Time for Brewers to Stand Pat

Right before the All Star Game, the Brewers had just lost their division lead but it looked as if they were a move away from getting it back. The Astros were playing well but they were the Astros, and the Brewers were not worried about them making a 2nd half push for the division. The Cubs were missing routine flyballs and looked as if they could be in a reality show with all the drama in their club house. Ramirez was hurt and the team were not hitting like the Cubs of 2008. The Cardinals were a strong club with a nice acquistion of Mark DeRosa but with a nice trade upgrade and pitchers coming back from DL, the Brewers looked to be buyers.

A lot has changed since then and now it looks like this is not the Brewers year. The pitching has gone from bad to worse having a hard time finding quality starts from pitchers and our bullpen is struggling because they are being overworked. The hitting has been dismal led by the offensive woes by team leader Ryan Braun. Braun is starting to have a decent week, but before this week has been putrid. Braun has been hitting as bad for a month stretch, as I have seen in the career of the young slugger. Fielder has been an MVP, but other than that not much production from the lineup.

Besides the obvious glaring troubles with the Brewers pitching what I am most dissappointed about is our 5-8 hitters. For instance, Corey Hart since getting voted last season to the All Star has been playing awful baseball. Everytime I see Hart in the box he looks like he is guessing with his big looping swing. Hardy has had fans see a future with Escobar very appealing. Hardy is a streaky hitter and has been his whole career, usually having two streaks in the season where he is on fire. The problem this year, is he has not had a streak like that. These two players are bats that the Brewers rely on to help score runs. Bill Hall I stopped getting frustrated about because he is a lost cause. I wonder the last time Kendall ate his Wheaties because all I have seen this year is groundouts to infielders. He hasn't even sniffed a home run all year which I don't have a problem with if you can hit over .240. Cameron started off great but again he looks lost at plate swinging at bad pitches. These Brewers to me have been more frustrating then pitching staff. They are producing so few runs and make it hard to watch because Hardy and Hart are Brewers who you thought could be our future. Batting Averages of these hitters (Hardy- .235, Hart- .259, Kendall- .239, Cameron- .249, Hall- .202) are just too low and it frustrating not having base runners.

So what do we do now?

After losing the first two to the Washington Nationals, it is clear we should not be buyers for big names. No use in doing a "Sabathia-esque" trade for Cliff Lee or Roy Halladay when the Brewers are about 3 all star caliber players away from playoffs. I wouldn't even like to see a smaller trade for a mid level starter like Doug Davis for a half year for a prospect we could use in the future. I think the two options are the Brewers do not trade anybody and ride their roster to the end of the year, hopefully we have a great August and September and maybe sneak into playoffs. Or we sell some players that we think we could get good value for. I think many players could be traded but I have don't touch list in order: (Braun, Fielder, Yovanni, Escobar, Gamel). If the trade makes our team better the next three or four years I say pull the trigger Doug. I wouldn't say we are buyers though contrast to what Haurdicourt reported in his blog today (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/51931102.html).

Time for the Brewers to stand pat!

BUT THATS JUST MY TWO CENTS FROM THE NOSE BLEEDS!

Justice in sports?

I just finished watching for the first time one of the greatest films of all time, 12 Angry Men. This movie highlights themes of how quickly our society is to judge people and throw them under the bus. It shows how personal prejudices many times scar our ability to truly understand the truth. It shows how people believe what they want from their prior dispositions. It shows how many times people accuse people of doing things to get fame or popularity. People find it very important to scrutinize others and make themselves feel better.
In the sports world I find many injustices that are often thrown on the athletes and are often ignored. My next few topics may start to be a little more controversial with some disagreeing with my strong opinions, but I ask you like in a jury room to leave your prejudices about professional athletes at the door.
People may think professional athlete are spoiled, thugs, criminal, high-maintenance, cheaters, and drug users but I ask you for one second to put you self in their shoes.
There are a few important issues that I would like to cover the next week and they include: rape charges on professional athletes, the 'cleaning up' of the NFL with heavy suspensions, the whitening of the Pacers in the post-Artest culture, the steroid era, and many other justice issues. I feel that many times the benefit of the doubt is that the athletes are in the wrong. Maybe they do not deserve to be seen innocent but as a democracy lover I believe they are innocent until proven guilty.

New Podcast

New Podcast out with special guest Jenny Sanger about the Wisconsin Badger ticket process for football tickets.. Check it out!!

What Cardinals Aquistion of Matt Holliday does for Brewers?

