This is an excellent article with valid arguments and conclusions. Sorry, but why did you feel the need to drop the F bomb every few paragraphs to make some sort of point? Not necessary and, in my opinion, detracts from what you are trying to say. Just a thought.
And we are fortunate to have a team like the Brewers in Wisconsin. There are some that complain that we have never won a World Championship but I would bet most baseball fans in other cities would be happy as hell to make the playoffs as consistently as Milwaukee has. It’s a game. Unless you’re betting on it for a living, enjoy the great ride that this team has given us⚾️🙏😊
The season to me is the way to judge a team organizationally, the playoffs are a sprint and you need to get hot at the right time, also you are correct, the betting is the key to not enjoying this club, sad how that has taken over so much of sport.
Agree! Born and raised in Philly so grew up a Phils fan. Been in WI over 20 years now and am consistently impressed by how the Brewers run their business.
Can I tell you how impressed I am with your piece? Just super.
I record and watch pretty much every game to the point that I know what hitter is vulnerable to what pitch. For ex. In the case of Sal Frelik I can tell you he's a sucker for the high fastball and every pitcher knows it. Certainly the hitting coaches do. High or in the zone unless it's over his head he swings. I can think of him getting one hit and 100s of Ks. I can tell you Jackson Chuorio has an ingrained bad habit of swinging at most anything regardless of the location or on-field situation. A pitcher can strike him out without throwing a strike. Good news is they've been woking on it. He even draws a walk now and then.
You are so right in your analysis and evaluation. I felt like I was reading myself. Only 2 things didn't ring true. If they are anything they are not obsessed. You prove that in the body of the text. Last year they won more games than anybody and got a home field advantage all the way through the playoffs including the Series I think.
They lost in the first round with in historic form. It was the worst showing ever and I mean ever ever. They need some blue chip players, and they need to play their style. During those games they reverted to every bad habit they had. That Japanese ace? They knocked him out of a game in 2/3 of an inning 2/3! They knew what to expect.
In the playoffs they swung at pitches that were designed to be deceptive and off the plate. And more. They have to spring for bona fide blue chip players. They traded for CC Sabathia. When he pitched you had the 'we're gonna win today' vibe.
They coach up players beyond expectations as you said, but then they let them go as free agents or trade the before. When Stearns dumped Hader, who was admittedly off his game at that time, (the San Diego pitching coach said he was tipping his pitches) for a truckload of paper clips he tore the heart out of the team. It was an admission he thought they wouldn't win anything. When Corbin Burnes went to arbitration they said was he was not only unimportant but he was liability. He signed for over $100,000,000 with Baltimore. That's almost 5x their whole budget, but couldn't they work out a deal to spread it over years as do the Dodgers?You don't think they'll pay those two Japanese megastars the $billion at once.
Now Peralta is gone. and I'm afraid Woodruff is washed up. I hope not though. Priester is giving up massive runs in the minors. Looks like the new guys are turning out to be pretty which wouldn't surprise us.
Murphy is absolutely a great manager. Unlike Counsel he likes bunting and more stealing. He takes risks like is his playing rookies or players who needed some r/t work even if the team is less good. It's a long season. You don't have to win every games. Better for then whole team to have r/t game experience.
If you're around Milwaukee, and this is not a come-on, I'd love to go to a few games with you. between our fanships it'd be a blast. and I'll even buy you a brat.
Wow! Great analysis! I live and work in Milwaukee, love the city, why am a Dodgers fan? Long story... My entire family are Brewers fans so I go to quite a few games, usually spur of the moment when I am not traveling for work, would love to catch a game with you sometime.
There is absolutely no reason to apologize for being a Dodgers fan. As someone who has been a fan since 1962, we have a big tent and welcome fans from everywhere. Especially Northern California where I grew up up.
Cubs fan here—I agree with every single word. The Brewers consistently kick our *sses in player acquisition and development, and it’s not even debatable at this point.
I grew up in Wisconsin, a fan of the Milwaukee Braves - Aaron, Mathews & Spahn. I’ve lived in Chicago where I loved the White Sox of Wilbur Wood and Stan Bahnsen. I lived in Houston for a long time and was an enormous fan of the Killer B’s - Bagwell, Biggio, Berkman. I spent a dozen summers in Boston and got to see lots of Papi and Pedroia. Now, I live in Hawaii, and mostly watch the Brewers. You are on the mark about what a smart organization they are. What strikes me the most is how ego-less and collaborative they are. Matt Arnold always refers to his “team” and I suspect doesn’t make decisions without a great deal of input from that team. I suspect that you are correct about their evaluation of players. I’m guessing that they have a carefully calibrated database of players that they refer to when one becomes available. All that and they are absolutely a joy to watch. I chuckle at all the pundits who say that the Brewers “need” to do this or that. The Brewers will decide that. It will be interesting to watch what they decide to do with that massive pipeline of young infield talent that they have. I also love the Brewers broadcast team and, in particular, Sofia Minnaert and the fact that she is bilingual and can make the Latino players so comfortable.
This is an excellent article with valid arguments and conclusions. Sorry, but why did you feel the need to drop the F bomb every few paragraphs to make some sort of point? Not necessary and, in my opinion, detracts from what you are trying to say. Just a thought.
Yes, understood regarding the f-bomb, I use it a lot, it is a part of me. Sorry for the distraction.
