Brewers 2013 Minor League Prospects

The Brewers protected five minor league prospects from December's Rule-5-Draft last Tuesday, adding a pair of pitchers, a duo of outfielders, and a second baseman to their forty-man roster. The additions bring the team's total to thirty-nine rostered players, leaving just one spot available for the Brewers own acquisitions on December sixth.

Outfielder Josh Prince is the talk of the bunch. Coming out of Tulane in 2009, Prince put up expected numbers though various classes in the past three seasons, including a .251 average with Class AA Huntsville earlier this year. However, a breakout batting performance in the Arizona Fall League had scouts from around the country interested in the Brewers-affiliate, virtually overnight.

Following Prince's agreement with the Brewers on Tuesday, assistant general manager Gord Ash told reporters that the outfielder's showing in the Fall League was enough to guarantee him a spot on the roster going into the winter. While Prince's relationship with the organization was perhaps the most essential preservation, according to Ash, all five of the individuals were important assets to withhold from other teams.

Right-handers Hiram Burgos and Nick Bucci both accomplished bright seasons within their respective classes in 2012. Burgos was one of the most impressive pitchers in the farm-system this year, earning a ten-and-four record over twenty-seven starts. Putting up a 1.95 ERA over that time, the twenty-four year old was promoted through all three classes of the league throughout the season, beginning the year with single A Brevard County before ending with Triple A Nashville. His performance garnered him the Brewers minor-league pitcher of the year award, all-but guaranteeing him protection from December's draft.
At twenty-two, Bucci's early years in the farm-system were promising. Beginning the 2012 season with a strained shoulder muscle forced him to miss most of the year, halting what was hoped to be a successful season for the young pitcher. Fortunately, after reemerging at Class A Brevard County for four appearances on the mound, Bucci looked like he hadn't missed a beat. Pitching a 1.99 ERA with a two-and-two record, Ash said he hopes to keep Bucci as the thirteenth man in the line for the winter.
Like Bucci, outfielder Khris Davis also spent a good amount of 2012 on the disabled list. Despite that, he still managed to split eighty-two games between Huntsville and Nashville during the season, putting up numbers not-usually maintained by players with chronic injuries. A .350 average with fifteen homers and over fifty RBIs gave Davis one of the best bats in the league this year. Ash believes his offensive game is ready for the big-time, if he can get over his injured past.

Scooter Gennett Hot Brewers Prospect

The lone infielder taken by the Brewers before December, second baseman Scooter Gennett has been in the organization's minor-league program since graduating high school in 2009. He has made all-star teams in each of his three seasons in the system, including this year's All-Star Futures game. His performance at Huntsville in 2012 was average but respectable, and Ash sees him as a budding star that just needs a chance at major league coaching and guidance.

Milwaukee Mustangs Sit Out 2013 Season

Milwaukee's indoor football fans received some good-and-bad news last week, as the Mustangs announced they would be sitting out the 2013 season because of financial issues. The team, founded in 1994, will attempt to return to the BMO Harris Bradley Center for the 2014 season, though a team spokesperson admitted to reporters that it will be dependent on the ability to find a new sponsor by that time. Arena Football League commissioner Jerry Kurz told media that he is confident that the near twenty-year-old team would be able to secure a partner in time to return from dormancy.

The Mustangs went through a similar transition period between 2001 and 2009, when they were completely absent from the Arena Football League. In 2010, the franchise reformed in the short-lived AF2 League under the name the Milwaukee Iron. The Iron spent just one season in the league before reclaiming the former Mustang title and rejoining the Arena Football League in January 2011.

Ghosts Under Glass At The Domes in Milwaukee

The Mitchell Domes, one of Milwaukee's most recognizable features, will again play host to the annual Ghosts Under Glass event this Thursday and Friday. Milwaukee County Parks and Friends of the Domes partnered to return the Halloween celebration to the city's botanical gardens, the second year that the event has been held there.

In its inaugural year, the Ghosts Under Glass event attracted hundreds of families from around Wisconsin. The experience is a double-dose of fun for both adults and kids, as the younger ones can enjoy a variety of supervised activities, while parents can marvel at one of the country's most spectacular indoor gardens.

 

New this year, the Bloom and Doom Dome will provide the little ones with a not-so-scary haunted pathway through the entirety of one of the building's massive temperature controlled domes. Along the way, children will be allowed to pick their own pumpkin to take home for carving, as well as stop by a number of trick-or-treat spots to pick up sweets.

