Jim Goulart

Dana Eveland with three shutout innings Monday, the first two a bit adventuresome, and aided by some defense from Alcides Escobar. Javelinas lead 5-1 in the 4th, below is a summary of Eveland's three innings. Escobar is 1-for-2 thus far, and is now 4-for-10 on the young AFL season. Mesa Bottom 1st Brad Snyder hit by pitch. Kevin Frandsen singles on a line drive to right fielder Gary Harris. Brad Snyder to 2nd. Chris Denorfia strikes out swinging. Ryan Garko hit by pitch. Brad Snyder to 3rd. Kevin Frandsen to 2nd. Matt Murton grounds into double play, shortstop Alcides Escobar to second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Michael Johnson. Ryan Garko out at 2nd. Mesa Bottom 2nd Brandon Sing singles on a line drive to left fielder Nick Markakis. With Don Kelly batting, Brandon Sing caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Chris Iannetta to shortstop Alcides Escobar. Don Kelly lines out to second baseman Dan Uggla. Kevin Howard doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Jeff Salazar. Ryan Hanigan grounds out to first baseman Michael Johnson. Mesa Bottom 3rd Brad Snyder strikes out swinging. Kevin Frandsen grounds out, third baseman Ian Stewart to first baseman Michael Johnson. Chris Denorfia grounds out, pitcher Dana Eveland to first baseman Michael Johnson.

From David Weiser at: www.starsboxscore.com/ With the 2005 season in the books, the last lunch discussion with Bryan Neece, the Stars' Director of Media Relations, has been about the Stars' future........ It's as murky now as it ever has been with the city reluctant to pay much attention to the team's need for major renovation at Joe Davis Stadium to compete with the amenities newer ballparks have been offering, and with out-of-town ownership, rumors swirled all season that this would be the last year in Huntsville........ Despite the fact that (absentee owner) Miles Prentice has not signed a new lease agreement, the Stars, whose attendance increased 18% this year, will be back....... But it's the final year of their PDC with Milwaukee, and Reid Nichols, the former Red Sox outfielder in charge of player development, is not happy, I was told, with the condition of the Stars facilities, located on the third base side of the concourse........ I was told Nichols would not hesitate in advising Milwaukee to pull out if they weren't improved......... I asked Bryan what was wrong with their clubhouses in his (Nichols') opinion, one thing led to another, and I wound up getting this first look inside the locker areas for both teams. First, I got a look inside the visitors area, which is off the concourse under the stands on the first base side, where a lot of fans congregate after games waiting to get autographs........ I was immediately surprised how small it was. The shower area in the corner is about the size of a decently spacious walk-in closet, but the first thing you see as the light switch goes on, are the two rows of lockers against the near and far walls of a cramped room. I couldn't imagine how 22 players in such close quarters could feel comfortable. In the middle is either one long red bench to sit on or two shoved together, I can't remember which......... Looking in front of me past this area is a room that serves as the manager's office. It was small to the point of being claustrophobic. I could touch the ceiling and I'm just a shade over 5'8". The lighting reminded me of one of those prison movies where someone is taken in to be interrogated. The coaching office is similar in size and mood........ Not much else to see, and I came away with the opinion that the professional ballplayers that have come through here and have had to use these facilities --- Randy Johnson, Michael Jordan, Frank Thomas, Andruw Jones to name a few --- deserved a whole lot better. They are fairly clean, but soulless, badly lit, cramped and uninviting. On to the Stars' side. By comparison, the Stars' locker room was huge. As the door is opened, you turn right from a hallway divides the players area on the right from the bathroom and showers and the managers' and coaches' office to the left. The manager has his own shower and bathroom........ Apart from bad lighting again, I thought it was quite spacious. This is not to say that it was enough to make any major league organization happy, and Reid Nichols apparently is not, but I have nothing to compare it to. But to me, at this level, they were quite adequate. I could not find much fault....... The players locker area is broader and mostly carpeted. More room to move, but messier with issues of Baseball America laying around, promotional items waiting to be signed on the floor, cups, and other things. Uniforms were hung in the lockers with name plates for everyone, as opposed to the vertically-shaped whiteboards on the visitors' side....... A large white board hung on the wall reminded players about their clubhouse dues and to return loan closet items, and finally, to all of them to have a good winter......... There was barely enough room for exercise equipment, however, and the trainer's table was small and looked to be in the way of foot traffic. If anyone can remember the locker room in "Major League", think three times as small and you get the idea of the room the Stars have. Now can you imagine what the visitors side must be like? Continue to visit David's site at the link above every so often during the offseason, although we'll try to archive any of his updates here...

