Song written for Prince Fielder

"Hell ya I would like to hit him"

Are the Vikings that Much Better?

Everybody in the world is ready to crown the Minnesota Vikings as the Super Bowl Champions with the acquisition of Brett Favre. My question is, just how much better are the Vikings with Favre. First I am going to go into the skill level he brings to the team. Last year Favre was able to throw 22 TDs and 22 INTs with the Jets with two solid receivers in Coles and Cotchery. Last year the Vikings' QBs threw 22 TD's and 17 INTS with far less superior receivers. Also Favre's record at the crunch time of last season he was 1-4, when it looked like the Jets were about to clinch their playoff spot. Favre also has seemed to really struggle once the weather gets cold now. Last year, he struggled in December with the Jets and the year before the two cold games of the year (Giants and Bears) he was not efficient. I do think Favre is a step up from who they have but it may not be as big as people believe.
Favre's acquisition also add a lot of problems to the chemistry of the Vikings. Jared Allen said a number of times if he isn't with us now, we don't want him. Brad Childress said that the Vikings are not getting Favre and a few weeks later you hear him calling Favre and still wanting him to go back. It seems at the end of last season the Jets resented Favre and trashed him after the season. I think that he really effected the Packers with his drama last year and I think it could take a toll on the Vikings this year. Wanting your own lockerroom, not showing up to training camp, and all the other high maintenance things Favre is requesting makes me believe the Vikings will not be much better with the future Hall of Famer!

BUT THAT'S JUST MY TWO CENTS FROM THE NOSE BLEEDS!!

He's Backkkkkkkkkk....

Guess what? Brett Favre changed his mind, again! I am currently watching the press conference (side note can Brad Childress shave, he looks like a HOBO!) and I am actually surprised with Brett Favre. I guess we learn today his word means nothing. After just two weeks ago he said he would not be back. I am really disappointed with Favre, it seems as if he believes his is WAY bigger than the game. Favre needs to grow up and be an adult, the reason he choose this late is because he is lazy and did not want to be in camp and do any workouts. I would respect him if he went to camp and off season training and then decided he couldn't. I just feel that this legend has almost lost all of his respect and now when people hear Brett Favre they usual chuckle. I will continue to post about Favre with a Favre-lover and give counter points. I really can't wait for the Vikings-Packers game, how much will Favre be booed.

BUT THAT'S JUST MY TWO CENTS FROM THE NOSE BLEEDS!

The Other Brewer Slugger

Kory Kozak of ESPN wrote a nice article about Ryan Braun today. He cites the confidence that is sometimes misunderstood by others in the major leagues. I think in order to be special you need to be confident on the boarder of cocky. Tiger Woods goes onto the golf course knowing he is going to win the tournament (except today) and Ryan Braun goes into the batters box knowing he will get a hit. I enjoyed reading this and thought I would pass it on.

BUT THAT'S JUST MY TWO CENTS FROM THE NOSE BLEEDS!!

Prince wasn't always a vegetarian...

What if the Brewers would have landed CC Sabathia...

With all the talk that Doug Melvin should of signed more pitching in the off season Brew Crew Ball gives an insightful look into whether we would have signed CC Sabathia. Everybody loves to jump on the band wagon Melvin is an idiot for not signing enough pitching but what this article argues is that even signing the best pitcher on the market for under market value, we would not be close to 1st place. What sometimes gets lost in these stats though is the effect that Sabathia has on a club. I remember last year once Sabathia became a Brewer the culture changed and he pumped the team up to a different level. I think many other pitchers stepped up their game with Sabathia on the staff and the hitters loved him as a teammate. I think Doug Melvin did just a fine job in the off season with the surprise free agent signing of the year in Trevor Hoffman. We are a small market team with a low salary cap we don't go after superstars but build up our farm system.


BUT THAT'S JUST MY TWO CENTS FROM THE NOSE BLEEDS!!