Balloon animals, jugglers, and various sports mascots from across the city will be in other areas of the Domes for the event. A costume contest will be held both nights, with the winner being chosen by the likes of Bernie and Bango of the Brewers and Bucks, as well as a number of other mascot personalities from Milwaukee based teams.

The usual LED light show that is put on by the Domes throughout the week will be another exciting attraction participants can look forward to both nights of the event. Shows will take place every hour until closing, with the last show beginning slightly before nine.

Ghosts Under Glass will take place from six-to-nine this Thursday and Friday night. Admission is five dollars, with proceeds going to the Friends of the Domes and Milwaukee County Parks. Entrance to the event for children under three is free, though keep in-mind, strollers are not allowed in the buildings.

Kohl Center Basketball And Hockey Games In Madison

The Kohl Center serves as host to the Badgers Basketball and Hockey teams.  As they gear up for a great 2012-13 season, let's take a moment to break down the features that make the Kohl Center such a great place to watch NCAA sports.

For Badgers basketball fans, the venue is one of the best in the nation.  Students tend to sit behind the hoop, in sections 113-117, and the two levels behind that. The media sit at mid court, between sections 207 and 208.  At any given time, there are nearly 17,000 people cheering on their home team.

For Badgers Hockey, the blue line lines up with sections 109, 107, 123, and 121.  The Kohl Center suites are on the second level, and provide fans with a great view of the action. In the uppermost deck, you will find the most affordable seating.  There are no poles obstructing views of the court or ice.  The sound inside the venue can be incredible. Fans of college sports say that the Kohl Center is one of the more intimidating places for opposing teams to play.

Keep in mind that the venue can be configured for concerts.  The main floor can be covered with folding chairs, or set up as a general admission area.  Concerts at the Kohl Center are few and far between, but that also has something to do with the size. Bands will tend to skip Madison, as Milwaukee and Chicago are nearby. Still, there have been many great shows, and there will be more to come.  

Packers Versus Texans In Must Win Game

The Green Bay Packers will take on the undefeated Texans this weekend.  What fans first thought would be a great follow up season, has turned into a nightmare. The Packers are currently 2-3, with the replacement refs no longer to blame for all of their troubles. Losing to San Francisco in the home opener now makes sense, as the 49'rs have proven to be a playoff contender.  Losing to the Seahawks was partly due to Mike McCarthy's inability to move away from the original game plan, after sack number four or five. Yes, the non interception was the nail in the coffin, but the Packers dug their own grave first.

Cedric Benson Out For Eight to Ten Weeks

Green Bay will be heading to Texas without Cedric Benson.  Jermichael Finley, and B.J. Raji are possibly out for this Sunday's game as well. The Texans have lost Brian Cushing for the season, but one player does not a team make.  The Texans are riding high, and about to play the Sunday night "prime time" game. Green Bay still has time to fix their issues, but with fewer players to make it happen.  Benson may have struggled to gain yards, but he certainly knew how to block for Rodgers.  His backups are not in the same league, protection wise. Will James Starks regain his powerful running ability, now that he's going to be part of the active roster?  Can he come back from the nagging injuries that have kept him on the sidelines?

With every win, the Texans feel more pressure.  Green Bay will be coming into that game with a sense of urgency, something akin to how they felt when they faced the Saints. If Aaron Rodgers could find his wide receivers, and the team can muster up a run threat, there is a chance that Green Bay will be 3-3 on Monday morning.

Shaun Marcum Brewers Pitcher Looking For New Contract

Sunday wasn't only the day that the Brewers were eliminated from playoff contention, the day also marked the last time fans will see most likely pitcher Shaun Marcum on the mound for the team. The veteran pitcher will enter free agency once Milwaukee completes its final series of the year later this week, and the Brewers have already indicated their decision to not resign the thirty year-old. Marcum himself said earlier in the year that he would like to stay with the organization, but that it was up to Milwaukee.


At his age, Marcum enters the free-agency pool at a less-than-ideal time. Being both too young to retire, though too old to carry the leverage he once did at the bargaining table, the Missouri native and his agent may find it difficult to find a long term contract. With the Brewers this season, Marcum enjoyed an eight-million dollar contract, comparable to his compensation with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he played the majority of his major league career.
Beyond his age, Marcum is wading into one of the deepest agency-pools in baseball this time of year. Rookie and veteran pitchers are a dime-a-dozen in leagues across the country, and Marcum's past nine years in the league have not set him apart. Ending with fifty-five career wins and thirty-six losses, and a 3.78 ERA, the starter proved to be impressive throughout nearly 1000 innings, though his numbers won't standout on the scouting reports.

