November 7
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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The Milwaukee Brewers did more Friday than trade one player for another. In sending shortstop J.J. Hardy to the Minnesota Twins for centerfielder Carlos Gomez, the Brewers began remaking their roster as well as clearing salary space to pursue much-needed pitching. "I explored a lot of options," said general manager Doug Melvin. "Some clubs called and expressed interest in J.J. In the end, this is the deal we liked and felt we could move forward." With the deal, the Brewers said goodbye to veteran Mike Cameron, their starting centerfielder the past two seasons. Melvin called Cameron before announcing the trade to tell him they wouldn't pursue him in free agency."
November 7
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Included in "The Bill James Handbook 2010" are projections for regular major-league hitters and pitchers next season. James freely admits that his system of predicting future performance, based on the age of the player and his past performances, is not fail-safe. For example, he says he was way off with his 2009 projection for Russell Branyan of Seattle, formerly of the Milwaukee Brewers. But he is spot on with others. For example, he projected Mike Cameron of the Brewers would hit 32 doubles, three triples and 24 home runs, and he did. James likens himself in these tables to "Carnac," the character Johnny Carson played for laughs on "The Tonight Show." Carnac would declare the answer, the ..."
November 4
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
columnist Bob Wolfley
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"The Bill James Handbook 2010," which was published this month, carries some statistical nuggets about some of the Milwaukee Brewers regulars. For example: • Ryan Braun was judged the best base-running leftfielder in baseball, according to James' metric for that skill. "Most people will tell you we should have (Tampa Bay's) Carl Crawford in left field ahead of Ryan Braun. . . . (But) we don't do this on reputation," James writes. James reports Braun went from first to third on a single 15 of 41 times; scored from first on a double 7 of 9 times; moved up 26 bases on wild pitches, passed balls, balks, sacrifice flies and defensive indifference; grounded into seven double plays in 136 ..."
October 28
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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First baseman Prince Fielder and right-hander Yovani Gallardo were named the Milwaukee Brewers' most valuable player and most valuable pitcher, respectively, for 2009 in balloting conducted by the Milwaukee chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Other award winners were closer Trevor Hoffman as top newcomer, reliever Todd Coffey as unsung hero and veteran infielder Craig Counsell as recipient of the "Good Guy" award. Fielder, who received all six first-place votes in ballots cast, had a record-breaking year in Brewers history. With 141 RBI, which tied Philadelphia's Ryan Howard for the major-league lead, he shattered the club mark of 126 established by Cecil Cooper in ..."
October 25
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
columnist Michael Hunt
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Reconnect the seams, and a primary reason why the Milwaukee Brewers unraveled last season becomes as clear as the commissioner's signature on the baseball. The pitching coach left and the starters fell to pieces. Whether things are ever as simple as they might seem would be a philosophical conversation starter for the new pitching coach, Rick Peterson, who isn't against mixing Zen philosophy with the high, hard one. So bash the Brewers all you want for letting Mike Maddux get away, but when the Texas Rangers came at him with a $1 million offer after Ned Yost was fired, that was that in Maddux's unconventional mind. It's doubtful if even Maddux could've compensated for the gaping hole blown ..."
October 21
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Rick Peterson doesn't have a clause in his contract as the Milwaukee Brewers' new pitching coach that stipulates he'll get at least two new starters for 2010. But Peterson got the impression during his interview with general manager Doug Melvin that help is coming. "I know in the interview that Doug made it clear that was a focus of the organization," said Peterson, whose two-year deal was officially announced by the club Tuesday. In the meantime, Peterson will go to work trying to improve the pitchers on hand. "This is what I've done my entire life - maximize performance and reduce the risk of injury," said Peterson. "You're looking for incremental ways to help each individual be more ..."
October 20
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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As new pitching coach of the Milwaukee Brewers, Rick Peterson is no stranger to manager Ken Macha or bench coach Willie Randolph. The Brewers have selected Peterson to help turn around a starting rotation that ranked last in the National League with a 5.37 earned run average in 2009, a performance that ruined the team's chances of returning to the playoffs. He is expected to be formally introduced Tuesday by the club. Peterson, who will be 55 at the end of the month, has links to both Macha and Randolph. Peterson worked in Boston's farm system with Macha and also served as his pitching coach with the Oakland Athletics in 2003. Peterson then moved on to become pitching coach of the New York ..."
October 17
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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The Milwaukee Brewers sent cash to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday to complete their Aug. 9 trade for veteran reliever David Weathers. Weathers pitched in 25 games for the Brewers, going 1-3 with a 4.88 ERA. Overall, he was 4-6 with a 3.92 ERA in 68 relief appearances. The 40-year-old Weathers has a $3.7 million club option for 2010 on his contract with a $400,000 buyout. The Brewers have until 10 days after the World Series to exercise that option or allow Weathers to become a free agent."