Philadelphia Eagles' Fake Out

The Eagles surprised the world when they were able to land Michael Vick today. The Eagles seem to have so many weapons it seems as if now they have received another player that make them very hard to cover. With the emergence of DeShaun Jackson, the solid Reggie Brown, the speedy rookie Jeremy Macklin, a workhorse in Brian Westbrook; it seems as if the only problem is how are they going to use all of these weapons. All I know is that the Philadelphia Eagle could completely change the way the NFL game is played. With Vick, Macklin, and Jackson there has never been a team with this many athletic speedsters at the talented positions. Everytime one of these players gets the ball the opposing coach is shaking in his boots.

I think that the Eagles is a good place for Vick and I think Vick helps the Eagles. It seems like they always have the talent to go to the Super Bowl but need that X factor and I think Vick may be it. I think they can run the wildcat with a number of different players (Vick, Macklin, or Jackson) and could start trying it out with other players while Vick is suspended. By the time Vick gets in football shape and back up to speed I think the Eagles are the team to beat in the NFC.

I think the juice is worth the squeeze and this move may make the Eagles this year's Super Bowl Champs!

BUT THAT'S JUST MY TWO CENTS FROM THE NOSE BLEEDS!

Brewers Art

Special shout out to my eldest brother, Kyle Sweeney who was pondering all of the Brewers decisions today at work. Instead of venting on a blog few people read, he decided to show off his artistic talent with office push pins. I can't imagine how much better it would have looked it he was happy with the Brewers today. I will say he also spent the day sending me texts about how mad he was at the Brewers. The one other possibility we talked about was this move making JJ Hardy not available for free agency for another year. If he plays more than 21 games in minor leagues he will have to wait another season before he hits free agency. This could have been quietly a very crafty move by Brewers GM.


BUT THAT'S JUST MY TWO CENTS FROM THE NOSE BLEEDS!

Hardy Down to Minors

I strongly disagree with Doug Melvin's decision to move JJ Hardy down to the minors. I guess he wanted to "shake things up" but he went about it the wrong way. If he truly believes that Escobar is the future at SS fine, but this is not the best way to improve your team. JJ Hardy now has barely any trade value because he was sent to minors for poor preformance. Now we have to pay Escobar earlier and to be honest, I don't think he will be that big of an improvement from Hardy.
If we really wanted to "shake things up" we could have brought up Escobar and have him play SS often and move Hardy around seeing if he is a good 3B or 2B. I think this also hurts Hardy's confidence which has already been dwindling since the beganning of the year. It seems as if Hardy is pressing and maybe Melvin believes this will help him like it did to Rickie Weeks last season. But I think this just puts more pressure on Hardy who coming into the year was already getting questioned about switching positions to make room for Escobar. Doug Melvin I think you really screwed up and overracted. I believe Escobar will be an excellent Brewer one day, but I don't think this move helps the Brewers at all!

BUT THAT'S JUST MY TWO CENTS FROM THE NOSE BLEEDS!

Prince Fielder's "Attempt" at fight

There is an unwritten rule in baseball that if somebody plunks your star player it is up to your pitcher to hit there best player. Sometimes however I think players and managers get carried away with it and many problems result because of this. On Tuesday's game, the Dodgers were blowing out the Brewers in what seemed to be a game that had gotten away. Manny Ramirez was hit by a ball that barely missed the inside corner. Manny was having a good game but it seemed there was no intent to hit the Dodgers' slugger. With two outs in the top of the ninth inning, Dodgers' pitcher and ex-Brewer Guillermo Mota intentionally hit Prince Fielder. Fielder was fed up for good reason, in the top of the ninth inning in a blow out game it just seemed not to be worth it. He considered Mota a friend and was fed up with being hit for the ninth time of the year.

Fielder instead of charging the mound took first base with an evil stare to Mota. Mota was tossed and it seemed as if Torre was ready for that already having a pitcher warm up when Mota was pitching with two outs in the ninth. After the game Russell Martin the catcher made it clear the pitch was on purpose. When the game eventually ended, Fielder came out of the dugout to confront Mota about hitting him. Mota ignored him and went to the lockerroom, so Fielder went to find him. This is where present day media throws the story out of proportion, Fielder didn't throw any punches or tackle anybody but he was this "thug" in the other team's locker room. I am sure Fielder wishes he did not go to Dodgers locker room but I don't think he deserves any punishment.


