Please use accompanying photo as the motif for the song lyrics, below.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/97908214.html

Hang Down Your Head, Craig Counsell

hang down your head craig-counsell,
hang down you head and cry,
you threw way too wide for rickie,
and you know that just don't fly.
You left the ball out of reach
For what should've been an easy play
You left the ball out of reach
And it would've been a double play.

hang down your head craig-counsell,
hang down you head and cry,
you threw way too wide for rickie,
and you know that just don't fly.

You fielded it cleanly and easy,
And pivoted to your left,
You fielded it cleanly and easy,
And pivoted to your left;

You turned to second base
and fired to cut down Pat Burell,
Weeks waited but the ball never came
And the game went straight to hell;

hang down your head craig-counsell,
hang down you head and cry,
you threw way too wide for rickie,
and you know that just don't fly.

"Trouble, oh it's trouble
A-rolling in on Miller Park
As hard as it was to be a-misfiring boys,
The Journal paints it real dark,

I know they gonna picture me,
Tomorrow it will be said
Though I've been clutch for years,
Craig Counsell hang down your head..."

hang down your head craig-counsell,
hang down you head and cry,
you threw way too wide for rickie,
and you know that just don't fly.

"In this league for maybe a year more,
Then I reckon what they'd say
If it weren't for my versatility,
I'd be retried in Whitefish Bay.

You can take down my old leather glove
And re-oil it all you please,
For at this time tomorrow boys,
It will be right next to me..."

hang down your head craig-counsell,
hang down you head and cry,
you threw way too wide for rickie,
and you know that just don't fly.

"At this time tomorrow
Where do you reckon I'll be?
Away done yonder on the bench
Spitting the sunflower seeds..."

hang down your head craig-counsell,
hang down you head and cry,
you threw way too wide for rickie,
and you know that just don't fly.

Not too many young, lanky fellows emerge from AAA sporting a 96 MPH blazer, elbow-twitching bender, six foot five inch frame and...an intimidating, just-look-away mustache. He looks like he just strutted out of PB's Tap to settle a bet in the parking lot. A bet he wins, of course, since it's based upon throwing a baseball like a weird looking badass.

What's the word on this guy? Any chance he's closer material? Doesn't look like he had a ton of minor league success as a starter. Control issues? Does he need a new, more mustache-accepting woman?

See link below for word on the mustache:

http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/blog-5360-meet-john-axford.html

As a career-long Favre appreciator, I have seen the high and mighty, from the mountain to the valley and back again, frequently within a single season or game. I have followed his story as fan just 5 years younger, and as a recovering addict, I can relate to his need to feed his addictions, fill the hole, if you will. Personalizing an attachment to a professional athlete is not a hobby I'd prescribe to others, but hey I was 17 when he hit Kitrick Taylor for six.

Watching him resurface throughout the slaughter at the Superdome, Brett played through what no other QB could withstand at age 40, perhaps even at 30 (Tom Brady, anyone?), I was given another performance to remember. One I cannot forget, since, unfortunately, the ending was a bit off. Or was it? I don't know.That's just how stuff tends to go for Brett Favre. Too much of this, too much of that.

In any event, he gets the credit, he gets the blame, as it should be in these NFC Championship games.

I hope he plays again next year and leads the Vikes to glory. If not, and I am assuming not, I am listening to music like this. See link below. Coping music for certain people. Not for everybody, I'm sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYQa7nEBm4Y

Unless Childress and Bevelll cooked up something good (#12 as ball carrier through motion or direct snap shenanigans) for Sunday, it will be a classic Brett v. the defense. As mentioned earlier, his propensity for audible, hurry-up and improvisation will mean that he will single-handedly  determine plays that will be either season-prolonging or season-shortening.

I agree completely with posted suggestions that we should pass first then run. Predictability has stalled #28 all year. When Bevell and/or Childress fail to alter formations and tendencies, Peterson was left to run at many a brick wall. Defenses pretty much know every time he's running. Literally. If they can start running on 2nd down (regardless of the outcome on 1st down pass), they will create some unease for the Dallas defense.

I see #29 as being the key to the game; how often can he bail Brett out when the pressure comes....If he can come up with 7 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown, get ready to visit the Superdome.

But hey, I'm the guy that said Brett was finished after the Carolina loss. What do you think?

Perhaps a better song to open with would be Lindsay Buckingham's amazing "I know I'm not wrong", but I don't know that. What I do know is that I am a Milwaukee Brewer Fan 1st, a Brett Favre fan 2nd and a fan of women/mind altering substances 3rd. The Vikings are a close 4th and the Packers a 5th or 6th and slipping further away than a crazy ex-girlfriend.

