Jim Goulart

Wednesday's action: Dominican Box -- Jonathan Villar, again playing SS, continues to get on base (and off base). Villar was 1-for-3 with a walk and RBI. Also, Aguilas Bottom of the 7th Pitching Change: Rhiner Cruz replaces Louis Head. Edwin Espinal singles on a ground ball to center fielder Leury Garcia. Alfredo Marte singles on a line drive to center fielder Leury Garcia. Edwin Espinal to 2nd. Christian Bethancourt singles on a line drive to right fielder Moises Sierra. Edwin Espinal to 3rd. Alfredo Marte to 2nd. Pitching Change: Joely Rodriguez replaces Rhiner Cruz. Danny Santana singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Moises Sierra. Edwin Espinal scores. Alfredo Marte to 3rd. Christian Bethancourt to 2nd. Pitching Change: Carlos Frias replaces Joely Rodriguez. Juan Perez doubles (1) on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Rob Refsnyder, deflected by second baseman Hanser Alberto. Alfredo Marte scores. Christian Bethancourt scores. Danny Santana to 3rd. Pitching Change: Rafael Perez replaces Carlos Frias. Jonathan Villar singles on a ground ball to right fielder Moises Sierra. Danny Santana scores. Juan Perez to 3rd. Pitching Change: Roman Mendez replaces Rafael Perez. Junior Lake strikes out swinging. Zoilo Almonte singles on a line drive to left fielder Rob Refsnyder. Juan Perez scores. Jonathan Villar advances to 3rd, on a fielding error by left fielder Rob Refsnyder. Ronny Rodriguez strikes out swinging and Jonathan Villar caught stealing home, catcher Adrian Nieto to third baseman Anderson Feliz. Gigantes Top of the 8th Aguilas Cibaenas Manager Lino Rivera ejected by 3B umpire Verman Mejia. Aguilas Cibaenas Third Base Coach Guadalupe Jabalera ejected by 3B umpire Verman Mejia. It goes down in the box score as picked off third base. Could it have been a suicide squeeze? Unlikely with two strikes. Apparently Villar's coaches had a beef with the umps somehow. His club would win, 6-3. UPDATES: We don't see the entirety of the pickoff, just the tail end, but we do see the argument aftermath in this video. Villar with the finger pointing was lucky he wasn't also ejected. BONUS TWEET: This translates as "Jonathan Villar has nothing in the brain..." *** Venezuela Box -- Jesus Aguilar again rakes, and again his club defeats Hernan Perez' team. Perez was 0-for-3 (walk, stolen base). Aguilar was 3-for-4, a triple shy of a cycle, and drove in four runs. Stud. VIDEOS! Aguilar's HR (Oh, my goodness) Aguilar's single *** TWEET: This (translated) tells us that RHP Jorge Lopez will be transitioning from the Dominican starting rotation to his native Puerto Rico when that league begins its truncated winter season (due to the ravages of Hurricane Maria). Lopez already has thrown 72.2 Dominican winter innings after tossing 103.2 swingman innings with Biloxi last season.

Left, center, and right - catcher Adam Weisenburger had a good series in Australia:

AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM Tue. 1/2: "Hot Stove Weekly as Tim Allen and Bill "Baby Tausch" Schmid talk with Brewers starter Chase Anderson and also discuss the second base position for the Brewers in 2018." The Anderson interview can be heard as a stand-alone here.

Tuesday's action: Venezuela Box -- There was a reason that team Lara made Junior Guerra the #1 overall pick from the non-playoff teams in last week's draft. Guerra didn't get the win in the 4-3 game, but he posted a fantastic seven-inning line, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 2 WP, 83 pitches, 54 strikes. *** Venezuela Box -- Jesus Aguilar's team defeated Hernan Perez' squad, 11-8. Perez walked and scored a run in four plate appearances, but Aguilar trumped that with two singles, a walk, two RBI, and two runs scored. *** Dominican Box -- Jonathan Villar, playing shortstop, was 0-for-2, but walked twice in his team's 4-2 loss.

VIDEO via Sande Charles: Jake Gatewood on his batting stance

Initial post updated to indicate Ivan De Jesus, Jr. signed with the Red Sox

AUDIO via the Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast Mon. 1/1: "It's a new year and we're discussing new Brewer Jhoulys Chacin. Ryan, J.P. and Steve also discuss Lewis Brinson versus Domingo Santana, and how everyone got into writing and talking about baseball." *** VIDEO via MLB Network Tue. 1/2: Jimmy Nelson on "Hot Stove"

Sunday in Australia: Box Score -- Just your run of the mill 32-10 victory for Perth Hall and Williams combined to go 6-for-8 with three doubles, two walks, and nine RBI. Enjoy! *** Winter leagues idle now through New Year's.

