Payback!

After getting into a fight with last year with Chris Volstad, this year Nyjer Morgan took him deep. His look says it all. Fuck you, Chris Volstad.

A Sunday Afternoon at the Park

The most fun I've ever had at a Milwaukee Brewer game...sober, that is. Matt, Bill, Dan and I had passes to sit in the NYCE Club. Awesome views. Awesome air-conditioning. Awesomely hot, sexy and funny waitress. All that AND it was Robin Yount Bobblehead Doll Day. It cannot get any better than this.

2nd Annual Bobblehead Doll Day Tailgate Party

A Great Start to Miller Park Season!

The Brewers win 7-5! Not a bad way to start my 2010 season at Miller Park. Not. Bad. At. All.

2010 Milwaukee Brewers Predictions, Promises and Possibilities

Prediction:
I predict the Brewers will finish the season at 88-74. With that record, the Brewers will win the wild card and host at least one play-off game.

I would settle for any record that gets the Brewers to the play-offs and would be ecstatic with a record good enough to win the division. Then again, with the Cardinals pitching and hitting, I don't think the Brewers will overtake them. Just not enough pitching for the Brew Crew.



Possibilities:

• If Pujols gets hurt, Prince could win the MVP.
• Then again, Prince might not be a Brewer by the end of the year.
• Randy Wolf will disappoint, but not on the Jeff Suppan level. He'll be good, just not ace material.
• Yovani Gallardo, on the other hand, will be an ace and prove it each start.
• If Yo stays healthy, he will be top 3 in the Cy Young voting.
• Alcides Escobar will finish in the top 3 in NL Rookie of the Year voting. He should win it, but won't have the sexy stats like that beast in Atlanta will.
• Jeff Suppan will not end the season on the Brewers active roster. Doug Melvin will either cut his ass or stash Soup on the DL.

Promises:

• The Cubs will still suck.
• The Brewers will finish with a winning record against the Cubs.
• Prince will finish in the top 5 in MVP voting.
• Craig Counsell will once again prove he's the best bench player in the league. Yes. The League.
• Corey Hart will end the 2010 season on a different team.
• The Brewers will have at least 3 All-Stars. Prince and Braunie are locks. Maybe Hoffman or Yo.
• The Brewers will somehow piss off some team. It might be a team celebration. It might be Braunie's attitude. Either way, the bean balls will be a flying.
• Matt's going to miss yelling "J, J, J, J" at the games.
• The Brewers will finish above .500 and be in contention for a play-off spot all year.

I hope to get to at least 2 games a month. I do want to get some club seats this year and maybe a Friday's table. Actually, I don't REALLY care where I sit as long as the Brewers win!



I'm sure many people will disagree with my prognostications, but who gives a fuck. If Yo or Prince or Braunie goes down with an injury, the Brewers season is over. If everything goes according to plan, more baseball awaits Brewer fans in October.



GO BREW CREW GO!

Rants and Raves After a Crappy Day

So I do NOT like one specific girl. Hate is a strong word, but it applies in this situation. I want to smother her in her sleep. Defecate on her corpse. Then light the bitch on fire. Other than that, I have no problem with her...

I never understood how people hate their jobs...until today. I have come to the understanding that if you do NOT enjoy being around your co-workers, you will NOT enjoy your job no matter how much you actually enjoy the tasks and responsibilities...

I should have no restrictions on my activities outside of work unless they are illegal or they reflect poorly on my employer. I work and get paid for 40 hours a week. For the other 128 hours, stay OUT of my personal life...

The Brewers released their 2010 schedule today. Opening day is actually at Miller Park this year. Is is WRONG to already be excited? I might have to come down with the flu so I can go to it...

I told a friend that I wanted to spend my 30th BIRTHDAY wherever the Brewers were playing. Looks like I'm headed to Arizona...

