View Full Version : 2004 Spring Training Updates
Just like I did last year. I'll Once again bring you the news story out of spring training camp again.
<b><font size=4>5 Things to Watch</font></b>
<b>Phoenix</b> - With a whopping 61 players invited to training camp, the Milwaukee Brewers have plenty of performance evaluations to make this spring before opening the 2004 season.
With that in mind, here are five important areas of focus over the next six weeks for general manager Doug Melvin, assistant Gord Ash, manager Ned Yost and his staff:
<b>FINDING SOME PEN PALS:</b> The Brewers used 15 pitchers out of the bullpen last season and Yost would like to find a smaller, more consistent group to get the job done. Dan Kolb earned the right to start the season as the closer by converting 21 of 23 save opportunities last year but every other spot in the pen is up for grabs. "More than anything else, the guys in the bullpen are going to be judged on performance and achievements in spring training," Yost said.
<b>LOADING THE STARTING GATE:</b> The five pitchers who finished the 2003 season in the starting rotation have the inside track to resume those roles. But other than No. 1 pitcher Ben Sheets, Yost does not plan to award spots merely on seniority. He wants Wayne Franklin and Matt Kinney to stop making the same mistakes. Wes Obermueller and Doug Davis must build on their September performances. Newcomers Chris Capuano and Adrian Hernandez will get good looks but Luis Martinez blew his chance by getting involved in a shooting in the Dominican Republic.
<b>BEN'S BOUNCE-BACK CAPABILITIES:</b> Ben Grieve's game has slipped badly in recent years but the Brewers plan to give the former first-round draft pick every chance to win the right field job. Melvin gave himself an escape clause by signing Grieve to a non-guaranteed contract. If the defensively challenged Grieve can swing the bat as he did earlier in his career, the Brewers may have another yet another steal by Melvin. Otherwise, look for Brady Clark to get a lot of playing time at the position.
<b>SPINNING A FIFTH WHEEL:</b> At the end of last season, Keith Ginter was told he would be the starting second baseman in 2004. That changed when Junior Spivey was acquired from Arizona in the Richie Sexson deal, giving the Brewers an experienced player at the position. The Brewers like Ginter's offensive potential, however, and will try to give him time at first base and the outfield. There's always the chance some team will need a second baseman by opening day and make an offer for Spivey that Melvin can't refuse.
<b>LONG LOOK AT SHORT:</b> Milwaukee native Craig Counsell has carved a very nice career out of a knack for being at the right place at the right time. Now, the Brewers are counting on him to play shortstop every day, a step up for the versatile utilityman. The Brewers want prospect J.J. Hardy to get more seasoning in the minors and are counting on Counsell to buy as much time as possible.
<b><font size=4>Springing into action</font></b>
<b>Early arrivals get the ball rolling</b>
<b>Phoenix</b> - Pitchers and catchers report to spring training Saturday.
Though it has been known to spark a surge of optimism and enthusiasm among snowbound fans suffering from winter baseball deprivation, that sentence has lost a little bit of its sizzle in recent years at Maryvale Baseball Park.
We know what you're thinking: Cynics, start your engines. Here comes a fastball down the middle. . . .
But, wait.
The change in meaning for this magical phrase has nothing to do with the Milwaukee Brewers' string of 11 straight losing seasons. It's completely unrelated to the team's shrinking payroll, the front office miniseries that created a public-relations nightmare over the winter or the fact that the franchise is currently for sale.
It's just that the notion of a "reporting date" has become, well, a little dated.
Officially speaking, Brewers pitchers and catchers are required to report to camp today. The rest of the players are to report on Thursday.
"I don't really know what that means, to report," pitching coach Mike Maddux said to reporters Friday morning. "I think it means you're supposed to come to the clubhouse, say, 'Hi' to everybody, drop your bag in your locker."
It's a little late for that.
The Brewers have invited 61 players to spring training. Roughly two-thirds of them were on hand Friday for an optional informal workout that included stretching, bullpen sessions and batting practice. By the time the players complete their physical examinations on Sunday and hit the field for the first workout on Monday, when rain is forecast, most will have worked out four times.
