Patrick425

This is not the first time that they scheduled fan appreciation night on a night when they play the Cubs and I never understood why they would do that. I understand that FA night is usually the last Saturday home game of the season. However, if you see that the last Saturday game is going to be against the Cubs then you need to rethink that plan and make it the next to last Saturday (like they did here, albeit, a bit too late) Edit/Also: I also never understand why the Brewers schedule most of their promotions on weekends. It's nice for the fans, but it seems to me that promotions should be designed to draw fans to the game. Weekends tend to be the highest attended games of the week anyways. Why not move the bobble head give-aways to the middle of the week and have t-shirt Tuesdays (instead of Fridays)?

So then based on those projections and what I'm seeing on Cot's contracts, the total payroll before any trades and/or FA signings would be in the neighborhood of $55M to $60M, correct? Am I missing something? Seems like that would give them a decent amount to spend on FA's if they choose to got that route. Although, I wonder if they will will shoot for a payroll of around $100M again, or if they will "scale back" a bit next year.

Yes. And I'm pretty sure there is some evidence of Babe Ruth using what were the PED's of his time. First of all, I think the Ruth story is probably a stretch at best. Secondly, did Aaron or Ruth break any rules that were in place during the time they played baseball (were there rules against amphetamines or whatever Ruth supposedly took)? If so, were those rules that the players took part in forming and agreeing with? Today's players have a player's union that has a say in rule changes. They agreed with the formation of the PED policy that some players chose to break. I really don't think there is any comparison between what Ruth and Aaron did vs. what Bonds, McGwire, Clemens,etc did.

Sure I can. Why not? That's what I believe and that is what I will believe until the day I die. Why not? Because they happened http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp#elem=%5Bobject+Object%5D&tab_level=child&click_text=Sortable+Player+hitting&sectionType=sp&statType=hitting&page=1&ts=1440430676887&split=&season=2015&game_type='R'&playerType=ALL&timeframe=&season_type=ALL&active_sw=&sortColumn=hr&sortOrder='desc'&extended=0&league_code='MLB' I didn't say you had to like it, but they most certainly do count. I can say "I believe the bases to be 100 feet apart, but they most certainly aren't, just because I want them to be, anymore than Barry Bonds 762 home runs didn't happen. You can posts all the links to official records you want but I (and many other baseball fans) will still say "nope, Barry Bonds is not the home run king". Just like you can post official court documents showing the verdict of innocence in regards to O.J Simpson and the murder of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman, that doesn't mean that I have to believe that O.J. was innocent. I'm also sure that North Korea has official score cards showing how their former supreme leader, Kim Jong il, shot a 38 under par 34 in golf, does that mean that I can't deny it? ...and No, I'm not comparing MLB to North Korea (or O.J. Simpson). My point is that just because the "powers that be" produce official sets of data or other information about an event, that does not mean that one can't make up their own minds about the validity of those records (unless maybe you live in North Korea! ). Also, in regards to the "bases are 100 feet apart" analogy. Certainly, you can agree that some official "rules, records, data, etc" to be more refutable than others, right? Is there a legitimate reason to believe the bases are actually 100 feet apart and not 90?

Sure I can. Why not? That's what I believe and that is what I will believe until the day I die.

Completely meaningless to me. Aaron will still be the HR king in my mind.

Never looked at the Journal/Sentinel today, but hope they got Day's name right this time. In the Sunday copy of the paper that I got, it had a big picture of Day hitting a shot on the main front page with his name as "Justin Day....." under the picture. That should never happen...small town type quality there.

Went yesterday, I'll second the water/drinks issue. It was pretty hot and one of the biggest problems (especially on Sunday) is that if you stake out a decent spot you can't leave to go get water without risking losing your spot. We had 7 people, so we kind of took shifts, but that still is not easy. One person can not carry 7 waters and usually when one or two people left to get water they were gone for an hour (missing a lot of the action). I went to get water right around when the last group was on hole 11 or 12. There was a cart selling beverages and I got in line. Then someone yelled, no water left here, only beer. I thought they were joking, so I stayed in line for another minute or two and then realized that they were not joking! I didn't witness anyone being carried off with dehydration issues like JohnBriggs did, but I am really surprised I didn't. It was pretty brutal out there. One of the guys in our group had a pedometer or fitbit or something. He said that we walked close to 9 miles (on not very friendly walking terrain). I'm feeling it today!!

By the way, not sure how many are aware of this, but the Cubs last world series win in 1908 was aided by this base running gaffe (similar to the situation being discussed in this thread) that allowed the Cubs to advance to the World Series. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkle%27s_Boner

I think the key part of the rule, as stated in the original rule, is that it does not say that the umpire "MUST" declare the game over. So, it sounds a bit like an umpire judgement call. If you read the article it states that crew chief states this: "They were asking, 'Can we throw it around and tag all the bases and get forceouts?' In that situation, you can't," Vanover explained afterward to a pool reporter. "First of all, they didn't play the ball. The infielders were leaving the infield. The runner from third touched the plate and the runner from the plate touched first. Those two things right there met the obligation of the rule. When that run scores and the batter has touched first, the game's over." I think if the center fielder had chased the ball and played the ball from the beginning (and the D-Back baserunners still did not complete their routes to 2nd and 3rd), the umpires might of ruled differently. So, this would also answer your question regarding a ball hit to 3rd. If you notice in that video, the CF'er had the ball thrown to him from a grounds crew or security employee. So, I think that also added to the umpires declaring the game to be over (as the main two requirements of rule 5.08(b) were met.

Wow....and they wonder why TV characters like Cliff Clavin and Newman have been used to represent the USPS.