Aaron Rodgers is straight MONEY! How can the Favre-lovers diss Aaron now? Can't stay healthy? He played most of last year with a bum shoulder. Can't bring the team back in the 4th quarter? See the Bear game Sunday night. I cannot wait for whatever some Favre obsessed jackass comes up with next...

It was nice to see A.J. Hawk get some much needed LOVE on the Journal Sentinel Packer blog. I love A.J. because he plays the game the way Nitchske did. I hate A.J. because his wife is smoking hot...

Ted Thompson is looking pretty SMART now, isn't he haters? If TT is an idiot, I want to be an idiot...

Ruvell Martin signed with the Rams today. He was the one guy I was disappointed the Packers were not able to find a place for. He was a GREAT interview and seemed like a decent human being...

Having weekend plans sucks. I keep looking forward to MADISON this weekend and it is making my work day seem longer than normal. Next week will be even worse. I'll be looking forward to my Father-Son trip to St. Louis...

How can people HATE on Obama for the job he's doing? He has not even been in office for a year yet, Republicans are dragging their feet on some important legislation, and Obama inherited the "American Mess" from his *cough* brilliant *cough* predecessor...

That's it for today's crappy day RANTS. Time to watch "RocknRolla" and see if Guy Ritchie recovered his movie making magic.

Hello, New Friend

If you read my previous note entitled "Good Bye, Old Friend," regarding the death of my previous grill, you will be happy to know that a new grill is officially in the stable. And just in time for Packer season!

My dad picked up a Coleman Road Grill LXE from Menard's today just 2 hours before we left for Lambeau. We put it together in the drive way and I all could think about was the smell of brats grilling in the parking lot.

The grill is amazing. Travels easily since it folds up into a low profile and has wheels. It's quick to set up. And it cooks fast. Our rib eye steaks were finished in no time. And tasted delicious!

After the Packers dramatic Sunday night victory over the Bears, the grill starts off 1-0.

Time to make some memories!

With the Parents at the Park...Again

MLB Trading Deadline

So the trading deadline has come and gone and the Milwaukee Brewers did not make a major move. I'm glad Alcides Escobar (below, #71) and Mat Gamel (below, #24) are still Brewers. Claudio Vargas (left) was the only move the Brewers made. It strengthens the bullpen and maybe they can stretch him out and move him into the starting rotation. Plus, the Brew Crew gave up basically nothing for him.

Most fans were spoiled after the C.C. trade. That trade comes about once a decade. For Brewers' fans, once a generation. To put those expectations on Doug Melvin would be unfair...and wrong.

Yes, the Brewers could have mortaged the future for a run at the wild card. So what? The Brewers did that last year. We should keep our prospects. The Brewers might finish 3rd or 4th in the division this year, but at least they'll have a future.

In the offseason, hopefully the Brewers can sign a top of the rotation starter. (Probably not an ace, though. The Brewers don't have Yankee money. I'm a realist not a dreamer.) They should resign Felipe Lopez to a multiyear deal, but DO NOT overpay. Then resign Trevor Hoffman, Jason Kendall and Mike Cameron to 1 year deals. Trade Corey Hart and J.J. Hardy for prospects. And GASP, look into trading Prince Fielder for MULTIPLE STUD PITCHING PROSPECTS ONLY! He's eventually going to leave for more money anyway. This way the Brewers can maximize their return now. And last, but certainly not least, sign Craig Counsell. Give him what he wants. A new Harley? Ask him what color. Lifetime Miller Park seats? Ask him where he wants to sit. He is the sparkplug. The leader. The Wisconsin boy.

So the 2010 Milwaukee Brewers would look like this: C-Jason Kendall, 1B-Mat Gamel, 2B-Felipe Lopez, SS-Alcides Escobar, 3B-Casey McGehee, LF-Ryan Braun, CF-Mike Cameron, and RF-Rickie Weeks. Starting Rotation-Yovani Gallardo, Manny Parra, Dave Bush, Suppan or Looper, and the free agent. The closer once again would be all-time saves leader, Trevor Hoffman.