Marcum Battles Injuries During 2012 Season

Another thing working against the veteran is his tendency towards injuries. After a breakout 2007 season, Marcum had a mid-season breakdown in 2008, blowing numerous starts, and suffering an elbow injury that ended his season. He sat out the entire 2009 season due to the elbow, returning for the 2010 season opener, replacing Roy Halladay. However, the returning pitcher was unable to reach the same caliber of play that he was at pre-injury, resulting in his trade to the Brewers in December of that year. In Milwaukee, Marcum's physical ailments continued to haunt him, as arm trouble at the end of 2011 seriously impeded his performance. An off-season sore shoulder kept him from participating during most of 2012's spring training. And, the Brewers, weary of the pitcher, took notice.

Marcum started just twenty-one games in 2012, the second-lowest single-season starts of his career, and more than ten less than the amount he played in 2011. He managed just seven wins over the twenty-one games, though was only credited with four losses. His ERA also continued to climb, jumping to 3.70; yet another reason for potential buyers to be skeptical.

Packers Rank Going Into 2012 Season

The Packers concluded the preseason atop the Associated Press Pro32 poll. Despite a number of bumps in the team's August performance, twelve first-place votes were cast for the Packers, ten more than second place finisher, the New England Patriots. This is the second consecutive season that the team has topped the ranking, last year's coming after an impressive series of upsets in the playoffs led to a Super Bowl victory in 2010.

Despite an early loss in the 2011 postseason, pollsters applauded the team's nearly flawless record that year, and recognized the return of most of the key members of that roster, many of whom had successful preseason showings. Despite last season's bottom-of-the-barrel defense, pollsters have not lost confidence in head coach Mike McCarthy's ability to improve over the off-season, noting that the preseason was better than expected.

Associated Press 2012 Pro32

1.      Green Bay Packers

2.      New England Patriots

3.      New York Giants

4.      San Francisco 49ers

5.      Baltimore Ravens

6.      Houston Texans

7.      Pittsburgh Steelers

8.      Philadelphia Eagles

9.      New Orleans Saints

10.  Denver Broncos

11.  Chicago Bears

12.  Detroit Loins

13.  Atlanta Falcons

14.  Cincinnati Bengals

15.  Dallas Cowboys

16.  San Diego Chargers

17.  New York Jets

18.  Kansas City Chiefs

19.  Buffalo Bills

20.  Carolina Panthers

21.  Tennessee Titans

22.  Seattle Seahawks

23.  Arizona Cardinals

24.  Oakland Raiders

25.  Washington Redskins

26.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

27.  Miami Dolphins

28.  St. Louis Rams

29.  Minnesota Vikings

30.  Cleveland Browns

31.  Jacksonville Jaguars

32.  Indianapolis Colts

Is Randy Wolf Heading to Baltimore?

The Orioles are looking to bolster their left-handed options in the bullpen this week, and they are inching closer to signing former Brewers starter Randy Wolf. The thirty-six year old Wolf was released by Milwaukee last week after going just three-and-ten with the team in 2012.

Wolf's thirteen poor performances this season came just months after going thirteen-and-ten with a 3.69 ERA in 2011. He also tallied the sixth most shutouts of any pitcher that year, and won his first postseason match-up. Those numbers wouldn't stay with Wolf as he entered this season, giving up a 5.69 ERA before his tenure with the team ended.

Still, Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said that he sees promise in the aging lefty, especially as a closer. Wolf won just a single start in his last nineteen, and Showalter hinted to the possibility that Wolf will join the teams only other left-hander in the bullpen, also a former starter, Brian Matusz.  Wolf has a ten million dollar guarantee to soften the blow of being sent somewhere, and the Orioles are in the playoff hunt. 

B.J. Coleman Might Make Packers Practice Squad

B.J. Coleman just might make the Packers practice squad. He’s got the size for pro football, but with limited snaps during the 2012 training camp, he’s not likely to take over for Harrell as backup to Aaron Rodgers. One thing he already has is a very strong arm. When you get picked up late in the NFL draft, just getting a solid look is plenty to be happy about.

Coleman came to Chattanooga from the Tennessee Vol’s. His best season came in 2010-11, when he played in eleven games and scored 26 touchdowns. His passer rating for that season was a solid 137.8. In his senior year, his numbers dropped a bit, but he played in only seven games. The Packers picked him up as a raw talent, and that’s just what he is right now.