October 13
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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While adhering to the request of the Milwaukee Brewers not to disclose that he was interviewed for their pitching coach vacancy, Rick Peterson couldn't help admitting Monday that he'd be a "perfect fit" for the club. "I would say from my vantage point, it's a mutual fit," added Peterson. Accordingly, it would be no great surprise if Peterson is named the Brewers' pitching coach by the end of the week. Contacted later in the day, general manager Doug Melvin said he'd like to have someone in place by then so he can move forward with other items on his extensive off-season checklist. "We're still looking at it," said Melvin, who declined to confirm that Peterson was interviewed. "We'd like to ..."
October 11
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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At his Web site, baseball analyst Bill James was asked by a Milwaukee Brewers fan "who would get the better of the deal when a superstar hitter is traded for a superstar pitcher?" The fan provided a hypothetical: Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder for Toronto Blue Jay right-hander Roy Halladay. "I'd say the team that gets the non-pitcher will win 65% of the time, because hitting is more stable and predictable than pitching," James answered. "Many pitchers have 15-year careers which include five-year phases in which they are superior performers, but 10 or more years in which they are ordinary. Position players virtually never have this combination. "If you are assuming that the pitcher is ..."
October 11
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Ten victories. That's what separated the Milwaukee Brewers' 2008 National League wild-card team from their losing, disappointing 2009 entry. Doesn't sound like much, does it? But it proved to be the difference between a team that left its fan base exhilarated and the one that prompted much gnashing of teeth. The fact the Brewers dropped from 90 victories to only 80 with the worst starting rotation in the league shows how talented they were in other areas. They ranked third in the NL in runs scored with an offense built on the potent 1-2 punch of leftfielder Ryan Braun and first baseman Prince Fielder in the middle of the lineup (255 RBI combined). Rookie Casey McGehee emerged as a ..."
October 8
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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The Milwaukee Brewers are willing to do most anything this winter to improve their pitching staff. Anything except trade Prince Fielder or Ryan Braun. Despite continuing speculation - mostly from national pundits - that the Brewers will have to trade one of their two sluggers to acquire a quality starting pitcher, general manager Doug Melvin made it clear Wednesday he isn't entertaining such thoughts. At his annual season-review news conference at Miller Park, Melvin said he might have to sacrifice some offense to improve his woeful starting pitching. Melvin then was asked if that meant sacrificing either Fielder or Braun. "That would be a tough one," said Melvin. "I didn't mean it that ..."
October 6
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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The Milwaukee Brewers know they must dramatically improve their starting rotation to return to contender status in 2010. In the meantime, they figured it couldn't hurt to address the final inning of games. The Brewers reached agreement Monday with all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman on a one-year deal for a base salary of $8 million with a mutual option for 2011. Assistant general manager Gord Ash said the Brewers would have no comment on the agreement. The club apparently is waiting for an already scheduled end-of-season news conference Wednesday to make that announcement. Josh Goldberg, a spokesperson for the Beverly Hills Sports Council, which represents Hoffman, said agent Rick ..."
October 5
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin did the expected Sunday, confirming that manager Ken Macha would be back in 2010 for the second year of his two-year deal. Then, to show added support for Macha, Melvin added an option year for 2011 to Macha's contract. "He said (the option) wasn't important to him," said Melvin. "He said, 'It doesn't matter to me. I don't do this job for the money. I don't do this job for the security. I manage because I enjoy it and I want to win ball games.' "The option tells him I do support him and back him in his role as manager of the ball club." Melvin also invited back bench coach Willie Randolph, hitting coach Dale Sveum, third base coach Brad Fischer ..."
October 5
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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It was an unpredictable, not to mention disappointing, season for the Milwaukee Brewers, but who could have imagined it ending with John Axford retiring Albert Pujols? "He started the year in (Class) A ball," said Trevor Hoffman, who set the stage Sunday for Axford's first major-league save by blowing only his fourth all year. "He finishes the year by getting Albert Pujols. I don't think he could have envisioned that." It was a wild and crazy ending for the Brewers as they recovered to topple St. Louis, 9-7, in 10 innings at Busch Stadium. The three-game sweep of the sluggish NL Central champs was too late to salvage a winning season for the Brewers (80-82), but it beat the alternative of ..."