It felt like I got punched in the stomach this morning when I heard the St. Louis Cardinals were acquiring Matt Holliday from the A's. The Cardinals finally got protection for Albert Pujols and although he has not had his best season the last month he has really been getting hot. The fact is he is a huge upgrade for their already superior squad. With Holliday, Pujols, Derosa, and their already consistant lineup I do not think the Brewers have a legitimate shot anymore. I am not going to say the season is over, I just think playoffs are highly unlikely. With this acquistion I think the Cardinals have better hitting, starting pitching, and relief pitching and in the long run talent wins out.
What it means for Doug Melvin is don't trade away our next three seasons for a rental that could give us a little better shot. I don't want any prospects who will help our team to be traded unless the guy we are getting will makes us better and stay more than 1 year!
I just think with the Astros playing better than us, the Cubs still hibernating, and the Cardinals getting stronger; I think the Brewers have about a 10% chance of making playoffs which is too bad after the strong start.

Congrats Mark Buehrle on Perfect Game

Congrats Mark Buehrle on the wonderful accomplishment!! What a catch to save it though! Wise should never have to pay for another drink when Buehrle is in room!

The Best Year of Sports Ever

When remembering in my recent history the best years of sports 2008 is the best by far. It seemed every major event topped the previous one. Whether it was tennis, swimming, NCAA tournament, the Super Bowl, it just seemed to be getting better and better as the year went on.

To start off the great year, I would argue the greatest Super Bowl ever. The Patriots came into town with a historic undefeated record with a rematch of the last game of the regular season. No team during the 16 game season era has ever gone undefeated and entering the Super Bowl they were ready to make more history. For the first three quarters it seemed as if the Patriots would make history against a New York team who had just ended Brett Favre's historic season. The fourth quarter became the most historic part of this game; if there was a ever a better fourth quarter in NFL history I haven't seen it. Eli Manning stumbles out of the pocket eludes tacklers and throws hope truly a Hail Mary and David Tyree, a no named WR for Giants catches it on his head to keep the drive alive. The Giants ended up scoring with a Plaxico Burress catch (before he shot himself). The game was the ultimate underdog story and the great precursor to an unforgettable season.

The next great memory I have is the best national championship basketball game in a few years. With all 4 number 1 seeds making the Final Four, all the talent was ready for a big championship game with talented Memphis led by Freshman sensation Derrick Rose and a experienced Kansas squad. John Calipari preached the whole season his team's free throws woes were not a big deal because they were good enough other places. Boy, did that bite him in the butt as he watched his nine point led dissappear the last two minutes and be overshadowed by the last second shot by Mario Chalmers.

Who can forget maybe Tiger's toughest performance of his career? With torn cartilage in his leg and two stress fractures in his league battling off a sudden death to win the US Open. The year just keeps on getting better and more unforgettable.

The year continued with a changing of the guard at Wimbledon and a match for the ages. Federer was on the verge of being first player to win six straight Wimbledon championships. Nadal, his long time rival and new young stud battled Federer for almost 5 hours and the young kid Nadal ended up winning. Called by most tennis experts one of the best Wilmbledon matches of all times.

The Summer ended with a bang with Michael Phelps makes the Olympics relevant again. As a sports fan, I would never turn to swimming in my life. That all changed last August when Michael Phelps made history winning 8 gold medals, each one being more amazing than the last. Who can forget Phelps celebrating after those Frenchies blew the big lead! Oh I almost forgot, we have a new fastest man in world. Usain Bolt made a joke of the old world records breaking them with a 10 yard celebration.

The year also had the historic matchup in the NBA Finals with the Celtics and Lakers matching up again. The Tampa Bay Rays went from laughing stock to in the World Series. The Williams sisters decided to take a leave of absencse from art and dominate tennis again. The world say a legend leave on top and come back and leave and maybe comeback... oh Favre make up your mind.

The thing is there are 10 more good stories that I didn't have enough ink to write about. I believe 2008 was one of the best sports year in history.

Better Free Agent: Vick or Jessica Simpson?

I ask my blog readers to participate in the sidebar poll. Who is the more attractive free agent, the dog fighter Michael Vick who is looking to be reinstated by Roger Goodell. Or is the better free agent Jessica Simpson who was dumped by Tony Romo the day before her birthday (tear, tear).

Tiger Woods: unprofessional?

One thing that I have noticed along with my favorite sportswriter, is there is something about Tiger Woods' game that everybody ignores. When Tiger Woods wins he is constant professional, is a great winner and respects the game. If he is in a close match with another player he also is a constant professional and shows class and sportsmanship. If however, like at the British Open Tiger Woods plays bad, he looks like a spoiled country clubber who wasn't given the proper back massage before his round.