"I've never seen this many guys show up so early," clubhouse manager Tony Migliaccio said. "We've got quite a few guys who live here, so it's not a surprise that they'd be here. We also have a lot of young guys. It's like they can't wait to get started."
By starting their workouts, the Brewers hope to put behind them one of the more tumultuous off-seasons in franchise history, a period marked by the departure of team President Ulice Payne Jr., fan unrest, an upcoming legislative audit into the team's finances and the impending sale.
As is often the case, the shockwaves emanating from the front office were not felt by the men who work on the field.
"I was playing winter ball (in Venezuela) when a lot of that stuff went down," left-hander Wayne Franklin said. "I heard bits and pieces of it. I'd go on the Internet and read about it and it was all pretty interesting. But, as players, that stuff doesn't affect us very much. Our job is to go out and play."
That's the attitude that second-year manager Ned Yost wants his players to carry.
"It doesn't affect anything we're trying to do," Yost said of the front-office soap opera. "It doesn't change our focus in what we're trying to accomplish and what we're trying to do on the field. I really has nothing to do with us. My focus is winning baseball games on the field. That's what I concentrate on."
Over the course of the next seven weeks, Yost will be concentrating on several key tasks. He must fill out an unsettled starting rotation and bullpen, nurture promising prospects like Corey Hart, J.J. Hardy, Rickey Weeks, Prince Fielder and David Krynzel and find a way for the Brewers to build on the momentum they established during the final month of last season.
Several veteran players said camp last year was the smoothest, best organized one they had seen. Yost doesn't expect many changes this year.
"It'll be pretty much like it was," he said. "We got everything accomplished we wanted to get accomplished. We'll make minor adjustments here and there but basically it'll be the same.
"My philosophy is that anytime we step on the field, I want your full focus and attention to whatever we're doing at that time to make us a better team. How do I do that? How do I create an atmosphere so that you can give everything you've got during the time you're on the field? The No. 1 priority is that nobody stands around. When we get cranking, we'll use every field at the same time. The key is to get the pitchers to do their work, do their throwing, then they go. The hitters rotate from field to field, changing the frame.
"The key is to keep them all moving so they're all doing something, without anybody standing around."
<b>In the fold</b>
The Brewers announced contract agreements with eight players on the 40-man roster, including catcher Chad Moeller and outfielder Brady Clark. The signings, all of which were for one year, bring the number of signed players on the roster to 28.
In addition to Moeller and Clark, the Brewers signed pitchers Tim Bausher, Jeff Bennett, Jorge De La Rosa, Ben Hendrickson and Chris Saenz as well as catcher Kade Johnson.
The Brewers also signed left-handed pitcher Chris Michalak to a minor-league deal with an invitation to major-league spring training. Michalak, who turned 34 last month, made nine appearances for Class AAA Louisville and was 2-1 with a 5.13 earned run average. He made his big-league debut with Arizona in 1998 and has appeared in 53 major-league games (8-11, 4.66 earned run average).
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/ned220.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/ned220.jpg height=250 width=250 border=1></a>
Ned Yost: "My focus is winning baseball games on the field. That's what I concentrate on."
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/brew220.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/brew220.jpg height=250 width=250 border=1></a>
Eliseo Valdez of the grounds crew at the Milwaukee Brewers' spring training complex in Maryvale, Ariz., waters a practice field.
<b>At a Glance</b>
WHAT: 2004 Brewers spring training.
WHEN: Pitchers and catchers report Saturday and will undergo physical examinations Sunday with the first workout scheduled for Monday; position players report Wednesday, with the first full-squad workout scheduled for Thursday.
WHERE: Maryvale Baseball Park, 3600 N. 51st Ave., Phoenix.
<b>Brewers Roster</b>
40-MAN ROSTER
Catchers (3): Gary Bennett, Kade Johnson, Chad Moeller.
Infielders (7): Craig Counsell, Keith Ginter, Bill Hall, Wes Helms, Lyle Overbay, Junior Spivey, Rickie Weeks.