Dana Eveland is scheduled to start today as the Javelinas visit Mesa. No audio of this one, but the updating box score begins at 3:00 PM Central here: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...n_msswin_1 Looks like as of Saturday, the AFL site got their "Gameday" feature to work, if so check out their site as of 3:00 PM for that: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...p?sid=l119

RHP Chris Saenz is no longer listed on the official AFL roster. Is Saenz simply not ready yet after coming off Tommy John surgery? Or, is it looking more and more like the Brewers and Saenz won't reach agreement on a deal, making the just-turned 24-year-old a free agent on October 15th?

Javelinas lose their first game Saturday, 14-4, although they led 4-3 through six innings. RHP Brian Wolfe tossed the fourth and fifth innings, allowing four hits and two runs. Surprise Top 4th Pitcher Change: Brian Wolfe replaces Jack Cassel. Travis Hanson called out on strikes. Corey Smith walks. Mat Tupman singles on a ground ball to left fielder Val Majewski. Corey Smith to 3rd. Charlton Jimerson strikes out on foul tip. Michael Bourn flies out to left fielder Val Majewski. Surprise Top 5th Howie Kendrick singles on a ground ball to shortstop Alcides Escobar. With Billy Butler batting, wild pitch by Brian Wolfe, Howie Kendrick to 2nd. Billy Butler singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Adam Jones. Howie Kendrick scores. Kendry Morales singles on a ground ball to right fielder Nick Markakis. Billy Butler to 3rd. Coaching visit to mound. Brandon Wood grounds into double play, third baseman Tripper Johnson III to second baseman Brandon Fahey to first baseman Michael Johnson. Billy Butler scores. Kendry Morales out at 2nd. Travis Hanson grounds out to first baseman Michael Johnson. SS Alcides Escobar went 2-for-3 with two singles, stole a base, but also committed two errors, which cost one unearned run. He played six innings. No Prince Fielder, Corey Hart, or Dana Eveland yet. That should change on Tuesday. No game Sunday.

Pearson's a no-go. Scott Martens confirmed he had never signed with the Brewers -- an error by MILB.com.

After that first at-bat infield single, young Alcides Escobar went 0-for-4, striking out twice, stranding seven, ending three innings. Among his fielding chances, he was the middle man on a double-play ball. Mitch Stetter struck out heralded Brandon Moss swinging to end the 7th. He then gave up the cycle in the 8th inning, allowing three runs -- ouch. Here's your box score and game log for Saturday's game, box score will begin updating at 3:00 PM Central -- the next audio game for the Brewers' squad is Tuesday: minorleaguebaseball.com/a...n_perwin_1

Alcides Escobar the lone Brewer in the starting lineup (no Fielder or Hart yet), and he handles his first chance cleanly on the first batter to face his squad in the first http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Peo Saguaros Bottom 1st Robert Valido grounds out, shortstop Alcides Escobar to first baseman Michael Johnson.

Friday's AFL game involving the Javelinas is available via MILB audio at 3:00 PM Central: www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../index.jsp Follow the box score and game log here during or after the fact: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...n_peswin_1

I'm going to support Al here, to a degree -- From Adam McCalvy at MLB.com: Hardy is not the only Brewer expressing reservations about playing on. Eveland has pitched a career-high 140 2/3 innings and said if it were his choice, he would shut it down after Sunday. Fielder said his agent, Scott Boras, had called Melvin to inquire about a fall reprieve. I'm sorry, I don't expect Dana to slim down to Manute Bol's waist size, but the kid is big, probably always has been, and it's worked for him. But having watched nearly every game via MLB.com this season (OK, nine out of every ten), it appeared to me as though Dana got "bigger" between July and September. He just looked huge coming off the mound after these late September performances. You can't tell me his late-season and "AFL" stamina aren't affected by his build. He's 21 years old -- turn things around in the AFL and show the Brewers you're a fifth starter candidate for next spring.