Coleman Shows Off Talent At San Diego

At this point, Coleman is getting half the snaps that Harrell is getting, and that’s not many, seeing that Harrell is getting just two to Rodgers’ four. If that sounds confusing, it is. Basically, Coleman might get the table scraps during practice and the fourth quarter snaps of preseason games. Speaking of, he managed to put together a nice drive late in the game against San Diego. If it weren’t for a fumble by Marc Tyler, there might have been an opportunity for Coleman to take a few chances at some deep passes to the end zone before time ran out.

Coleman is pegged as a quarterback who works best inside the pocket. That’s not going to fly if he wants to play for Green Bay. With a receiving core like the Packers have, you have to scramble left or right, find an open receiver, and make that completion. Rodgers did so well outside the pocket last season; you might think that guys like Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings are masters at extending the play. It’s a bit of both here, and Coleman needs to make mobility part of his game plan. That, and understand defensive set ups, pick up blitzes, calling audibles, and everything else that comes with being a quarterback in the NFL.

Ryan Braun 2012 Stats as of Today | Will He Be MVP of the National League?

It sure looks like Ryan Braun will make that 20-20 mark onceagain.  He’s just one stolen base away from the magic number.  I suppose that there is nothing magical to being fast on your feet.  Hitting a minimum of 20 home runs is something more akin to magic.  We have over a month of baseball to be played and Braun just might hit 35 homers for the season.  Will he have the same number of stolen bases?  That’s harder to predict. 

Since his wobbly start in 2012, Braun is batting .304, with 29 home runs.  He’s one of the bright spots on the Brewers offense.  He’s already been hit by twice as many pitches this year as compared to the entire 2011 season.  Basically, most of his numbers are close to how he performed last season, save for stolen bases, and on base percentage.  It’s tough to beat .397 in that department, but he’s darn close.

Braun Draws More Intentional Walks Compared to Past Seasons

One thing that has changed for Bran is the number of intentional walks.  Without Fielder to threaten opponents, teams have chosen to walk Braun nine times so far this season.  That’s compared to a whopping total of two last year.  When the next batter is not much of threat, you take the shot at walking Braun. 

As always, Braun is nearly error free on defense.  You don’t expect much when it comes to errors from the outfielders, and Braun has just one to his name as of today.  He may not get the MVP title in 2012, but his numbers once again prove that he’s one of the best in baseball. 

BMO Harris Pavilion Summerfest Stage Layout

Let us welcome the BMO Harris Pavilion to the largest music festival in the world: Summerfest. The set-up of the stage overlooks the beautiful Milwaukee skyline and the lovely Lake Michigan as well. The BMO has a capacity of 10,000 people with a half circle arrangement. The front 5,000 seats are protected from the weather by the innovative roof overhead, while the other half is provided standing room that is exposed to the elements of Milwaukee summers, aka our current drought. The first 25 (or so) rows of the covered area is dubbed the “Lower Bowl.” Those seats have backs with cup holders. Fancy stuff, right? The “Upper Bowl” has room for 2,500 people. These folks have the luxury of sitting on bleachers that have back rests.  They are also under the roof. That is a big step up from the wobbly benches at other stages.
Also, the fact that the BMO is a FREE stage at Summerfest is another plus. (After all, who gets back rests 25+ rows away from the stage?) There is a twist, of course. What makes this stage unique is the new concept of the “Blue Circle Seat Pass.” The “Blue Circle Seat Pass” applies to the Lower Bowl, or “Blue Circle.” During the day, fans can sit anywhere they want in the theater. Once the clock strikes 7:00pm (before the opener and main act,) everyone has to vacate that area in order to let people with the “Blue Circle Seat Passes” to get to their assigned seats before the headline act performs.

Now where can we all get this Blue Circle Seat Pass to secure our spots up close and avoid the crush? They are given out free each day to the first people that ask for them. Tickets are issued on a first come, first served basis. Please remember that the BMO’s Blue Circle Seat Passes are not the same as admission tickets to Summerfest and the Upper Bowl benches up for grabs like other stages. This assigned seating is a clever new approach. If you ask me, this plan is excellent because it eliminates the pushing and shoving we all encounter when thousands of people push forward to get the best view of the big act.

As a plus, the BMO will continue to host great bands throughout the summer. In particular, the Counting Crows have been booked for next week (to be exact July 25^th.) Boston will play on August 3, and Daughtry on August 6 to name only a few. I would personally recommend going to at least one of the shows to see this new stage in person before the next season of Summerfest. If you decide to go to My Morning Jacket on August 11^th, you may just see me.

