ReverendBrewmeister

Isn't the prevailing analysis of Gamel's defensive weakness was in making throws from 3B, not his range or fielding (= ball into mitt)? If that is true, then Gamel's range and fielding capabilities should be a distinct defensive upgrade over Fielder, since the typical criticism of Fielder is his lack of range and fielding.

Another HR to give up the lead. Where's the head-bashing-against-brick-wall emoticon?

MLB could realign to 2 leagues with 3 divisions of 5 teams each. (This would necessitate interleague baseball year-round, so the DH question would have to be dealt with.) A basic schedule of 160 games* could be played in the regular season: 10 games (5H, 5A) against each divisional team [10 x 4] = 40 games 6 games (3H, 3A) against each intra-league, non-divisional team [6 x 10] = 60 games 4 games (2H, 2A) against each team from the opposite league [4 x 15] = 60 games *An extra 2 games (1H, 1A) could be given against an opposite league "rival" to keep the 162 game schedule. The simplest way of achieving this realignment would be to move the Houston Astros to the AL West, thus giving the Texas Rangers a team in their division in the same time zone. The divisional alignments would then be: AL EAST - Baltimore, Boston, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay, Toronto AL CENTRAL - Chicago White Sox, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Minnesota AL WEST - Houston, LA Angels, Oakland, Seattle, Texas NL EAST - Atlanta, Florida, New York Mets, Philadelphia, Washington NL CENTRAL - Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Saint Louis NL WEST - Arizona, Colorado, LA Dodgers, San Diego, San Francisco

DFA Axford.

Need to make sure Roenicke went to the home umpire first to properly make the double-switch. It's an NL thing, you know. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Had free passes to the Greensboro Open (NC) and a Senior event in Des Moines, IA. So I went. The coverage is better on TV, but it's not a bad thing to see a live event. Based on my experience, here are some suggestions/reiterations from previous posters: (A) Sunscreen and a hat are a must. Shade is hard to find, so you have to make your own, so to speak. Maybe look into a wide-brimmed hat. (B) Keep hydrated. A beer or two is OK, but if you're there for most of the day, then you will need a good supply of water. © Try to find a site where you can see multiple things happening. Depending on the course, you might be able to find places near the green at one hole with the ability to turn and see tee shots or second shots for the next hole. Perhaps you can follow an early group for several holes and then position yourself at an optimal site. JimH5 said he's been at Sawgrass, so he might have some ideas for where to position yourself. Watching the practice range is a good suggestion, too. (D) Wear good walking shoes and "breathable" clothing. You want your feet to be comfortable and not be baking yourself in your clothes. (E) Always obey the marshals/officials. Should go without saying. You don't want to be "That Guy".

Not good. Makes the Mike Rivera signing in the offseason more than just a typical invite. Might have to see how much he has left in the tank.

Sorry, And That. No mystery "Other". Call it a hanging chad that was meant to hit the "Weeks" button above. The only way I see an "Other" would be if an out-of-the-blue Prince Fielder megadeal happened during Spring Training.

Just great. Next we'll soon be hearing the St. Louis Rams preaching about how to win a Super Bowl in a classy way.

I think that I’m one of the few Brewerfan members that has yet to get to Miller Park. Of the MLB Ballparks I’ve been to, here are my thoughts: Comiskey Park[/b]: Don’t remember much, only 7 y.o. County Stadium[/b]: Just remember it being big and empty. Went to one game annually as a kid for several years. Once saw a September doubleheader against the Royals where less than 8,000 were present to watch Angel Miranda start. Had to avoid the beams in the Upper Deck sightlines. Wrigley Field[/b]: Old. Classic. Pee in troughs. Drink Old Style beer. Pee in troughs again. Been there in brutal April cold and summer heat. Worth going to, but don’t see why people gush over it as if it were the greatest park ever. Tiger Stadium[/b]: Like Wrigley, it was old and classic, but seemed more run down. Probably best that it’s been replaced. Really remember the contrast between the darkness sitting under the roof compared to the brightness of the field of play. Felt like it would have been a perfect setting for an English Premier League soccer game. Nationals Park[/b]: New. Sterile. Neighborhood is being built up around it; I’ll reserve judgment on that for a few years, though the sightlines to the Capitol are being occluded by the new buildings. Convenient to the Metro. Food is good. Getting to see the Brewers once annually is probably the best part about going; not a real draw otherwise. Camden Yards[/b]: Just feels like it’s the perfect place to watch a baseball game. Seats are most properly aligned to watch the game; even the old style seats feel really comfortable. Close enough to Inner Harbor that there’s things to do before and after games. (Would say this is my favorite just based on the stadium itself.)[/i][/b] Minute Maid Park (Houston)[/b]: Cramped and humid. Concourses are narrow and don’t go around the whole stadium. Roof seems to be low. Not much life around the ballpark. Downtown Houston even remotely close to the ballpark is nothing to write home about; whole place is just dead once you get past 8:00pm and the business crowd commutes home. (Even worse when you’re there for a convention.)[/i] Ballparks to be visited in near future[/i][/b]: Citizen’s Bank (Philly) and PNC (Pittsburgh) when the Brewers are in town; Miller Park (have to make the pilgrimage from out East).

