Jim Powell’s Brewers Blog

"Pocket Aces" Next For Streaking Brewers

Jim Powell — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:40:00 GMT

The winning streak is now at six, including five in a row on the opening road trip of the second half, after a second straight character-building victory at Busch Stadium Tuesday night. The current bullet points: The wildcard all alone; one out of first; a .500 record on the road for the year; a 2006 Bill Hall now on display in '08; and the "Pocket Aces", as I think of them, still to pitch in the series.

Hall is playing with supreme confidence and, if he can stay consistent moving forward, will make the Brewers' lineup seemingly impossible to pitch to for nine full innings. Even the Brewers' outs are smoked lately. If someone can shut the club down, as Kyle Lohse did for a long time but not forever, you have to tip your cap. If you missed the game, grab some coffee and check out our Brewers Game Report from game two, complete with the Hall of Famer Bob Uecker's call of the game-winning home run by Hall in the ninth.

Now CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets get to pack up the club's 5-0 road trip and take it home after two more in St. Louis. The Cubs' loss in Phoenix puts the Brewers within one game of the best record in the National League. Once back in Milwaukee, a seven-game homestand awaits complete with a 4-gamer against the front-running Cubs on the backside. Unless you are buying on Friday night or Sunday afternoon for Astros' games, good luck at getting a first-hand look at the best Wisconsin baseball team in at least sixteen years at Miller Park, where sellouts should now be expected by fans. The inconvenience of ticket scarcity is a small price to pay for long-suffering Brewers' fans.

Baseball On The Radio: A Perfect Combination

Jim Powell — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:33:00 GMT

If you are like me, you fell in love with the game of baseball a long time ago while listening to games unfold on the radio and in your mind. I can't quite put my finger on why the sport is actually better on the radio than it is on TV or maybe even in person, but I know there are millions of people nationwide who agree with me. I guess a comparison could be drawn to reading a book versus watching a movie. When you take something good and give your imagination room to enhance it, you end up with a superior product. All I know for sure is that the only thing I don't like about calling Major League Baseball on the radio is that it keeps me occupied when I could be listening to a game on the radio myself. There is nothing that makes a long drive go faster than a good ballgame on the car radio, and there is no better way to fall asleep at night than doing so with a crackling radio signal transmitting baseball action.

All that said, the mighty television medium is also heavily involved in the national pastime. I read a good piece on the relationship between TV and MLB on marketwatch.com (The Wall Street Journal)...you can check it out HERE. I disagree with the notion that Tony Kubek was "bland"...I always loved Gowdy and Kubek. The writer, David Wilkerson, also fails to discuss the impact that baseball on radio has on television viewership. TV is a monster, but the baseball-radio partnership will always be a big part of the fabric of this great game.

If you are already getting primed for the big Brewers-Cubs' showdown at Miller Park next week, check out this story on OnMilwaukee.com.

Lots to talk about tonight in the Tuesday Night 5th Inning Chat. If you missed it, look HERE.

Brewers GM Doug Melvin

Jim Powell — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:34:00 GMT

A great ballgame to open this critical stretch of play inside the Central Division tonight. After losing the lead in the bottom of 9th, the Brewers bounced right back with 3 runs in the 10th to put this one out of reach. Great resiliency by the Crew tonight. With the Brewers victory, the Crew are guaranteed a winning road trip to start the second half of the season. Prior to the game, I talked to Brewers GM Doug Melvin about the Ray Durham trade and getting additional arms for the bullpen. Listen to the entire interview right here.

If you missed the game and want to sample the excitement, check out my post-game wrap which always comes complete with highlights right here.

Tuesday night I'll be taking your questions in the 5th inning, get your questions in early, right here.

