rickh150

Throwing ball against the shed, listening to game on the radio. Unstinkin' real. Goes to show you can't get into the playoffs with unreal month....

Like every game so far has been something.... 1. not fielding a ball and getting an error 2. not fielding grounder/liner he could have made (not an error) and extending the inning allowing runs 3. not turning an easy two (not an error) and extending the inning 4. getting picked off 5. not covering the base on throw from catcher AND right fielder #1 and #2 are fairly common for fielders; #4 is common for really good base runners; however, #3 and #5 are really concerning. Sadly, his defense wasn't the issue last year nearly as much as his little league base running (although it did improve drastically after he was benched). Also, I believe he is the only player to start in each game.

Agree with all of this.... He won the job by pitching better than about everyone on staff. He obviously knew that some guys were on the team regardless of ST stats because of contract or out of options, no doubt. He did not know that his performance mattered so little when guys in the same boat as he (Jungmann, Barnes), unproven with options, performed worse or much worse and are on the roster. Stearns should have made it known that these players were not on equal playing fields, that performance was just a factor in evaluation. That is where it starts and ends with me. For all that Melvin was or wasn't, he was a pretty straight shooter with players; I don't remember such attitude from multiple cut players during the last part of ST.

Does anyone have other metrics that show Cravy's numbers aren't as impressive as they seem?

Jungmann made the team, while both Cravy and Scahill were cut (and both are incredibly upset), so there is an outside move coming. It sounds like Scahill will report to AAA while Cravy went nuclear in his comments to reporters. Cravy may quit and look for "a 9-5 job where I'm treated like a human" and that "I'm not sure I want to play for guys that treat you like this." Both Scahill and Cravy were told they were in an open competition for jobs, pitched great, and then were cut anyways. Agree with Cravy.... you take people above you at their word. Barnes did not do much well in spring training AND he has options.

As long as I can bring in a few snacks and a bottled water, it really doesn't affect me. Yet, at some point, don't the Brewers see the need to make food prices realistic for a family? Also, sad to hear of the problems with concessions last night when attendance was only 14,000+. Yikes!

You are not correct in numerous ways, but you are not morally wrong. No sin or grievance against God is being committed with your beliefs. Of course, that is my opinion, which I believe is granted me by you ("Opinions are fine"). First off, the "humor" in this thread was usually the semi-condescending stuff you praise, usually after the other side gives honest opinion. That is evident throughout. I am guilty of that too, though, and my apologies. Two, debate is partly based on showing that the other side is incorrect, ironically kind of like you just did with me in your first paragraph, which was very valid by the way. Speaking in generalities can exclude special circumstances. Third, what do you mean by "forcing THEIR opinion on them as well as stating those opinions to be facts"? If "forcing" means to write topic-based opinions on a fan forum that are read willingly by others, you got me. Also, no where do I see people on either side stating their opinion as absolute truth that everybody has to believe. I agree that things need to be kept civil, but even your belief there stems from the opposite behavior being morally wrong, which you are against stating to others. More irony. I enjoy the give and take here, but I'm looking forward to better topics to discuss. Moreover, the season starts in two days! We'll have better things to disagree about like lineups, manager moves, and when to bring Brinson up. Go Brewers!

Win: 5 Lose: 8

Love the idea of up-and-coming hitters like Broxton, Villar, Santana, Shaw, etc.