I could live with that team in 2010. At least it would be competitive. The one thing Doug Melvin has to do is upgrade the pitching...in the majors and the minors. Not doing so would be unforgiveable. Not doing so will probably cost him his job.

Wow. I'm already looking towards 2010. There's still 2 months left. Can the Brewers reach the leaders? Maybe. Will the Brewers slump late in the year like the last few seasons? Probably. Oh well. I still have tickets to 2 more games at Miller Park this year, plus my father/son trip to see the Brew Crew in St. Louis.

Go Brewers!

With the Parents at the Park

Good Bye, Old Friend

My grill fed me at many Packers games at Lambeau, Brewers games at Miller, Mallards games at Werner, grill outs on the deck in Oregon and quick grill outs in the garage in Howards. But today I mourn for her. My grill finally lit it's last fire.

I know it's a grill, but it's more than that to me. To me it is memories. Doug melting the spatula to it in 10 degree weather at Lambeau. Making Matt grill at Miller Park because I was too busy ogling the hots chicks in J.J. Hardy jerseys (and because I bought the cheese brats, damn it.) Ed and I trying to keep it lit while tailgating before the cold, cold, cold Packer playoff games. Chilling at a Mallards game while waiting to get our free beer glass. Having to grill steaks in the snow because my Dad had to work late. Sitting on the deck, bull shitting with Matt with the aroma of grilling brats wafting in the air. Loading it time after time into my truck to start a journey that no one knew how it would end.

It was an end of an era today.

I guess I'm off to Target to buy a new one...and make some new memories.

A Monday at Miller

Doug and I celebrated his 30th birthday at Miller Park. We showed up. Too bad the Brewers did not.

2009 MLB All-Star Game

Well, the All-Star game is over with the American League winning 4-3. How did the Brewer representatives do? So-so. Ryan Braun did not do anything special. He started and lasted until the 6th when he was pulled for a pinch hitter. Trevor Hoffman pitched 1 inning. He only had to throw 5 pitches to get 3 outs. Prince was robbed. His game experience? 1 pinch hit at-bat. That's it. He made the most of it though. He hit a ground-rule double (above) to drive in the National League's 3rd run.

Ryan Braun: 0-2, Ground out, Fly out

Prince Fielder: 1-1, Double, RBI

Trevor Hoffman: 1 Inning, 1 Hit, 1 Fly out, 1 Double Play Ground Out

Congratulations, Prince!

That was an amazing display of power especially the 497 and 503 foot blasts. Thanks for making the Brew Crew fans proud! I really enjoyed the Ryan Braun celebration and the customary jersey untucking. Way to stick it to those stuck up Cardinal fans. Hey, Cardinal fans...where's your Pujols now?

What is Wrong with this Picture?

It pains me to see two ex-Brewers earn spots in the All-Star game. Nelson Cruz would look awesome in the Brew Crew outfield this year and Francisco Cordero would definitely be a boost to the bullpen.

Hindsight is 20/20 though. I do not fault Melvin much. He offered Cordero a comparable contract to stay. So no fault there. However, Nelson Cruz had to be included to get Cordero and Mench. (Are you fucking kidding me? Kevin Mench? I hope he's enjoying the Japan leagues.) Nonetheless, Texas did place Cruz on waivers so the Brewers could have gotten him back for nothing. That was a missed opportunity.

Cordero pulled a Steve Miller Band and took the money and ran so fuck him. He left a contender for the Reds. (Really? The Reds? Obviously, winning was not a requirement for you.) You can take your 40 million dollars, you're hollow stats, the Reds 90 plus losses and then go fuck yourself. Cruz? I can only imagine a murderers row of Braun-Fielder-Cruz. That 3-4-5 would be comparable to the best of all-time. Yes. Best. Of. All. Time.

Congratulations to the Brew Crew All-Stars!

Saturday Night at the Park

The Mets at Miller

Jason Kendall Bobble Head Doll Day

Celebrating a Birthday at Miller Park