Start him
McGehee that is… he put on a show in the spring. He basically came out of no where and I’m sure just about every other Brewer fan wondered why they claimed him early in the off season. Frankly, I think Hall should have to work for his spot back. Nothing against him, but McGehee put up exceptional spring numbers to the likes of Hart, Fielder, and Hardy. Granted Hall was hurt, still didn’t seem impressive. Time will tell when the line-up gets a shake up, it’s early, the season hasn’t even started and being that McGehee is an ex-Cub, hopefully he becomes their worst nightmare.
Wait for it
Living is Wisconsin, winters and early springs are dreary and drab. You might find a nice day during the weekend, but it’s like finding the HBO channel unscrambled late at night when you were younger. You obviously got lucky, but the chances it happening again will be slim. Anyway, this past weekend the temps hit around 60 and it was sunny (good thing, because we had to move into our new house) and the next day it was rainy, windy, and cold. Talk about a tease, but that’s Wisconsin weather for you. Which brings me to the importance of Opening Day. Even if life is less than stellar, the start of baseball season is a sign of a great couple months ahead. Opening day and the whole baseball season is like a birthday. It’s the best and most consistent present every April and keeps on giving for the next six or even seven months. So if the next two weeks reek of complaints and dismal weather, remember that baseball will lift whatever state of mind we are in.
Bob Uecker love from Artie Lange
This is great. I wouldn’t mind spending a game in the box with Uke. Sounds like the role Uecker had in Major League wasn’t too far off from any normal game.
Video courtesy of CBS.
Once a Baseball Fan, Forever a Brewer Fan
One might wonder why we are fans of our beloved baseball teams. Some choose to like teams in the same state and others might choose to like teams on the other side of the country. Some might like teams because they are consistently good or consistently on television. Everyone’s mind works in a different way. I’m not sure how or why I became a fan of baseball, but it started when I was able to tie my shoes (for all anyone knows that could’ve been a few years ago).
I became a fan of baseball first and then a fan of the Brewers second and that remains the same to this day. Why I became a fan of the Brewers remains to be a mystery as well. I could guess it had to do something with my family liking them and seeing that one of my relatives had Brewer memorabilia, so who knows. I was excited, because it was the first team I had liked. That was until I found out they were a terrible team. Late 80′s, early 90′s were not the greatest years (actually up until a few years ago, it was all bad). My attention shifted to other teams like the Braves and Orioles. I became fascinated with Cal Ripken Jr. He was a great role model and one of the most consistent players of all time. The Braves on the other hand, had many excellent players and were winning all the time, so I started to follow them more, and lacked loyalty to Brewers. Back in the day, I was a young guy who was consumed by the whole aspect of baseball and never quite understood the loyalty of being a fan and sticking with your team no matter how bad they are.
These past years have been a different story, I’ve found what team loyalty actually is. Ripken has since retired, Braves are not the same Braves anymore and yes, the Brewers are a little better. My attention shifted back to the Brewers because of the fans and the atmosphere at the games. A big piece to becoming a loyal fan is getting to the games. You can watch them on TV all the time, but feeling the excitement at the park is indescribable and makes you feel like part of the gang (or it might be the alcohol that brings fans together). It’s like seeing your favorite band.
Becoming a loyal fan of a team is like taking a step toward maturity. It’s like becoming a parent and knowing that your child may not please you all the time, but in the end they won’t lack excitement.
Down the Hall
Bill Hall’s injury has opened a few doors for a few other Brewer infielders. Casey McGehee (ex-Cub, not sure about him yet), Mike Lamb, Vinny Rottino, and Counsell. Right now all are hitting below in the .250 range and doing well fielding. So will there be a spot left for Hall when he comes back from his injury? If McGehee stays consistent, I’m sure he’ll get the starting nod. Lamb is a decent utility guy, so I expect him to fill in where needed. Counsell is a wild card. He can play all IF positions, but I just can’t see him being as a consistent producer at third. So, do we make a another bid to ship Hall off to another team that needs a third basemen…maybe some pinned-striped team out east?
Playing budget baseball
The good ole recession has taken toll on most of us in one way or another. Having a family to take to the game doesn’t come without a cost either. Average I spent last year for family tickets was anywhere from $80-$90 and that doesn’t include parking, food, and any other novelties.
Here are a few ideas that have ended up working for me at Miller Park:
Parking:
There are a few bars that let bus you over to Miller Park. Kelley’s Bleachers for an example, buy a drink and get a ticket to ride the bus. Hang onto your bus ticket or you can’t get back on (unless you got a hook up).
Tickets:
I you have kids and depending the age of your kids, you can always say they are 2 or under. My kids were 3 and I was able to get them in for free. Although, they had to sit on our laps, it saved us a few bucks. Another options we’ve done, was purchasing standing room only tickets. The kids don’t sit long anyway, so I didn’t see a point of getting seats. They are 4 this year, I can’t really sneak them past the age of two and I don’t really want a kid on my lap for an hour.
If you go at it alone and without tix, scalpers are are always waiting
to hit you up with a few deals. If you ride one of the bar buses
there, check with the drivers. They always have an idea where scalpers
have good and honest deals. Haven’t personally bought from any, just
passing on when I’ve heard from a few buddies who buy from scalpers.
Food:
If you can, pack your own food and snacks. Right there it will save you an arm, because you already spent a leg for tickets.
Beer:
Almost a necessity when you are at the game, but when
you have the kids it’s a good idea to skip it. Save your cash and buy
the little ones some overpriced MLB gear.
If you must, here are a few gadgets to help you sneak in your favorite
beverage (I’m not advocating this, but I know times get tight and some
people don’t really want to pay $7 for a bottle of beer):
BeerBelly
The WineRack
Binoculars
Mobile Brewers
When you’re a way from your pc or your TV, your phone is the next best thing. I know I need to know what’s going on the crew when I’m on the road. Here are a few options:
For your Blackberry:
http://www.mlb.com/mobile/blackberry/shortcut.jsp?c_id=mlb
This is a link to your favorite team on your home screen at MLB.com. This works with your browser.
For your iPhone:
http://www.mlb.com/mobile/iphone/index.jsp?c_id=mlb
I’m hearing a lot of good things about this one. I have not looked at it yet. I might have to download it to the wife’s iPhone.
Read the review here: http://www.macworld.com/article/134900/2008/08/mlbatbat.html
For other devices:
http://www.getjar.com/products/25121/MajorLeagueBaseball
This is actually a MLB.com app. Give’s scores, standings, news, etc. This is basically a web shortcut for your phone.
Nokia and Samsung, your individual apps are right around the corner.
At it again…
I blogged a little last year, mostly about nonsense and oddball stuff. Looking to continue the nonsense. I’ll focus a little more on the Brewers and perhaps make some sense about my favorite sports team, (my only favorite professional team in the state). By choice I have my plate full with a wife, kids, school, work, a new house, summer baseball, and attending Brewer games. It sounds like a load, but if Fielder can get faster and the Brewers can make the playoffs, anything is possible.
A little something for Cubbie fans…..
mlblogsnwest33
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