BUT THATS JUST MY TWO CENTS FROM THE NOSE BLEEDS!!

Bill Simmons Come To Madison

I am trying to get Bill Simmons to come to Madison for a Badgers football game and to Lambeau for a Packers game. Try to spread the word, I am going to give a reason everyday why he should come and hopefully with enough emails and support he will make the trip!

Brett Favre Can't Make a Decision

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...

Redemption Song

The great part about sports is that you have the chance to redeem yourself. Even though countless mental and physical errors will happen during a game usually the player has a chance to make it up later in the game. This was never more fitting then in last night's Brewers Mets game.
In the top of the sixth inning the Brewers rookie Casey McGehee made an error that made
Bill Buckner sleep easy. Buckner made an error in the 1986 World Series that has haunted him for years. Casey McGehee dropped a routine infield popup that would have ended the inning and the next play the Mets scored two runs to make it a 3-2 game. It just so happened in the bottom of the inning Casey McGehee got a chance to undo his gaffe in the top half of the inning. McGehee stepped up with the bases loaded and corked his first career grand slam. After going into the dugout you saw him curse into his helmet with lots of emotion and showed his competitive spirit. Just as feel good as this story is, it is just as heart breaking thinking of Buckner who also made his error against the Mets.
I was born in 1989, three years after the error Buckner made in the World Series and I know the reference. Red Sox nation never will forget the error in game six that may have cost the Red Sox the World Series that would have broken the "Curse of the Bambino". It takes a long time to gain hero status in sports but it takes no time to be a goat. Buckner played in the Majors for 20 years. He was a career .289 hitter and led the NL in 1980 with a .324 average. He put together one of his best seasons in 1986 and was a main reason the Red Sox were in the playoffs with his great September. He started the rally in the ninth inning in the Championship Series to get to the World Series. Buckner was a staple of this World Series bound team.
In the last inning of every game, manager John McNamara would pull Buckner for Dale Stapleton for defensive purposes. Buckner had very bad knees he was battling that effected his fielding. It just so happened in this extra inning game McNamara decided not to pull Buckner. After being one strike away from winning the World Series the wheels started coming off. Consective hits and wild pitches led to a tie game and then eventually to the "error heard round the world" by Buckner. The fact is though as much as there is redemption in McGehee case many times there isn't like in the tragic story of Buckner. After this Buckner recieved death threats and had bouts with depression over one stupid play.
Finally, I think many times in sports we like to put the blame on one person when many times it is because of many mistakes. Had manager John McNamara taken Buckner out like usual or if the pitcher would have not given up three straight hits the Red Sox would have won the World Series. Or in the Cubs situation if you could field a routine ball to the shortstop the name Steve Bartman wouldn't mean anything. I think sports fans need to understand mistakes happen and that we should learn to drop things and not let one mistake linger.

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

Dwanye Wade is the best

College World Series

Most Akward Interview Ever with Sam Cassell

I Miss Mark Madsen at LA Lakers Parades

Jarron Gilbert

Keith Eloi

Take your pick Gilbert or Eloi?

What is more impressive into the back of the truck in sandals or out of the pool?

"YOU DO STERIODS"

Not Cheering for Phil this week = Bad person?