Badgers George Marshall Ready To Replace Brandon Taylor

The Badgers may be holding one of college basketball's best kept secrets well; at least that is what you would think if you asked the players about red shirt sophomore George Marshall. Wisconsin's former point guard Brandon Taylor said of Marshall that he would also be among the names of all time greats in Wisconsin basketball history. Guard John Gasser said that Marshall was one of the toughest guys that he had to cover all of last year. All of this praise is being heaped upon a nineteen year-old red shirt from Chicago, who played no minutes in 2011.

Marshall Sits Out First Year at Wisconsin

At any other program in the country, Marshall would have seen time as a true freshman. Wisconsin already had a top NBA prospect at the point-guard position, playing an average thirty-six minutes per night. Marshall chose to save a year's eligibility and take his red shirt. And now with Taylor moving on, the point-guard spot is wide open. Marshall says that he is pleased with his decision to join the practice squad for his freshman year at the school. He told reporters that the time was well spent on learning the pace of Big Ten play, and he now feels confident about proving himself in 2012. His time on the drill team also gave coaches a chance to chart his skills and weaknesses, though, as assistant Lamont Paris noticed, there are few of the later.

Paris touted Marshall's keen ability to read plays and to react accordingly. He told reporters that Marshall has a dead on mid-range shot, which will help in situations when a planned play breaks down. He added that the point-guard can also pressure the ball on defense better than any player he has seen at Wisconsin in years. Marshall led his high school to a Chicago Public League championship his senior year. He averaged eighteen points per night at Chicago Brooks College Prep School, as well as six rebounds and five assists.

Marshall remains humble when asked about all of the off-season hype. He knows that the team doesn't expect him to fill Taylor's shoes right off the bat, and he admits that he will make mistakes along the way. For fans though, this could be the beginning of four years of pleasure at the point-guard spot.

Wisconsin State Fair Bands for 2012

The Wisconsin State Fair wrapped up it's band list for this August's festivities. The annual event announced that Shiny Toy Guns will open for Neon Trees on August forth, while country stars The Band Perry will play on the sixth at the Potowatimi Bingo Casino Main Stage, opened by Sunny Sweeney. These latest musical acts join the already announced shows, which begin with Jeff Dunham on August second.

2012 Wisconsin State Fair Performers List

-        August 2^nd – Jeff Dunham

-        August 3^rd – Billy Currington with David Nail

-        August 4^th – Neon Trees with Shiny Toy Guns

-        August 5^th – The Happy Together Tour

-        August 6^th – The Band Perry with Sunny Sweeny

-        August 7^th – Styx

-        August 8^th – Chris Tomlin with Chad James

-        August 9^th – Victoria Justice

-        August 10^th – Last Summer On Earth Tour featuring the Bare Naked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Big Head Todd & The Monsters and Cracker

-        August 11^th – Tesla, Great White, and Slaughter

-        August 12^th – The Fearless Flores Thrill Show

Summerfest 2012 Headline Shows | Lots of Oldies Bands in Milwaukee

Summerfest is just about who's playing at the Marcus Amphitheater.  Far from it.  Some of the best shows are at the "side" stages.  2012 is no different.  Summerfest has all the bases covered when it comes to music.  Here is just a sample of the bands coming to Milwaukee's lakefront in 2012.

If you are into the oldies, come to Summerfest on the first night.  Kool and the Gang will headline the Miller Lite Oasis.  Performing at the very same time is another product of the 1970's.  Steve Miller Band is playing at the BMO Harris Bank stage.  This is the newly designed stage that replaces the old M&I stage.  Government Mule will hit the Briggs Stage at 10pm as well.  It's a tough call.  Do you get your funk on with Kool and the Gang, or do you pick one of two old rock bands? 

On June 29, you will find Morris Day and the Time hitting the BMO stage at 9:45pm.  Local legend Greg Koch will also be at the BMO Harris stage at 5pm. Kellie Pickler is the 10pm headline act at the Harley Davidson Roadhouse.

If you are at the lakefront on June 30, check out the Summerfst Strongman contest.  I'm going to see ZZ Top at 10pm that same evening.  Here is an opening slot on the U.S. Cellular stage, at 8pm.  Who do you think is playing that time slot?  We won't know until the lights go up.  Who is Midwest Death Rattle, and do they play music that the locals will like?  We don't know, but they play on the Cascio Groove Stage at 9pm on the same evening.

What would Summerfest be without an appearance by The BoDeans?  Apparently, we will never know, as the band is booked for July 4, at 9:30pm on the Potawatomi stage.  I think that they are down to just one original member, so be warned.  This BoDeans line up might not look familiar to anyone.  Whatever you like as far as music, I think Summerfest has you covered.  See you there?