October 5
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Trevor Hoffman was unable to convert his final save opportunity of the year Sunday for the Brewers, but it looks as if he'll be getting plenty more chances in the future. After the Brewers topped St. Louis, 9-7, in 10 innings, Hoffman revealed he is in the final stages of negotiating a deal to return to the club in 2010. "I think we're pretty close," said Hoffman, who suffered only his fourth blown save of the season by allowing a run to the Cardinals in the bottom of the ninth. "We're in discussions. The fact that we're discussing things is good." Assistant general manager Gord Ash confirmed that the club is in talks with Hoffman's agent, Rick Thurman of the Beverly Hills Sports Council. ..."
October 4
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Brewers general manager Doug Melvin confirmed Sunday morning what had become increasingly obvious in recent days, that manager Ken Macha would be returning in 2010 for the second year of his two-year contract. But, in an added twist, Melvin added an option to Macha's contract for the 2011 season. Otherwise, Macha would have returned with "lame duck" status for next year. "He didn't ask for (the option)," said Melvin. "He said, "It doesn't matter to me. I don't do this job for security. I do it to win ball games. "The option tells him I do support him in his role as manager." Melvin also invited back bench coach Willie Randolph, hitting coach Dale Sveum, third base coach Brad Fischer and ..."
October 4
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
columnist Tom Haudricourt
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Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder and third baseman Casey McGehee have put up numbers to merit serious consideration in the voting for National League most valuable player and rookie of the year, respectively. Fielder won't win, however, and McGehee probably won't either. Despite the wonderful performances of both players in those respective categories, they will be penalized because the Brewers fell out of the playoff race early in the second half of the season. Fair or not, that will work against them. It is a theory to which I subscribe because in any year in which there are several strong candidates, I give weight to the players who led their clubs to the postseason or ..."
October 4
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Never one to lack for confidence, Ryan Braun admitted he surprised himself with his intensity over the past week in pushing to compile 200 hits in a season. "I don't think I've ever been able to have this level of focus as far as trying to achieve one singular goal or singular event," said the Milwaukee Brewers' all-star leftfielder. "I think my level of concentration and focus on every at-bat is probably more intense than I've ever been able to do before. I'd like to be able to channel that emotion and that feeling. I've been able to focus and concentrate on being locked in on doing nothing but centering the ball up the last two weeks, and knowing I had to do that to get to this point." ..."
October 1
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Ryan Braun is rapping at the door of the greats. And he knows it. The Milwaukee Brewers' leftfielder is close to becoming just the fourth player in franchise history to reach 200 hits in a season, needing four over his final four games to reach the milestone. Also within his grasp is the National League lead in hits this season, which if achieved would make him the third Brewer to lead their respective league in hits. Robin Yount (1982) and Paul Molitor (1991) did it while in the American League. Both of those players also had 200 hits in a season, Molitor twice, along with Cecil Cooper, who did it three times in his career with the Brewers. Braun entered Wednesday with 194 hits, two ..."
October 1
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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The Milwaukee Brewers talked a lot about sending guys into the fall and winter on good notes and feeling positive about how they finish this season. That's what you get when your team falls out of the race early and continues to sputter toward the conclusion. For right-hander Jeff Suppan, this was - maybe - his last chance to end his season on such a vibe. The good news was he pitched a hair better than he did in his previous start. The bad news is that previous start was absolutely horrendous, making somewhat mild improvement still not so great. Following that last start against the Phillies - 4 1/3 innings, 12 hits, eight runs, seven earned - Suppan stepped on the mound at Coors Field ..."
September 30
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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So much for their first real chance at playing spoiler to someone's season. The Milwaukee Brewers walked into Coors Field saying all the politically correct things about wanting to play hard and not concerning themselves with what other teams might be playing for. But still, it's nice to have a purpose, some sort of meaning late in the baseball season after your team has long been out of the postseason picture. With a shot to matter in the National League wild-card race, the Brewers started strong, faded, came back but eventually squandered the opportunity in a 7-5 loss in 11 innings Tuesday night to the Colorado Rockies, who extended their wild-card lead over the Atlanta Braves to three ..."
September 29
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Put the idea out of mind. It won't happen. Maybe Milwaukee Brewers fans got used to moving guys around the diamond because the club shuttled Ryan Braun and Bill Hall into different positions. But that's not happening this time. Rickie Weeks is a second baseman. And for the foreseeable future, that's the way it is going to stay. Weeks has heard the whisperings and has fielded questions about his willingness to move to center field, but he's not down with that plan. Neither is the organization. "I would never go out there," Weeks said. "I've talked to (general manager) Doug (Melvin) about it and it's squashed, and that's all that matters." The root of the idea, a child of sports radio and ..."