That offerred, I want to clarify a bit from my last post, "Favre Looks Done...". I wish no ill upon Brett, Vikings or fans of either. I actually wrote the post as an exercise in therapy, since no one here in Milwaukee wants to hear me cry about my favorite QB and my new favorite NFL team. I already wore the purple #4 jersey to Miller Park this fall, and after fielding several hundred suggestions to go do various (anatomically impossible) things to myself, I decided to wear it less conspicuously.  However, my enjoyment of Brett's style of play and my hope for a Super Bowl victory for him and the Vikings is real.

What am I trying to say? Ok, I admit that I wanted to have it in writing that I could see all the signs of Brett losing steam, interest (can we play the Packers again?), focus and arm strength. It was clear to me that he has (temporarily) lost the ability to make more positive than negative plays. It's been happening since 1992, though it used to just last for one game. He rarely (if ever) could turn it around mid-game. You saw enough of his failures in the Dome to know what I am talking about. The odd thing now is that, unlike in past years where he'd just suck in Dallas or wherever for one game, it appears that when the slide occurs, it is multi-game. I hope he rediscovers his mojo. I hope that his playoff performance is like vs. Seattle, circa 2008 in the snow.

And to be completely honest, I think the only way that happens is if the Vikings receive another visit from those Lambeau lepers (I mean leapers). Maybe then, and only then, the high plains drifter will allow himself to resurface.

Another song lyric to tie it up: "Guess that's all I had to say...except the feeling just grows stronger...everyday."

Thanks for the open forum known as the internet. Take it easy.

I am no expert scout or NFL analyst; I have simply watched Brett Favre throw the football for the last 18 years or so. As a full-fledged supporter and Favre apologist, I am aware of but choose to ignore most of his football-based faults. He takes too many risks, plays emotionally loose and fires passes that only have meaning to him, passes that lose games and ruin careers. He also makes players, coaches and franchises. I hope he makes the Vikings a Super Bowl team.

That said, I fear he is washed up for this season. If you view carefully each throw, each dropback and each movement from the Arizona and Cincinatti game, you'll see what I mean. Tentaive choices, flutter balls, odd releases, less smoke on the ball and worse of all, indeciveness and indescrition. His body looks frail, his body language is ginger. I hate to say it, but he NEEDS rest.

Anyone care to agree or disagree? I hope Brett proves me wrong and fires missles of glory to Vikings abound, ending in Miami with Lombardi's Trophy. However, he looks finished. Can he bounce back? Watch the film.

As the final firework turned to smoke following Trevor Hoffman's escape last evening, I attempted to use the video feature on my new phone in order to share the moment with my 5 year old son. Unfortunately, I am too stupid to operate modern technology and after realizing this, I had to hustle to catch up to my buddies, already high-stepping down the stairwell.

I strolled briskly past the suite level exit and found myself shoulder to shoulder with an exiting Doug Melvin. Not one to over-think a situation, I immediately bumped my shoulder into his and said: "Great game, big win tonight, sir." His face, sullen and tired, did not brighten. His reply was: "None of them are easy." He appeared preoccupied and none too excited for this fan interaction opportunity, but he was polite nonetheless. I threw in: "Thanks for what you do here. We've waited a long time for a winner. We enjoy every game." He mumbled something unintelligible and I surged ahead to catch up with my friends.

I feel like I could have done better with my chance meeting. For the record I was sober as Malcolm X, so I cannot claim lack of lucidity. I am normally prone to absurd faux pas and socially inappropriate comments, so my polite nature can only be explained by my love for the Brewers and the fact that, at age 34, I had waited for the full 26 years for success. I guess I am giving Melvin a free pass for a year or two out of desperate graditude for the CC pick up and the Playoff appearance.

What's yer take? Try the survey!

The role of manager has been famously Money-Balled and decried throughout the baseball community, but what impact, beyond in-game and game-related decisions does a manager really have?

I am seeking any opinion on what measurable impact a manager's style and demeanor with the press might have on a ball club. Yost screwed himself right out of town with his personalty-free defense of his players, style and choices. Did Sveum really give us the wild card by claiming they'd take a pitch now and then (save NLDS game 3, no one but Counsell did)?

Of particular interest to me is what sort of impact Macha's frank assessments and non-coddling (non-Yostian) commentary on his players through the press may have on the Brewers in 2009.

See below for the Machallian quote that inspired this rant/post:

How much the injury damages Gwynn's chances of making the club remains to be seen. Macha said it was difficult to depend on reserve players if they can't stay healthy.

"An extra player, a bench guy, is never injured," Macha said. "If you're a backup (player), you've got to be ready to play 162 games. You have to treat your physical condition that way.

"If J.J. (Hardy) gets in an argument with an umpire and is out of the game, where is my backup shortstop? Oh, he's got a pulled muscle. That can't happen. You have to be on call for 162 games."