Being a fan for a golf is very interesting because unlike many other sports there no home teams. Many golf fans decide there favorite golfers but many just want to see a good tournament. Some fans cheer for Tiger Woods to win every single tournament, others want an underdog to win every tournament. But some like me change who I want to win, but I know who I want to lose. There are three golfers in the PGA that I never want to win a tournament: Sergio Garcia, Rory Sabbatani, and Phil Mickelson.
For me these guys because of their arrogance and feeling they are better than the tour I decide not to cheer for them. Sergio for not winning anything talks a lot of trash to the best athlete of our generation. Sabbatani is one of the biggest stuck up athletes who calls himself a Tiger killer though he time and time again can not handle the Tiger pressure.
Phil is another story all together, I think I was only person in the room that was not cheering when he canned that putt to win the 2004 Masters. Nobody loves themselves in sports more than Phil, his nickname by other players is "FIGJAM" (F@#K I'm Good, Just Ask Me). He is hated on the tour by all others players for being a fraud with his "fake smile". He has this image by many sports fan that he is a "family man". A few years ago, when his wife was in labor he said he would walk off the course if he got paged by his wife. I think he is filled with PR stunts, to cover the skeltons in his closet. He is a terrible gambler, he uses all the money he gets from his sponspors to pay off the millions he loses in the casino, "some family man".
Now his wife is going through a very difficult bout with cancer. I wish Amy Mickelson the best and I truly hope that she recovers. However for me as a sports fan to cheer for him just because of the sentimental story is not true. I am sure there are 5 better stories this weekend that are never talked about like Phil talks about his. There is a difference between feeling sympathy for someone and wishing them the best and wanting them to beat your team.
If Carlos Zambrano's mom died day before game 7 in the NL pennant against the Brewers would I cheer for the Cubs, NO. I am not cheering for Phil this weekend and I don't think I am the devil. If he wins it has nothing to do with his wife, it has to do with PHIL. PHIL MICKELSON IS THE EDDIE HASKELL OF THE PGA TOUR. I will never cheer for him but I wish his wife the best in her battle with breast cancer.

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

Series of the Year

I just got a message from my brother that he doesn't know how I feel about the Brewers because I don't blog anymore. Sorry I have been pretty busy lately (not true but sounds good).

After watching the nail biting victory tonight I realized I have never been more pleased with the Brewers. Last season when we made the playoffs I was overwhelmed with joy but we still weren't playing our best baseball and benefited off a super human and another Mets collapse. Right now I am down right PROUD of the Brewers.

The Brewers the first few months of the season have been truly remarkable. People that complain at parties forget just 4 years ago we were an embarrassment. Everybody on the Brewers has had a stretch of the season where they have performed to their best of their ability and many players are having the best seasons of their young careers. I will quickly go down and give a short analysis of some Brewers.

Braun- Braun is our MVP and is playing like, for the first time in his career he giving you 4 good at bats everyday at the ball park. He is Mr. Consistency with a flair for late game heroics. One thing I think has been overlooked is his excellence in left. He isn't just average it he is becoming a great Left fielder making highlight plays more and more. I love Braun and would not trade him for anybody in the leauge.

Fielder- I think his best year of career, leading the leauge in RBI's and Walks. His on base percentage is top 5 in the leauge and he is a patient hitter who is clutch with runners in scoring position. I really have loved Fielder this year and want him to sign long term and think it is really important for Brewers franchise in future.

Weeks- So proud of first half, injury really hurt but maybe a long time 2nd basemen if he can keep up what he was doing first half. Hats off to Randolph for his work with Weeks.

Cameron- Great first half, struggling as of late, big power numbers and is a great leader and CF.

Hart- Good season, solid every day player been very hot lately!

Hardy- Although he has been struggling has been coming on as of late. Seemed to have Weeks sydrom for a while when he was hitting ball hard straight to guys.

Kendall- Struggling hitting think this is his last season as the Brewers but doesn't have grit. He has been hitting great as of late though but think we have a lot of good young prospects. Although Salome has struggled this season with his back problems.

Hall- Struggling hitting but making nice plays in field.

Counsell- Can't say enough about his importantce to the team. Stepped up when Weeks got hurt and is having a Comeback Player of the Year type season.

McGahee- So happy with his production, stud.. This year's Gabe Kaplar

Suppan- Having a better year and been very good since bad 1st 2 starts.

Yovanni- Stud, Ace, Cy Young canidate can't ask for more

Bush- Gritty, good season

Looper- Pitching what I expected getting a lot of run support

Hoffman- STUD

COFFEY- LOVE HIM

DiFelice- Very impressive

All of RPs are pitching lights out biggest suprise and biggest reason for great first half


I LOVE THESE BREWERS SO PROUD!!

