TheCrew07

I'm not sure comparing HRs that define the game as whole to HRs that only have meaning to a specific player is the right thing to do. Clearly the balls that set the new records carried tremendous value on the open market, to MLB, and to the player. I think it's pretty fair to say that a players 1st HR ball only really matters to him, it has negligible value on the open market. This isn't capitalism that's being discussed, it's greed, and more to the point it's extortion. The ball has a value slightly greater than it's original cost, that's it. The items asked for were far more valuable than the item HY possessed, not to much mention how classless it is to ask for items signed by other players, switch gear to swindle more balls, and so on. He's not even contrite, he insulted the player, the franchise, and the entire fan base with his subsequent comments in the national media. He's a self admitted seat jumping thief, he's embarassed many of his fellow fans by his actions, and I would have to think the organization on some level as well. It was different with Jenkins because it was in house, now we have repeating pattern of behavior that has national implications. Not to mention that he's member of this site and plays or played on the softball team, how does it reflect on bf.net, all of us, as a whole? I fail to see where HY has displayed any decency, honor, integrity, or class through any of his actions or subsequent comments to the media. It's not a stretch to think that HY is self absorbed and carries a sense of entitlement about him either, I got a PM out of blue this winter about a post I had written 2 years ago after the Jenkins incident. Either he was sitting on that post for 2 years, or he was actually searching this forum for Happy Youngster references, my guess would be the latter, and then he attempted to call me out on it. I believe I stated that he was as embarrassing to the state of WI as that clown who's been going to college as long as I've been employed full time at one of the state schools down south(they were the 2 big stories at the time). I wanted him to go away then, and I stand by that opinion now. He might be a good friend on a personal level, but I'd hope if one of my closest friends pulled something so far over the line like this I'd be objective enough about it to privately question him about it. Remember the episode of Everyone Loves Raymond where Frank catches the milestone football and then holds it hostage? It's not so funny any more...

It's personal choice to spend money traveling on a $50,000/year salary... so because he makes that choice it's okay to do what he does? The sideways logic here just isn't working for me. How much he makes and his job had nothing to do with the issues at hand, why even insult the player making it seems like he owes HY anything?

Awesome! Any tidbits for us on Cain or Green pretty please?

Huntsville now delayed. Nashville losing 3-0... Irribarren with 2 hits including a 3B. WI down 5-0, Adams continues to be average, Miller with the only multi hit game thus far.

It looks like BC is suspended due to rain after 1 complete, the boxscore gives Anundsen credit for 1 IP, 1H, 1BB, and 3Ks edit. who knows though with how sketchy the box scores have been this season. edit2. Looks like Lawrie is getting the night off.

Am I the only one that feels like karma is starting to align against us? I sure hope not because I'm not ready for another cold stretch from this team yet.

Nah, that happens to me with popcorn all the time, as much as I like popcorn, it's become too troublesome. I used to love popcorn and a movie. Now I only eat popcorn if I'm at a High School sporting event and didn't get a chance to eat anything before I left home.

I'm not a big fan of one line posts but that was very well said.

I don't see how commenting on 2 incidents that played out in the national media constitutes personal attacks, he brought it upon himself in both cases. I fully expect his friends to stick up for him, but if you aren't willing to see the other side, there's nothing to discuss. He insulted the player by going to the "money" card right away. He basically said I make *this* much, so I deserve *this* from someone who has more than me when I have something they want. How would you take that if you were the player? The issue here isn't about a free market, or capitalism, or anything along those lines because the ball doesn't carry value on the collector's market that he asked for in return. Clearly he only values a ball for what he can gain from it, and this is not an isolated incident. I'm not a collector, it's just not my thing, but I wonder how often things like this happen and it's never reported. I see incidents like this going both ways, why should players willingly hand out autographs to fans if the fans aren't going to return the favor? What incentive does Coghlan have to sign next time he's in Milwaukee? Why should they ever give away their signatures for free? I read the various comments the collectors make in the trade forum and I can't help but wonder if incidents like this have a wider impact than people realize.

