Brewers Take Serious Approach to the Pitching Situation

Milwaukee Brewers fans know that pitching and defense wins baseball games. It's nice to have hot bats, and the Brewers certainly have that already. When the pressure is on, you need pitchers that can shut down a team, or a bullpen that can keep the game close. The Brewers now have both.

Brewers Sign Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke

First, we see that the Brewers signed Shaun Marcum. That was a nice start as Marcum was happy to land in a city that was closer to his home town of Kansas City. He finished 2010 with a record of 9-7. From there, the rumors were that the Brewers would use prospects to fill the final starting rotation. To the surprise of everyone, Milwaukee signed Zack Greinke. Greinke was supposed to go to a big market, big city team. He might find Milwaukee to be a forgiving and baseball loving city. The night that Greinke signed the deal, Brewers tickets started selling at a brisk pace.

With two spots open in the bullpen, the Brewers signed Takashi Saito. Saito is one of the best set up men in the game, and he signed a one year deal. From here, one would expect that the Brewers will see which of their nine prospect pitchers will shine in spring, and win that final spot on the roster. Could this be the year that Milwaukee goes deeper into the playoffs? My fingers are crossed.

Brett Favre Are You Finished Yet?

I'm glad that I recorded last night's game between the Vikings and Bears. After another night of holiday shopping, it was nice to crawl into bed to watch Monday Night Football. Favre started the game, to the surprise of many. I get it. He's got the smarts to know what do on the field, but the dude has no parts left. He couldn't even raise his right arm in celebration when he threw what will surely be his last touchdown pass.

To see Favre get slammed to the turf by some rookie lineman was not fun. He didn't move for about three or four seconds, and that made me sick. Call it a career Brett Favre. We loved you in Green Bay. We don't like you in Minnesota, but after Rodgers swept the Vikings this season, it hurts a lot less to see you wearing purple. Walk off under your own power. Go take a few months off, heal, and think about sportscasting, or fly fishing, or riding the most tricked out lawn mower on your property in Mississippi. We don't want you back in uniform because it makes us nervous.

When Favre walked to the sideline, face smeared with that turf powder, cheeks burning red, and a far away gaze in his eyes, I felt compelled to turn off the game. Favre was finished for the night, so I kept watching. There was no glorious comeback for the Vikings. The Bears are NFC North champs, and Green Bay needs big help to get a Wild Card spot.

Local Milwaukee Music Takes Over when Winter Sets In

I would guess that big time touring bands don't want to do cold winter tours. Would you want to come to Milwaukee in December? We're about to have our first snow storm of the year. It might not be a big one, but it will certainly snarl traffic. The first one always does. I'm hoping to head down to Turner Hall tomorrow night to see a Smiths tribute band. If that is a bust, I might sneak over to see Tim Cook and the Riverwesterners at the Uptowner. Heck, there are a bunch of great local Milwaukee bands playing this weekend. Beatallica is on at 11pm tonight. Screw the big time tour monsters, just get to a local club for local people.