Jim Goulart

Retro rainout: http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060311/capt.azmg1o203112055.angels_brewers_baseball_azmg1o2.jpg Workers cover the infield with a tarp at Maryvale Baseball Park, Saturday, March 11, 2006, in Phoenix, Ariz. A spring training game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Angels was cancelled due to the rain. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060311/capt.azmg1o103112052.angels_brewers_baseball_azmg1o1.jpg Groundskeeper Mike Esquivel walks across the rain-covered infield tarp at Maryvale Baseball Park, Saturday, March 11, 2006, in Phoenix, Ariz. A spring training game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Angels was cancelled due to the rain. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Thanks for the update, dj. Brewer Press Release: MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Brad Nelson was assigned to Triple A Nashville while non-roster invitees catchers Carlos Corporan and Lou Palmisano and lefthanded pitcher Mitch Stetter were returned to Minor League camp, it was announced today by Brewers Executive Vice President and General Manager, Doug Melvin. Nelson, 23, split the 2005 season between Triple A Nashville and Double A Huntsville and hit a combined .270 with 13 home runs and 77 RBI. In six games this spring, Nelson hit .300 (3-for-10). Corporan, 22, played at Class A West Virginia in 2005 and hit .239 with nine home runs and 38 RBI. Corporan saw action in three games this spring and was hitless in four at bats. Palmisano, 23, spent the entire 2005 season at Class A Brevard County where he hit .255 with five home runs and 49 RBI. In Cactus League play this season, Palmisano hit .500 (3-for-6) with one home run and four RBI. Stetter, 25, split the 2005 season between Double A Huntsville and Triple A Nashville where he made a combined 59 relief appearances to lead all pitchers in the Brewers Minor League system. Overall, Stetter was 3-4 with a 3.16 ERA and eight saves. Stetter pitched 2.2 scoreless innings this Spring. The Brewers currently have 47 players in camp, including nine non-roster invitees. The roster consists of 25 pitchers, five catchers, nine infielders and eight outfielders.

* bump * Games start Thursday -- this from Mark McCarter, Huntsville Times: More than 150 players will be going to work this weekend in the Milwaukee Brewers' minor league complex in the Phoenix suburb of Maryvale, from which the Stars will draw their 2006 roster. Today (Friday) is the official reporting date for the beginning of spring training. Players will undergo physicals Saturday and Sunday, and team officials hope to be holding workouts on Sunday as well. A number of question marks must be answered in camp. Who will be at first base? What about catcher, with two of the '05 catchers now in other organizations? What about the outfield, especially if Tony Gwynn Jr. takes advantage of an injury to David Krynzel and seals a Triple-A job? Along with physicals and workouts, there will be some lecture time for the players, especially in terms of steroids, other banned growth-enhancers and amphetamines. "We've been proactive with all that,'' said assistant farm director Scott Martens. "We had our doctors and EAP (employee assistance program) people going over all that last year. And we'll do it again this year.''

* bump * Games start Thursday -- this from Mark McCarter, Huntsville Times: More than 150 players will be going to work this weekend in the Milwaukee Brewers' minor league complex in the Phoenix suburb of Maryvale, from which the Stars will draw their 2006 roster. Today (Friday) is the official reporting date for the beginning of spring training. Players will undergo physicals Saturday and Sunday, and team officials hope to be holding workouts on Sunday as well. A number of question marks must be answered in camp. Who will be at first base? What about catcher, with two of the '05 catchers now in other organizations? What about the outfield, especially if Tony Gwynn Jr. takes advantage of an injury to David Krynzel and seals a Triple-A job? Along with physicals and workouts, there will be some lecture time for the players, especially in terms of steroids, other banned growth-enhancers and amphetamines. "We've been proactive with all that,'' said assistant farm director Scott Martens. "We had our doctors and EAP (employee assistance program) people going over all that last year. And we'll do it again this year.''