Outfielders (6): Brady Clark, Ben Grieve, Corey Hart, Geoff Jenkins, Dave Krynzel, Scott Podsednik.
Pitchers (24): Mike Adams, Tim Bausher, Jeff Bennett, Chris Capuano, Mike Crudale, Doug Davis, Jorge De La Rosa, Ben Diggins, Leo Estrella, Matt Ford, Wayne Franklin, Ben Hendrickson, Brooks Kieschnick, Matt Kinney, Danny Kolb, Pedro Liriano, Luis Martinez, Nick Neugebauer, Wes Obermueller, Travis Phelps, Chris Saenz, Dennis Sarfate, Ben Sheets, Luis Vizcaino.
NON-ROSTER INVITEES
Catchers (5): Chris Coste, Alex Delgado, Mark Johnson, Victor Santos, John Vanden Berg.
Infielders (5): Enrique Cruz, Trent Durrington, Matt Erickson, Prince Fielder, J.J. Hardy.
Outfielders (3): Jeff Liefer, Chris Magruder, Jon Nunnally.
Pitchers (8): Brian Bowles, Dave Burba, Jason Childers, Matt Childers, Ben Ford, Adrian Hernandez, Chris Michalak, Matt Wise.
<b><font size=4>Drafting a health plan</font></b>
<b>Brewers hold medical summit</b>
<b>Phoenix</b> - By tradition, reputation and practically by definition, left-handed pitchers are expected to be quirky and strange compared to the rest of their baseball brethren.
Wayne Franklin is about as far from being an oddball as you can imagine, but there is one thing that definitely sets him apart from the rest of the pitchers in the Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse.
Franklin has never suffered a major injury. No elbow reconstruction. No labral reattachments. No medical file the size of a metropolitan phone directory. Other than a slight groin strain and an upper respiratory infection last year, Franklin cruised through his eighth season of professional ball unscathed.
"I don't have any of those souvenirs," Franklin said, referring to the surgical scars brandished by many of his fellow pitchers. "I was just over talking to (fellow lefty) Matt Ford and he showed me his souvenir from his elbow surgery. I don't have any of those. I've just been lucky, I guess. I really don't know how to explain it."
That explanation - why some pitchers get hurt and others don't - has eluded the baseball establishment for years. The Brewers, who have a thin roster and a tendency to take chances on high-risk players, have been hit particularly hard.
Last month, while many players and fans were taking part in the winter caravan that ended with an event at Brookfield Square mall, assistant general manager Gord Ash convened a three-day medical meeting among doctors and trainers from throughout the organization.
"Our primary objectives were to improve the communication and make sure everyone was on the same page," Ash said. "We rely so heavily on our doctors in the minor leagues, and they never get a chance to meet face to face. This meeting gave them a chance to meet and to discuss a protocol of how we want things handled in terms of diagnosing and treating injuries, and when possible preventing them in the first place.
"Everybody knows about rehab. The in phrase now is 'pre-hab,' which is preventing injuries before they happen."
Brewers trainer Roger Caplinger said the meeting, which included presentations by the team's primary radiologist, new minor-league pitching coordinator Jim Rooney - a certified trainer and strength coach - and a representative from Major League Baseball schooled in workman's compensation issues.
"It was a good meeting, definitely," Caplinger said. "Not only was everybody able to put faces with names, we were able to set protocols and have an open forum for discussion.
"In the past, the doctors in Milwaukee didn't always know what the doctors in the minor leagues were doing and vice versa. This meeting will help us establish consistency in evaluation techniques and diagnosis. Everything we do is designed to minimize risk and avoid injury."
Every team in baseball has to deal with injuries. The Brewers, however, seem to have been hit harder than most in recent years.
"When I was in Toronto, looking from the outside in, it seemed to me that Milwaukee had more than its share," Ash said.
Theories for this abound, but the most popular include: imprudent draft decisions; a reliance on players who have been injured in the past; and a general lack of depth, which magnifies injuries that do occur.