Saturday in the Dominican Republic: Box Score -- Jonathan Villar, playing SS, 1-for-3, BB Jonathan being Jonathan... Aguilas Bottom of the 1st Danny Santana bunt pops out to pitcher Adalberto Flores. Jonathan Villar singles on a sharp ground ball to shortstop Erik Gonzalez. With Junior Lake batting, Jonathan Villar steals (1) 2nd base. Junior Lake walks. With Zoilo Almonte batting, Jonathan Villar picked off and caught stealing 3rd base, pitcher Adalberto Flores to shortstop Erik Gonzalez to third baseman Danny Richar to shortstop Erik Gonzalez, Junior Lake to 2nd. Zoilo Almonte walks. Ronny Rodriguez called out on strikes.

2011 3rd round RHP Drew Gagnon (traded with Martin Maldonando for Jett Bandy) signs a minor league free agent deal with the Mets.

As it turns out, the Perth catcher for Game Two injured his arm early on, and Alex Hall had to enter yet again, he went 0-for-4 (RBI fielder's choice). Perth won 10-9, and if you caught me on Twitter this AM, I was pretty excited about seeing this wild ending live, and even if it didn't involve either of the Brewers kids directly, at least they got to join in the celebration.

Just over four years ago, this thread started with this post. Rose Marie's death this week reminded me. At the bottom of this update, listing those still with us, of course others are as well, who were referenced in subsequent posts. Katherine McGregor, Betty White, Norman Lear, Larry Storch, Dick Van Dyke, Bob Barker, June Lockhart, Robert Clary, Charlotte Rae, Bill Daily, Peter Marshall, Katherine Helmond, Orson Bean and Marion Ross are still with us, all 89 years old and above. Of course, those are just the updates from the original post. Thanks to all who have contributed otherwise. The Dead or Alive site isn't perfect. I've emailed multiple times to let them know G.D. Spradlin (Police Academy) and the legendary Maureen O'Hara have passed (still listed as alive).

Friday in Australia (Saturday for the locals): Box Score -- In a 5-2 win, first game of a doubleheader, catcher Alex Hall homered, his 2nd in 18 games, in a 1-for-2 effort, BB, two runs, one passed ball. Jess Williams, again as the DH, was 0-for-2, one K. Game Two is underway as of this post, neither 18-year-old is in the starting lineup for Perth.

Friday in the Dominican -- NOTE: With the round-robin underway, the box score batting averages and ERA's only reflect postseason play, and when you click on a player's name, the postseason numbers won't be included. That being said, we'll no longer directly link to the player pages in these posts, just focusing on the game-to-game performances. RHP Jorge Lopez' line -- 4 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 2 K, 65 pitches (39 strikes), 8:0 GB:FB, Lopez' team won, 9-3 Teammate Jonathan Villar -- Playing SS and batting second, 2-for-3, double, two BB's, three RBI, one caught stealing, one throwing error Lopez' night -- Escogido Top of the 1st Ryan Court singles on a ground ball to second baseman Ronny Rodriguez. Manuel Margot singles on a line drive to center fielder Danny Santana. Ryan Court to 2nd. Franchy Cordero lines out to shortstop Jonathan Villar. Ronny Paulino reaches on a force attempt, throwing error by shortstop Jonathan Villar. Ryan Court scores. Manuel Margot to 2nd. With Danny Richar batting, Manuel Margot steals (1) 3rd base. Ronny Paulino steals (1) 2nd base. Danny Richar called out on strikes. Willy Garcia hit by pitch. Rafael Ynoa singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Junior Lake. Manuel Margot scores. Ronny Paulino to 3rd. Willy Garcia to 2nd. Audry Perez grounds out softly, pitcher Jorge Lopez to first baseman Edwin Espinal. Escogido Top of the 2nd Erik Gonzalez grounds out to first baseman Edwin Espinal. Ryan Court walks. Manuel Margot grounds into a force out, shortstop Jonathan Villar to second baseman Ronny Rodriguez. Ryan Court out at 2nd. Manuel Margot to 1st. Franchy Cordero doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Juan Perez. Manuel Margot scores. Franchy Cordero to 3rd on the throw. Ronny Paulino grounds out, shortstop Jonathan Villar to first baseman Edwin Espinal. Escogido Top of the 3rd Danny Richar singles on a line drive to right fielder Juan Perez. Willy Garcia grounds into a double play, pitcher Jorge Lopez to second baseman Ronny Rodriguez to first baseman Edwin Espinal. Danny Richar out at 2nd. Rafael Ynoa grounds out, second baseman Ronny Rodriguez to first baseman Edwin Espinal. Escogido Top of the 4th Audry Perez singles on a line drive to right fielder Juan Perez. Erik Gonzalez grounds into a double play, third baseman Johan Camargo to second baseman Ronny Rodriguez to first baseman Edwin Espinal. Audry Perez out at 2nd. Ryan Court strikes out swinging.

AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM Tue. 12/26: "Hot Stove Weekly with Tim Allen and Bill "Baby Tausch" Schmid joined this week in studio by Adam Rygg of FanRagSports and @BrewerNation on Twitter talking pitching, the rotation as it stands now and what is coming up for Brewers fans!"

Thursday in Australia (Friday for the locals): Box Score -- Single for Alex Hall, single and walk for DH Jess Williams. Perth added a more veteran shortstop this week to provide Williams a defensive break, where he has struggled. They love the 18-year-old's bat, though. Hall has been a workhorse, catching every game since the Brewers signed him, I believe. Remember, it's normally a Thursday - Sunday workweek Down Under. Both Hall and Williams contributed in the 9th, but the Heat rally fell a run short. Doubleheader Friday night (their Saturday). Perth Bottom of the 9th Pitching Change: Michael Click replaces Tayler Saucedo. Robbie Glendinning walks. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jake Turnbull replaces Ulrich Bojarski. Jake Turnbull strikes out swinging. Alex Hall singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jake Amos. Robbie Glendinning to 3rd. Jesse Williams singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jake Amos. Robbie Glendinning scores. Alex Hall to 2nd. Jake Fraley strikes out swinging. Tim Kennelly strikes out swinging. *** Thursday in Venezuela: Box Score -- 1B Jesus Aguilar 1-for-4, as was 3B Hernan Perez, who doubled and had an RBI. Perez also stole a base and committed a throwing error in his club's 4-1 win.

Wednesday's action in Venezuela: Box Score -- Over 20,000 in attendance as two of the country's biggest rival teams did battle. 1B Jesus Aguilar (OPS now 1.014 through 23 games) cracked a bottom of the 9th inning home run that tied the game, a contest his team would walk off win in the 12th. All I know is that here in my Massachusetts town, the expected high today of 14 degrees will be the lowest "high" for this date on record. So the video of the Aguilar moonshot (not the first we've linked to this winter) is a welcome sight. *** Venezuela Box -- Speaking of home runs, Hernan Perez cracked his first of the season (5th game). Perez also walked, scored three runs, and stole a base.

Wednesday's action in the Dominican Republic: Box Score -- Jonathan Villar with a line drive single in his lone at-bat. Former Brewers 40-man roster OF Rymer Liriano didn't like a somewhat hard extra tag that Villar applied. Liriano throws his helmet at Villar, who had his back turned, hitting Villar in the leg. Both players were ejected, benches cleared, Villar's ejection could certainly be questioned. This was the first game of the prolonged "round robin" postseason portion of the Dominican winter ball season. Six umpires, yeah they take things seriously in the D.R. By the way, on this extended rundown, notice the awesome play by the catcher who saves Villar from a pretty bad pickle overthrow.

AUDIO via "The Road to the Show Podcast" 10/12: "Tim Dillard aka the funniest man in baseball stops by to share how he got started making funny videos while in professional baseball. Tim has just completed his 15th season. Playing in the MLB has always been his ultimate goal and he has achieved that dream. He is now working hard to get back there. Baseball is such a tough sport and when you listen to this episode you get reminded that you need to have fun, it is a kids game after all." *** AUDIO via "The Road to the Show Podcast" 11/28: "The most well-rounded person in the MLB, Brent Suter is a unique person. A 31st round pick out of Harvard who throws a ball against a mattress in the off-season to get his arm in shape, Brent doesn't make excuses. Brent was an environmental science major in college and uses his platform to spread the word about the importance of taking care of the planet we live on. It took him longer than it should have to make it to the MLB because he doesn't have over powering stuff. He didn't complain just kept putting up numbers at every stop in the minors. Now he's a big leaguer and someone who has a chance to be pitching in the big leagues for several years to come." Listen for one moment Brent describes after a particularly ugly outing for Helena, makes you realize how fleeting chances are and can be.

SS Yeison Coca scouting report and video

Venezuela Box -- Jesus Aguilar singled in all four plate appearances, he's now at .315/.447/.534 (.981 OPS) through 22 games. *** Venezuela Box -- Hernan Perez, playing third base, 0-for-3, walk, sacrifice fly

AUDIO via Brewers.com Thurs. 12/22: "Yovani Gallardo has returned to Milwaukee, a place where he pitched for eight years at the start of his career. MLB.com's Matt Waymire and Brewers reporter Adam McCalvy break down why the team brought Gallardo back and talk about where Jhoulys Chacin fits into the rotation."

AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Tue. 12/19: WSSP's Tim Allen *** AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM Tue. 12/19: Hot Stove Weekly Show, includes a chat with Jerry Augustine, which you can hear as a stand-alone here.

VIDEOS via the Brewers' site: Worthwhile recent collection, but always with the annoying pre-video advertisement *** AUDIO via MLB Network Tue. 12/19: David Stearns on MLB Now

Couple of Venezuelan tweets -- Via translations (always an adventure), Manny Pina was denied a Venezuelan Winter League stint by the Brewers, and is also traveling to Milwaukee to have a sore hand examined.