Link while active, text follows: www.tennessean.com/apps/p...328/SPORTS Delay on Sounds stadium disappoints Brewers club By MAURICE PATTON Tennessean Staff Writer PHOENIX ? Recent news that the Nashville Sounds' downtown stadium won't be ready before the start of the 2008 season was met with disappointment ? but not surprise ? by officials with their parent club. The Milwaukee Brewers entered a two-year working agreement with the Class AAA Sounds following the 2004 season, with the idea that a new facility would be nearly in place by the end of the pact. However, such a quick timeline would curtail the amount of minority-owned business involvement and public input into the design of the stadium, Sounds General Manager Glenn Yaeger said last week in announcing the 2008 opening date. "We'd been told April 2007 was going to be the date, and now there's some disappointment on our end," said Scott Martens, Brewers business manager for player development and minor league operations. "We were looking forward to getting into that park in April 2007; that's what everybody was shooting for." Considering, though, that the '06 season starts in less than a month and little if any physical work has been done on the site on the west bank of the Cumberland River, having a playable facility for Opening Day '07 would have been a stretch, at best. "You're talking about (constructing) a $43 million stadium in less than 15 months; it just didn't sound feasible," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said. Kremblas didn't figure the delay would affect the future working relationship between the Sounds and Brewers, though Martens wasn't so sure. "I'm sure that's something that will be discussed over the next few months," Martens said. "We'll see if it is still on course for 2008 or if other obstacles end up popping up. They seem like they have been for the last six months. "The reason we originally signed on was to get into this new ballpark. We're going to see where things go, see if things stay on track for April 2008. There's a lot of stuff that could happen between now and then." Yaeger expressed optimism that the relationship with the Sounds and Brewers would more than likely extend beyond the end of the 2006 campaign ? but did acknowledge that both sides could have options to explore. "I still think the Sounds and Nashville are far more attractive to the Brewers now than they were in 2005," Yaeger said. "We're much closer to a new park now in Nashville than we were when we signed the agreement with them in '05."

Nice catch from David Weiser at his: www.starsboxscore.com/ Ryan Knox has signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, or just Rays if you prefer. The club's front office already decided that's how they'll be called next year. No word yet on the other farmhand who left the Brewers last season after the full seven-year obligation, infielder Steve Scarborough.

The pride of West Springfield, Massachusetts, LHP Chris Capuano, faces new Angels starter Jeff Weaver in a game that will be available with Bob and Jim on WTMJ with Wisconsin's NCAA basketball loss Friday night. At noon Central, Jim Powell will host a Talkin' Brewers according to the WTMJ site, for which we'll post a separate thread.

Arizona / Milwaukee Detailed Box Score: milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com...p;c_id=mil Japan / Milwaukee notes: milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com...p;c_id=mil http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060310/capt.3506fe5a75a448238343cfd63420b4c7.diamondbacks_brewers_spring_training_baseball_azrd104.jpg Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Gabe Gross stretches out to catch a fly ball off the bat of Arizona Diamondbacks Chad Tracy, during the third inning of their Cactus League game, Friday, March 10, 2006, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Roy Dabner) http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20060311/i/r2286674768.jpg Japan starting pitcher Shunsuke Watanabe (31) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix, Arizona March 10, 2006. REUTERS / Ross D. Franklin

Remember the Jason Shelley hype after the 2003 season -- thought we had plucked an independent league gem afte his initial Huntsville stint -- Jason's still around: www.railcatsbaseball.com/...asp?ID=616

Middle infielder Travis Hake had a nice little rookie ball season for the Brewers in Ogden in 2000 after being drafted in the 27th round that year. Hake had only 15 AB's with Beloit in 2001, and I'm unsure of the circumstances of his departure at that time. But he was out of baseball after that, for a full four years, until returning to independent ball in 2005. There's a story in there somewhere. lancasterbarnstormers.com...newsID=143 The Lancaster Barnstormers have re-signed three players from their inaugural season team for 2006, including 2B Travis Hake, it was announced by Vice President of Baseball Operations Keith Lupton on Friday. Hake was voted Barnstormers Co-Player of the Year in 2005, his first season in professional baseball since being released by the Milwaukee Brewers organization in 2001. A native of York, PA who currently resides in Brogue, Hake played in more games then any other Barnstormer (131 of 140). He also led the team with 91 runs and 32 doubles. His .295 average was third best on the team and his 155 hits were second most on the team and third most in the Atlantic League. Hake also had 42 stolen bases, second best on the team and good for fifth in the league. The 29-year-old was originally drafted by the Brewers in the 27th round of the 2000 draft and played part of two season in rookie ball and Single-A. He began last season as the Barnstormers starting shortstop, before moving to second base after the acquisition of Danny Gonzalez. "Travis was a key player for us last season, and clearly a fan favorite in Lancaster," said Lupton. "We are excited to bring him back."