How can the trend be reversed?
Caplinger feels that consolidating the strength and conditioning program under the guidance of his assistant, trainer Dan Wright, was a positive step. Improved communication between players and trainers / doctors also will help.
"Potential injuries are identifiable in many cases because of mechanics," Ash said. "Clearly there is luck involved. We're talking about human beings. A lot of times there are no answers, but it does become a front-of-mind issue. There are going to be strains and pulls in our sport because you play every day. But if you can identify potential problems, that's got to be part of the mind-set."
Heading into camp, the Brewers have several pitchers coming back from injury: Ben Diggins had reconstructive elbow surgery in August and probably will miss most of the season. Ford had a spur removed from behind his ulnar collateral ligament and says he feels great. Nick Neugebauer will be watched closely as he comes back from reconstructive shoulder surgery.
"Injuries are part of our game," Ash said. "We just have to try to minimize them as best we can."
<b>Testing day</b>
Brewers players and coaches will undergo physical examinations today. The first official workout of the spring will be conducted Monday.
<b>Youth is served</b>
The 2004 squad will be one of the younger Brewers teams in memory. Of the 61 players invited to camp, only eight are 30 or older. Four of those players are on the 40-man roster (Craig Counsell, 33; Brooks Kieschnick, 31; Jeff Bennett, 31; and Brady Clark, 30); the four non-roster invitees include Dave Burba (37), Alex Delgado (33), Chris Michalak (33) and Chris Coste (31).
<b>Sign up</b>
Left-hander Luis Martinez and right-hander Leo Estrella agreed to contract terms Saturday. The Brewers have signed 30 players on the 40-man roster.
Martinez, the club's minor-league pitcher of the year in 2003, is being detained in the Dominican Republic while authorities investigate his role in a shooting. Brewers officials aren't sure when - or if - he will report to camp.
<b>Showing their stuff</b>
Nine players took part in a tryout session Saturday at the team's minor-league complex.
"We had some agents call and say that their clients didn't have jobs," general manager Doug Melvin said. "We told them we didn't have any room in camp, but we'd take a look at them."
Right-hander Dan Reichert, who pitched in 15 games for Toronto last season, and right-hander Jose Silva, who pitched in Class AAA for Oakland, San Diego and the Chicago Cubs, had the most impressive workouts and were offered minor-league contracts. If they accept and pass physicals today, they will be assigned to minor-league camp.
<b>Ticket sales</b>
Jim Bathey, the Brewers' vice president of ticket sales, said the team sold 36,000 tickets Saturday, the first day that single-game seats were made available.
"It was better than we expected," Bathey said.
In fact, the total represented the largest single-day sale since February 2001, when the Brewers sold 48,199 tickets for the inaugural season at Miller Park.
Bathey also said interest was brisk in the home opener April 9 against Houston and that the 10 home games against the Chicago Cubs represented roughly half of the tickets sold. Although most tickets were purchased by phone or via the Internet, Bathey said that roughly 500 people were in line when windows opened at 9 a.m. at Miller Park.
<b><font size=4>Yost offers Brewers a fresh approach</font></b>
<b>Attitude is everything for struggling team</b>
<b>Phoenix</b> - No major-league baseball team endured more negative publicity over the winter than the Milwaukee Brewers. But don't look for manager Ned Yost to wallow in self-pity or allow any of his players to engage in that pointless activity.
"There is no 'woe is me.' You don't allow it," said Yost. "You find ways to make it work."
About to begin his second year at the helm of the club, Yost is the Brewers' center of balance. With boundless optimism, enthusiasm and a never-is-heard-a-discouraging-word approach to his job, the former big-league catcher is the right man at the right time for what many consider an impossible task.
"Certain guys are made for certain situations," said general manager Doug Melvin. "Ned was made for this one."
Lest we forget, Yost was not Melvin's first choice for the job. When Ken Macha opted to remain in Oakland to inherit that managerial post from Art Howe, the Brewers quickly turned to Yost.
What's that they say about dumb luck?
