Hey, check it out - the Brewers have gone 4-2 this week! Hopefully, this is the start of something good.

Follow the jump for pictures!

Continue reading this post »

Whoa, whoa. I feel like I got stuck in a time loop. Sorry about that guys.

Truth is, I ran away with the Brewers defense. Clearly, after the win last night you'd be right in assuming I finally returned it.

Follow the jump for pictures of Prince Fielder dancing and others failing in their sad attempts to do so.

Continue reading this post »

Since last we met, the Brewers have gone 4-3! Whoa!

This afternoon, the Brewers finish off the Cubs in Miller Park before a much needed off-day. Then, they'll be on the way to Pittsburgh to plunder the Pirates (we hope!).

Follow the jump for pictures and more!

Continue reading this post »

Well, that was not the best way to start the season. But it can only get better from here... right?

One can only hope. The Crew plays their last away game before the home opener today, finishing up the series against the Reds.

Follow the jump for pictures!

Continue reading this post »

The winner of last week's caption contest is.... sjlee!
Congrats! Too bad you win nothing.

"Hey kid, no high fives necessary. .. you can just take the bat back to the dugout."



Follow the jump for this week's pictures!

Continue reading this post »

There was really no competition there, since Yost has such poor managing skills. Since last Sunday, the Brewers have managed to win four of their last seven games (and tied one!). Could this be a good sign of things to come?

Continue reading this post »

   
We've all been waiting patiently to find out how this season will find the Brewers, especially with the new additions to the team.

 
Some of us have spent time waiting for autographs.

 
Others tried to fill the time with seemingly less meaningful things.

 
And others still have been enjoying following Brewers on Twitter, like John Axford.

Whatever you've been doing, the wait is finally over and spring training has begun!
For more pictures, follow the jump! 

Continue reading this post »

Something to read while playing with bombs.

Kyle's off in the woods. I don't know exactly what he's up to, but I have my ideas. Before he left though, he managed to help set up the MLB Power Rankings of the week. The Brewers moved up in rank, from 23 last week to 19 this week. Kyle also posted the results from last week's tracking poll, showing an increased approval rating for Ken Macha. I think it's from all the Perkins dancing.

So how 'bout them Brewers, then? They're ending the month of June well, having won Seven of Nine. They finish the series against the Astros today at 1:10. Hopefully they can keep that momentum up after the commute down to St Louis to face HRH Albert Pujols and the Cardinals.

Around the MLB:

Edwin Rodriguez gets to finish the season as manager for the Marlins, after the club fired Fredi Gonzalez last week.

Willy Taveras was released by the Phillies, making it the third time he's been kicked out this year. The Phillies aren't having a great week either after having to place Chase Utley and Placido Poblanco on the DL.

The Mariners are DFA'ing Eliezer Alfonso to make room for Josh Bard, who was activated from the DL last night.

The Mets signed Michael Barrett to a minor league deal.

Oh, and Carlos Zambrano? He's been placed on the restricted list and won't be back until after the All-Star break. He begins anger management classes today. I hope he feels pretty.

BIrthdays:

I couldn't find any Brewer-related birthdays but Milwaukee-born Mark Grudzielanek of the Cleveland Indians turns 40 today. Otherwise you could congratulate Michael Phelps, who is 25.

Cool Days:

On this date in 1908, Cy Young pitched his third and final no-hitter. It would've been a perfect game too, except that he managed to walk someone. Way to be, Cy.

The next year, the Cubs beat the Pirates in the opening day game for Forbes Field. The stadium was pretty state-of-the-art for its day, featuring awesome things like newfangled elevators and the like.

In 1948, Bob Lemon threw a no-hitter against the Tigers, allowing Cleveland to win 2-0. The coolest part? It was the first American League no-hitter at night.

In 1978, Willie McCovey joined the 500 HR club as a Giant. Why don't we ever hear about players joining the 700 Club? At least they've got a show on the tele.

And that's pretty much that... unless you're looking to combine your love of bacon with your love of zombies.

Drink up and enjoy the game!