Walkathon: It was only the second game of exhibition season but that doesn't mean it's OK to walk 11 hitters. That's why Macha was particularly perturbed about his team's 7-4 exhibition loss to the Chicago Cubs.

"You're not going to film that game and say that's the way to play the game," said Macha, who also noted a couple of base-running gaffes.

"We're going to hit, and hit home runs. That's expected. What we can't do is walk people. And we have to run the bases better. We have to pay attention to the small details."

First a limitation on the iron man's playing time and now this...Macha's like an overbearing spouse, cramping Kendall's style. Not to say if I agree or disagree with Macha (I certainly agree with limiting the playing time, but Kendall did extremely well cutting down would-be thieves last year), but I think it's becoming clear that Kendall may not be excited about the return of his ex.

From http://brewersbeat.mlblogs.com/

Macha plans to control opponents' running game from the bench this season. Last year, then-bench coach Ted Simmons allowed catchers Jason Kendall and Mike Rivera to do it themselves, meaning the players didn't have to look into the dugout for signs calling for pickoffs and the like. He thinks coaches have a better perspective of what opponents are trying to do from the bench.

I just want to go on record as saying that I believe it will happen. If anyone would like to somehow present evidence in support or to the contrary, please feel free. I think it's important in this most festive off-season, to meditate upon Mr. Weeks potential once again. You-hooo-ooo-oooh-whooo, you may say I'm a dreamer...but am I the only one?

Go Brewers!

PS: I want it to happen with the Brewers and not after they trade and/or give up on him....

This was a beautiful article, very well done:

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/30-teams-30-theme-songs/

In that spirit, it is time to come together (all together) for a true Brewer fight song. Not an ironic lyrical turn (though I look forward to those suggestions) but a serious, let's get it going song. An updated "I'm a Believer" 21 years later if you will...

I was sitting in section 417 when Ray Durham hit his 3-run HR to tie it up versus the Reds on 9/9, listening to my ipod. The rally began with Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Change it" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeOpA5vkAQ4) which I thought was a good tense anthem, so I kept playing it till we finally blew it.

Ok, a little over superstitious and OCD-ish, but man I go with what works.

Please suggest and then maybe someone can start a vote or something.

Go F'n Brewers!

Thanks, Chuckie Hacks for the quote. See: http://wisconsinsportsblogs.blogspot.com/2008/09/bootie-call.html

Tony Gwynn Sr. said it best. You can't play when you're uptight and lord are those Ned Yost-led Brewers tight. It is time to play some practical jokes, hot-foot, short-sheet, prank calls, etc. Do it! Get loose or get lost. Sheets, this may be your job. Take care of it...anybody have any good practical joke suggestions for a bunch of professional baseball millionaires?

A Turn For the Crew?

My worry begins with the look on Ned Yost’s face; uptight and unsure like a man forcing diamonds into triangular holes. It is wild how his words come so cocksure, defiant and GW (I don’t mean Game Winning)-like, while his face exudes the air of a man creating diamonds from coal in an undisclosed location to be named later.

Ok, this isn’t an anti-Yost diatribe. This is 2008, another year, another turn of the Screw-Crew.

But for the Screw-Crew, the 8th inning is always looming…Gagne, Mota or Riske business, no lead is really safe. Oh and when has the tightly screwed Brew-Crew defeated a worthy opponent? 

So, as the season gets autumnal, I hope for the Brewers to prevail, no I believe in the Brewers wild-card chances. But something in Yost’s face tells me he’s turning the Screw too tightly…My message to Ned:  Loosen up…bunt a little; keep the 8th inning in Shouse; we can’t go three Sheets into the wind, so take off that Bobby Cox mask and let us see the perennial second-string catcher who once came up big at Fenway.

Prediction: the Brewers go on Crews control for the rest of September, finish 10-9 and hold off the wild-card chasers and go on to win the Division Playoff, giving Yost the chance to out-grimace Pinella in the NLCS.

Yost: Brewers: Don’t Screw up!  

Managers do not a team make; however, managers must "manage" a pitching staff, through choices, etc. Yost continually reveals his lack of mental architecture when it comes to choosing pitchers and handling late-inning situations. It's not that he's necessarily unintelligent (I don't know him-maybe he is a whiz at scrabble or crafts mean haiku); it's just that he rarely appears to have any significant blueprint in place for any given game or stretch of games. If he does have a blueprint, it's flawed or he doesn't stick to it. The 8th inning is consuming the Ned Yost-led Brewers...he must come up with a strategy and stick with it until it is proven ineffective/effective. Of course, this would mean he'd actually have to change an ineffective strategy in a timely fashion...something new for Ned...