Jim Goulart

VIDEO / ARTICLE 2/22: New era, new place: Shuckers broadcaster Chris Harris ready to say 'Kiss it goodbye' to offseason

AUDIO 2/22: USA Today's Bob Nightengale via WTMJ's Wisconsin Sports Weekend

Chris with Part Two as he familiarizes himself with the Brewers' system (Did let him know Erik Komatsu's now a free agent...)

Devin Williams Q&A via The Brewer Nation Blog

AUDIO 2/19: Adam Rygg (@BrewerNation) via Cheeseheadtalk.com *** Just a reminder to occasionally check out the Brewers home video page - Gennett & Lind the latest *** Keep in mind that the Journal-Sentinel coverage will include the occasional video, but non-subscribers will chew into their available views with each click

AUDIO 2/19: FSN Wisconsin's Craig Coshun via WTMJ

Learned a ton about Yovani Gallardo's upbringing in this excellent feature

As usual, an excellent interview / write-up from Brad at Miller Park Prospects, this one with RHP Jorge Lopez

Video report out of New Zealand on Beau Bishop's signing with the Brewers (includes interview footage, Ron Roenicke on the phone)

AUDIO 2/19: Will Smith via WTMJ's Sports Central

AUDIO 2/14: Mike Fiers made an appearance on the Valentine's Day podcast of the athletic dept. for his senior season college, Nova Southeastern (Fort Lauderdale). Nice chat about his long journey to pro ball, which is the focus of the interview...

Article link: Perseverance and patience has paid off for New Zealand Diamondblacks catcher Te Wera (Beau) Bishop after the former Boston Red Sox player signed a minor league contract with Major League club Milwaukee Brewers. Bishop was sensationally signed as a 17-year old in 2011 by the Boston Red Sox, but was released by the club two years later and had a short stint with The Adelaide Bite in Australia’s Baseball League. However, a change in his own self-belief and a successful try out in front of Milwaukee Brewers Manager Ron Roenicke on Roenicke’s recent trip to New Zealand has led to Porirua-based Bishop being re-signed this week. "It totally came out of the blue being able to work out for the Brewers manager when he was here", said Bishop, who added, "I’m unbelievably happy to be given another chance to make the big leagues". The 21-year old said that the Brewers want him to report to Minor League Spring Training in Florida in just two weeks, and that it’s all happened at a rapid pace. "I’ve got to get all the paperwork sorted, like visa, etc, and the Brewers also need to get a medical report from Boston to ensure there are no hidden or long term injuries they need to be aware of." His contract was sent this morning by email, according to Bishop. Apart from a stint with the Diamondblacks 21U team at November’s Baseball World Cup in Taiwan, Bishop said he hasn’t played much top level baseball in a while so to get picked by a club such as the Brewers is huge. However, he has kept up a belief after working with 21U MLB coaches Chris Woodward of the Seattle Mariners and Josh Bard of the Los Angeles Dodgers that he could get another opportunity. Baseball New Zealand CEO Ryan Flynn is delighted at Bishop’s call up, saying, "Te Wera was at a crossroads in his career after being released by the Red Sox in 2013, and it’s a full credit to him that he’s done the work and never gave up. His story is one of true perseverance and a message to a lot of people involved in the sport that you never give up on your dream." With more Kiwis being noticed by Asian and North American professional and collegiate teams, Flynn says his organisation must work diligently to provide young players with the necessary training and competition that can lead to these opportunities being afforded to our young men. Bishop joins Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher John Holdzkom as the Kiwi flagbearers in the professional game signed to major league organisations, whilst a host of young Kiwis are forging careers in independent and college baseball in the States, Europe, Australia and in Asia. Two former professional players from New Zealand, Howick Pakuranga’s Scott Campbell and Christchurch’s Travis Wilson, came close to cracking big league rosters with the Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves respectively, and Holdzkom’s brother Lincoln was a 40-man roster guy on two big league teams as well. Also, former Blue Jays hurler Scott Richmond, who played for Canada in the World Baseball Classic and Olympics, has a Kiwi father. Flynn adds that this also means it is imperative that the sport’s governing body must aim to get a franchise into the ABL as soon as possible to open the door further to young Kiwi sportsmen-a move that baseball officials believe is now closer than ever to fruition.

