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(editors note: Cory was having log-in issues so I've posted this for him)
“Injuries are a part of the game.”
A saying we’ve all heard, regardless the sport, for as long as we can remember. But this one stings, doesn’t it? Losing Rickie Weeks for the year is a big deal. How big? Only time will tell on that one.
At a Brewers luncheon last week, Ken Macha mentioned that Rickie Weeks was “his kind of player.” Macha was impressed with the way he handled himself both on and off the field. His toughness, case in point the night he took a pitch to the jaw. His professionalism, case in point what he does when he has hit a home run. Drops the bat, head down, and hustles around the bases.
Doug Melvin just finished telling a group of reporters down inside the dugout that he was on pace to drive in 100 runs this season. Keep in mind that his career high is 46 (2008). I just had one player tell me that what Rickie was doing this year (272 AVG, 9HR, 24RBI) was definitely taking some pressure off the guys in the heart of the order.
Now, how do you replace him? Craig Counsell & Casey McGehee will get some playing time at 2B. Will the Crew bring up Hernan Iribarren from Triple-AAA? His numbers with the Sounds are pretty good (311 AVG, 1HR, 19RBI & 6 Steals). Macha just mentioned that the Brewers will make a corresponding move in time for the game in Houston tomorrow night. I’ll have more on the move, whatever it is, tomorrow night…
Cory
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Sorry for the delay gang. Last week I was busy unpacking and just becoming familiar with my new home. With that said, it didn’t take long to find my favorite spot in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Public Market is fantastic. If you haven’t been, sorry if I sound like a tourist, you must check it out.
Anyway, nice to get a win on Sunday. We all knew that this would be a tough road trip. Even though the Brewers dropped 2 of 3 in New York, I liked the fact that all 3 games were competitive. Some pre-season magazines picked the Mets as a heavy favorite to win the East, and possibly the pennant. The difference between Sunday’s game and the first two…pitching. Suppan, Stetter, DiFelice, and Coffey combined to walk 3 hitters on Sunday. Prior to that, the Brewers entire pitching staff was averaging over 5 walks per-game. You can’t win that way in the big leagues, period. During the homestand last week I was walking out of the tunnel with Ken Macha. The amount of walks and hit batters he’s witnessed early in his Brewers’ tenure is driving him nuts. He understands that guys are going to get on base, but he wants them to earn it. The Brewers will put up plenty of runs this season. I’m not at all worried about that. However, the pitching staff needs to do a better job as a whole to keep the game within striking distance.
As for the mailbag….
Farve4halloffame asks…
With your experience with the Cubs, what kind of player do you think we can expect with McGehee? Does he have starter potential, or he is just a future utility player like C3?
First of all, do you really think you need to campaign for Brett Farve? I think it’s a pretty safe bet that he’ll be in Canton. Anyway, I think McGehee can have a big impact. The problem for him right now is that both Bill Hall & Rickie Weeks are playing well. Plus, Craig Counsell gives you a left-handed bat which is why he’s been slotted at 3B in a few games this year. McGehee just has to be patient. I know that he takes his cuts in the batting cage during the game, so if needed to pinch-hit, he’s ready.
Arodge120616 asks…
My question is about Chris Capuano. How has he been doing, and is there any chance of seeing him this year in the big leagues? My other question is about Ben Sheets and the probability of the team picking him up later in the season. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Thanks for the question. Capuano had a setback late in camp. His throwing program was pushed back by about a month. I’ll check with Gord Ash, but I don’t believe he’ll be throwing in any minor league games for another few weeks. I hope he does get healthy because he has some great lifetime numbers against the Cubs. As for Ben Sheets, I just don’t know. It’s kind of one of those “been there, done that” ordeals. However, you just never know. The Brewers, like every other team, will always look to add more starting pitching as the season progresses.
Thanks again for the questions!!
Best,
Cory
The boys from SportsBubbler.com stopped into the booth at Miller Park last week...
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After a long 6-week stay in Arizona, it’s great to be in LA. Just 2 more exhibition games to go until this thing kicks off for real. The team arrived at the hotel last night at around 8 PM. Later on, Jeff Suppan was kind enough to host the team/staff at his restaurant Soup’s Sports Grill.
Well, with the roster taking shape a few thoughts raced through my mind on the plane last night. Ken Macha/Doug Melvin put together a 25-man roster based on performance. I like that. I like that a lot. Casey McGehee, Chris Duffy & Brad Nelson earned their way onto this team. Period. Nothing was just handed to them on a platter. They went out and busted their tails the last 6 weeks, and for that they were rewarded. Ken was open about how difficult it was to release a guy like Trot Nixon, and that’s understandable when you study their relationship over the years. However, baseball, much like any other business, is competitive and sometimes cutthroat. The nicest guy doesn’t always prevail. The hardest worker doesn’t always prevail. We live in a performance based society, and baseball is no different. I agree that you can’t always judge a guy based on what he does in the spring. The air is light. The wind, when blowing, generally is advantageous for the hitters. But, what’s the alternative? McGehee, Duffy & Nelson took advantage of the conditions and put up big numbers. Duffy is a nice left-handed bat with good speed. Nelson is a power hitting left-handed bat that can be used late in games when the Brewers need to get that run home with less than 2 outs. Finally, McGehee has the potential to hit for average and power. Plus, he can spell Hall at 3B, Weeks at 2B, and Fielder occasionally at 1B. All 3 guys are going to be asked to perform and produce this season. It’s a tough opening month and the Brewers will need their bench to help carry the load.