Brewers Sweep Giants, Add Durham

Jim Powell — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:11:25 GMT

Milwaukee completed its first sweep in California since 2002 today, riding the strong left arm of Manny Parra and the sizzling bat of Ryan Braun to a 7-4 win over the San Francisco Giants. After the game, the much-discussed trade for Ray Durham was announced officially. As expected, Doug Melvin parted with minor leaguers Steve Hammond and Darren Ford to snatch the veteran switch-hitter from the Giants. Durham is traveling with the team to St. Louis on the team charter and will be on the roster for the opener tomorrow night at Busch Stadium. Joe Dillon was sent to AAA to make room for him.

This is a pivotal stretch of the schedule and the Brewers appear to be firing on all cylinders. One week after the four-gamer with the Cardinals, the Brewers will be welcoming the Cubs to Miller Park for another huge four-game set. Milwaukee is three back of the Cubs right now and one back of the wild-card-holding Cardinals. The additions of Durham and CC Sabathia well before the July 31st trading deadline could ultimately prove to be a major factor in who makes the post-season in 2008 and who does not.

I personally cannot remember a happier Brewers team packing up and heading off to another leg of a road trip in my time with the team. The boys are relaxed, excited, and confident. Nobody knows what the future holds, of course, but the team is in perfect position right now. The best team in the National League for the last fifty-plus games is now adding very valuable veteran players to the mix, and another deal for relief help could still happen also. This feels a lot like Position A, but for the moment that still belongs to the Cubs.

The unsung hero of the Brewers to this point in the season, in my opinion and in the opinion of many others, is catcher Jason Kendall. His impact on this team cannot be measured statistically. I had a nice discussion with Kendall earlier today, which you can hear HERE. Jason is a true old school ballplayer who is the best all-around catcher the Brewers have had in memory. Another great move by Doug Melvin, but one which isn't talked about enough.

Durham Not A Brewer Yet; Brewers Go For Sweep

Jim Powell — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 17:44:00 GMT

I just spoke with Brewers' GM Doug Melvin, who said ESPN reports that a Ray-Durham-To-The-Brewers trade is in place are premature. Melvin said Durham will be in a Giants uniform this afternoon for the series' finale here in San Francisco. He did not deny that trade talks are ongoing, but chuckled when told that ESPN has reported that the deal is done. For reasons that are still unclear, it sounds like the trade will be announced after today's game. The switch-hitting Durham is playing well this season, carrying a healthy OBP (.385) and batting average (.293). The 36-year-old will be a big boost to the Brewers' bench and will give Ned Yost a high quality button to push. Colleague Tom Haudricourt of JSOnline is reporting that two lower-tier prospects, LHP Steve Hammond and OF Darren Ford, are the likely package headed to the Giants when the deal is finalized. This sounds like an excellent deal for Milwaukee. I would be shocked if Durham actually plays in the game for SF today.

I have to say that this is by far the most fun I've had working Major League Baseball games in my career. While I have always enjoyed calling big league games for the Brewers and Twins, I have never been around a team that is even close to as good as this one. Last season was the first time I'd ever worked for a team that finished over .500 and there was plenty of fun to be had, but when the team faded down the stretch and helplessly watched the Cubs snatch a division title right from under their noses, it was as frustrating for us in the booth as it was for the players on the field and the fans in the stands. 2008 feels much different, however. The team is both more talented and more experienced than it was last year. The only catch is that the Cubs are also better, and if the Cards can stay where they are long enough to get arms like Wainwright and Carpenter back, the Brewers may need to get into the mid-90's in wins to make the post-season. I think they can accomplish that. We'll all have an even better feel for their prospects when the trade deadline passes and we see what other presents Melvin has placed under the Brewers' tree.

Manny Parra, who is from nearby Sacramento, will try to pitch the Brewers to a sweep today. Milwaukee has caught the flu-ridden Giants at a very good time, although electric right-hander Tim Lincecum has recovered from his illness which caused him to miss the All-Star game in time to take the ball today. No matter the outcome of today's game here at AT&T Park, I can't wait to call the four-game series pending in St. Louis. The Brewers will get starts from both CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets against the Cardinals, and it appears that Jeff Suppan will be healthy enough to be activated for his scheduled start on Tuesday. It is going to be an exciting week for sure.