'll add more comments later, but my initial thought is this is a good trade for the team, much better than the Linebrink trade last year. This year the Brewers get a player who doesn't appear to be declining, but is in the prime of his career. So, even though the Brewers are giving up more talent this year than they did last year, they are getting way more in return than they did last year. As others have said, I think this is more about setting the roster for the playoffs than making the playoffs. Having two very good and one good pitcher at the top of the rotation is going to give this team a chance in October. Hopefully I haven't jinxed their playoff chances now.

Sold... thanks!

I have two tickets to the Wisconsin-Michigan game (Section A, Row 26, Seats 33-34) on Saturday but I won't be able to attend the game. If anyone is interested in the tickets, the face value of each is 46.00. Because of the late-date, I'd like to sell them today to ensure plenty of time to mail the tickets. Preferred method of payment is paypal, but if we have traded before I'll take a check. I probably won't be checking this message, so if you are interested, please e-mail me at cthawkinson@centurytel.net. Thank you, Chris

Instead of encouraging their kids to do their best and learn from the coaches their dads tend to blast the organization, manager, etc through Brewerfan. If the kids grew up with this type of attitude at home (It's not my kids fault it's someone elses) it's not really that surprising that they never make it even though many and most of them have the raw tools that are necessary. I mean what kind of a father blows off steam by posting negatives about an organization that their kid plays for on the fan message board. The answer is not a very smart one. I don't want to steer this too far off topic, but I think that it is a pretty big leap to go from "venting on a fan message board" to "(teaching) it's not (your) fault it's someone else's". I certainly hope that people aren't judging my parenting skills based upon my posts and articles here on BF.net.

I think he'll be traded. Could he remain with the Sounds? I think because the Brewers have never done so, he could be out-righted off the 40-man roster, sort of like what happened to Brad Nelson a few years ago and remain Brewers property. But I don't see that happening.

Let's try to let BHF get his BA and keep your opinions about the Brewers and his fandom out of this thread, ok? This isn't rocket science.

No way Sarfate comes up, he's been simply horrible, 5+ ERA, 2ish WHIP If by 5+ you mean 4.45, and if by 2ish you mean 1.73, then you are correct. If you are going to call someone horrible, I think you owe it to them to at least be accurate, especially when it requires so little effort. As for Dennis being called up September 1, it's not likely. He and Jackson were probably added to the inactive list because they both pitched last night and won't be ready to pitch again until after the first September. The initial call-ups will be made and they'll be re-activated. However, if Dennis is able to carry his August into September, I could see him coming up after the playoffs complete.

From the Nashville Sounds web site (Sounds add Zumwalt and Ray): To make room for the new players on the roster (Alec Zumwalt and Kenny Ray), Nashville pitchers Zach Jackson and Dennis Sarfate have been placed on the club's temporary inactive list. I am sure this is related to guys being called up September 1, but this news itself doesn't tell us who they will be. One possibility is that Jackson and Sarfate may be called up on September 1. Another possibility is that Jackson and Sarfate will be restored to the active roster after a couple of players on the current active roster are sent to Milwaukee on September 1.

From the Nashville Sounds web site. Sounds Add Zumwalt, Ray to pen The Nashville Sounds added a pair of relievers to their pitching staff prior to Thursday's homestand finale against Omaha: right-handers Alec Zumwalt (pictured)[/i] and Kenny Ray. Both players have spent their entire 2007 seasons in the Pacific Coast League. Zumwalt, 26, opened the year with Nashville after spending portions of the previous two seasons in Music City. In 13 relief outings, he went 0-2 with one save and a 4.82 ERA (10er/18.2ip) for Nashville before being traded to the Oakland Athletics organization on May 23. He joined Sacramento (AAA-A's) and posted an 0-3 record and 9.96 ERA (25er/32.1ip) in 20 games (one start) before being released on July 20. On the year, Zumwalt has posted an 0-5 record, one save, and 6.18 ERA (35er/51.0ip) in 33 PCL games (one start). Ray, 32, spent the majority of this season with Omaha (AAA-Royals), where he went 3-4 with two saves and a 4.15 ERA (28er/60.2ip) in 35 relief outings before being released by Kansas City on August 18. The right-hander spent the entire 2006 season in the Atlanta Braves bullpen. To make room for the new players on the roster, Nashville pitchers Zach Jackson and Dennis Sarfate have been placed on the club's temporary inactive list.

Posted by Ransom? Ransom is one of (or the?) developer of our board. It would seem likely he's testing something.

Don't the Brewers lose a ton of games in Florida in the summer? If the Brewers were really concerned about the weather (and maybe they aren't so concerned, but they wanted a PC way to not re-up with Beloit?), I'd think they are more bothered by the conditions in which the games that are played more so than having games canceled. Games that are rained-out can be made up, so lost development time isn't a huge deal. If a player pulls a muscle playing on a 40 degree night and misses two weeks, that's a bigger deal. I think I still have frostbite from that Fanfest game that was played in Beloit a few years ago in the drizzle and 40 degree temps. If the weather isn't a big deal to the Brewers, and they are coming back, from a fan's point of view, that's awesome. I have missed not seeing guys like Braun and Jefferess play in person and I'd welcome getting the chance again.

I'd assume the roster move occurs this afternoon? Vargas was supposed to start tomorrow. Because they need to make a move to either replace Vargas directly (i.e. with Sheets) or replace whomever replaces Claudio in the rotation (i.e. Parra), they may wait to see if anything that happens tonight alters their plans. A short start by Suppan and Parra pitching tonight might mean they go a different route and if Suppan goes 7 and Manny can do tomorrow.

This is from the locked thread. If I were to speculate a bit, I'd say: - If Sheets is ready, he'll be activated and pitch on Wednesday in Vargas' spot with Gallardo going on Thursday. - If Sheets isn't ready to go, the Brewers will recall Villanueva and Parra will start on Wednesday in Vargas' spot with Gallardo going on Thursday. Parra hasn't pitched since his three inning stint in relief of Gallardo on the 25th, so he should be good to make a spot start. I guess it is also possible that Parra could start Wednesday and Sheets could go Thursday, allowing them to skip Gallardo. Of course, if they do that and Parra or Sheets have short starts, the pen will be a bit short-handed.

If I were to speculate a bit, I'd say: - If Sheets is ready, he'll be activated and pitch on Wednesday in Vargas' spot with Gallardo going on Thursday. - If Sheets isn't ready to go, the Brewers will recall Villanueva and Parra will start on Wednesday in Vargas' spot with Gallardo going on Thursday. Parra hasn't pitched since his three inning stint in relief of Gallardo on the 25th, so he should be good to make a spot start. I guess it is also possible that Parra could start Wednesday and Sheets could go Thursday, allowing them to skip Gallardo. Of course, if they do that and Parra or Sheets have short starts, the pen will be a bit short-handed.

Great story, Splitter! It sounded like he was trying to send a message to a stubborn pitcher, and that pretty much confirms it.

He reminds me of Nelson Cruz; an older guy who strikes out a lot and hits a lot of home runs and doesn't walk a whole lot. Of course, how they got to those points in their career is different. Cruz was a bit of a late bloomer in the minors, while Nix has had some injuries issues to overcome. Nix also had a fair number of appearances in the majors (250 games and 850 ABs), while Cruz didn't see regular time until he was moved to the Rangers. As others have pointed out, if he were right-handed he'd be a candidate to platoon with Gross next year. Because he's left-handed, he's in direct competition with Gross, and given the Brewers in ability to get on base it would seem Gross has an edge over Nix.