Zack Greinke Loves Miller Park

Miller Park has been Zack Greinke's haven since he began pitching at the venue in 2010. With a win on Wednesday, the right handed pitcher became just the fourth ace since 1900 to win his first fifteen starts at a home venue. He is now 15-0 in Milwaukee, and should he win his next start in the city, the "righty" will tie Johnny Allen and LaMarr Hoyt for the major league record of straight home wins. Indeed, a new league record is not unfathomable this season, as Greinke's throws from the mound have only been improving. In his latest win against the Cubs, he managed a season high twelve strikeouts, and gave up just two hits over seven innings.

The pitcher's success hasn't been vaulted by the team's lackluster performances. With Greinke throwing the ball, the Brewers are a whopping 20-1 at Miller Park. He was a major part of the team's outstanding home-stands last year, immediately making an impact following his trade from Kansas City. Though, the pitcher is humble. When asked recently what his secret to success was, Greinke answered that it was the team's productive (debatable) offense that has created the necessary balance between the sides of the mound.
However, Greinke, as well as the Brewers, are painfully aware that the ace's time in Milwaukee could be running out. His contract with the team will expire following this season, and the courtship will likely be strong from big money squads on the coasts. Manager Ron Roenicke and general manager Doug Melvin are going to have a similar situation to the Prince Fielder fiasco of 2011, facing the prospect of losing an irreplaceable asset to a larger contract with a historically better team. The pair had better be prepared to open the wallet wide this off-season.

Kelly Clarkson Summerfest Show on June 29

Kelly Clarkson is coming to Summerfest 2012 on June 29, at the Marcus Amphitheater.  This books the last open spot for headline acts.  Clarkson made a name for herself when she won the first season of American Idol.  Since then, she has appeared in a number of television shows, and toured the world three times.

Her 2004 album titled Breakaway was certainly her most popular effort.  That disk went "multi-platinum" in nine countries.  Since then, her third and fourth albums had respectable sales numbers, but her current popularity is more limited to the United States and Britain.  That's not to say that she's no longer popular in other countries.  She is. Her single, titled Mr. Know it All sold two million copies in Australia last year.

Brewers Recap of First Three Weeks of 2012 Season

We are three weeks into the new Brewers season, and I thought that I would check the current stats.  Let's see if anything pops out at us, shall we?  The Brewers are one game under .500, and have the day off.  They are on the road for a while, and I would like to use this "quiet time" to reflect. 

Who has the hot bat right now?  Carlos Gomez.  Gomez is batting .371 right now.  His at bats number 35, but you still have to say that he's seeing the ball very well.  Corey Hart has been playing well for the past three games.  During the series against Houston, he had five hits, and five RBI's.  His batting average jumped 36 points in three days.  He hit a home run in each of the past two games.  Good job Mr. Hart!

Matt Gamel is swinging the bat well.  His batting average is currently .281, with nine runs on the books.  All eyes have been on the first baseman, as we look to see if he can fill Fielder's shoes.  With just one single home run on the books, we have to say that he's more of a "get on base" guy, when compared to Prince. 

Finally, Ryan Braun is putting up fair numbers.  He's hit four home runs, and is batting .275.  He had a pretty nasty flu bug last week, but got five hits of Houston's pitchers.  He hit a pair of home runs during the series, and scored four RBI's.  Braun has just one stolen base so far this season.  The Brewers need Braun to keep up the pace, and peform.  They hit the road tomorrow, and play at St. Louis.  Brewers fans will have to wait until May 7th before the team comes home to Miller Park. 

Milwaukee Brewers Tickets for April Games

If you put aside the Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day game, the demand for Brewers tickets in April is a bit low. We have a great team to watch in 2012, but there are so many home games to choose from, that many fans skip the first month of action. For me, it's one of the best times to go, as the ticket prices are very reasonable. Everyone makes a big effort to go to the opener, but rarely do they come back again in the same month. I'm not saying that there aren't die hard fans that go all year, I'm just saying that price for the games right after the opener are usually the lowest all season.

The Brewers started their home games against the St. Louis Cardinals. The first series also began over the Easter weekend. Many folks had the weekend off, and it showed at the ballpark. The Saturday game on April 7, had a solid attendance, one thing that you normally don't see. As for now, the team is at Chicago. The Brewers head back home on April 17. They play at Atlanta this weekend, and have off on April 16. One of the best opportunity for a Brewers bargain would be on 4/19, when the team plays at 1:10pm. It's a weekday opportunity to have some fun at Miller Park.

Brewers 2012 Standings

As it stands right now, the Brewers are just one game behind the Cardinals in the NL Central. Should the team win the upcoming series, they stand a chance at grabbing first place. The Cardinals go up against the Cubs, and one would guess that Chicago is feeling the pressure to win.