I took out a couple of the f-bombs, it does distract, I use them too much, thanks for pointing it out.
And we are fortunate to have a team like the Brewers in Wisconsin. There are some that complain that we have never won a World Championship but I would bet most baseball fans in other cities would be happy as hell to make the playoffs as consistently as Milwaukee has. It’s a game. Unless you’re betting on it for a living, enjoy the great ride that this team has given us⚾️🙏😊
The season to me is the way to judge a team organizationally, the playoffs are a sprint and you need to get hot at the right time, also you are correct, the betting is the key to not enjoying this club, sad how that has taken over so much of sport.
Agree! Born and raised in Philly so grew up a Phils fan. Been in WI over 20 years now and am consistently impressed by how the Brewers run their business.
They’re playing the way the Cards used to.
Can I tell you how impressed I am with your piece? Just super.
I record and watch pretty much every game to the point that I know what hitter is vulnerable to what pitch. For ex. In the case of Sal Frelik I can tell you he's a sucker for the high fastball and every pitcher knows it. Certainly the hitting coaches do. High or in the zone unless it's over his head he swings. I can think of him getting one hit and 100s of Ks. I can tell you Jackson Chuorio has an ingrained bad habit of swinging at most anything regardless of the location or on-field situation. A pitcher can strike him out without throwing a strike. Good news is they've been woking on it. He even draws a walk now and then.
You are so right in your analysis and evaluation. I felt like I was reading myself. Only 2 things didn't ring true. If they are anything they are not obsessed. You prove that in the body of the text. Last year they won more games than anybody and got a home field advantage all the way through the playoffs including the Series I think.
They lost in the first round with in historic form. It was the worst showing ever and I mean ever ever. They need some blue chip players, and they need to play their style. During those games they reverted to every bad habit they had. That Japanese ace? They knocked him out of a game in 2/3 of an inning 2/3! They knew what to expect.
In the playoffs they swung at pitches that were designed to be deceptive and off the plate. And more. They have to spring for bona fide blue chip players. They traded for CC Sabathia. When he pitched you had the 'we're gonna win today' vibe.
They coach up players beyond expectations as you said, but then they let them go as free agents or trade the before. When Stearns dumped Hader, who was admittedly off his game at that time, (the San Diego pitching coach said he was tipping his pitches) for a truckload of paper clips he tore the heart out of the team. It was an admission he thought they wouldn't win anything. When Corbin Burnes went to arbitration they said was he was not only unimportant but he was liability. He signed for over $100,000,000 with Baltimore. That's almost 5x their whole budget, but couldn't they work out a deal to spread it over years as do the Dodgers?You don't think they'll pay those two Japanese megastars the $billion at once.
Now Peralta is gone. and I'm afraid Woodruff is washed up. I hope not though. Priester is giving up massive runs in the minors. Looks like the new guys are turning out to be pretty which wouldn't surprise us.
Murphy is absolutely a great manager. Unlike Counsel he likes bunting and more stealing. He takes risks like is his playing rookies or players who needed some r/t work even if the team is less good. It's a long season. You don't have to win every games. Better for then whole team to have r/t game experience.
If you're around Milwaukee, and this is not a come-on, I'd love to go to a few games with you. between our fanships it'd be a blast. and I'll even buy you a brat.
Wow! Great analysis! I live and work in Milwaukee, love the city, why am a Dodgers fan? Long story... My entire family are Brewers fans so I go to quite a few games, usually spur of the moment when I am not traveling for work, would love to catch a game with you sometime.
That’s great. they have the giants June 1-4, the Phillies June 12-14, Cleveland June 16-8. and the cubs June 26-8.
I get pretty good seats for cheaper on stub hub.
Unfortunately, June and July are terrible for me to plan a game, let's shoot for August.
August. pick a game or 3. choices per my schedule.
There is absolutely no reason to apologize for being a Dodgers fan. As someone who has been a fan since 1962, we have a big tent and welcome fans from everywhere. Especially Northern California where I grew up up.
Cubs fan here—I agree with every single word. The Brewers consistently kick our *sses in player acquisition and development, and it’s not even debatable at this point.
Awesome read
I grew up in Wisconsin, a fan of the Milwaukee Braves - Aaron, Mathews & Spahn. I’ve lived in Chicago where I loved the White Sox of Wilbur Wood and Stan Bahnsen. I lived in Houston for a long time and was an enormous fan of the Killer B’s - Bagwell, Biggio, Berkman. I spent a dozen summers in Boston and got to see lots of Papi and Pedroia. Now, I live in Hawaii, and mostly watch the Brewers. You are on the mark about what a smart organization they are. What strikes me the most is how ego-less and collaborative they are. Matt Arnold always refers to his “team” and I suspect doesn’t make decisions without a great deal of input from that team. I suspect that you are correct about their evaluation of players. I’m guessing that they have a carefully calibrated database of players that they refer to when one becomes available. All that and they are absolutely a joy to watch. I chuckle at all the pundits who say that the Brewers “need” to do this or that. The Brewers will decide that. It will be interesting to watch what they decide to do with that massive pipeline of young infield talent that they have. I also love the Brewers broadcast team and, in particular, Sofia Minnaert and the fact that she is bilingual and can make the Latino players so comfortable.