My Summer of Baseball

Every Day Can't Be A Happy Day

Last night's game got me thinking: It must be a wonderful, but a little scary, to become an icon.

On the one hand, you get respect and adoration. On the other, people tend to focus on what you were instead of what you are.

With the dedication Tuesday of the Bronze Fonz, the Happy Days crew came out to the ballpark for the game.

Almost everyone was there - Garry Marshall, Mr. and Mrs. C, Joanie, Ralph Malph, Laverne, Shirley...and of course Potsie, who sang the National Anthem. Henry Winkler was the star of the show, and proved completely lovable with some great comments about how proud he is to be honored by Milwaukee.

It was nostalgic and neat. But it also made me think: These folks must have done a lot in the last 25 years, but all we care about is the past. Which made me a little sad for all involved.

The point is, everybody loves an icon, and expects them never to make a mistake or change. But of course, they do.

Just ask Ben Sheets, who is 1-5 since the All Star game. The playbill for this homestand has Sheets' 2000 Olympics win on the cover, and talks about how unstoppable he was eight years ago.

But the buzz at the ballpark last night was: What have you done for us lately, Sheets?

According to jsonline.com, in 18 first-half starts, Sheets earned a 2.85 ERA. Since the break, his seven starts have added up to a 4.00 ERA.

Sure, Sheets himself says it's not that bad. And maybe he's right.

But for years now he's been honored as Milwaukee's ace, and I imagine that's just like any other iconic label -- great to have; hard to live up to every single day.

Let's hope happy days are here again soon for Sheets. We need 'em.

Apparently I'm Not the Fan I Thought I Was

After 54 home games and close to that many TV games, I feel like I've become fairly knowledgeable about baseball.

I also feel like a very committed fan - last night I had a home run of a headache, but off to the ballpark I went.

And it was a great game!

But I did see one thing that turned my headache into a grand slam.

Apparently, the Brewers think that 50% of their community isn't smart enough about baseball...which is why the playbill for this homestand is advertising a special class called "Baseball Basics for Women."

So you have to have a Y chromosome to understand the game without formal lessons?

Give me a break. How about "Baseball Basics for Beginners" rather than assuming that it's only the women who don't get it. The blowhard sitting next to me last night sure could have used that course.

Oh, but he's a man, so he must know everything about sports. Sheesh.

Wow

I had a whole rant going about why Yost put Shouse in for the 9th, how Hardy could have made that error, etc., etc., etc.

But I just talked with my friend Curt and he pointed out: All's well that ends well.

Talk about a Hollywood ending. The last few innings last night had more drama than any movie I've seen in 2008.

So I won't complain. I'll just focus on one of the many Oscar-worthy moments.

Stamina Matters

What a bummer that the Crew wasn't able to deliver win number nine today - especially since it looks like the Cubs and Cards may win.

Maybe they're tired? Maybe they're saving it up for the Dodgers? Or, maybe it was just an off day.

But, eight was great, and I guess nothing lasts forever.

Nothing, that is, but Jason Kendall. Today he had his 110th start of the season, meaning he now has vested a 2009 option. And he very likely may start in more than 140 games by the end of the season.

He sort of redefines stamina. According to this great article from MLB.com, Kendall is the only catcher in the Majors to start at least 130 games in each of the past six seasons.

There's also an interesting bit about him coming full circle after a 1999 injury while playing for the Pirates, against the Crew.

Mostly, Kendall just seems like a smart, solid guy. (Like catching that Gerut didn't touch the plate today!)

The Brewers pitchers constantly talk about how valuable he's been.

And, it seems like Kendall is happy here, which bodes well for us. He said this in the article:

"I'd love to stay here for the rest of my career, however long they'll keep me...I enjoy the city, I enjoy the fans, I enjoy the team. I couldn't be happier."

Neither could we.

Get Well Already

Here's an interesting post from Brew Crew Ball about what happens if Ryan Braun is seriously hurt.

Obviously nobody wants to even consider that. And the quotes coming out in the media are all cautiously optimistic. But they are definitely cautious.

In the linked post, possible replacements are considered if Braun can't play...including Barry Bonds.

I think I'd rather miss the playoffs. But I guess anything is possible.

And speaking of injuries - I heard Russell Branyan has been put on the DL with a muscle strain. True? Wow. Supposedly Laynce Nix is coming up.

Once again, anything is possible.

The Thing about This Homestand...

Yea...sweep, sweep, sweep. It was great to be at the game yesterday and feel all the energy of the team and the fans.

But the thing is, I can't say I like the four-game homestand.

It's like the Personal Pan Pizza of the baseball world -- just enough to whet your appetite and not nearly enough to fill you up.

I want more! Can't wait for the Crew to get back next week for a REAL homestand.

But in the meantime, I'll happily plunk down in front of the TV for the rest of this week's games.

And I sure hope to see Braun in the lineup sometime soon. Knowing he may be hurt makes my own back ache.

C'mon Back Now, You Hear?

I loved that at Sunday's game, the Crew came back. Not something they've always been able to do this season.

Instead, there's too often been this sinking feeling that the team had given up.

But not Sunday, thank you Mike Rivera and Gabe Kapler. Not even close.

Now, we just need Braun to come back as decisively. The reports about his back are hedgy, to say the least.

What a terrible, nervous time for him and for the team.

Ask and You Shall Receive

Okay, well as my friend Curt just pointed out, tonight's game pretty much answered all the questions in my earlier post.

1. Is Sheets reacting to having another ace in the house? Only in a good way. It's been 16 years since the Crew had back-to-back shutout complete games.

2. Rickie Weeks and Mike Cameron? How about: Go Durham! And congrats on the first homer as a Brewer.

3. Is Kendall tired? Guess it doesn't matter if he keeps hitting doubles and calling great games.

4. A good at-bat song is key. "International Harvester" it was again tonight...and Corey delivered with a home run.

5. Third base? Still no obvious plan, but Branyan played it fine tonight.

6. Okay, I feel bad about this one. Did I jinx Braun and cause the lower back spasm? I hope not. But I suspect even my bad timing can't keep this guy down.

Great game. And woo hoo to the Cards for pounding the Cubs.