Phish Fan Code of Conduct for Alpine Valley

Is there a Phish fan code of conduct? When Phish plays Alpine Valley this summer, will someone who is seeing them for the first time have to watch what they say and do, beyond what's expected from any concert goer? I'm starting to get the feeling that as much as that Phish fans project a freewheeling, feel good, do-what-you-like, good time for all, they expect newbies to fall in line.

I'm reading a blog post from someone who has a six step instruction manual on how to attend a show. "Don't dress too crazy, nor conservative. Dance like you are having a good time, but don't bump into others. Walk the parking lot, even if you aren't going to buy anything. Don't cross over to other music scenes." This can't be true. Do I have to walk through Shakedown Street? Aren't those "vendors" a mix of t-shirt bootleggers, and non permit holding profiteers? Can't I wear my nice shirt to the show? I find it interesting when Deadheads and Phish fans complain that "the man" is putting them down, but they don't want to buy a vendor license or sell bootleg merchandise. I suppose that I'm going to be told that those people are not true fans. Yes, bootleg "merch" guys follow every band. I'm just talking about Phish's Shakedown street here. They come in much larger numbers, compared to other touring acts.

Ryan Braun and Corey Hart Both Working Their Way Back

Ryan Braun is in a slump. As of this post, he's had only one hit during spring training. He's also had three walks, so it's not as if the guy isn't getting on base. Still, the Brewers outfielder might be struggling to concentrate after the crazy off season he had. He had to weather some harsh cat calls during a "road" game against the Angels. He says that kind of stuff doesn't bother him at all. One would think that if you are going to weather a slump, you might as well do it when the games don't count.

All reports about his batting practices are good. He is not converting those times in the batting cage into productive hitting in game situations just yet. Some say that he's avoiding the media, and that might be true. He's got to get his head together and the rest will follow.

Corey Hart Opening Day Preparations

It looks like Corey Hart will be healed by opening day, but he's got some things to work out before he's in the lineup. First, Hart needs to stay on track with practices. A perfectly healthy knee is fine, but if he doesn't get enough time at the plate and on the field, Hart may have to sit out the first week of the regular season. The surgery itself is not very invasive. It's more about the time needed to ramp up to playing speed. The first few games are away from Miller Park. Perhaps he will be swinging the bat in Milwaukee by April 6.

Badgers Basketball Players Honored with Big Ten Awards

Five Badgers players were honored on Monday night with various All-Big-Ten awards. Jordan Taylor, Ryan Evans, Jared Berggren, Josh Gasser, and Rob Wilson all received recognition at the ceremony, Berggren and Evans making their first appearance as award winners.

The pair of newbies were both named honorable mention selections for the All-Big-Ten First Team. Berggren's contributions to the season included the most blocks by any Badger since 1995, leading the the conference with fifty-one. His ten point average and five rebounds per-game were also a factor in the committee's decision. Evans, meanwhile, could have been named the most improved player in the conference. He tripled his number of rebounds compared to last year, while his eleven points per contest is nearly four times better than his just three in 2010-11.

Wilson was the only other nominee to not be officially named to any All-Big-Ten Team. The guard was the recipient of the conference's Sportsmanship Award. The honor recognizes athletes who have demonstrated exceptionally good judgment and behavior while maintaining a good academic standing. The award also takes into account Wilson's contributions to the community, outside of school athletics.
Gasser is just the fifth Wisconsin player of all-time, and the first sophomore, to be named to the Big-Ten All Defensive Team. Michael Flowers, Joe Krabbenhoff, Trevon Hughes, and Taylor are the only others. Gasser's crucial efforts helped the team to lead the nation in scoring, and three point, defense. They also rank in the top three in field goal defense and defensive points-per-possession.
Taylor was by far the Badgers most productive player of the year. He is already a finalist for both the Cousy Award and Naismith Trophy; now coupling those with his second All-Big-Ten First Team nomination, just the sixth Badger to do so. He ended his career with the school on a high-note, leading the team in both non-conference and conference game scoring.

Lady Antebellum Summerfest Show

Lady Antebellum will be the headline Summerfest show at the Marcus Amphitheater on June 30. Darius Rucker will open the show. The band has been around since 2006, and their popularity is certainly rising. I Run to You is probably their most popular song, as it peaked at the top of the country charts in '09.

The awards came fast and furious for Lady Antebellum that same year. They won Single of the Year, Vocal Group, and Best Song by a Duo in 2009. Since 2008, the group has won thirty-two awards. Their albums have sold in the low millions.

