Honestly, I think Tommy did a pretty decent job in this chat.

The questioners, on the other hand.....

• Q: Ken Erdman, Elkhorn, Wisconsin - Watching the paper from week to week I am simply amazed at the salarys that are being put forth. I worked in a factory for 30 years, plus I adjusted my life to accomodate a 23 year career with the Air Force. Now collecting pension as well as social security I often wonder how these athletes would survive on what I make. Where does the buck stop. They are all living in a dream world. And the trouble is, the ball clubs and owners are dealing out the cash. I'm sorry it's just not right. Did anyone hear that we are not getting a cost of living raise in social security for the next two years. But the costs of grocerys, gas, and property taxes keep going up. I remember the days of the old Milwaukee Braves, at the end of their season they actually went out and worked another job.
• A: Tom Haudricourt - The basic flaw in your argument is confusing major league sports with the real world. Those who try to compare the two end up going a bit nuts.

• Q: Michael Savic, Black River Falls WI. - Tom, since Mark Attanasio and others have only so much money each year they can give towards our payroll, why not try and bring in someone like Mark Cuban, who has money to give and also has shown intrest in being a owner or partial owner in baseball? How hard would that be in brining in someone to the Brewer Family that could help Doug Melvin keep or bring in more talent?
• A: Tom Haudricourt - Do you really think Mark Cuban is the kind of guy that would take a secondary role in an ownership group? If you're going to ask him to dip into his own pocket, I'm guessing he'll want to be the lead dog.

• Q: Kyle, Milwaukee - whats with corey hart always pointing out that fans dont like him? he must have forgotten how he got the the allstar game, you would think he would be thankful and appreciative of the kind of dedicated fans that are here and not want to whine and pout about us. It would be nice to have someone give him PR advice for this season and explain to him that he should have a better choice of words when talking about the fans because we all know it could be far worse. Besides the fans don't hate him!
• A: Tom Haudricourt - I believe Hart's comments were that some fans don't like him and some do. That's probably an accurate assessment. If he plays better in 2010, the latter group likely will expand.

• Q: Charlie Brown, Marshfield, Wis. - "Big Country" (Corey Hart, is a big dud. When we get rid of him. His weak ground balls to the infielders are disgusting. Either his ego is bigger and he knows more than the batting coaches or he has no ability to hit. Unload him. Please respond.
• A: Tom Haudricourt - Hart has been very inconsistent. Good in stretches. Bad in stretches. Thus, it's hard to say right now what the Brewers have in him. Accordingly, this is a huge year for his career. The butting of heads on his financial value is another factor.

• Q: 38yearbrewerfan - Carlos Gomez has a 280 OBP and is slated for CF, wouldn't Tony Gwynn Jr. look good in a Brewer uniform right now in CF instead of Jody Gerut, Carlos Gomez or Jim Edmonds? Your thoughts on these four please.
• A: Tom Haudricourt - If the Brewers thought Tony Gwynn Jr. should be their center fielder, they would have kept him. He just never took full advantage of his opportunities. Most baseball people view him as an extra outfielder though he did get a chance to play regularly in SD (where his numbers slipped as the year progressed). As previously noted, the Brewers hope to get Gomez to fulfill his potential. He has the skills. Let's see what happens.

Then there was this....UGH.

• Q: Michael, Chicago - Tom thank you for your extensive coverage this off season. It's great to have year round Brewers news. You've been around baseball for a long time, when you're evaluating a player's performance how much, if at all, do you use advanced stats such as WAR, wOBA, and FIP? I think it's safe to say stats like wins, losses, errors, fielding percentage, RBI, and batting average are stats that don't best describe a player's actual ability on the field. I've seen Anthony use uzr a few times, but that's about it.
• A: Tom Haudricourt - You know what? I try not to drown myself in statistics. I know all those advanced stats are in vogue in assessing and comparing players, but you can make up just about any stat you want. I pay attention to them but try not to obsess over them. I also try to use my own observations in evaluating players rather than relying on trendy stats. Sometimes, that is a better way to go about it. But, to each his own. It all provides great discussion and debate, which is one of the great things about baseball.

I always enjoy when someone says advanced statistics are "in vogue" like its time will pass.

badger80:

I always enjoy when someone says advanced statistics are "in vogue" like its time will pass.

Dammit, who's in charge of posting these questions?

klwillis45:

Q: Roy Jamison, Eau Claire, Wis - Does Scott Boras have any friends in baseball management?

A: Tom Haudricourt - Does that question really need to be answered?

Dammit, who's in charge of posting these questions?

That was rhetorical Einy.

It always amuses me when a chatter bothers to waste cyberspace with these kinds of non-answers to stupid questions.

Either come up with a better zinger or just skip it.

klwillis45:

That was rhetorical Einy.

It always amuses me when a chatter bothers to waste cyberspace with these kinds of non-answers to stupid questions.

Either come up with a better zinger or just skip it.

When Haudricourt starts dropping the zingers, he usually ends up getting even more flak. Not that I'm making excuses for the guy, but he's gotta do so many questions to make the thing worthwhile and if he doesn't get enough good ones (and it's gotta be tough sometimes) then it's gonna be tough.

Einsteinhood:

badger80:

I always enjoy when someone says advanced statistics are "in vogue" like its time will pass.

That internet thing sure was a quick passing fad, wasn't it?

Those advanced stats have been in vogue for approximately 130 years!

Y'all do know that all the first box score pretty much had was, "Runs" and "Outs," right?