W: Brian Sweeney (1-0)
L: Randy Wolf (5-7)
S: Brandon League (2)

HR: Prince Fielder (15), Milton Bradley (7), Jose Lopez (5)

MVP: Corey Hart (+.196)
LVP: Jim Edmonds (-.180)

Win Expectancy Graph
SB Nation Coverage

Randy Wolf couldn't get on track today and struggled through five innings.  He loaded the bases in the second and third innings and allowed one run in both frames.  The run in the second was unearned as a result of Alcides Escobar's eleventh error of the season.  Three more runs scored in the fourth on a Franklin Gutierrez double and Jose Lopez home run.  After Wolf departed, five Brewers relievers combined to keep the Mariners scoreless the rest of the way.

The Brewers offense was silent except for a quirky third inning.  Randy Wolf doubled and Rickie Weeks walked before Corey Hart doubled into left-center.  Weeks scored on the play, knocking the ball away from Mariners catcher Rob Johnson in the process.  Pitcher Doug Fister's throw to third got away from Lopez, allowing Hart to score as well.  Prince Fielder followed the wild play with his fifteen home run of the season and eighth in the month of June.  That was all the offense the Brewers could muster.  Brian Sweeney, pitching in the majors for the first time since 2006, took over for Fister in the fifth and went four scoreless to pick up the win.  Brandon League pitched a perfect ninth for his second save.

If you start your weeks off with Sunday, the crew has not lost a single game this week! That's right, for the first time since spring training in March, the Brewers have a five game winning streak.

If you somehow missed the big news about last night, Kyle got to hang out in the press box and go to the post-game press conference! If you missed all that, you should check out his recap and post-game notes.

Pictures after the jump!

Continue reading this post »

Yup, that's right. I'm writing about soccer on a baseball blog. Commence the hating.

But seriously, if you've been paying attention to the World Cup - or avoiding it like the plague - you know that soccer fans can be a little crazy. That goes double for anyone who has read the Huffington Post lately. From their vuvuzelas to their drunken riots to their awesome hair, soccer fans (and soccer in general) may have a lot to offer the MLB and viewers like you!

Follow the jump for a novice fan's ramblings!

Continue reading this post »

Some things to read while attending vuvuzela concerts.

Kyle is a little too teary-eyed to write this morning. It'll be a struggle to move on without him, but I think we can manage.

The Brewers got some time off yesterday. While that may have made for a boring day for some, at least we didn't have another chance to lose. Yay! But if you're missing your semi-daily dose of Ken Macha, Rubie Q has MACHAWATCH! all warmed up for you. Nicole's also got Uni Notes from the past week up, in case you missed seeing the Brew Crew last night. Or you could just hang out with Snoop Dogg.

Miller Park Drunk has just completed my new bible, the ultimate guide to Ryan Braun. He tweeted that it was going to be one of his longest posts and, like always, he doesn't disappoint.

Jeff Sullivan of SB Nation shares his five must-know statistics which, like Will Ferrell, are kind of a big deal. This week, he includes a bit on Corey Hart and his recent power explosion.

Jeff Passan, of Yahoo! Sports, has an interesting collection of letters regarding using instant replay. Are you for unlimited replay by an extra ump, or a limited replay ability? Or do you hate the idea of a replay? Discuss!

Around the baseball world:

• As Yar Nevik pointed out in yesterday's Mug, Lou Piniella seems to be not the best manager lately. Despite that, his job is pretty safe right now. Maybe Cubs GM Jim Hendry and Doug Melvin are secretly competing on "So You Think You Can Manage?"
• Apparently nobody wants Mike Lowell. I bet he's feeling a little like Keanu Reeves right now (for another great photoshop of the sad actor, you know you can always count on Miller Park Drunk).
• The Dodgers placed shortstop Rafael Furcal on the bereavement list to be with a very ill family member in the Dominican Republic. They called up Chin-lung Hu from the minor leagues as a replacement in the meantime.
• Bud Selig announced Wednesday that the 2012 All Star Game will be played in Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium.
• The Pirates are having a pretty hard time lately. As of yesterday's Mug, they've lost ten straight games. While Gm Neal Huntington and club president Frank Coonelly seem to be backing manager John Russell, a few others within their club aren't too happy with Russell's performance.
• Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones might be retiring at the end of the season, along with Braves Manager Bobby Cox.
• Phillies second baseman Chase Utley may be practicing voodoo.