As of now, the band is promoting their Own the Night disk. It came out in fall of 2011, and the band has been on tour since that time. Stops on this current tour included American Idol, and SNL. Their record label (Capitol Records,) couldn't be happier. The band is glad to be in the spotlight, and willing to do the hard work of playing in medium to large venues. Most times, you will find them playing places like the Marcus Amphitheater, the Palace of Auburn Hills. At times, you will find them playing livestock and rodeo shows.

Badgers Hockey Team Moves to LaBahn Arena

The construction of the LaBahn Arena (a permanent on-campus practice facility for the Badgers hockey team,) brings forth mixed feelings. While many players and fans alike see the new building as a sign of progress for the historic organization, others have are saddened by the vacancy of the now abandoned Bob Johnson Hockey Rink.

“Badger Bob” was, of course, the University's most notable head coach. He led the the men's hockey program to seven NCAA Tournaments, winning three. The practice facility, his namesake, became the team's weekday workout rink during the mid-sixties, when the Coliseum became the program's new home. The Hartmeyer Ice Arena was the Badger’s main rink prior to that move, serving the team well for just three years.

LaBahn Arena On Badgers Campus
The quote “Rust Never Sleeps” also applies to dated hockey structures. With the opening of LaBahn Arena, the team completes its transition from what was a predominately off-campus focus to a more efficient location, directly connected to the Kohl Center. Players always have double duties as scholars and athletes. The distant location of the old hockey arena drew complaints related to post-class travel time from the UW Madison campus to the BJHF. Their complaints included the point that their counterparts enjoy the luxury of on-campus practice facilities, something hockey players have lacked for over four decades. The sorry condition of the complex had also been a point of contention for those who wanted to see the program get in line with competing college programs.

As we say goodbye to the Bob Jones hockey facility, players and coaches both young and old recognize the great memories that will be lost when the team moves out of the arena next week. Keegan Meuer, a Badgers sophomore forward, joined fellow teammates and reflected upon the memories of the players, coaches, Badgers hockey games lost, and championships won. Time moves on for Badgers hockey players, as the LaBahn Arena will be the place for new memories.

Milwaukee Admirals Hockey Recap

It's not too late for our Milwaukee Admirals to surge back to the top of the Midwest division standings. Going 2-7-1 in the last ten games is not the way to do it, however. The Admirals are 42 games into the season, and this slide is untimely. The Charlotte Checkers sit atop the division, but are within reach. The Checkers have just four more wins than the Admirals, and the entire division has at least 20 games in the win column.

There are 38 games remaining on the regular season schedule, to the Milwaukee Admirals have time to right the ship. The team will go face to face against the Checkers four more times this season. They need to win at least three of those four games, and many others. They could start by beating the Peoria Rivermen on Friday night. The Rivermen are two games ahead of the Admirals, and playing .500 hockey right now. Meanwhile, the Chicago Wolves are 6-4 in their last ten games, and looking to take the division lead, should Charlotte falter.

Nickelback Returns to Milwaukee for 2012

The Nickelback tour is called Here and Now. They return to Milwaukee's Bradley Center on May 25, 2012. Yes, the name of the tour is also the name of their current album. The band promises to play lots of songs from that disk, and many of their other great albums. The band started just over fifteen years ago, and their fans can't seem to get enough of them. The group falls into the "post-grunge" category of music, and they throw in a bit of alternative rock to boot. They started out in tiny Hanna, Alberta, population 2500+. Did you know that the band has sold over fifty million albums? This group as quietly dominated the north woods for a very long time.

Nickelback Band Members

The current Nickelback band members are Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Daniel Adair, and Mike Kroeger. Chad's real name is not Kroeger, but Turton. Why he changed his name is anybody's guess. That changed forced his brother Mike to follow suit. Perhaps they make movies too? Daniel Adair comes from Three Door Down, after the original Nickelback drummer left the band. His name way Ryan Vikedal, and he put in ten years with the group. Adair is also from Canada, but that didn't stop the American rock band Three Doors Down from hiring him as their percussionist. He joined Nickelback just in time to see their album titled All the Right Reasons go to number one. What great timing for Mr. Adair! Take note: he is the fourth drummer for the band. The first drummer was none other than Brandon Kroeger, brother of Mike and Chad. Ryan Peake has been the band's bass player all along.

Nickelback tickets go on sale this January 21. The Bradley Center will have box office hours on that day, so get in line early. Otherwise, try your luck online for the best tickets in the house. See you on May 25, Nickelback fans!