Not so long ago, the Brewers were swept by the hated Cubs in 4 games. None were close.

A couple weeks later, it was thw Mets turn for a sweep. The Crew had a chance in the second game, but couldn't salvage one game.

Now the Phillies have swept the Brewers, who had an outside chance in the third contest, but could get no relief,

We've played three of the four most likely playoff opponents and been stomped on..

How can we break the pattern? Its time to try anything. Let's pull tomorrow's lineup out of a hat. Let's let one of the coaches make all the managerial decisions one day. How about starting 3 or 4 of the minor leagers we called up. Its not too late to replace Suppan with McClung or Villaneuva in the rotation. Or 6 guys all start to hit like hell - and 4 starters pitch like the same - along with 3 releivers

What a great series sweep against the Cards. Heroes changed almost daily. 20 games in a row with a HR. In the thrill of the wins, one great performance seems to have been forgotten.

I'm talking about J. J. Hardy. He was 11 for 20 in the 4 game set, including a double and a HR. He scored 4 runs and drove home 3. When was the last time a Brewer got 11 hits in a series? Anyone know the record for hits in a series?

I was watching and listening to Robin Yount's visit on the FSN broadcast last night, and I got to thinking. I remember when these visits to the booth began, and they were for 1/2 an inning. Then , if the 1/2 inning was short, they were asked if they could "stay for another 1/2 inning". Now they seem to be scheduled for 1 full inning, but no longer.

Why are they so limited? Do the radio or TV networks have to pay them if they stay longer? Or is it some other reason? Or are the announcers worried about losing their jobs,

I want to start out by saying that I was in favor of bringing up Russell Branyan from Nashville to bolster the flaying Brewer offence - although my idea was to have him replace Weeks with Hall or Dillion taking over at second base.

He sure is off to a great start. In limited action. BA, OBP, and SLG all exceed his lifetime figures. His SO and BB %'s are also up. What I can't understand is this. In 10 prior seasons, the pitchers always found his weaknesses everey time he played. Last year he could not hit .200 and had an OPS+ under 100 one of the few times in his career (lifetime 109). How can pitchers forget how to pitch him?

It has been a tough stretch lately.No hitting. No starting pitching. No releif pitching. And often a combination of these factors. But take heart, Brew fans. Every dark cloud has a silver lining.

Last year we finally had a winning season. 2008 was going to be the year of the playoffs. It has been over a quarter century. This time, the law of averages is in our favor, It is time for the breaks to go our way.

Yesterday, a bloop single lead to the Maelins first 3 runs. Sunday a bad call by the first-base umpire in the 9th inning gave the Astros a 4th out - and a chance to tie. Remember all the Astro's softly hit balls that turned into runners in all 3 weekend games? When is the last time you heard or saw a Brewer hard hit ball down the line be called fair? Finally, recall that the Crew was not playing great even before this streak - but they had a winning record,

Was last year a fluke caused by many above average or even career seasons? Sure, there were a few, but remember what Bill James said about most players getting better until they peak around age 26 to 28. How many players are getting nearer to that peak? What are the odds that things will get better this season. The everyday players will bring up their averages sharply and start hitting the long ball (althouigh I doubt they will match 2007's total of HR's). The starters will bring their ERA's down into the 3's or 4's (Ben will be in the 2's). The releivers will impove as a whole, and  the closer will remain a problem (but not as bad as now). Because this will all happen in a compressed "season" (129 vs, 162 games), we should win 70 to 75 more games this year,

Let the turn-around begin! And let the fun resume in Brew Crew land!

It does appear that the Crew has not had much luck in signing bigger name free agents. At least we haven't been burned in signing a really big name - mainly because we could not afford one. I guess our best signing (for the money) would be someone like Jeff Suppan. But the overpaid failures...

This brings us to our most recent fiasco - Eric Gagne. I didn't know what to call him when I discussed him with other baseball fans. Then I decided to reach back almost a hundred years and remembered a (ill-deserved) Hall-of -Famer!

Milwaukee, I give you Eric Gagne - "The $10,000,000 Lemon".

As a fan, of course, I hope he can match Rube Marquard and change the "Lemon" into a "Beauty"