Adam McCalvy, MLB.com on Mark Rogers: milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com...p;c_id=mil

Catcher Chris Coste red-hot (again), trying to impress the Phillies -- this guy's got to make it for at least a day: www.timesleader.com/mld/t...049943.htm

40-year-old RHP Steve Sparks: www.chron.com/disp/story....08336.html RHP Chad Paronto: www.caledonianrecord.com/.../a745d173a

More accurate box score: mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/ne...b_milmlb_1

Drew Olson of the JS on Ben Hendrickson: www.jsonline.com/story/in...?id=406332

From MLB.com: The Brewers and Mariners square off for the second straight day Tuesday, when Seattle travels to Maryvale Baseball Park. Tomo Ohka, Ben Hendrickson, Justin Thompson, Carlos Villaneuva, Chris Demaria and Derrick Turnbow are all scheduled to pitch. The Mariners will start 19-year-old phenom Felix Hernandez in a game available via interactive webcast at MilwaukeeBrewers.com. Fans can email broadcasters Daron Sutton and Bill Schroeder.

Box Score: www.jsonline.com/story/in...?id=406344

Brewer Press Release: MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Brewers righthanded pitcher Jerome Gamble has been reassigned to Minor League camp and righthanded pitcher Mike Jones has been optioned to Class A Brevard County, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin. Neither Gamble nor Jones has seen action in the Brewers first five Cactus League games. Gamble was signed by the Brewers to a Minor League contract on January 11, 2005 and Jones was the Brewers first round (12th overall) draft pick in 2001. Gamble pitched the entire 2005 season at Double A Huntsville and went 4-1 with a 6.33 ERA and five saves in 31 relief appearances. Jones did not pitch in 2005 as he was recovering from a right shoulder injury.

Plenty of minor league mentions in Adam McCalvy's latest at MLB.com, focusing on LHP Justin Thompson: milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com...p;c_id=mil

Box score: www.jsonline.com/story/in...?id=406180 http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060306/capt.azcr10203060023.brewers_rangers_baseball_azcr102.jpg Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Nelson Cruz, right, is congratulated by third base coach Dale Sveum after Cruz hit a two run home run during the seventh inning of a spring training baseball game against the Texas Rangers Sunday, March 5, 2006, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060306/capt.otkcr10303060655.brewers_spring_training_baseball_otkcr103.jpg Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jose Capellan throws during a spring training baseball game against the Texas Rangers Sunday, March 5, 2006, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060306/capt.otkcr10503060656.brewers_spring_training_baseball_otkcr105.jpg Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jason Kershner throws during a spring training baseball game against the Texas Rangers Sunday, March 5, 2006, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Daron and Bill back online with their webcast Monday -- MLB.com's Adam McCalvy: Chris Capuano, Dana Eveland, Jared Fernandez, Mitch Stetter and Justin Lehr are all scheduled to pitch when the Brewers travel to Peoria, Ariz., on Monday for an afternoon tilt against Richie Sexson's Seattle Mariners. For Eveland, it's a chance to atone for a dismal Cactus League debut last week in which he surrendered five earned runs on four hits without recording an out.

Do we know if the Brewers paid them a king's ransom for his contract? No, nothing like that at all. Many organizations "split" assignments among teams in the VSL in order to fill up the full squads; I'm sure the Brewers simply asked the Orioles if these two pitchers, signed by the Brewers, could play in their native Venezuela last season on the Orioles squad. This arrangement was made prior to last season, not after.

Two young Brewer Venezuelan farmhands, LHP's Jose Romero (19 years old) and Luis Ramirez (17) pitched for the Venezuelan Summer League last season as part of the VSL Orioles squad (the Brewers no longer have an official team presence in the VSL). Romero, in particular, was stellar, as his Player Index page shows: www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=814 That line includes a complete game shutout. Look for him in Arizona (maybe even Helena) this summer. Not often we see debut lines like that, even from the old DSL and VSL days.

WTMJ with Bob and Jim, as well as the MLB.com audio and later, archive From Adam McCalvy: Left-hander Doug Davis loves to stick it to his former employer, and he will get another chance against the Texas Rangers when the Brewers travel to Surprise, Ariz., on Sunday afternoon. Davis is scheduled to throw two innings or 35 pitches, followed by Kane Davis, Jose Capellan, Dan Kolb, Jason Kershner and Matt Wise. Yost said he planned to give Geoff Jenkins and Rickie Weeks a day off.

I had to smile listening to today's game open from Uecker. "Hardware Hank", no doubt!