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

Cockiness?

I have been getting sick and tired of people in sports calling the Brewers and Cavaliers cocky. These are two young teams who love to play and are having fun doing it.

First I will break down the Cavaliers and how they are not cocky. Led by Lebron James the Cleveland Cavaliers had one best regular season's in recent history. They won the most home games in the history of the NBA, part of that was the confidence that they had going into each game. With their crowd behind them, they were a lovable team that you could tell was having a great time playing. They had more enthusiasm to play the game then any team I can remember in recent history. People would have problems with them because of the dances they did before the game or not taking the game serious enough. I disagree with this critics because it was this fun attitude that helped them win and it never showed up the other team. With a pregame dance ritual as long as it isn't in the face of the other team I don't think their should be such a fuss over it.

The Brewers are another young team with a passion for the game. They believe in each other and love comign to the ball park everyday. One of the biggest misconceptions of what they do is after the game when they untuck their shirts. People think it is showing up the other team when in fact it is to show respect to Mike Cameron's father. Cameron is the Brewers' leader and has un-tucked his jersey after victories since the beginning of his career. It's a tribute to his father, a blue collar worker who would untuck at the end of a hard days work. His teammates in Milwaukee picked it up, and made it a team thing. This is a silly thing to call them cocky about. It just seems like many times national commentators or opposing managers call this a cocky, brash group of guys and I just get annoyed by it. Anytime Ryan Braun watches his homerun, he is so arrogant. But Albert Pujols watches every homerun until the fan who caught it is done celebrating; and nobody says anything.

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

Best shot of the............

(Blogging from Majic Office, shout out requested by Michael Jurken)

When watching Lebron James' game winning shot against the Magic in game, I thought, "that shot was the best shot I have seen in....." and I wondered how good was that shot. It was the best shot I have seen this playoffs... this season...and Lebron James' career... but was it the best I had seen in the last five years? Was this the best shot at the end of game I have ever seen in my life. Is this shot better than Jordan's pushoff of Bryon Russell.

LEBRON'S SHOT (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIO2Ug8jq3E)

When saying something is the best shot many things need to be considered: importance of shot and game, difficulty, and situation of the series. While I do enjoy James' shot it was game two, not a game six or seven to end a series. Jordan's ended his first career, many great shots of my lifetime to end series maybe have more significance. But although it did not end the series with the Magic being up 3-1 the series may be over had he not hit it. If they do come back to win the series it could have just as much significance as any game 7 shot. The difficulty of the shot rivals any last second playoff winner I have seen, it being a fade away three pointer with a hand in his face. Jordan's great shots were from the elbow or a little inside three point line, this shot was a bomb.

The significance of the shot is I believe while Jordan had many shots at the end of his career to solidify his greatness, I believe this shot is first of many of young James' career that will define him as clutch. In previous seasons many times Lebron could be seen missing shots at the end of games and key free throws, this however I feel will be a thing of the past and clutch Lebron will be the thing he will be remembered for.

The real question with the Cavs is will they find ANYBODY who can play with him. I wonder whether the Cavs without Lebron could beat this YMCA basketball team (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiX0lFlbB1E). Mo Williams is shooting 33% in the series and West and other players are spotty and average at best. Its a shame Lebron does have a Pippen that will make him unable to match Jordan's rings.

But that is just my TWO CENTS FROM THE NOSE BLEEDS....

Winning the Argument

I never thought I would see the day when a manager won an argument with an umpire during a baseball game. But as I watched the Brewers, Twins game on Sunday evening the unthinkable happened...

Set the scene:

Two men our on for the Twins and red hot Joe Mauer comes to the plate. An inside pitch strikes the hands or bat of the Minnesota batter, the medical staff comes out and there is a little confusion on the call. After the staff talks with Mauer he goes to take his base, at which point the manager Ron Gardenhire comes out to argue the call. As the fight continues both the umpire and Gardenhire seem to be very livid both arguing their points. Mauer keeps pointing to his hand with had a bruise on it. 