I couldn't find any Brewer-related birthdays today, but it is Andres Galarraga's birthday.

On this date in 1953, future Milwaukee Brave Sammy White scored three runs in the same inning, against the Detroit Tigers. White only played for the Braves in 21 games during the 1961 season.

Also on this date, in 1972, the Supreme Court agreed with the lower court's decision against Curt Flood, stating that baseball was exempt from antitrust laws. Just before Christmas in 1975, arbitrator Peter Seitz's decision to allow pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally to become free agents ended the reserve clause. Eventually other sports followed suit.

So Toy Story 3 comes out today and it's already getting awesome reviews. Some are saying this could be the best Pixar movie yet. I'm not ashamed to say that I've been waiting eleven years for this.

That's all I've got for you today, unless you missed the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.

Shortly after RHP Dylan Covey was announced as the Brewers' first round pick in last week's draft, I created Covey's Coven, a Facebook fan page.  Within a few days some of Covey's friends and even Dylan himself had joined.  I decided to take the opportunity to ask him to answer a few questions for us here at Brew Crew Ball.  Dylan kindly agreed, and like the Millennials we both are, we exchanged BCB user submitted questions and answers via Facebook message.

Before I get to the interview, Dylan wanted to clear something up:

Ok before I answer these, I'd like to make things clear that when I did some interviews with the Milwaukee newspapers, I was completely joking around with the interviewer when I said I didn't know how to spell Milwaukee or that I had cheap parents. I guess he didn't like the joke.

Don’t worry Dylan, we love humor around here.

Now for the interview:

BCB: First, your Facebook page has everyone wondering: why is your nickname ‘Splash?’

DC: Haha this is kind of a nickname that came out of nowhere and just stuck with me. I'm open to any suggestions you may have of why people call me that.


BCB: What is the scouting process like for a player?

DC: I'm sure the process is different for all players. Some players probably met with all the teams and some probably met with only a few. For me it was a really fun and exciting time and I'm still having fun with the process. I think I had about 28 of the 30 area scouts sit down in my living room and talk to me and my parents just trying to get to know me to make sure I wasn't a head case. Then the season would start and I would have anywhere from 10 to 60 scouts at each of my starts. When the season started winding down a few of the scouts came back to our house to talk about signability (if I would sign and how much I wanted). And then I just had to wait for the draft. I've told people that I wasn't expecting the Brewers to pick me but that is mainly because I wasn't getting any phone calls from them as the draft was getting closer. But I assure you I couldn't be happier with the turnout.


BCB: Where were you told and/or where were you hoping to be drafted?

DC: At the beginning of the year I was projected as a top 10 pick, but as the year went on some rumors started that I was injured (not true) so then I was told late first round. I hoped to be drafted by the team that fit the most, and now that I was drafted by the Brewers I couldn't see a better fit.

BCB: Speaking of scouts, everyone has read the scouting reports, but what do you really throw?

DC: I have a 5 pitch arsenal - a 4-seam fastball that sits around 91-94 MPH topping out at 97, a 2-seam fastball that has the same velocity but runs inside to righties, a curveball that's 78-84 MPH that breaks straight up and down, a slider that's 84-90 MPH, and a developing change-up which is gonna need the most work.


BCB: How much movement does your fastball have? Do you expect to add any velocity to it?

DC: The 4-seam fastball has little movement but I can paint the corners pretty easily with it. The 2-seam will either run in on a righty usually about 6 inches or it will act as a sinker depending on finger pressure. I believe as I get bigger and stronger that I'll be able to throw harder. I'm hoping that I can sit 95-97 at some point in my career.


BCB: Do you have a general pitching philosophy or anything special you do to prepare for each game?

DC: Me and my team would always go to this sandwich/burger place before our games call Connal's. It was really good but I'm gonna have switch things up once I get to Milwaukee.


BCB: Do you model your game after any particular player (bonus points for a current or former Brewer!)?

