5.08.2008

Brewers lose 6-2 at Florida
Now 16-17
Burk [?] Badenhop was the recipient tonight of the Brewers lackluster offense. I commented to some co-workers that if I was a Rotissirie geek, I would merely stack my team with pitchers who were about to face the Brewers.

Talked to my father about the Crew tonight. He's been hearing the complaints about Yost and thoughts of Simmons taking over. And once again, people are pointing to '82 as an instance where firing your manager mid-season worked. While I may agree that Yost needs to turn this team around to save his job, I disagree that a team automatically does better with a new manager. That '82 team was a veteran team that needed the hands off approach of Harvey Kuene instead of the micro-managing style of Buck Rodgers. This team is young, they need a veteran manager... maybe not a first time manager.

The reason for firing Yost during the season should be because you, as a GM or owner, decide that this guy isn't doing the job, and rather than leave a "dead man walking", you toss him to the curb and HOPE that new blood invigorates the team enough to get fans back to the park. Then in the off season, you address your GM situation and do a hard target search for a good manager.

And I'm starting to think Melvin has to worry as well. The Brewers have put some good talent together, but perhaps Melvin tries to hard to continue with "scrap heap" projects rather than making tough decisions on the progress/ potential of our players. Maybe you can't worry that trading Rickie Weeks for a pitcher is a long term mistake?

Either way, I'm starting to think I'll be able to get a Sheets jersey really cheap by the time I visit Milwaukee this summer.

5.06.2008

Game 32: 3-0 Loss to Florida. Brewers now 16-16
I listened to barely a third of the game, went to JSO to get the just of it. What I thought when I saw that row of 0's on the linescore is that, "this looks familiar". A beatable lefthander in Scott Olsen makes the Brewers lineup look pathetic again. Hall came up with the basesloaded and two out in the 9th, swung at the first pitch and lined out. Suppan takes the collar in a game where giving up 3 wins should get you a W. It's hard for me NOT to be upset with Yost. Even Melvin has me wondering. Did he get too high on his own press? Thinking that he could pull magic from every risk, gamble and reclamation project out there? Did success in non-standard aquisitions keep him from wisely managing the personel? Perhaps more should have been done to improve the offense then look for bargains and stick with "guys with potential". I'm asking way too many questions for my liking. I'll sum up by saying Yost shouldn't make it through the season if this team doesn't make a drastic turn around and Melvin should be choosing his moves wisely. Dealing Sheets at the deadline now seems wiser and wiser a move, not because Sheets is a liability, but because the Crew could be out of it.

In positive Brewer notes, an article in the JSO highlighted a study by Bill James that the '82 Brewers infield was tied with the '76 Reds as the best infield since 1934.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=747811
Game 31- Loss at Houston 16-15
Gagne walks in the tying run. Hunter Pence wins it with a HR in the 12th. That was the Astros first extra inning game. That was the Brewers bajillion. NO Brewer's runs scored after the 4th. Sheets outing wasted.

I keep telling myself to stay optimistic. That the talent will get this team over the hump, but 20 years of Brewer disappointment are hard to deny. I really don't know if Yost will still be managing this team when I visit Milwaukee this summer. If this play continues, Yost has to be fired, at least after the season. And Melvin may not be far behind. All that money in the bullpen could come back to bite him in the ass.

5.04.2008

Game 30- L Houston 16-13

Listless. That is the best way I can describe the Brewers play lately. Rickie Weeks leadoff HR had all the spark of an Estelle Getty strip tease. I really think this team is so novice that they think losing Gallardo for the season is the end of any hope as they know it. Parra didn't pitch great, but once again, that lineup HAS to do better than 2 runs. Numerous scoring chances wasted. As I mentioned, the Weeks HR, which apparently almost took out the train at Minute Maid, should have been an offensive wakeup, but no. However, the Brandon Backe HR was apparently a wake up for the 'Stros. Good for Cecil Cooper I say. Yo or no Yo, Melvin and Attanasio need to start asking for better results. This team is uninspired and has never put together a consistent season where they met expectations. In 2005 they sort of overachieved, but since then, they have had a team good enough to win the division... and nothing. Am I pissed, hell yes! Offensively the Brewers are about as impressive as a "mountain" in Wisconsin. Pick it up Crew, if you care about Yost's job, pick it up.