Observations from Milwaukee
Willie Harris plays all out all the time. I really enoyed watching Willie play this weekend and noticed a lot about his work ethic through 4 games in Milwaukee.
Harris works with video coordinator Tom Yost studying video of each of his at bats during the series and looking at what the next pitcher has done against similar batters. Harris is at the monitor before and after each game and learns a lot from watching his at bats from a different angle.
Jason Bergmann was giving me a hard time Monday because during my interview with Tim Redding over the weekend, I talked about the Brewers' lineup, which included Cecil Fielder.
Redding joked with me that he should be able to get out the 53-year-old Cecil. The players notice these things too.
I have to be careful because Jason did a great job as the guest analyst with Bob Carpenter in the 5th inning Monday. Bergmann is a good guy, always willing to talk before and after his outings, and that is much appreciated.
Hammerin Hank sighting? So I am walking back from lunch Saturday heading to the team hotel. I glance up to see a figure walking out of the hotel side door and get into a car before pulling away. About a half dozen fans come running up the street yelling "Mr. Aaron, please! Mr. Aaron!!" Could it be that was Hall of Fame home run slugger Hank Aaron? Only those fans know for sure....
I had a chance to enjoy a dinner in downtown Milwaukee at Mader's, a world famous German restaurant. They had a picture of Cary Grant, Paul Newman, the Reagans and even Van Halen on the menu as previous customers, so I knew I was in good company. Remember, if you are ever in town, try the Reuben Rolls!
Miller Park is a very impressive venue for baseball and ensures the Brewers never have to play in foul weather. They closed the roof in about 10 minutes Saturday night before game two as a quick storm rolled through, but it managed to clear before first pitch. So, they quickly opened the roof again.
The weather was spectacular throughout the series and the Park was packed with 42,000 plus for each game. Sunday's 13-inning affair really had that pennant race feel to it, what a game. Too bad the Nats could not hold their 4-1 lead, but it still was an amazing back-and-forth extra-inning matchup.
I saw a few green Brett Farve Jets jerseys. Can't imagine how tough that would be to see your franchise QB wearing another team's colors.
Good to see Lastings Milledge and Ryan Zimmerman getting some hits in the series. I like their chances of maintaining that consistency for awhile. If Kearns and Flores can also get rolling, that's good protection from 3 through 6 in the Nats lineup. Manny Acta says he feels confident in Milledge at anywhere from 2 through 6 in the lineup and thinks he can be a .280 hitter, hitting 20 to 25 homers per season, sounds good!
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