DC: As far as mechanics go I would say I am very similar to Yovani Gallardo. People have compared me physically to Matt Cain and [Chad] Billingsley. I think I'm a bit skinnier than both of them though. The Aflac uniform was deceiving because the pants they gave me were a million times too large. As far as my stuff goes I think I have potential to be as good as [Josh] Beckett or [Roy] Halladay or some of those guys. I know that's a pretty bold statement but I think I could get there. It's just gonna take a lot of hard work to get to that level.


BCB: Did you play any other positions in high school or were you strictly a pitcher?

DC: I played Center Field every year except halfway through my senior year. I played First Base when I didn't pitch because our number 2 starter was the regular 1B so we would just alternate.


BCB: Can you give any insights into the negotiating process with the Brewers?

DC:  We haven't started negotiating anything yet. I think a lot of the head scouts are in the DR right now and when they get back we'll probably start.


BCB: Have you gotten any indication of where you will play (Arizona, Helena, etc.) if you sign?

DC: I have no idea. I know the spring training league is in AZ and that's most likely where I'll start out.


BCB: Now, if you don't mind, for some more personal questions:

Are you wearing Brewers gear with the current logo or the retro logo?

DC: Me and my dad both have the retro hats. A few of my friends have the current hats. And even some friends are going online and finding different colored ones and things I've never seen before so it's a little bit of everything.


BCB:  The Brewers used to celebrate wins by untucking their jerseys on the field. Other teams found it annoying.  As a ballplayer, do you have an opinion about untucking in celebration?

DC: Tradition is what baseball is all about. As long as a team is respectful to their opponents I think they can do whatever they want.


BCB: When you come into your first major league game, what will your warm-up and walk-up music be?

DC: Haha there are too many decisions. Maybe 'Alive' by Kid Cudi? That's what it was in high school.


BCB: Will being a professional ballplayer be your first job?  From what I've heard, playing in the minors is like being dropped into adulthood with both feet.

DC: Besides working for my dad in his shop it will be. I know that the minor leagues will be very tough but I'm willing to chief it out until I make it to the MLB. I mean I'm playing a game every day for a living - can't be that bad.


BCB: If a train leaves Toronto at 8:24 AM, heading west at 98 miles per hour and another leaves Vancouver at 7:32 PM heading east at 78 miles per hour, what time is it in Beijing when the trains pass? Just kidding! :)

DC: 5?


BCB: Forgive me for Facebook creeping, but I see you play the piano pretty well. How long have you been playing?

DC: Haha that's just something I kind of mess around with. I used to take lessons a while back but I don't remember anything. I don't even know how to read music.


BCB: Finally, I know you will have a busy summer. What are you looking forward to the most?

DC: Starting my new job!!

As you can see, Covey is a talented player and a fun guy to talk to. I definitely think he will feel at home in the Brewers system and can’t wait to see what he can do.

Thanks again Dylan, and good luck!

W: Randy Wolf (5-6)
L: Joe Saunders (5-7)

HR: Ryan Braun [grand slam] (10), Casey McGehee (11)

MVP: Ryan Braun (+.301)
LVP: Rickie Weeks (-.070)

Win Probability Graph
SB Nation Coverage
STATS play by play coverage

It was a good game for Dylan Covey to see.

Towards the beginning of the game, it really looked like the Brewers were going to lose. Randy Wolf had some control issues throughout the first few innings. He pitched through the seventh, throwing 97 pitches and hitting two players in the process. It seems as though this was the game of plunkings, with Casey McGehee and Craig Counsell all becoming casualties in the process.

But yay, an Escobar single in the third inning began the rally that eventually led to a Braun grand slam. And thus began the scoring. Counsell walked on a ten pitch at bat in the sixth inning. He then stole a base while Alcides Escobar was batting. Unfortunately, nothing came of Craiggers' hard work, as he was thrown out at home, Braun scored on a wild pitch by reliever Trevor Bell. There were a few other runs scored, but I lost track in all the excitement.

And there was much rejoicing.