Perhaps there is another tandem of AA/AAA near proximity sites that will open up after 2012. If that is so, then re-upping with Huntsville/Nashville might make sense. But given all the complaints and negative comments about both places, especially about Nashville, I'm shocked at the double renewal.

Parra's 2010 numbers as a reliever show at least some potential reason to keep him in the bullpen: ERA: 3.75 IP: 24 H: 29 BB: 8 K: 22 HR: 2 WHIP: 1.542 K/BB Ratio: 2.75 Compare that to his career relief/starter stats (including 2010): RELIEF ERA: 4.10 IP: 48.1 H: 54 BB: 15 K: 48 HR: 7 WHIP: 1.428 K/BB Ratio: 3.20 START ERA: 5.39 IP: 359.0 H: 427 BB: 184 K: 316 HR: 42 WHIP: 1.702 K/BB Ratio: 1.72 At this point, I'd be willing to try to convert a 28 year old lefty with a 92-94 mph fastball into a reliever. There's enough evidence to suggest that Parra can succeed to some extent as bullpen arm. Certainly, it's a better success rate than as a starter. I can envision Parra as a potential 6th/7th inning guy, maybe even a two-inning reliever, not necessarily a LOOGY.

"Arbiter of Arbiters" is an idea if you're providing commentary on the umpires, but it might be a bit highbrow for some. "Blue Blew It" would be good if you're just providing video examples. "Four Blind Mice" (Hawing's suggestion) is simple, classic, and good.

COREY HART! What has gotten into him this year? Better give it to the whole roster!

I know that some organizations collect used mobile phones---as well as empty laser printer cartridges, laptops, PDAs, and other small electronic goods---as part of a fundraising effort. My parish's ladies' auxiliary group is currently doing that, and I know of other church groups that have done that. I'm sure that it's not limited to religious groups; other non-profit organizations and schools likely also participate in similar collections. So maybe checking with local elementary schools, churches, or other charities would get you some details of collections in your area.

Kottaras batting in the 9th. Classic Brenly: "It's Kottaras' first AB against a lefty this season." Hmmmm. Now with what hand was Ted Lilly throwing in innings 1-6? So glad he's not in the Brewers' announcing booth.

2007: 7 ER in 17.1 IP 2008: 5 ER in 7 IP 2009: No relief appearances. 2010: 0 ER in 7.2 IP relief Total: 12 ER in 32 IP relief = 3.38 ERA Not exactly what I would consider lots of runs. Small sample this year, but it looks like Parra might just have found a role as an effective reliever. Perhaps his current success would be a reason to keep him in the bullpen.

Usually drink The Glenlivet (12 Year), but recently last had the 15 Year French Reserve and really enjoyed it. Some parishioners gave me a bottle of Oban 14 Year Old Single Malt for Christmas a couple years ago. Seemed smokier than Glenlivet. A nice change-up now in my rotation. Always drink it neat with a splash of water, just as Robert says above. Never had rye whiskey, though I lived not far from Templeton, IA, the home of Templeton Rye. It was reintroduced back in 2006. Supposed to be a Prohibition Era whiskey. Probably worth a try if it's available near you. (Haven't found it out here in PA, yet.)

That's just terrible play. Escobar could have run down Lee before Fukudome even scored.

Braun with the Earl Weaver! Pour it on!

About the same as a mystery novel having two MacGuffins.

And Fielder finally chalks one up in the HR category!

Yeah, the turnout of Brewers fans on Friday and Saturday was GREAT. Seeing the jerseys and shirts all around the stadium, in the concourses, and on the Metro trains was enjoyable: much better than the results of the games and, especially, today's effort. For a team that was mentioned as a potential playoff contender, today looked nothing like it. Perhaps 8-0 is an anomaly, but the early results are showing some big holes on the team already in mid-April. The Nats fans didn't hassle anyone. Their opinion seemed pretty good compared to the Phillies fans who had recently been there. But it was biting to have them mention that the Brewers were playing like the Nats usually do. Plus the mention that the Nats are now above .500 for the first time added insult to injury. (Someone might have to fact check that, but I heard it from several different Nats fans.) And I could only nod in agreement when one said that we need some new outfielders. Definitely need DD to lead the sweep avoidance tomorrow.

Not directly. But this doctor's work (and the work of others in his field) would improve the performance of athletes......or anyone who is mobile.

Mighty Casey has...............homered! Rinses the bitter taste right out of the mouth.