Gardenhire leaves with a look disgust as if he did not get his message across. All of the sudden the umpire says take your base. Without speaking with any other umpires, using video evidence, or anything other helpful devices; decides to change his mind from the compelling argument given what he believed to be a young Johnny Cochran.

The next batter Justin Morneau hit a grand slam to ensure the sweep of the Brewers. 

My problem was not so much with the fact Mauer was hit or not, it was the reversal. I almost wish at moments like this umpires could be have microphones like NFL refs to tell us what the hell they are thinking. It just makes me think maybe we should look for a compelling young debater like Tom Cruise as Lt. Daniel Kaffee in A Few Good Men, rather than Ken Macha who is more like Lionel Hutz from the Simpsons.

 or

But that is just my TWO CENTS FROM THE NOSE BLEEDS....

Brewers Rolling....

Brewers had another impressive win tonight, getting 6 good innings from Bush and another solid save from Trevor.

Brewers look as good as I have even seen them in my short life. They seem to be clicking on all cylinders. People are going to need to pick it up with the absence of Rickie, but some Brewers have not been playing to their full potential thus far.

JJ Hardy has yet to find his rhythm that he has been in the last few years. Corey Hart's power numbers and batting average also are not where they were last year and during his torrid spring training. It seems as if the Brewers are going to see whether McGehee, Gamel, CC, and Hall can hold down the infield without their second basemen. But I believe Melvin will pull the trigger if the right deal comes along and those guys are under achieving.

Weeks out for the Year

Well many are ready to write off the Brewers once again after the heart-breaking injury of Rickie Weeks; I believe it is another opportunity for the young Brewers to find a new superstar. Mat Gamel's recent promotion seems as if it could not have come at a better time. While the true reason for his promotion was to hit as DH during the inter league play I believe that this Weeks' injury means Mat Gamel will be a regular starter for the Brewers. I see versatile Bill Hall stepping up as an everyday 2B and Gamel and Craig Counsell splitting time at 3B. I think Ken Macha is going to show off his creativeness with lineups. I think Corey Hart will have to step up as the leadoff with speed and lack of power this year.

I see our new lineup as follows:
1. Hart RF
2. Gamel 3B
3. Braun LF
4. Fielder 1B
5. Cameron CF
6. Hall 2B
7. Hardy SS
8. Kendall C
9. Pitcher


I also think another option is trying to move up Escobar and toy with Hardy, Hall, Gamel, and Escobar to find the hottest 3 at 2B, SS, and 3B.

Brewers- 5-16 - 5/18

This Friday I walked into Busch Stadium for the first time excited to see my first place Brewers for the first time this regular season. The game started and the Brewers did not look good with Yovanni giving up a two run home run. Then I heard Aunt Em yell, "DOOOOOOOOORRRRRTHYYY" and a twister seemed to consume Busch Stadium. I realized soon, "I wasn't in Milwaukee anymore." Because we were just close the roof and problem solved, nice going Cardinals with the new Stadium. (In all seriousness an awesome stadium, not everybody can afford retractable roofs.) As we sat there waiting to hear whether the game was cancelled we thought, so we are through an inning and a half what are the rainout rules. It just so happens when the game is rescheduled the game starts from the first inning. Meaning because of the great Busch Twister, Yovanni ERA is saved.

But Brewers are truly turing up the heat and seem to be the team to beat right now in baseball. With their starting pitching putting up gritty performances night after night and the bats showing up in clutch times, it looks like Playoffs aren't so unreasonable Mora (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwq7BYOnDrM). I know too early to say that but I am loving the team right now.

Awards this week
Week MVP: Trevor Hoffman
9-9 Saves and hasn't given up an earned run or walk. Don't know if he will keep it up but so far so good for Hells Bells
Pitcher of the Week: Jeff Suppan
Usually makes me need to go to confession after all the swears I yell at the TV when he is pitching but he pitched a gem on Saturday to retire Cardinals hitters
Hitter of Week- Rickie Weeks
I feel like I was going to vomit preseason when I heard about Rickie's "potential" and Suppan's "experience" but I guess people were right about him. His near cycle had Chad Moheller at the edge of his seat thinking he would be bethrowned for last Brewer to hit for the cycle.