W: Colby Lewis (6-4)
L: Yovani Gallardo (6-3)

HR: Prince Fielder twice (12)

MVP: Prince Fielder (+.157)
LVP: George Kottaras (-.103)

Win Probability Graph
SB Nation Coverage
STATS play by play coverage

I'll be honest, like most everyone else, I wasn't really paying attention to the game.

Prince Fielder scored the only two runs for the Brewers, both homers. Yovani Gallardo, who failed to get on base, pitched through six innings, allowing two runs in the fourth and another two in the sixth. Carlos Villanueva, Chris Smith, and David Riske pitched the seventh, eighth, and ninth respectively.

All in all, it wasn't a pretty game for the Brew Crew. Oh well. I'm ready for a trip to Anaheim right about now too.

The Brewers have gone four and two since last Saturday, leading hopeful fans to believe that they might be able to come back from this slump. To quote one happy fan from last night: "I think we might not suck!"

Do you think they'll make it out of the slump?

Follow the jump to see some pictures of Brewers wins!

Continue reading this post »

If you haven't already heard about Covey's Coven, the Dylan "Splash" Covey fan club on facebook, you're missing out. Because of how awesome he is, Dylan has graciously agreed to an interview with some of us mod-type people.

If you have a question for Covey, please put it in the comments below by Friday, June 11th, at 11:59pm. Just like your favorite MLB chat runners, we'll pick the best, most intriguing, and funnest (yes, it's a word) questions for our interview.

With the loss last night, the Brewers fell 10 games behind in the NL Central, and 11 games under .500. The Brewers are also in danger of having the worst record in the NL, as they are now only one game in front of both Houston and Arizona who both have records of 21-34.

Lineups and bullpen status after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

It's Saturday morning, do you know where your pictures of the week are?

They're... Um, they're right here.

If you've been on the site lately, you may have noticed a lack of picture postings. I'm not lazy, just busy and forgetful... Or I thought the Brewers losing didn't really necessitate pictures.

I mean seriously, 1-5 this week? Yikes.

Follow the jump! You know you wanna.

Continue reading this post »

Sunday's Timber Rattler game was rained out. Sadly, I have no minor league pictures this week. I guess y'all will have to settle for pictures of the grown up Brewers.

In other sad news, the Brewers have lost five out of their last six games... all games Corey Hart has played in. Coincidence? Probably.

Follow the jump for more!

Continue reading this post »

I'd like to whine about our loss to the Cubs las night. But I'm too happy about the fact that the Brewers had won four games in a row for the first time this season. Also, I'm too apathetic. (On a related note, sorry for the absence of posts the past two weeks. Senioritis apparently likes to bleed into everything you do. Go figure.)

That just means more pictures! Follow the jump!

Continue reading this post »

There are so many exciting things going on for the Brewers lately! The Food Network is adding signature dishes to suite menus this season. That's not all though. Those attending Miller Park will now be parking in lots named after famous players. A new team store will be opening on the terrace level. They've even made it possible for fans to see the controls for the roof. (h/t Journal Sentinel)

Oh, and also, the Brewers won their first game at Miller Park last night. Hopefully this is a sign of great things to come this season.

Follow the jump for pictures and the results of last week's poll!

Continue reading this post »

The Brewers have won only one out of their five games this week. On the upside, there is only a week of spring training left, with the last game next Saturday, April third.

Interestingly enough, for losing three games and drawing another, there were an awful lot of celebratory hand gestures this past week... but none of them pictured were between the dynamic duo of Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun. What in the world is going on?

For speculation and more pictures, follow the jump.

Continue reading this post »

Sadly, the pictures for the past week are few and far between. As such, this week's pictures are not from Yahoo! but from our own SBNation.

Follow the jump for the shortest picture post this year!

Continue reading this post »

The Brewers have won half of their last six games. They lost half too, but I'm a glass half full kind of person. Two of the wins have come at the expense of the Chicago Cubs. One can only hope that trend continues into the regular season.

During the past week, we at Brew Crew Ball have been blessed with having a few members attending spring training games down in Maryville. The pictures this week are from our very own SgtClueLs!

Follow the jump to see how his week in Arizona has gone!

Continue reading this post »