Quick funny story from lunch today. Brian Anderson, Kent Sommerfeld, Bill Schroeder, and I grabbed a bite today at this food court near the hotel. Kent sat down and destroyed a roast beef sandwich with chips and a pickle. Across the table, Bill, went with something different. Cabbage salad with 2 small organic looking sandwiches. One was made with some kind of fancy chicken, with the other being made of fish. It was a fancy little dish. One that I never though a former big-league catcher, let alone someone nicknamed “Rock”, would eat. Afterwards, he realized he probably went with the wrong item and uttered the following line….
“Here’s Sammy eating a roast beef sandwich and what do I do? I order something that only an underwear model would eat!”
Great line Rock!!!
Thanks again for the feedback last week. Kristen Lewis asked a good question in response to my last post about options.
Does it count as "using an option" when the player is called up in September when the roster is expanded to 40?
Thanks Kristen. The answer is no. Once the roster expands, options for the most part are no longer in play.
Have a great week…
Cory
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Thank you all for your generous and kind words regarding my first post!! Please continue to send along any feedback, both positively and negatively, throughout the season. Also, if something pops up in the broadcast that you would like for me to either clarify or explain in greater detail, please don’t hesitate to ask. With that in mind, a fan pulled me aside the other day and asked me about player options.
We read all the time about guys going back and forth from the big leagues to the minors, but when does a player finally run out of options? It’s an important part of the game, and can play havoc with managers/general managers as they try and assemble a 25-man roster. For example, the Brewers don’t have any wiggle room when it comes to Tony Gwynn. He has to make the opening day roster or else the Brewers will most likely lose him to another team. Most players are given a maximum of three options once added to the 40-man roster. Gwynn played with the Brewers beginning in 2006, 2007, and again in 2008. He went up and down from Nashville all three years, using up his allowed options. However, it‘s worth noting that regardless how many times a player is optioned throughout the season, it counts as only one option. Even if he was sent back and forth 5 times in one year, that would only cost the organization a single option. Does that make sense? There are plenty more limbs to the “option” tree but I just wanted to pass along one of the more important rules.
I’ll probably update this blog weekly. On occasion, though, I’ll write more should a big story, or even a funny one, develop.
Best,
Cory
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The other night I was up brainstorming about what exactly my first blog should be about. I have done some research and it doesn’t take long to find a blog regarding Brewers’ baseball. I wrote a blog the last couple years and I tried to make mine stand out from the rest. Sure it’s important to pass along the day’s news, roster info, injuries, etc. However, I enjoyed sharing the other stuff. What do I mean by “stuff”? Well, the funny moments. Moments when we put aside the name and number on the back of the jersey, and focus more on the man and not the player. Stories that make you laugh, think, or possibly shed a tear or two. My goal for this blog is to be more informational than controversial. I welcome your thoughts, comments, and general feedback. This is why the “blog” has become such a popular, and worthwhile, medium. It’s purpose is to help connect the fans with their team. I hope to continue that while traveling with the Brewers here in 2009.
Anyway, wanted to pass along a couple thoughts from the first few weeks of spring training. Great to see Corey Hart swinging the bat so well. I applaud his honesty when a conversation shifts to his woes last September. Some athletes will just brush aside such things, but he’s taken a different route. A professional athlete admitting he was “tired” is hardly the norm. For that I commend him, and hopefully his hot start will carry into the regular season.
Another guy who has caught my eye the last few weeks is Chris Duffy. I truly believe he will be on the opening day roster. He’s put the ball in play and gives the team, not only speed, but a solid glove in the outfield.
Casey McGehee is a guy I got to know well the last couple years. I spoke with him on the first day I arrived in camp, and he was thrilled that the Brewers claimed him off waivers. The old saying that one man’s injury is another’s opportunity proved to be the case for McGehee this spring. Once Bill Hall went down with a calf injury, McGehee set his sights on the job over at 3rd. I always knew he could hit if given the chance, but I had no idea that he was as versatile as he’s shown this spring. Plus, he gives the Brewers a right-handed bat off the bench. If given the chance I think he’ll make some big plays for the Crew this season.
Well, that’s enough for now. Again, please send along any feedback.
Thanks again for welcoming me into your lives and into the Brewers family!!!
Best,
Cory
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