Tiger throws clubs, curses, and acts like the golf gods have mistreated him. He has a constant frown on his face when he cannot make a putt or keep his drives straight. It is so uncharacteristic of every other part of his game, that sometimes I think it goes unnoticed. People just say, "Well its Tiger," and brush it off. But when you watch Els, Singh, Watson, Stricker, or Mickelson make a bad shot do you ever see them throw clubs or curse.

I understand that every shot he ever takes is watched and scrutinized, but he is the only player on tour with bad etiquette when things are not going his way. I think the PGA tour and Nike have to step up and ask Tiger to clean up his behavior. 

While Tiger has mastered winning and being a good winner, to be one of the greatest icons ever he must learn how to lose right too!

Video of Lebron James Getting Dunked On

Don't think the video is that incredible. But the fact the Nike didn't want anyone to see this is the real story. Pretty great dunk probably made Jordan Crawford's career but also made Lebron James look scared of his image.

Either way I still love Lebron!!

Brewers 2nd Half

The Brewers are starting to really slip and are on the verge of being out of contention. I think the next few weeks will be very important to the rest of the season. If they are able to get out of the mess and are in a clear 2nd after from the embarrassing Cubs and the Astros I think they will be okay.

With the acquisition of Felipe Lopez, they finally have their true leadoff player. If Lopez can continue to hit around .300 and have plus speed we could score a lot more runs. Braun is having a streak that is verging on the longest slump of his career and the Brewers need him back to his old self to turn their fortunes. Thank God for Prince Fielder who is becoming a stud and the MVP of the Brewers this year.

The pitching is getting worse and it seems as though this will be the weakness down the stretch. In the beganning of the year I was so impressed with the staff and the bullpen, but that has gone away and we look worse than cynics predicted preseason. Yovanni has not gotten the run support he has needed to win but has pitched okay down the stretch. The other starters all seem to be about "4" or "5" on most staffs. So we have an ace and 4 "5"s, which causes stress on your bullpen. Coffey has been solid but a lot of the shut down relivers for the Brewers have been slipping. McClung and Villy are "Gagnesque" when they go into a game, you just start to cringe.

I think in order to make a playoff run, hitters like Hardy and Hart have to step up and half GREAT 2nd halfs. I also believe our starting pitchers need to make it later in games and have quality starts and I think we have a shot.

Mat Gamel

Mat Gamel was brought up before interleauge play to help the Brewers at the DH position. Gamel along with Escobar are the two gems of the Brewers farm system. The scouting report before he was brought up is that his fielding is not ready but he has the bat to be an everyday player. After watching him play for the Brewers a few month, I think he is a year away from being ready. I think the Brewers are very spoiled because of Ryan Braun. We saw his AAA numbers and they were pretty much matched in his rookie season and had one of the best rookie seasons in history of MLB. So when we look at Gamel's AAA numbers we believe that right away he will put up similar numbers and that is not the case with 98% of players.
I think that Gamel going back to the Minors after the Felipe Lopez trade will really help his development. He has gotten a taste of the Majors and has a lot to work on. I think he needs to shorten his swing and limit his strikeouts. I think he has a lot of ability and if he can stay at 3B can really help the future of the Brewers. If he isn't a good enough fielder maybe Hardy will move there. I see in two years possible infields include: 1B: Fielder 2B: Hardy SS: Escobar 3B: Gamel... Or if Gamel goes to outfield maybe Casey McGehee will be someone who we can count on. Either way I wasn't dissapointed with Mat Gamel but think he has potential to be a very good player.

Tom Watson

Tom Watson had one of the most memorable non-Tiger finishes in a recent memory. I was amazed by the 59 year old's ability to stick with the field that was about 25 years younger than him. Had he won it would have been one of the most incredible victories by a golfer. He not only would have been the oldest to win a Major by more than 10 years he also would have set the record with 6 British Open Championships.

While I was very impressed with Watson's run you can't help but be upset with his last putt attempt. I understand he was tired and said he couldn't remember most of his shots because of his fatigue but never leave a championship putt short. I know you are tired and that would understand shanking a drive or unable to take one out of the weeds but an 8 foot putt doesn't take a lot of strength. I know should satiracal and many will say you would have missed the putt. I understand that but I can't shot -4 at a mini putt course so that is not a valid arguement. The fact I don't dream since the age of 7 of making that putt and having the crowd go wild. I don't continue to play at 59 for that opporunity to capture greatness. The slogan a few years ago for the PGA was very fitting, "these guys are good" and because of that I expect them to make a putt Charles Barkley could make.