It's the interwebs: we get worked up over the trivial. Yes...isn't that what the internet is all about? If there is a story on the internet about a cat being saved from a tree, then it's perfectly acceptable to use the comments section to go on a tirade about world politics...correct? Anyways...I guess the reason I'm a little "worked up" is this...When I go to a Brewer game I always wear a Brewer hat and I also usually wear a Brewer tee-shirt or pullover. If there was someone sitting in front of me with a Rangers hat (or some other team that they were not currently playing against), yes, I would probably assume that person is not a huge Brewer fan. I think that's somewhat of a fair assumption. However, if I struck up a conversation with the person and they went on about how many Brewer games they attend every year and that they have followed them for many years and that they are their favorite team and details about current and former Brewers and other evidence pointing to the fact that they are actually good Brewer fans, then I would assume that they are good Brewer fans. Regardless of why they are wearing a Rangers hat and how odd it seems, I wouldn't use an item of clothing to completely dismiss all other information regarding their fandom and have some hard rule in my head that if you wear a hat of another team (especially a non-rival) there is no way you can be a true Brewer fan. That's the argument that some seem to be making and that I'm having trouble understanding. I wouldn't completely dismiss him either! Wow! Talk about trying to put those on the other side of this debate in a negative light. This fictional man would seem to have a love for the Brewers, and he sounds like a man I'd like to talk baseball with, sure. But, sorry, I have reservations about his heart when his head has a big T on it. In a nutshell..... You believe one can be a true Brewers fan and wear pretty much whatever whenever (wearing other MLB gear when fixing a septic tank, scooping pig crap from a pen, or entering a cat lady's residence is permissible). I can't bring myself to that point. I believe "true" (my definition-only love Brewers) fans will want to NOT wear other MLB teams' stuff out for show. Why would they want it to be assumed that they have another allegiance? A fringe fan has many other interests, fallbacks, and hedges when one team of theirs is down. The Brewers are on a losing streak so wear that Padre hat a bit more. Axford or K-Rod blew a save.... where is that Royals lid? On a losing streak, missing the playoffs again, don't like the manager's moves, get me anything to put on my head. Band wagon hoppers... A great MLB fan who loves the game and certain players, but not necessarily always one team over another fits here too. Those people love the game, but depending on moves made or not made by the Brewers, their loyalty can shift on a dime. Front runners.... So overall, the key term is "true" and how you define it. Perhaps that is where some of the division in this thread lies.

Twisting the thread around.... really well played, though, by the way. Debate has been on wearing other MLB teams' gear, not the lack thereof. If you saw any Phillies or other teams' hats at Borchert Field, well then that would fit the thread. My guess is that if you did, you'd assume they were fans of that team. Whether they were/are or not, that message of fandom is being sent out to the masses in general at Miller Park or even the supermarket, yesterday, today, or tomorrow. Elaine Benes' deserved to be kicked out of Yankee Stadium, by the way....

Completely disagree with this.... my fandom doesn't begin or end at the stadium. It isn't based on what others are wearing; no need for competitors' stuff. Oh, yea, that is an opinion. And turborickey is my new hero.

Yet, you wouldn't wear a Phillies hat to a Phillies/Brewers game.... just some fabric, whatever. Because it's a Brewers game and I'm a Brewers fan? I don't see how you're equating those two things. Wearing the opposing team's hat during a specific game against that team != wearing a random team's hat to the mall. And here's a shocker - I can sleep just fine at night regardless of your opinion on my hat. I'd really love to let go of commenting on this thread, but contradictions keep me coming back. So your loose rule (and you do have one) is to wear Brewers hats to Brewers games and to wear random hats elsewhere. Brewers allegiance is the norm when attending games, but when stepping off the hallowed Miller Park lots, all bets are off. If I wore a Phillies cap to the Brewers/Phillies game, I would look to be somewhat less of a fan of the Brewers, right? Maybe even a traitor, based on your response. Yet, when I'm wearing one to the grocery store in West Allis, no one better question my devotion to the Brewers because NOW a hat is just some fabric.

Only if you enjoy hipster beer that tastes only slightly less horrible than Miller/Coors/Bud. Only time now (when Brewers are "good" again in a few years)) until they ban carry-ins....wouldn't that be the next logical step?

I think this is more about having confidence in Villar and especially, Dubon, moving forward.

While I think you have valid reasons for not wanting to wear another team's hat, the argument you present here is not something anyone in this thread has stated. Of course a Packer fan wearing Seahawk gear at Lambeau would cause anyone to question their loyalty and rooting interest. The way I interpret the argument being presented by most that are in favor of wearing another team's hat is centered around having a true secondary rooting interest that is independent of the Brewers. For example, I haven't been to a Brewer game in Milwaukee in 2 years but have gone to probably 10 Padres since that time. Me wearing a Padre hat to my local team doesn't mean I won't root against them if it serves the Brewers interest. If my loyalty is to the Brewers, but enjoy rooting for the Padres if it doesn't affect the Brewers interest why is that bad? I get the heart of what you are saying, and I am with ya on 80% of it. When watching random games on tv, I usually have a rooting interest. Like whoever is playing against Michigan and Ohio State, I am rooting for. Whoever is facing Kentucky basketball.... whoever is playing the division leader or the Cubs, I have a rooting interest. I usually root for the underdog or small market team to win, as well. Yet I am not a fanatic of these teams and have no desire to promote them, be identified as a fan of them, or be linked to any of them. The key word you bring up here is loyalty. Can a Brewers fan root on the Padres at Padres games while wearing his Padres hat? Sure that fan could, but what is loyal about that? For me, I would have a tough time doing that. Substitute "Packer" for "Brewer" and "Cowboy" for "Padre" in the first question of the paragraph. The loyal Packer fan wouldn't think of doing this, right? Why should it be any different with Brewers baseball?

