My Summer of Baseball

I'm Tired of Being Disappointed

Ugh. Another disappointing day of baseball.

I'm disappointed that by the third inning, the Crew was already 0 for 7 with runs in scoring position.

I'm disappointed that Fielder continues to hog the cleanup spot and not deliver.

I'm disappointed in the base-running or maybe it's the base-coaching.

I'm disappointed that Torres has another blown save.

And the errors!

Plus, I'm disappointed that while we couldn't perform, the Phillies delivered and the Cards and Cubs appear poised to win, too.

Most of all I'm disappointed with how unsurprising it is to feel disappointed again.

I'm not looking for a lot here. I'd just like to be pleasantly surprised for a change this week. 

Taking One for the Team

Today the Brewers return to Milwaukee. But when the first pitch goes out in a couple minutes, I'll still be here at home instead of in my seat.

This is because our moving sale is still going on today, and one of us has to be around this afternoon to sign any final paperwork and help get things out of the house.

I've missed six games this summer due to work. Pete, on the other hand, has a perfect record. This is game 66 and he's seen the previous 65 without a hitch. And if there's one thing everybody knows about baseball -- you don't interrupt a hot streak.

I'm consoling myself by remembering earlier this summer, when JJ gave up his hitting record to lay down an important sacrifice bunt. It probably didn't feel good to him, but it was just what the team needed.

So, I'm following suit and taking one for the team.

It's a beautiful day, the Crew is up for another win, and I'm banking on the fact that today won't be the day my empty seat finally gets a fly ball.

Most of all, I just hope Pete is REALLY enjoying my summer of baseball.

I Miss My TV

So, I understand that this weekend in Pittsburgh, Corey Hart hit is 20th home run, adding himself to the Brewers record book. He's the first player in Brewers history to have 20 home runs and 20 steals for two seasons.

I also understand that Sabathia pretty much pitched a no-hitter on Sunday, lost on the whim of the official scorer. Though, from what I've read, he has taken it like a great sport.

It sounds like all three games of the weekend sweep were sweet. And, going into September with 80 wins is pretty much incredible.

But, all this I had to get from the Internet. As part of the big move, we not only sold the couch where we'd normally sit to watch away games...we sold the TV too.

By Sunday, this was paintful. We went to a bar for the first few innings of the game, but one can only eat so many appetizers before the wait staff starts glaring at you for hogging a table.

Thank goodness the Crew is coming home today. That gives me just over a week to figure out how to make sure I don't miss another away game this season.

The Case of the Missing Post

This morning, I sat down and wrote a post about Prince Fielder.

It was called "A Royal Disappointment" and it focused on the fact that, like many people, I rarely now expect the Prince to save the day. And I am right too often.

When I realized Fielder would be the third at-bat in the 9th last night, I snapped off the TV. Just couldn't face watching what I knew would be so frustrating.

So where is that post? Beats me.

I wrote it. I posted it. I'm sure of that. But I just visited My Summer of Baseball and it's not there.

It's kind of like Fielder's heroism -- it's this nagging, happy memory in the recesses of my mind, but try as I might, I just can't seem to bring it back.

More than Moderation

At a certain point last night, I started feeling a little bad for the Cards. Not super bad, of course; I wanted to win. But when the run count reached 12, it felt a little like gluttony.

Of course, gluttony turns out to be a ballpark staple.

Last week I had my annual physical and discovered that since I went on The Miller Park Diet, my cholesterol has gone up.

Hmmm....I guess that could be the hot dogs, nachos, kettle korn, chorizos and more that have become my regular regimen. You think?

Can't say I've really been living the "everything in moderation" plan in recent months. And clearly that's something I'll have to get back under control after the post-season.

But the Brewers, well, I'm all for gluttony on their part. In fact, here's hoping that tonight they are once again a bunch of big fat pigs at the plate.

Let's Make It: My Summer of Beating the Cards

Well, My Summer of Baseball has, in the last few weeks, evolved into My Summer of Selling My House Much Faster Than Expected and Having to Pack All My Stuff and Move Out, along with My Summer of Having an Overwhelming Amount of Work to Do, Too.

Hence why posts have been a little sparing in the past week or two. The stress is a killer. But, of course, I am still going to all the games, and yesterday was a thriller.

It was great to get the win in the end, but along the way there were some truly painful moments that made me worry about the team and how they'll do in the final stretch:
- Like Hall, completely zoning out as the ball sailed by him.
- Like Cameron's base-running in the 6th and the 11th.
- Like Braun having his worst day ever in the majors, going 0 for 5.

And just generally, I worry about how many the Crew seems to leave stranded. Fielder particularly seems to be completely lost at the plate.

But then there were great moments too:
- Like Hall's multiple singles against Maholm.
- Like Cameron having his first 5-hit day.
- Like Braun flying through the air like Superman to catch that ball in the 7th.

And, the wedding proposal that happened right down below us mid-game. We laughed as the game went into extra innings about the great, hopeful analogy for their wedding toast.

And let's not forget Hardy celebrating his bobble-head day with the game-winning single.

So...a good day all in all. And as my friend Curt says, how they get there doesn't matter as long as it ends well. But, sheesh...I'm glad everybody's getting a day off.

Hopefully we can all get our acts together today. I'm eager to move from My Summer of Being Stressed Out to My Summer of Beating the Cards.

Watching With the Enemy

Okay, I admit it. Last night I went to the Brewer game with some Cubs fans.

But actually, it was pretty fun. There was the usual Zambrano this and Wrigley that. But there also were oohs and aahs about that wonderful Milwaukee-only spectacle: the Sausage Race.

And, of course, it helped that the Cubs got absolutely trounced yesterday...by the Nationals of all teams.

It was also good to see the Crew winning with some small ball, Bush having another good game, and Braun back on the field although he still didn't look like he was totally comfortable with his swing. His base running sure was great, though.

All in all, a good night at the ballpark. Looking forward to another game tonight...and hopefully another Cubs loss, too.

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.