owbc

The Mallards charge $9-12 (although the Duck Blind is about $35 for all you can eat/drink). But I think the rest of the teams charge less, around $7-10. The Mallards are in a class by themselves, averaging 6,200 fans/game. The average attendance for the league is 1,700.

Sveum managing Prince Fielder on the Cubs? Maybe I should just switch allegiances. Hopefully that doesn't happen. But it was only a matter of time before the Cubs put someone competent in charge. With the type of payroll leverage that Epstein has, he could easily turn the Cubs into a playoff contender in 2012. They do not have to go through a 5-year rebuild like a small market, it is very easy to get a .500 team through free agency, and he already has a decent core in place. But I also do not think it affects the Brewers' window, because the rise of the Cubs is coinciding with the fall of the Cardinals.

Mark A. has shown that he takes the announcer hires very seriously. I have full confidence that he would be able to find a suitable replacement. It isn't that difficult to find someone better than 3/4 of all MLB announcers.

I think a big part of the Cards' success was LaRussa and Duncan, every year they seemed to turn nobodies into key contributors. The stage is now set for the Cubs to become the Brewers' biggest competition, at least in a few years.

Many people (msyself included) because disillusioned after discovering that the entire sport was rigged against small market teams like the Bucks in 2000-2001. A new commissioner and a new commitment to fairness could change things, but we all know that isn't happening in this lockout.

Picked up some Panthers tickets today vs. Pittsburgh and Washington. Looking forward to seeing Crosby and Ovechkin in person. And maybe the Panthers can finally break through and sneak into the playoffs, they aren't as terrible as previous years. Although something about the palm trees all around the hockey arena just isn't right.

Good discussion. 1) They are hired and paid to play baseball and not to do anything on the side. MLB players are the best baseball players in the world, but that says nothing about their personalities. The personality spectrum still has the full range. Of course, baseball players should have good PR skills and be nice to the fans, and in the long run it will benefit them, but the fans value winning the most, so talent is far more important than personality. So no, they are not property, they are employees under contract, and they only have to do what the contract says. Many go above and beyond, but I agree that it can't be expected. Craig Counsell is the idea personable, hard working, local baseball player, but he does virtually nothing to help you win ballgames at this point, which is the ultimate goal. 2) As with any employee working for a company, their obligation lies only with the contract, and when the contract runs out they are free to pursue other venues. I would never expect any player to take a hometown discount, just as I would not be expected to stay at my job in my hometown if an employer across the country offered me a better deal. Furthermore, signing the hometown deal offers little benefit to the player. Look at Joe Mauer. Even if he signed for $150 million instead of $184 million, it wouldn't change that he's fallen out of favor with the fanbase. For someone like Prince Fielder who has no Milwaukee connections except his teammates, it doesn't really make sense to take a discount unless he wants his name up on the wall. If he wants a ring, past odds suggest he should find a team with a higher payroll. 3) Agree completely. This is an example where the employer should provide help, as the Brewers have done with Braddock. It benefits both sides.

All the good stuff happens after I leave Madison. I would have done anything to take a history class with him.

I assume he means repeat NL Central Division Champs. They have a good chance of being the favorites, although the World Series run almost guarantees that Pujols will be back. But the Cards' starting rotation is in big trouble and LaRussa might call it quits if he wins another title. I wouldn't even know what to think of the Cards without Pujols and LaRussa. But with the miracle workers gone, the Brewers would probably have no trouble repeating, even if they regressed and only won 88-90 games.

This is their 18th pennant? That is disgusting.

I still remember when I found out about the Greinke trade how excited I was. It was an incredible season, everything I could have hoped for except those last 2 wins. Morgan's walk-off was my favorite Brewers moment, ever. For what it's worth, Albert thinks Prince will be back ;-) I think what hurts most is that I wasn't in Milwaukee to experience it. Was really looking forward to the hypothetical World Series. Someday it will happen.

It's better than when Zambrano and the Cubs were celebrating in the home clubhouse.

If the Brewers pull the miracle here, the iconic home run is going to get hit into a bunch of empty seats.

Yeah that "whoever to finish" is a big IF. If the Cards dump 4 runs on us in the 3rd or 9th, it's the same result. There just wasn't enough pitching no matter how you look at it.

It hasn't hit me yet, I was just envisioning how the 6-run rally might play out.

That was a real classy gesture by Pujols by the way. He's not exactly known for class, but it shows respect and I appreciate it.

Thanks for everything Prince. Go get your big contract, no hard feelings.

I know the game is just about over, but why, why, why do you pitch to Pujols there?

It's the 8th inning, someone needs to call Steve Bartman or something.

Braun had no chance against Dotel. He's been pressing the last few games.

Hey at least someone pitched inside. Any baserunner is a rally.

Counsell's last at-bat most likely.

I wouldn't still be watching if I didn't believe. But I watched games in September of 2002 so maybe I'm not the right person to judge the Brewers' chances.

Marcum's problem was lack of fastball location. The consequence was that the opposition started laying off the breaking pitches.

Didn't you turn the game off like 10 minutes ago?