Seriously? Gee, I don't know...maybe because he is a professional baseball player and he should act like one. Maybe because he is getting paid $13 million this year and about $20 million a year for the next 5 years. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and believe that he does not have the attitude that you are suggesting. If he does have that attitude than I have absolutely zero respect for him or any professional athlete with that attitude.

I don't have an issue with bikes riding in the road. As pointed out, they have a legal right to do so. I just think on certain streets like Canal, especially during rush hour and when there is this huge bike path right there, it doesn't make any sense.

Here in Manitowoc/Two Rivers we have the Mariners Trail which goes along the lake and next to Memorial Drive. My wife and I get incredibly frustrated by bikers who ride on the road when there is a perfectly good trail. Memorial Drive is 45 MPH with a few roads to turn on to. I understand walkers being a hassle but the trail is there for a reason. http://www.wdc-online.org/index.php/wdc-journal/wdc-journal-archive/summer-2011/liability-considerations-in-bicycle-accident-cases-a-bike-law-refresher The idea that you're more important or better because you drive and that somehow, your time is more valuable than my safety, is amazing to me. If you read my original post, you would see that I stated "a small percentage of bikers on canal use the road". At least 90% of the bikers I see on that road are using the designated bike path and know how to deal with the small number of walkers and runners on the path. I'm sorry, I can't for the life of me, regardless of walkers/runners on canal (and there really are not that many) and regardless of the law, can understand how you believe riding your bike on that street is safer than riding on the very wide bike/hike/running path. If you are riding your bike that fast on that path that walkers and runners are a concern to you, then maybe its you you thinks your time is more valuable than my safety (yes, by riding your bike on that street you are increasing the chance of an accident). My wife and I take 2 mile walks on the Glacial Drumlin trail in Waukesha on almost a daily basis after work. That path is maybe a 1/4 as wide as the Aaron trail running along Canal street. Bikes fly by us all the time at close proximity, but I have never seen any incidents where anyone was hit or a bike crashed.

Looks like AZ is going after Chapman along with a few other teams. Any chance of AZ does not get him that they would be interested in K-Rod? Would it be possible to get someone like Aaron Blair in return, or am I dreaming?

Still time left to trade KRod and Lind and complete the house cleaning. edit...and Segura?

So, you want the Brewers to follow the same trade deadline strategy every year regardless of where they are in the playoff race? So, if they are in the thick of the race but need those one or two pieces to help assure they make the playoffs they should not trade any prospects to do that? We have had this discussion on this site more times than I can count and I am yet to understand the rational of always playing for next year. This year is clearly a "sell" year for the Brewers. Some years are "sell" years and some years are "buy" years. Pretty much every MLB team follows this philosophy. Every year there is a different set of "sellers" and a different set of "buyers" depending on the standings.

Where I'm sure he will not allow an earned run for the rest of the year and play a vital role in the playoffs for them.

I have heard a lot of arguments on this site from posters who really hate trading prospects, but this is a new one. Brewer pitchers will have to face a lot of good hitters because they are MLB pitchers and they have to face MLB hitters. I don't think that not wanting your pitcher to face one of your current prospects at some point is a very strong argument for not trading that prospect.

I guess I'm just too old and cranky to put up with all the base running mistakes and swinging out his shoes when all that is needed is a base hit. What some view as "having fun", I viewed as "Hey everyone...look at me!". Fielder had fun playing ball, but I also think he also was a good leader. I didn't get that feeling from Gomez. Again, I predict that Gomez will not come anywhere near the numbers he put up in 2013 and 2014 for the remainder of his career and will never play in another all-star game.

$10 - but you would probably have to be able to pick it up today (7/31) before 4pm downtown.

While I'm not super-geeked about this trade, I do think it was a decent trade. I guess if I put myself in the shoes of the Astros fans, I would probably be even less excited about the trade. Gomez's stats this year would cause me concern and temper my excitement over him and Fiers lack of "Pedigree" (wasn't a high draft pick, a bit of a late bloomer, soft-tosser, etc) would not excite me either. I'm a type of person who is all for what the Astros are doing in going all in by using their young trading chips to strike while the time is right. I completely get that and applaud that strategy. However, guys like Grienke and Sabathia in his prime are exciting acquisitions that you know will help you. A down year, less than 100% Gomez (who I personally believe that 2013 & 2014 will end up being the best years of his career, and possibly the only really productive years of his career, when all is said and done) and a back of the rotation starter are not that thrilling.

Based on end of year 2014 rankings. If their #2 prospect was not even ranked in the top #100 nationally after the 2014 season, then that would tell me that most of their better prospects are already at the major league level and/or have been traded away. The mid season updated top 50 and top 100 prospect lists that others posted links to (thank you) makes me feel better about the deal. Don't get me wrong it wasn't like I was or am really down on this deal. I think its a decent deal. I really wanted to get rid of Gomez now, because I had serious doubts about his trade value improving and Fiers is a 30 year old late bloomer and this may have very well been a "sell high" situation with him. As another poster stated, I just don't think it's that much better of a deal than was in hand last night. Other than top level nationally ranked prospects (guys that are well known even among casual fans and who's MLB debuts are highly anticipated), I have a hard time getting overly excited about prospects. I completely agree that the Brewers need to make a youth movement, but I'm going to temper my expectations that they will be World Series bound in 2 to 4 years until I actually see these guys producing at the MLB level.

Meh. I don't get too excited over "a team's" top prospect. Just because they are top prospects for that team, doesn't mean they are top prospects in general. I looked at each of their pages on Baseball America and don't see that any of them were ever ranked in year end top 100 prospects lists. Someone mentioned that two of them were rank in this year's mid season top 100 prospect list. Can anyone provide a link to that? I'm not sure where to locate that.