I feel the sad part about this weekend is how little love was given to Stewart Cink. A very good golfer that finally got a major he deserved. It is a little disheartening that all the focus was on Watson and it seemed as if he were a villian for no reason. Even though he had two shades of baldness I cheered for him in the playoff. Watson and Cink made a usually forgettable British Open worthwhile again.

Sorry blog follwers

I have been away from my computer for a long time but I have a lot of ideas I want to talk about so in the next few days I will do more posts than normal...

Prince is King

Congrats Prince Fielder on being crowned the King of Home Runs!!

The Pfizter is Haunted

The Minnesota Twins outfielder on my fantasy team is scared of my favorite Milwaukee hotel....


http://wcco.com/local/haunted.hotel.milwaukee.2.1080597.html

Josh Womack's Bat Tricks

AL and NL All Stars Starting Lineups

National League

THE ACTUAL: Catcher - Yadier Molina
MY PICK : Brian McCann- he has a better stats in Batting Average, Home Runs, and RBI's. McCann gets screwed again out of all star game

THE ACTUAL AND MY PICK: First Base - Albert Pujols- He is having one of the best season in recent era of baseball

THE ACTUAL AND MY PICK: Second Base - Chase Utley- Just an absolute stud

THE ACTUAL AND MY PICK: Shortstop - Hanley Ramirez- Fills up the stat sheet, a complete player

THE ACTUAL: Third Base - David Wright
MY PICK: Pablo Sandoval- One of my favorite young players in the league, does not have the same average as right but is hitting for power. He is a converted catcher that has played 1st and 3rd base and will be a superstar in league. David Wright has had a very strong first half but I give the nod to Sandoval.

THE ACTUAL: Outfield - Carlos Beltran
MY PICK: Justin Upton- Having a great first half, hitting for average and power, and has speed. A young superstar in the leauge that is easy to love.

THE ACTUAL AND MY PICK: Outfield - Ryan Braun- Stud, he can keep talking as long as keeps producing

THE ACTUAL AND MY PICK: Outfield - Raul Ibanez- Seems the Phillies have a new player every year that has a break out year, add Ibanez to the list


American League

THE ACUTAL AND MY PICK: Catcher - Joe Mauer- Has a good enough plate displine to hit .400 he may not do it but to have one player going for Maris' record and the triple crown, and another player try to hit .400 this could be the exact kind of records baseball needs in this season wrecked by steriod suspensions

THE ACTUAL:First Base - Mark Teixeira
MY PICK: Justin Morneau- Has better stats than Teixeira in nearly every category, one of the most underrated players in baseball.

THE ACUTAL: Second Base - Dustin Pedroia
MY PICK: Aaron Hill- Having a great comeback year and is tearing it up for my fantasy team, not a big name but putting up huge stats.

THE ACUTAL: Shortstop - Derek Jeter
MY PICK:Jason Bartlett- The young Shortstop from the Rays has caught my eye as a rising star. He is having a better year and I feel the All Star Game helps create new stars and I think this is the year to pass the torch to Bartlett.

THE ACTUAL AND MY PICK: Third Base - Evan Longoria- All Rays left side of infield, but Rays have something brewing with Bartlett and Longoria.

THE ACTUAL AND MY PICK: Outfield - Jason Bay- Having an excellent year for the Red Sox, Manny WHO?

THE ACTUAL: Outfield - Ichiro Suzuki
MY PICK: Carl Crawford- Stealing bases at a Henderson like pace, and is hitting for power. I know its my third Ray but would love this guy anywhere in my all star lineup

THE ACTUAL: Outfield - Josh Hamilton
MY PICK: Tori Hunter- I never knew he could hit like this, making a lot of people smile in LA.

That was not ball 4!!

Michael Jackson

I was going to do a post about how Michael Jackson and Tiger Woods though both stars at young ages reacted to it differently. But I feel like it is just obvious so not worth the ink. Instead I want to direct you attention to a funny tribute to Michael Jackson.
This CFL player instead of doing the moonwalk, took his helmet off and acted like he was getting buried.( http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=4302278)
To link my last two posts I will tell a joke...

What do Michael Jackson and Bill Buckner have in common?

They both wear a glove for no apparent reason.

But that's just my TWO CENTS FROM THE NOSE BLEEDS...