Forget about his April and May...rough start to the season, his approach wasn't working, and suddenly, June came. Arriving with a surprise call back to the majors, after being optioned down to AAA, Dave Bush provided the rotation with one of the desperate stopgaps it needed, and assisted the team's transformation into a contender from something of a sputtering question mark, struggling through a rough early season.

Dave Bush gets my vote for the 2008 Unsung Hero of the Milwaukee Brewers.

His June success started off with a promising May 27 start against Atlanta at Miller Park. Having allowed five or more runs in 5 of 8 starts to that point, Bush allowed 2 runs over 7 against the Braves, and followed suit against the Astros, helping to complete the Brewers' sparkplug homestand. Although Bush had some rough patches in June, he began stringing together more quality starts in between his rough starts, and before anyone knew it, he pitched 5 quality starts in his 11 starts from May 27 through July 31.

Then came August, the best stretch of his career: 4-0, 5 GS, 5 quality starts, 34 IP, and a 2.12 ERA, leading the team through an August surge where most of the rotation came together and pitched very well.

September saw Bush working as one of the only Brewers starters pitching well behind the sparkling C.C. Sabathia, although Bush's quality starts were subject to questionable bullpen work in September, as was his gutsy 5 IP, 2 R performance on short rest at Wrigley Field. He stepped up when the rotation as a whole was falling apart, due to injury and ineffectiveness, and that provides the cap to an excellent stretch of 21 starts for the right-hander.

Dave Bush since May 27: 22 G, 21 GS, 138.3 IP, 113 H, 56 R, 85 K/30 BB; 13 quality starts (61.9%); 3.64 runs average, 6.29 IP/G

Congratulations on a strong season, Dave, and keep up the good work. There couldn't be a more fitting starter on this club to step up when the team needs a solid start, and someone to keep them in the game. I hope that today you become a well-praised hero for guiding the team to their first home playoff win in 26 years, a game that is needed to keep the Brewers' playoff run alive.

Go Brewers!