And That

Schroeder is alright... he grew on me as the season wore on. That said, if the Brewers wanted to upgrade and go with Steve Stone, I'd TiVo every game I missed.

not sure of that. True that he can't really do much in Nashville that he already hasn't. If Ned is not retained after his contract is up he would be considered for the job. If he left the organization, I am not sure if that would be the case. I didn't word that correctly - if he chose to leave the organization, the best job he could get outside of the organization would be another AAA managerial position. My point was that, if he doesn't come back to the Milwaukee organization next year, he's likely not going to get a higher-level job elsewhere.

As long as one of those two men is Ted Simmons, you might be right. You also might be right about Kremblas leaving if he doesn't get promoted, though he hasn't been interviewed for any major league jobs with other clubs yet, has he? He's building a good resume, but you have to think the best job he could get right now would be another AAA managerial position.

I see the team as gravitating towards pitching in general. Now that they have their guys in most positions in Milwaukee and a solid second wave of positional guys coming on at most of the same positions, I'd like to see them draft 10-12 pitchers in the first 15 rounds (not including a HS pitcher in the first round). I'd also like to see a really good defensive player or two drafted relatively high.

Have you tried going to salary.com? I haven't used it in awhile, so I'm not what functionality has been added, but it has helped me a lot over the years.

I just found out I'm female That's what she said /Michael Scott

"Freakonomics" by Steven Levitt and "The United States of Europe" by T.R. Reid are both quite good. The latter book actually makes me think about moving out of America. Um, William Blake?

Not trying to slight Stetter here, but he is the oldest guy on the team and I'm guessing one of the older guys in the league. Still, if he can get opposing lefties out, he'll have a job. And 27 (going into next season) really isn't that old for a reliever. LaPorta and Palmisano each 1-3 with a walk. LaPorta also K'd and had his first professional stolen base.

I get the Willy part, I'm just totally missing the connection with Kate Hudson and serving dishes.

Gheorghe Muresan. Scott Grimes?

After spending way too much time trying to figure it out, all I got is Ernest Borgnine.

Jim Bob Hasselhoff.

Mesa wins Monday, 9-3 A potpourri of Brewers in today's game. Matt LaPorta bangs yet another extra base hit and an RBI in a 1-4 performance. Again, no strikeouts, so it looks like he's getting real, live pitches to hit. No reports yet on his defense, but he once again played left without any miscues. Matt has a Phoenix-area fall OPS of 1089 now. That's some pretty serious hitting, kids. And I can't make enough of his lack of K's. If this keeps us, AA will be the fall-back in spring training. Lou Palmisano needs more ABs in this league. For a guy that could be the Brewers catcher sometime next year, the Crew's brass need to get on the horn to Mesa and get Captain Lou more work. I'm sure they could work something out. Tonight he went 0-3 with a walk (yes!) and a run scored. Only 1 K through 10 PA so far, that's somewhat encouraging. He did have a throwing error tonight. But he's a good defensive catcher, so don't worry bout that. Steve Hammond started the game and gave up nothing on 2 Ks in 3 innings of work. A solid 5 IP of AFL ball, though it isn't enough to mitigate his poor AA season yet. Best of wishes to turning it around, Steve. We need pitching depth. Tim Dillard continues to allow runner on base, though he hasn't allowed them in so far in the AFL. A single and a walk in 1 IP for Dillard in this one. Dave Johnson is a strikeout machine in the AFL, which is a tremendous sign. When they drafted Dave a few years back, he had some questionable college stats, but evidently the Brewers saw something in him, and he's well on his way to becoming a legit relief prospect, however much of a legit relief prospect one could ever be. An unearned run on a hit and 2 K's tonight.

LaPorta has owned his first 20 AFL plate appearances, only striking out 3 times. So basically, he's cutting down on K's with better competition. Yah, he's gonna be in AA to start next year. I really think he'll be in Milwaukee by the end of next season.

Aguilar has as good an arm as there is in the system, but his flame-out potential is so high that every time he goes out and walks a few guys, it is worrisome. I genuinely hope he overcomes his arm troubles and gets to the bigs, but it'll be pins and needles on the way there.

Wayne Krivsky, you devil you!

None prior to 2007, but this season he played 4 games in left, 13 in center and 22 in right. From what I've heard, he played pretty well out there, too.

Warning. Warning.

Who are you buying your coke through? I cans hooks you uppers. But tricks are straight up blang.

I couldn't fathom why the Braves wouldn't keep Francoeur. He's quite possibly the best defensive RF in the league, and his offensive game is on the upswing. I'd kill to get Jeff Francoeur. I'd think the Braves would want at least Gallardo, Gamel, Escobar and Hammond.

So, Blazer, you're basically saying he's the Brewers best sleeper prospect? How does he compare to Lucroy?

Well, outside of rent, gas, student loan payments, insurance (???) and other essentials, my biggest expense is in music. I probably spend $300-$500 a month on CDs, downloads, and concerts.

He's limited to 1B and LF, he's left-handed and can't hit lefties worth a lick. Plus, he's owed at least $10 mil over the next 3 years. Pass.

He has been more of the Ben Sheets of the NHL, started his career no problems, has all the potential, but has been side tracked by injuries the last few years. I also wish Gaborik would get a coach that wasn't so defensive minded. Gaborik is still just 25, and now that he's on a line with Demitra (and Walz... meh) and healthy, I think he's going to have another big year. I'd really like to see Koivu or Belanger man center there, but I suppose you have to spread out the talent a little. And I wouldn't trade Lemaire for the world. He, Tremblay and Ramsey have done about all you could ask for out of a coaching staff. I wish the Brewers could be so lucky. They don't play pretty games, but they play solid defense even with the new rules adopted last season. If Gaborik, Demitra, Rolston, Bouchard and Koivu can build on last season offensively, this team has an excellent shot at going deep in the playoffs.

The Minnesota Wild surpassed the Bucks years ago and now they are sneaking up on the Packers for my second favorite sports team. I've never been a huge hockey guy, but I've lived in Minnesota so long now that the hockey-ness of the state has rubbed off on me, and I've really fallen in love with the Wild. I'm still working on the finer nuances of hockey, but unlike a few years ago I can easily spot offsides, penalties and offensive/defensive strategies. And how couldn't you love a 6'7 Saskatoon native enforcer named Derek Boogaard? http://cdn.nhl.com/photos/mugs/8469647.jpg Boogy! Plus they have Marian Gaborik, pretty much the Prince Fielder of the NHL. http://cdn.nhl.com/photos/mugs/8468483.jpg