I rely too much on your opinions to form my own about who they take 1 overall. I'd prefer another impact bat and targeting some arms in the sandwich round. As the arms go, I like the approach of getting pitchers that can do more than just pitch, I like the multisport, great athlete approach they've been taking. Running down the various lists on your site their are guys I like but unlike the NFL draft where I watch a ton of football and know the players and how they should slot, I don't follow college/prep baseball at all on my own to be able to form opinions about slotting these guys in the first round. For example, if I read player X has power potential I'm intrigued but since I haven't seen him play I don't any attachment to him over anyone else, if that make sense.

I've been hesitant to comment on Aguilar, but he's been pretty poor coming back from his injury, I was hoping for big things from him.

Maybe, but what would they want in return? He's got a nice contract 4/44.75 and is signed through 2012 with a '13 option at 15.5. AZ has lots of youth in the IF, Tracey is replaceable but we don't have a 1B prospect to trade them unless we're talking Gamel. I don't see them being interested in Escobar with Ojeda and Drew there. Reynolds seems to be their 3B but they might have an interest in Green. They could use an OF, but Cain is hurt and needed for CF. If Gamel doesn't stick at third and moves to the OF Hart might have some value to them. Their 2 headed monster at C hasn't exactly worked out the way they would have hoped either and we might have a C to spare but both Salome and Lucroy are struggling at the plate this seaon (surprisingly so). I gotta believe they'd want pitching back and I'm not sure if they'd want Jeffress given his control problems. They've sold high on players like him before, JDLR comes to mind. If not sure who they would have interest in, maybe Anundsen as filler as he's another sinker ball type? I find Haren very intriguing given the value in terms of his performance to a very reasonable contract through 2013. AZ and MIL do have a trade history, I'm just not sure if we'd have the piece in place or if they'd give up Haren as they aren't all that far away from contention.

If Mat hit well he'll make it tough on the team... I've been pushing for him to come up and DH during interleague games so I obviously have no problem with the move. However if he hit well and the team decides to keep him up he'd better get regular playing time. I had no problem with Prince sitting on the bench given his defensive issues, but if they think Gamel is a 3B then they better be getting further experience. If he's going to be a 1B, then it really doesn't matter to me if he thrives in a PH role.

I knew he was a member of the forum, and I knew he was a member of the bf.net softball team, but why isn't okay to call a spade a spade? If it was one incident fine, but he's done this same thing in the past and even went so far as to write a letter to the MJS why he was "within his rights" to demand memorabilia from a player other than the one that hit the ball. I see it as borderline extortion on HY's part, it's deplorable behavior in my opinion, and I don't think it reflects well on bf.net at all. I had forgotten about him until this winter when out of blue he PM'd me about a post I had made 2 years ago that mentioned him, and then I wanted to say something when he was nominated for the fan hall of fame but didn't. I'm not going to debate someone's sense of entitlement with them, it's pointless, it doesn't matter if he's a member of the forum and softball team or not. It certainly shouldn't be a stretch to see why people have issue with this, and I'm "happy" they are standing their ground.

It really irritates me when fans hold balls hostage, and as Invader3K points out this isn't the first time he's done such. I'm sure there's a justification coming, there always is...

You may believe that but when the player himself and people within the organization allude to the contrary, well I'm going to go with the people who would actually know, instead of what we the fans might think. When the player himself talks about innings snowballing on him, I'm not sure why people would believe. You don't believe it because there's no statistical proof which is sort of funny because the proof is in the statistics and game logs. When he goes bad he's not "just" missing, he's missing by feet, he's all over place. To you it's probably just random ineffectiveness, to me I'm looking for the root cause. What the difference between Yo and Parra? Objectively Parra actually has the better stuff, why hasn't he enjoyed the same level of success? Why does a pitcher like JDLR struggle for years with better stuff than either? Is it a mechanical flaw in their delivery or is it mental? Bush was similar, when he pitched poorly he usually had 1 inning some place in there where the opposing team would put a significant crooked number. He's been a different pitcher since his demotion, he's said as much. Instead of him trying to do what Maddux wanted him to do he just went out there and did his own thing and it's been working for him. He didn't change his mechanics or his delivery, he simply changed the way he pitches and throws the pitches he wants to throw. The proof is in the result, he's pitched pretty well... I suggest you go through Manny's game logs, in every big inning BBs, WPs, and HBs have played a major role. Sometimes the other guys are going to string some hits together, but there's no reason to walk the opposing the pitcher, or walk in a run. He's simply been giving away too many bases, when doesn't give bases away he's very good, when he does, he's pretty mediocre. Where you see random variance others will see a pitcher fighting himself.

