Pedro

Well, it seems I've temporarily run out of memorabilia to give away, but I do have the following free weight stuff: 1) Parabody Squat Rack, Flat Bench, Incline Bench, Decline Bench, 90° Shoulder Press Bench, and Seated Leg Developer all in one. I think that's fairly accurately describes it; pretty good shape. Includes 7ft chrome Olympic bar, chrome Olympic curl bar, assorted collars and plates (2-45lb, 2-35lb, 2-25lb and 2-10lb). 2) Assorted dumbbell bars, weights and collars, along with rack for the plates. The one catch...you have to take it all and pick it up. I live in Menomonee Falls.

Yeah, but didn't we start out like 10-1 in Millers starts. You could just as easily twist it around and say, we're 10-12 (or whatever the number is) in Millers last 22 starts. Lets not forget Estrada was the starter when things were going great too. I agree with the post above that say that the pitchers have to execute. Purely an informational post only; I wasn't trying to imply anything about the relative merits of either catcher in regards to handling pitchers or W/L.

That would make us 10 games over .500. Are those numbers as of a few days ago? I just pulled them off baseball-reference real quick. But it's late, I'm ornery, and I've had a few bourbons.

FYI, the team is 43-40 in games Estrada starts and 20-13 in games Miller starts.

Thanks for the thoughts everyone. Interesting perspectives. I wanted to bring this topic up again based on something that was mentioned in the In-Game Thread tonight. Seriously all the Ned talk is getting old, I doubt whoever is managing this club right now would do any better. This ties into the evaulation factor. When a team is struggling, and starting pitching and bullpen have been shaky, then do you agree that no other manager would make a difference? For the record, I don't necessarily agree with the above statement. I think some managers might get their players to perform better. But I obviously have no way to prove that. But, if it is indeed true that the manager has no influence in this scenario, then where does the blame belong? If we say it lies with the players themselves, then are we not damning the GM to some degree, for building the roster is his responsibility and that includes both the physical and mental make-up of the players he selects.

How sad is it that I'm happy we didn't score runs in the first inning, as that seems to be the kiss of death lately.

I don't want this to be another Ned Yost thread. Honest. But the myriad discussions about his managerial abilities (or lack thereof, depending upon the poster) has me now thinking about the issue in a broader scope. What are the criteria we should use when evaluating baseball managers? There seems to be some primary categories that are discussed (in no particular order): 1) in-game strategy, 2) overall philosophy (e.g. small ball v. 3-run HR), 3) handling a clubhouse, 4) ability to teach and develop talent, 5) ability to motivate, 6) roster management, and finally 7) wins and/or championships. I'm sure there are others, these are the first ones that come to mind for me. Now, outside of wins/championships, these seem to be extremely subjective areas to evaluate and are not things that can be known through statisitical analysis (at least, I don't think so, but sabermatricians always surprise me). Are different managers better for different teams at different times? Do you want a manager to nurture a young team (ala Yost), or do you want a manager to steady a veteran team like Kuehn in 1982 with the Brewers, just stay out of the way like Casey Stengel with the Yankees, or just be a little nuts and get short term results like Billy Martin? Fiery like McGraw or stoic like Mack? I don't know if it was said about a baseball manager or a football coach, but (paraphrasing here) I recall a quote that went something like this: "He can take his team and beat yours, then turn around and take your team and beat his." In my gut, I feel that way about some managers (given, of course, not a total disparity in talent). That they will get more out of the same 27 guys than others will. But how to know this? I'm truly unsure how to evaluate a manager. I do have strong opinions about them, but I'm not sure they are based on much more than visceral reactions a majority of the time. So, how do you evaluate a manager?

Two blue Oglivie's!? Way to go kgbaseball!

lcbj68c and fiance...congratulations! All that and a Brewers win, what more could you ask for. Thanks for the game report; sounds like a great night and a wonderful start to your life together...my little girls thought it was so cool that a couple was going to get engaged in our seats. I'm happy we could be a small part of it all.