I'm not sure what is confusing about people just wanting to wear a hat they think looks cool; it does not mean their loyalty to their favorite team is in question. It is entirely possible to support your team without wearing their team gear, yes? Or can I assume that because you support the Brewers, you wear Brewers gear at all times? I mean, great fans support their team, right? It is possible to support your team and wear other teams' gear. I wear Brewers, Packers, Badgers gear.... nothing wrong with that, right? Great fans support their team and not other teams trying to beat your team in the same sport or league. In my humble opinion, those are more fringe fans or, in general, great baseball fans. So A Sox fan could wear Yankee gear to Red Sox games and loyalty wouldn't be in question? Same thing with a Packers fan wearing Seahawk gear at Lambeau. Are you kidding me? And you reserve the right for others to even question their fandom or allegiance?

You also said "You should not buy hats because you like how they look or have neat colors, that is dumb you are not a little girl." Which is pretty dismissive and condescending of how other people feel about the topic. Let's keep this on track. I don't feel like deleting a bunch of posts this morning. Didn't say that, by the way..... I did agree with the overall message of the fan who wrote it, however.

Rick, it was the dismissive and combative stance you took with every post in this thread. Here's what you said: If National and American Leagues were still separate (no interleague), I could see wearing another cap of the opposing league team. Now, there is no excuse. To a Brewers fan who actually lives in Kansas City and goes to Royals games, you dismissed his interest in wearing a Royals cap by saying: Sounds like a typical front runner... Royals = recent WS and playoffs To another poster, you declared: you are what you are, and that would be a supporter of other teams Then you declared your hero as someone who said: You should only wear brewers gear, although you can "like" maybe 1 AL team and cheer for them if there are no Brewer implications, but you should not have their gear since they are not your team. If I see someone wearing the hat of team X I will assume that is their team and it is dumb when I say O, you like the Cardinals that is too bad but they say I don't really like them. You should not buy hats because you like how they look or have neat colors, that is dumb you are not a little girl. You can tell me again how open minded you are, but all of those statements say otherwise. You could have said "I would never wear another team's hat, because I think it would show disloyalty to the Brewers." Instead, you pointed your finger at other people and judged us without knowing anything else about us. Thanks for proving my point. You are out to be right and show me to be wrong for judging..... not baseball related. I am giving opinions on specific baseball topics. I disagree with a person's stance on an issue and state my belief...... baseball related. By the way, when you say that I judge...... you judge.

Man, I feel like I am being JUDGED. Ok, my stance again is that great fans support their team. They don't waiver in support during rebuilds and find a better hip team to cheer for, don't sell great seats to the top rival fan base for profit, and don't wear other opponent teams' gear. So that mere opinion is not ok? We can not go back and forth on a disagreement? Don't you see that you are not as open-minded as you think you are? I value others' opinion on the matter, but when they turn on me and call me a judge or close-minded for giving my honest opinion of a specific baseball topic/situation/comment, that reeks of hypocrisy.

Yet, you wouldn't wear a Phillies hat to a Phillies/Brewers game.... just some fabric, whatever.

Wonderful idea! Uecker provides color; who leads with play-by-play?

So does this rule just apply to team hats or any hats? Does it also apply to other articles of clothing? Should I eliminate all mirrors from my house and get dressed in complete darkness so that I'm not influenced by something as girly as personal appearance? Oh, please please impart your wisdom on me, I want so much to be a real man and fan like you. You could always buy more MLB gear with Cubs game ticket $.

Twisting words.... Wear whatever you like. Most could not care less. Where did I ever tell you what to wear? I'm not. Yet, you tell me how to think. You ironically are the absolutist. In your world, your views are right and I am wrong. In mine, yours are silly, and mine make sense. Moreover, I will be confused by your allegiance to a certain team when several teams hats in the same sport and league are worn. Most would be.

U r my new hero.