Considering he won't be 19 years old until December, Alcides Escobar must be one of the very youngest players to ever appear in an AFL uniform.

Our squad had 2 big leaguers who just reported yesterday. DHonks, since I look forward to your Arizona Fall League insights and this is the official thread, please fill everybody in on what team you'll be working with, which organizations make up that squad, what your role is, how you balance that with your "real" job, etc. I think most folks need more background so they can understand where your AFL insider news is coming from, thnaks.

2000 7th round RHP Gerry Oakes has been brutally ineffective during all his minor league stops, but he keeps finding work. Traded to Minnesota as part of the Matt Kinney / Javier Valentin deal, Oakes found a home with Atlanta after a stint in independent ball. The Rangers are the latest organization to take a flyer on him, according to Baseball America. Nice agent... Javy Valentin is looking sweet for the Reds right now -- the Crew traded him (out of options) to Tampa Bay for Jason Conti -- ouch...

Day 2 is a rematch from Tuesday, scheduled for 3:00 PM Central: Follow along with box score and game log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...n_gcrwin_1 Scheduled to start against the boys today is RHP Steven White of the Yankees via Baylor, the Brewers' 18th round pick in 2002; a Scott Boras client, he was redrafted in 2003 in the 4th round by New York.

Two relievers, RHP Brian Wolfe and LHP Mitch Stetter saw action on Opening Day in the AFL -- Box Score: minorleaguebaseball.com/a...n_perwin_1 7th inning -- Pitcher Change: Brian Wolfe replaces Jack Cassel. Lastings Milledge strikes out on foul tip. Eric Duncan flies out to left fielder Val Majewski. Garrett Jones homers (2) on a fly ball to right field. Kevin Mahar doubles (1) on a ground ball to left fielder Val Majewski. Reggie Abercrombie strikes out swinging. 8th inning -- Pitcher Change: Mitch Stetter replaces Brian Wolfe. Drew Meyer singles on a line drive to left fielder Val Majewski. Mike Nickeas grounds into a force out, third baseman Ian Stewart to second baseman Dan Uggla. Drew Meyer out at 2nd. Mike Nickeas advances to 2nd, on throwing error by second baseman Dan Uggla. Chase Lambin strikes out swinging. Denard Span doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Val Majewski. Mike Nickeas scores. Lastings Milledge walks. Coaching visit to mound. Eric Duncan called out on strikes.

Tuesday the 4th is Opening Day in the AFL. Live audio at 3:00 PM Central Time: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...ultimedia/ Peoria Javelinas (the Brewers' entry) host Grand Canyon. Live audio will be available about once or twice a week. Don't get confused when viewing AFL news online -- there are two Peoria teams, the other being the Saguaros, with whom the Brewers have been affiliated in the past. So the Brewers have turned in their cactus logo for a wild boar. If you can't listen, you can get the live "Gameday" feature here, or check in later tonight at this link to view the results: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...p?sid=l119

Could you post the link to the JS blurb about Gamble. I can't seem to find it. Wow, boo to the Journal Sentinel on this one, as they included this in a "notes" article this weekend, Tom Haudricourt's, I believe, that I definitely read online. It included a notation about "beginning the process of signing their own", including Mike Rivera, Brian Wolfe, and Gamble. I posted early Monday AM, so it would have been in Sunday's overnight notes. I remember thinking to myself it was a "chock-full" notes column, and apparently the JS did some subsequent snipping. We'll work on confirming, but I definitely wasn't hallucinating...

25-year-old Huntsville RHP Jerome Gamble, oft-injured but potentially dominant, has re-signed with the Brewers, according to the Journal Sentinel. He just finished his first year in the sytem after his injury-plagued stint in the Red Sox chain. Career numbers: www.thebaseballcube.com/p...mble.shtml

I'm drinking that Doug Melvin Kool-Aid, Brian!

Wow -- rewarded for sticking with this one! Surely the only person in New England watching this game! Yeah Crew!