September 28
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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The home finale for the Milwaukee Brewers was emblematic of the primary shortcoming that took apart their season shortly after the all-star break. This was and still is their formula for defeat: The starting pitcher digs a big early hole that a relatively potent offense is unable to overcome. A close-but-no-cigar finish leaves everyone feeling empty. "When you get behind and don't have a lead after six innings, it's tough," said manager Ken Macha. "When the starter gives up a bunch of runs early and you don't score runs early, it makes it tough. "That's kind of the way things have gone." Until the very end of the home season. With diminished right-hander Dave Bush surrendering nine hits ..."
September 27
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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After meeting a few days ago with general manager Doug Melvin for a comprehensive season-ending evaluation of the club, manager Ken Macha said he expects to return for the 2010 season. "Yeah," Macha said Saturday when asked if he assumed he'll be back to lead the Brewers. Then Macha smiled and said, "Stranger things have happened. I just want what's best for the club." Macha has a year remaining on his two-year contract, so the only official notice needed is that he wouldn't be returning. Melvin has not announced that Macha will be back but has made only supportive comments to reporters. Macha said his contract never came up during his two-hour meeting with Melvin. "We had a sit-down the ..."
September 27
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Mark Attanasio says he might be the most disappointed fan of all when it comes to the Milwaukee Brewers and the 2009 season. With a week to go and the team playing its last home game of the year Sunday, the players are struggling to get above .500 and post a winning season for the third year in a row. But the principal owner of the Brewers said he had found satisfaction and pride in the fact the team drew more than 3 million fans this season, a stunning achievement for a market this small. Last year, the team set a franchise record with 3,068,458 fans. In fact, since Miller Park opened in 2001, there is no other market like Milwaukee's that has been able to post back-to-back 3 million-plus ..."
September 27
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Ryan Braun hadn't been sitting on 29 home runs forever. It only seemed that way. "I felt like every time I looked at the scoreboard, I saw a huge '29' staring back at me," said the Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder. When Braun steps to the plate Sunday, a huge "30" will be staring back at him instead. Braun made No. 30 count in a big way Saturday night, blasting a two-run shot to right-center in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Brewers a dramatic 7-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, much to the delight of a Fan Appreciation Night crowd of 40,141 at Miller Park. Perhaps the only disappointment came when Braun arrived at home plate to an intentionally muted celebration with his ..."
September 26
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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There definitely was an adjustment period for Alcides Escobar. Once the 22-year old Venezuelan shortstop arrived in the Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse Aug. 12, he had to settle in and get comfortable. Despite being in big-league camp and getting regular playing time last spring, Escobar was still nervous and took awhile to get going, both with the bat and glove. "I was a little nervous, but now I'm feeling relaxed," Escobar said. "I feel like every day is better and better and better. I'm feeling good, man. I'm feeling comfortable now." It's shown recently. Escobar entered his 27th start Friday night hitting .340 (18 for 53) with nine runs batted in over his previous 16 games, raising his ..."
September 26
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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If Manny Parra was going to fall, there was going to be a pretty comfy cushion to crash into. The Milwaukee Brewers left-hander made his first start since Sept. 8 after neck stiffness kept him out of three slotted turns. And the offense did its best to give him some wiggle room against one of the National League's best left-handers. The Brewers cuffed around Philadelphia Phillies southpaw Cliff Lee and scored big in two innings to take out the reigning World Series champions, 8-4, Friday night at Miller Park. Lee was tagged with four runs in the first inning and three in the fifth, the majority coming on home runs, and Parra was steady in seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He ..."
September 25
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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In its never-ending quest for answers and results, Brewer Nation has clambered aboard the Chris Narveson bandwagon, jump-starting his campaign to be in next season's starting rotation. The left-hander had a nice start Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs - 5 2/3 innings, three hits, one run, no walks and 10 strikeouts- and improved to 2-0 with a 3.82 earned-run average in 19 games and three starts with the Milwaukee Brewers. That double-digit strikeout performance had talk radio buzzing about whether Narveson should be in next season's starting rotation, although most logical minds would be quick to point out there is far too much time between now and then to make a declaration like that. ..."
September 25
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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In this yard, with this match up, is where the trek sadly ended. Miller Park was the setting for Game 4 of last season's National League Division Series between the visiting Philadelphia Phillies and the Milwaukee Brewers. And right-hander Jeff Suppan, signed to a four-year, $42 million contract because he was supposed to be nails those situations, got the ball. Three innings, three home runs and five runs later, Suppan was out of the game and the Brewers were eliminated from the playoffs. Suppan met the powerful Phillies lineup again Thursday. Same park. Same results. Suppan allowed a dozen hits, including five consecutive in a six-run fifth inning, and the Phillies sent him off the field ..."