Earlier on Thursday, Jarret, who is at #19 on the Brewers mlb.com Pipeline rankings, tweeted: 3 weeks post surgery today! Things are progressing very smoothly. Working hard to getting back on the field with my new teammates! #Brewers Since we hadn't previously known about a surgery, Jarret was kind enough to briefly chat with my via direct message and gave me permission to copy his notes here: Thanks (for the good wishes) I had to have a clean up on my left shoulder. A debridement. I had small fraying on the labrum. Looking to be game ready by All-Star break. Things are going well in my recovery process right now. Back throwing in another 5 weeks or so. *** Not so great news, but note that Jarret is upbeat about how things are going. As we know, shoulder injuries are scary.

Here's the post from December 18th for some background first, in particular LH reliever Jarret Martin, now injured -- MLB Trade Rumors with some details/insights MiLB.com article Jarrett Martin MiLB.com videos Matt Long MiLB.com videos Jarret Martin recent quotes from True Blue LA (SB Nation blog) Each is on Twitter and has been added to @BrewerNation's compiled list of all Brewer farmhands on Twitter Martin #20 on the Brewers' MLB Pipeline list now I get a kick that Martin was acquired by the Dodgers in Dec. '11 from Orioles for former Crew LHP Dana Eveland. Jarrett Martin Rotoworld history Matt Long Rotoworld history True Blue LA - 2014 Dodgers review: Jarret Martin True Blue LA 12/06/13 - Jarret Martin is living the dream Two minor league options remaining (should he be re-added to a 40-man roster)... Adam McCalvy provides a good write-up here with various quotes of interest.

Something came out of Ron Roenicke's Goodwill Tour -- Brewers have signed (according to these tweets) 21-year-old catcher Beau Bishop (RH bat), a New Zealander who was in the Red Sox system in 2012 and briefly in 2013. His story is pretty amazing, as he was a "softballer" who had never played baseball when Boston inked him. The real story behind the Red Sox’ discovery of New Zealand softballer Beau Bishop Interview at that time: Why did the Red Sox sign a 17 year old Kiwi? Boston Globe on Bishop - 2011 Spring training story - 2012 Baseball Reference Brief note on his 2013 release

All from the 2/19 Bill Michaels Show: AUDIO: Dan Zangrilli, Pirates Pre/Post Game Host for 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh, on the Pirates AUDIO: Mo Egger of ESPN 1530/WLW Radio in Cincinnati, on the Reds AUDIO: Les Grobstein of 670 The Score in Chicago, on the Cubs AUDIO: Kevin Wheeler of ESPN Radio in St. Louis, on the Cardinals

AUDIO 2/17: Rob Neyer via the Bill Michaels Show *** AUDIO 2/18: MLB Network's Dan Plesac, also via the Bill Michaels Show

Baseball America with the latest, most previously divulged, a few new tidbits and quotes...

AUDIO 2/17: Bullpen catcher Marcus Hanel via the Bill Michaels Show Hanel joins Bill to break down the pitching staff. How hard was it to see the team collapse late in the season? Was Marcus surprised the team didn’t make more moves this offseason?...

As posted on our Minor League Forum -- AUDIO 2/17: Biloxi Manager Carlos Subero This is via Chris Harris' Shuck Dynasty blog, suggested reading for the background behind this audio

AUDIO 2/17: Biloxi Manager Carlos Subero This is via Chris Harris' Shuck Dynasty blog, suggested reading for the background behind this audio

AUDIO 2/17: Chris was interviewed on Biloxi radio today at their Mardi Gras day (go to the 2 hour, 7 minute mark).

AUDIO 2/17: Adam McCalvy on WSSP (105.7FM the Fan's) Chuck and Wickett Show

AUDIO 2/16: OF Khris Davis on 105.7 WSSP's Rupena Hot Stove Weekly Show, go the 3:40 minute mark; the link is for the entire show Davis admits he could have worked more with John Shelby on his outfield arm... *** AUDIO 2/16: Kevin Holden from CBS 58 on the Bill Michaels Show

Manatees' future ballpark situation as muddied as ever