David links to the Top 20 Stars' games of all time through 2004 at the bottom of this linked page to his site: www.starsboxscore.com/

David Weiser's Top Ten Games of 2005(# 1) July 7, 2005 at Joe Davis Stadium Barons 19, Stars 15 When the Stars began to score seven runs in the 3rd inning to erase a 6-4 Birmingham lead, you knew this was not going to be your run-of-the-mill ballpark experience........ Despite a seven-run inning and an 11-6 lead after three long innings, the Stars, with Ryan Costello and a bullpen that could not calm Birmingham's hitters, could not match might for might. Only Brett Evert managed to retire Birmingham without being scored upon....... Eighty balls were put into play in this game, which lasted three hours and fifty-two minutes on this clear, 86° Thursday night, almost twice as many as you'd see in a normal 2½-hour game, and not since May 21, 1989, had an opponent scored 19 runs against the Stars....... Brandon Gemoll's hit in the bottom of the 9th --- the 41st of the game, a single ---established a record for most combined hits in a Stars game......... The contest fell one run shy of the most runs scored in a game. (The record belongs to the game I ranked 2nd among the greatest games in Stars history.)......... It was also the 2nd-highest scoring game in Southern League history........... The Barons chopped away at the 11-6 lead with a run in the 4th and two more in the 5th on Chris Stewart's two-run homer......... The Stars made it 13-9 after six on Vinny Rottino's RBI single off B.J. Lamura and Brad Nelson's sac fly, but the Barons nearly batted around in the 7th and sent 10 batters to the plate in the 8th to make it 19-14...... Casey Rogowski put on a show for the Barons, going 4-for-6 with 6 RBIs. His home run in the 1st with two out off Costello hit the top of the speaker in dead-center field, matching Jeff Francoeur's smash off Evert on June 6th, and in the 6th, he made maybe the greatest catch I saw all year --- a diving catch over the tarp in foul territory in right field, then falling, sandwiched between the tarp and the concrete barrier....... Chris Stewart had four hits, and even the number nine hitter for the Barons managed to come to the plate six times --- unheard of in a nine-inning game........ Stars' leadoff hitter Tony Gwynn, Jr. came up to the plate in each of the first four innings, seven times in all, a club record, walking twice..... Gemoll and Jeff Winchester each had four hits and Gemoll drove in five runs, equaling his feat of May 10, 2004. Box Score and Game Log from MILB.com: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1 Link Report for that date: p092.ezboard.com/fbrewers...3130.topic

In a move that should meet with approval amongst the minor league legions here, the Brewers have re-signed potential minor league free agent catcher Mike Rivera to a 2006 minor league contract. Plucked from independent league ball after this spring's Pat Borders trade, the just-turned-29-year-old Rivera slugged .575 on his way to an .860 OPS in 214 AB's with Nashville in 2005, hitting 16 HR's. Sure, he only walked nine times, but he also only struck out 37 times. In 2003, Rivera compiled an .875 OPS with AAA Charlotte (White Sox) in 245 AB's. He has 197 big league AB's (hitting .218) with Detroit and San Diego. Mike Rivera Career Numbers: OBP was .320 this year -- error on page... www.thebaseballcube.com/p...vera.shtml With the need for catchers in camp, there's little doubt his signing includes a spring training invite. Nice starting option for Nashville in 2006, and a decent third option for the Crew behind Damian Miller and (Chad Moeller or hopefully a newly-acquired catcher-to-groom replacement, like a Kelly Shoppach).

