Can anyone else feel the hot stove starting to simmer?  Don't worry, it will keep us warm all winter.

• In unfortunate news to start the day, Rickie Weeks had knee surgery to remove some torn cartilage.  The team is saying that the procedure is relatively minor, and Rickie will be 100% before Spring Training.
  
  A couple opinions on this.  I know it's not always his fault, but how is Rickie always hurt?  Secondly, this procedure will likely put a damper on any trades involving the second baseman until around Spring Training.  Perhaps some team will be enamored with his potential once more.
• Despite the tough loss to the Philadelphia Phillies last week, the Brewers organization is staying positive concerning the season.  Why shouldn't they?  The players and management brought a playoff berth to Milwaukee for the first time in 26 years.  It didn't go exactly as planned once we got there, but that postseason loss doesn't diminish the joys of the regular season.  Ryan Braun certainly looks at it the correct way.  It's a progression.  The team almost gets to the playoffs in 2007, gets there in 2008, and gets further into October in 2009.  That is optimism right there.
• The Brew Town Beat discusses the home crowd atmosphere in Miller Park from Saturday.  It was rocking, and it was amazing to see the crowd stand up for things like full counts in the third inning.  Milwaukee gave baseball an amazing baseball atmosphere for October.  I can only hope we'll get to do it again sometime soon because it was fun.
• Right Field Bleachers reviews the entire season and gives various statistics from throughout the season.  It's amazing how hot the Brewers were this summer.  They scuffled out of the box in April and May and limped home in September, but the Crew was one of the best teams in baseball over the summer.  Say what you want about their schedule.  The Brewers delivered in June, July, and August.
• Ryan Braun says that CC Sabathia might take a deal that has fewer years to stay in Milwaukee.  While that's nice to hear, it is probably not true.  Money talks, especially when you have competing offers staring you right in the face.  Why not take the financial security and provide for your family?  What if he blows out his arm next season?  At least he'll have the money guaranteed.  That's not good for the team he's pitching for, but it is good for CC and his family.
  
  The article also mentions that Mark Attanasio wants to work out a deal that will keep Doug Melvin in Milwaukee beyond 2009.  That is a relief, as the Crew did not need Melvin trying to make risky moves to keep his job this winter.  Give him the security, so he builds a team that he'll still want in 2010-2011.
• How about a lot of numbers and a group ranking of some Brewers pitchers?  The Junkball Blues has you covered.  Did anyone else notice the ranking of Jamie Moyer?  That 45-year old still has it in him.
• The Milwaukee JS says that Miller Park had a first this weekend.  No, they aren't talking about the first postseason game played at the new stadium.  The post is referring to Jayson Werth's pop fly that clipped the wire on the roof, causing Craig Counsell to make a diving catch.  Instead, it would have been a routine play for J.J. Hardy or Ryan Braun.  That was entertaining to watch at the game.  I'm surprised it hasn't happened more.
• Chuckie Hacks provides Brewers fans with an extremely long recap of the season.  The article tracks what the blog had said throughout the year and judges it accordingly.  I found it funny that Chuckie Hacks said Corey Hart was unquestionably clutch early in the season.  While that was true for the first half, Corey became a different player...a worse player...in the second half.  Couldn't someone hit him in the head like it happened to J.J. Hardy before his 16-game hitting streak?
• Don't forget to check out The Case for Melvin Mora that was posted last night.