Today we went to a lunch at Miller Park for season ticket holders. Jim Powell was the emcee and it included Corey Hart and Ted Simmons. There was lots of Q&A but here are a few of my favorite points...
Corey Hart 
1. Said the toughest stadiums for heckling are Wrigley Field ("I don't take my kids there!")and the Phillies stadium ("They're mean.").
2. Asked if he'd rather hit a homer or steal one back by climbing the wall to catch a fly, he'd steal the run. It doesn't happen often he said, and it's one of the moments you live for in the outfield.
3. On whether hitting is easier with the roof open or closed, the answer was confusing. Corey said it's easiest when the roof is closed and the side walls are open. But then Jim Powell reiterated saying "when the roof and the side walls are open" and Corey agreed. So...the mystery continues.
4. Asked who is his best friend on the team, he said probably J.J. - they've been friends since 2001 and lived together for a few years. He said they took Ryan Braun "into our club" last year and they all now hang out.
5. Asked about positions he's played and what he'd like to play, he said he'd panic if he went back to infield, "But any day you get to start is a good day."
Ted Simmons
1. Was an Army Reservist for his first 6 years playing ball.
2. Said his main role now as bench coach for the Brewers is "keeping Ned calm so he doesn't have to hand over the game to me."
3. Explained the real role of a bench coach, which is to be a "psychological sounding board" and watchdog for the coach. He said it's his role to stay by the coach's side, make sure the coach is aware of all options at any given time, and help keep things sorted out so they "don't ball up." In other words - a chief of staff.
4. Finally, he confirmed that when Ned does get ejected, while Ted is technically in charge, he will typically run over to the clubhouse to confirm strategic moves with Ned before proceeding. An ejected coach is apparently still available, you just have to do the running to reach him.
What a fun way to spend a lunch hour.
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