Most of all, I'm mad at myself for still caring.

With apologies to Reinhold Niebuhr... Ned grant me the serenity to accept the things you do I cannot change; courage to change the channel when you do them; and the wisdom to never bat Mench third. Playing one game at a time; Battling one game at a time; Accepting Days Off as the pathway to playoffs; Taking, as Ned did, this franchises' hopes as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that Ned will make all things right if I surrender to his lineups; That I may be reasonably happy in this season and supremely happy with Ned Forever or until next game. Play ball.

We keep saying Inman was the top prospect (or near that level), but did the Brewer organization think he was their top prospect? I suspect not.

I've heard for the last two years that the Brewers brass wasn't that high on Inman. Now that's a pretty broad assessment, and I don't really know if that meant he'd never make the big league club, or that he had a very low ceiling if he did. I, like most here it seems, followed his minor league starts enthusiastically and penciled him in as a Brewer based on those stats alone. But, I've never seen him pitch and don't know what kind of "stuff" he has. Apparently, based on what he fetched, what I had heard in the past was true and management didn't view his future as enthusiastically as we did.

We knew John Jaha a bit when he played here. Met his wife (Trudy I think her name was) a few times also. One game we were sitting with her and after the game she started going up and down the aisles picking up those large plastic Brewer logo cups they sold soda in; she must have had 30+ cups. When my wife asked her why she had all the cups, she said "We're having a party and I don't have enough cups for everyone," (I'm paraphrasing). Ugh. I don't know what Jaha's contract was at the time, but I'm guessing it was enough to buy some plastic cups.

tnweill... Quite an offer, thank you. But I would like to pay for them; what bobbles do you have?

Gary Sutherland...yeah, that was a major one See you at the game tomorrow, I'll be right next to you with a buddy of mine.

Glad the items are starting to arrive. All I have left to deliver are the two baseballs. Those should go out on Friday.

Got it Splitter...they'll be waiting for you tomorrow. Yes, that is Pedro Garcia. My second Brewer hero as a kid (Danny Walton was the first).

Pedro I would have loved to trade for bobbles. The only problem is that it was a day game and most people work during the days. Yeah, I sometimes forget that people can't just up and go (I love being self-employed!). splitterpfj you were first in; I can't send any more PMs today apparently, so send me your name and I'll leave the tickets at Will Call.

Okay, since I was unable to trade the tickets for bobbles I needed, I guess I'm going to go back to just giving them away 2 Club Level tickets for tomorrow afternoon's game. I'll leave them at Will Call tonight, Need takers before I leave for tonight's game @ 5:30 p.m. PM me if you can use 'em.

While I usually just give tickets away, I would like to trade for some of the 82 mini bobbles i am missing if possible. I have two Club seats (Sec 323, row 1) for Thursday's game. I need: Blue Molitor, Blue & White Sutton, Blue & White Caldwell PM me.

Sorry everybody, bad week. I'll start shipping stuff on Monday.

I think that Yost does a great job with regard to the unquantifiable aspects of being a manager. He seems to have the respect to his players and seems to have the perfect personality to even out the inevitable peaks and valleys of a 162 game season. I used to agree with this statement - and this was the main argument I would use in discussing Yost's merits. This season, however, from what I've observed and heard, Yost is tense and not exactly a calming influence during the valleys of the season. It will be interesting to see how he reacts if the Brewers should lose their grip on first place.

Okay, here goes: Melvin ball - jschris G-Rob plaque - bigjase Sharpe Photo - tnweill Krynzel ball - Houlie24x Driver photos - jason21nl, cweber39, BrewCrew25, razzzorsharp, Hall4President zingsheim and buddy, a couple Driver's left if you're interested, just let me know Everyone please PM me your address and I'll start getting the stuff out to you

The random winner is.... slobberknocker Shoot me a couple dates (Mon-Thurs) and I'll get the tickets and mail 'em to you.