Year so far Awards
MVP: Mike Cameron
MVPitcher: Yovanni
Hitter: who needs brains when you got Braun
Comeback: Rickie Weeks/ Craig Counsell
Surpise: Middle relievers stepping up (Difelice, Stetter, Coffey)
Most Valuable Coach- Dale Sveum, thanks for your work with Rickie, agressiveness pays off for some hitters (http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/45155312.html)


Just first Brewers post of many....

America's Sport?

While we are in full swing of MLB Baseball and football is months away I start to question, "What is America's most beloved sport?" While no one questions the history and mystique of the game of baseball do Americans care as much about baseball anymore or has football everyone's true interest.
First off, when thinking of "America's pastime" immediately baseball comes to everyone's mind appreciating the historic game as the national sport. Names like Ruth, Mantle, Dimaggio, Robinson, Mays, and Aaron are household names that sport fans find sacred. The history at Fenway, Wrigley, and Yankee Stadium (former) give the leauge its character and defines the American Dream. Baseball for years was the purest form of sport in the United States and the most popular, this trend however seems to be going away.
With the steriod era, tarnishing the historic records and corruption surrounding the leauge's greats many question where the league is headed. In recent years attendance has hurt and television ratings have dipped accordingly. Some of the most sacred things in baseball are the records, that is why during the 1998 the Home Run race between Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Ken Griffey Jr. reenergized "America's Sport". People who never watched baseball in their life started following how well each slugger was doing, seeing if they had any "juice" the next day to hit another home run. The sport seemed to be back and McGwire and Sosa were saving it. Then steriods started being talked about and people were doubting many sluggers accomplishments. With Ken Caminiti and Jose Cansesco leading the "rat fest" player's credibility started to become flushed down the toliets like used syringes. When Barry Bonds broke McGwire's record in 2001, he was booed and people seemed to not want him to break the record. When he broke Hank Aaron's record in 2007 he was seen as a cheater who did not deserve the record. He recieved similar treatment as Rodger Maris did in 1961 during his pursuit to break Babe Ruth's single season home run record.
Through the continued finding of players using steroids the best players of the generation are coming down, the sport seems to be losing fans. With stars like Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Miguel Tejada, Rodger Clemens, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Jason Giambi, Rafael Palmerio, Barry Bonds, and many others people start to wonder, "Who didn't cheat?" The game has lost its interest in the United States and for a game that is so rooted in history, the books have been "cooked" because of the "Cheaters Era".
Football has the competitiveness, drama, fast-pace, and physical attributes to become America's new pastime. Football has become culture to high school towns, college towns, and football cities across the country. The amount of interest that the shorter season draws from is overwhelming. The Super Bowl has become a unofficial National holiday. Texas high school football games draw more fans than Florida Marlins or Pittsburgh Pirate games. College towns live for the football season to begin so they can have something to talk about and do for their entire fall. While I know because of the Minor League system ruins the good talent in College Baseball, I think I could tell you very little about anything that has ever happened in College Baseball.
America love the fact that they can watch max 20 games in a season and don't have to sit through the entire 162 game season. Fans don't have patience to sit through long 9 inning games with long breaks between. Some people question with all the down time whether baseball should be considered anymore of a sport then poker, (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/177441-pastime-mere-fun-and-games), they gave so nice love to the Sausage Race though. People just don't have the same love for the two sports. People tailgate the NFL Draft, I don't even know if people know there is a MLB Draft.

There are so many more points I have about the reasons why the popularity is different but I would love to hear your views. When I say AMERICA'S VIEW, it doesn't mean mine. I LOVE BASEBALL, and I love watching every pitch of Brewers game, however I think I am a minority in the country. Maybe I am wrong though?

Other Issues that Arise
NFL- parity
NFL/ MLB- Salary Cap
NFL/ MLB- Goodell, Selig
NFL- Nobody cares about Steroids?
MLB- More Loyal Fans? Red Sox, Yankees?
And many others I can't even think of but let me know what you think is America's game.