err... what's going on with MiLB? cripes.. there was no boxscore for an hour, I check the main site and it has both games as postponed... only to find out they actually played.

Gamel isn't a 21 year old prospect, he's in his mid 20s... he'll be past his prime by the time his contract is up.

I think the change is his approach at the plate is obvious. There is no such thing as a "get me over fastball" to Rickie anymore. He sees a fastball in the zone and he's absolutely crushing it. I can live without the OBP, I love his new approach and it's exactly what many of us have been saying for years. Quit worrying about getting on base and hit the crap out of your pitch.. the walks will start to come again as the scouting catches up to Rickie's new approach and they start attacking him in a similar manner to Hart. The way he's going he may hit 30 HRs this season. I agree with X, if Weeks is in the plans, lock him up now... The Brewers aren't going to get good deals signing core players after they hit arby... we're looking at contracts escalating to market value in a hurry... they should sign as many to Braunesque deals as they can, extend the core players Brewer careers to 8-9 years with options and I'm a happy camper. These deals must happen prior to year 3 or the player has less incentive to sign the closer they get to FA.

WI postponed again. These rainouts are getting irritating.

I sincerely hope people stop posting this opinion because it's not based on anything factual, and has been consistently refuted time and time again.

There is no such thing as holding down a superb bat. Period. Good Mat, good for his new wife and daughter, and good for the Gamel family. X, there was some back and forth about the elbow and if Mat made it clear how hurt he was, he insists he tried but wasn't taken seriously. Normally on the he said/she said type stuff I'm going to side with the organization. With their recent record of ineptitude in the injury dept I'm going to side with Mat figuring that he was either dismissed or misdiagnosed.

You're neglecting a rather large portion of the argument which is what players can you realistically afford? Which top 3 prospects go? Knowing that it's almost a given he'll want his 22 mil option picked up to waive his no trade how would the Brewers resign Hardy with Peavy's contract? Is signing a player like Prince Fielder in the club's best interests? If the financial aspect wasn't absolutely crucial to the Brewers sure you could move prospects for Peavy, hope he stays healthy, and resign the players we already have. The problem is there isn't money to resign everyone, so they'll some of those prospects to plug the holes left behind. What if Peavy gets hurt? The Brewers would absolutely be crippled by a contract like that if the player was healthy, but if he gets hurt there's no way they could afford a Milwaukee version of Pavano. Halladay is more realistic, but none of the guys you mention are going to be a cornerstone in Milwaukee, they all make way too much money. Halladay carries the least amount of long term risk because his current contract is the shortest. Young players like Yo will have to anchor the rotation if the Brewers are going to be successful, it's truly that simple.

A Steve Garrison update here. He's expected to return to the mound by July.

Cincy has built a very nice pitching staff, they are extremely talented but young. If the expectation is for Parra to improve, why won't Volquez and Cueto do the same? Harang is a sub 4.0 ERA pitcher, Arroyo/Owings are probably a wash with Looper/Suppan but Owings adds value with his bat. They have 2 extremely talented youngsters and 3 vets, that rotation is arguably better than ours talent wise. Look out when the results catch up to the talent. They are a team on the rise and if the youngsters develop ahead of the curve, they could very well be in the picture all year, at the very least they are definitely a threat for 2010 and beyond. The same is true of Pit... don't write them off because they haven't been good, that's what fans of other teams have been doing with the Brewers forever. Both Cincy and Pit have a nice young core of talent.