David Weiser's Top Ten Games of 2005(# 2) July 15, 2005 at Joe Davis Stadium Stars 5, Mudcats 4 On a cloudy, muggy Friday, the first day after the Major League All-Star break, the Stars (11-9) were tied for first with Carolina, their opponent this night, which is not the reason why Huntsvillians go to games, but over 5,600 did show up....... Fireworks, it seems, is a bigger thrill in this town then their own team......... Glenn Woolard, going for his fifth win, was coming off a fine game, which he won against the Braves at Trustmark Park. And he once again looked good, holding Carolina to four hits in six innings....... But the Stars could not make up for opponent Yorman Bazardo's two-run home run in the 2nd, managing only to tie it up, and keep the game tied until the 8th inning........ Without an RBI for a month, John Vanden Berg's two-out, two-run single with the bases loaded put the Stars on top, 4-2, and it was now up to Jerome Gamble, who had just saved two of the Stars three wins against Mississippi........ But after striking out Carolina's first hitter in the top of the 9th, Gamble gave up singles to Frank Moore and Drew Niles, setting the table for Jeremy Hermida. Hermida doubled to center, scoring one and Jason Hill's grounder tied the game........ In the bottom of the 9th, Kennard Bibbs got the party started with a one-out single to right on an 0-2 pitch from Ross Wolf....... Vinny Rottino followed with his third hit of the night...... Then on a 3-2 pitch, Brad Nelson beat out a single to short to load the bases....... That brought up Brandon Gemoll, 1-for-5 on the season with the bases loaded..... With the infield drawn in, Brandon hit a chopper on a 1-1 pitch to the right side -- what some might call a Baltimore chop, because it had a high hop. First baseman Chris Bass had positioned himself on the grass and had to leap to bring the ball down. Bibbs, who finished with 23 steals this year, 2nd among the club's stolen base leaders, was off like a bullet when the ball was hit and it became a race between him and the ball, quickly fired by Bass to catcher Jason Hill. In a very close play at the plate, Bibbs slid under the tag for the 5-4 victory........ The Stars were in 1st place for the last time in the 2005 season. Carolina won the next two games and the Stars would lose 10 of their next 12 games. Box Score and Game Log from MILB.com: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1 Link Report for that date: p092.ezboard.com/fbrewers...3155.topic

Nashville's press continues to follow their "graduates": Link while active, text follows: www.nashvillecitypaper.co...s_id=44712 Milwaukee enamored with its Prince By Nate Rau, nrau@nashvillecitypaper.com The buzz follows Prince Fielder everywhere he goes. The 21-year-old was the talk of the town this summer in Nashville, where he torched Triple-A pitching to the tune of 27 homers in just 102 games. Fielder finished his run in Music City on a preposterous tear in which he hit over .500 during a two-week stretch, leaving Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost to concede the young slugger had done all he could in the minors. What makes Fielder such a popular athlete is more than his stat line. It?s his pedigree, being the son of former home run king Cecil Fielder. It?s his million-dollar smile that he?ll flash from the dugout after launching a homer. And it?s the way the ball cracks differently when it leaves his bat ? the sound that lets you know his swing is special. Now he?s the talk of the town in Milwaukee, too. ?People are actually getting excited about the Brewers,? said Mike Goede, 25, a resident of Milwaukee and a Miller Park vendor during baseball season. ?They?re excited because of Fielder. When Fielder is taking batting practice, people watch, the stadium goes silent.? So far this season, Fielder has logged just 52 at-bats, but he?s made the most of them. His first homer was a game-winning, three-run shot against Minnesota. It sent the Miller Park crowd into a frenzy and fueled the hype machine that has been following Fielder since he was a No. 1 pick by Milwaukee three years ago. ?It?s a dream-come-true to be playing in the big leagues,? said Fielder, who grew up in big league club houses while his dad was playing for Toronto and Detroit. ?Hopefully I can do it for many years go come.? The Brewers think enough of what Fielder can do that they?re considering shipping out their reliable starter at first base, Lyle Overbay. Yost told MLB.com Sunday it was a ?big decision? facing the team this offseason regarding who to start in 2006. Overbay is arbitration-eligible and, figuring to get a pay raise, is a good bet to be traded. For his part, Fielder said he tries to ignore the hype and insists there?s no awkwardness between he and Overbay. ?Me and Lyle are cool,? Fielder said. ?Especially this month, he faced a couple [pitchers] I?ve faced in the minors, he asked me for tips. There?s nothing weird between us.? And while Fielder?s goal is obviously to be an everyday starter in the big leagues, he said he missed not being a part of the Sounds? Pacific Coast League championship run and won't have regrets if circumstances see him back in Nashville next year. ?I don?t want to say I?m done with Triple-A because it?s out of my control,? Fielder said. ?Wherever I am, I?m just gonna do my best. ?I missed being around my [sounds] teammates for their run a little bit, because I?ve never won a championship before. I wish I could have been there, but being up here was pretty cool too.?