It didn't take Melvin long to realize that Yost had exactly what this sagging franchise needed - a fresh voice, a bottomless well of enthusiasm and a remarkable ability to find a silver lining in even the darkest, gloomiest, most threatening of storm clouds.
Surely, this has to be an act, doesn't it? Nobody in such a daunting position can actually think everything's going to be OK, can he? What makes this guy tick?
"It's not an act," said third base coach Rich Donnelly, the club's undersecretary in the Department of Optimism.
"It's infectious. I guarantee you he talked our team into 15 or 20 wins last year just by telling the players they were better than they actually were. They believed him and went out and did it.
"He has what we call in sports instant amnesia. Whether what just happened was good or bad, he forgets about it. He's always looking forward. He's special."
<b>Looking on the bright side</b>
Yost, 48, who grew up in Eureka, Calif., can't remember a time when he didn't try to look at the bright side of things. Modest in talent as a big-league catcher, he absorbed every baseball detail with a sponge-like mind, paving the way for a long coaching stint in Atlanta and, eventually, the manager's job in Milwaukee.
"I don't allow myself to think negatively or get down," said Yost. "I fight the urge for that to happen."
Considering the current state of the franchise, fighting that urge can't be easy. As if 11 consecutive losing seasons weren't bad enough, the Brewers absorbed one body blow after another over the winter, including the exodus of team President Ulice Payne Jr. after a flap over payroll cuts; the trade of the team's best player, Richie Sexson; the decision to sell the team; and a pending review of its financial books prompted by a very skeptical public.
At the same time, National League Central rival Chicago loaded up with the likes of Derrek Lee, LaTroy Hawkins and Greg Maddux. All Houston did was add Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte to an already formidable staff. St. Louis didn't do much, other than make Albert Pujols filthy rich, but the Cardinals already owned the Brewers with a 13-3 record in 2003.
The Cubs' payroll has surpassed $90 million, the Astros are up to about $80 million and the Cardinals check in at $75 million or so. With a paltry $30 million payroll, the Brewers are expected to pose little threat to those divisional foes.
Just don't tell that to Yost.
"We can make all the excuses we want about our payroll," said Yost. "It's not at $80 million; it's at $30 million. Deal with it. That's what you've got. Make it work. People can use it as an excuse, but we won't.
"That's my attitude. And that's got to be the attitude of the players, too. You can want all you want. You get them to believe in themselves. They're the ones who are going to have to carry the load. And they have to believe that they can do it."
And no one is better at squeezing blood out of a baseball than Yost. Though obviously short on talent and unable to avoid yet another last-place finish in 2003, the Brewers displayed a fighting spirit and grittiness that emanated directly from the manager's office.
<b>Some signs of improvement</b>
The Brewers finished with 68 victories, a commendable increase of 12 from the previous season. But they did not have the cash over the winter to improve a suspect pitching staff, making another step forward more problematic. In fact, some might suggest a step backward is inevitable.
"Why would I want to think about that? We're going to get better," insisted Yost. "Our coaches are too good; our players' attitudes are right where we want them to be.
"I look at our 25 guys and all they can do is give their best effort every day. It sounds simple, but that's all you can do. When the dust clears, whatever it is, as long as they're giving their best effort, I'll accept it."
The never-say-die attitude fostered by Yost led to the Brewers' slogan for the 2004 season: "It's the way we play." But don't think Yost is satisfied merely with a team that puts forth an honest effort.
He has set the bar much higher for this season.
"Now we can move on to Step 2. That's playing .500 baseball," he said. "Once you get to .500, you're close to being able to compete for the division.
"That's our goal; that's what we strive to do, to somehow get to that .500 mark. It's a very formidable goal."
The odds are against this edition of the Brewers, who are trying to keep their heads above water until a solid crop of minor-league prospects begins to arrive in Milwaukee. But Yost doesn't want his players thinking about the future. He concentrates on the here and now, with such positive reinforcement that the players can't help but give their all.
Melvin often laughs when the subject turns to his manager's unshakable belief that everything's going to be just fine.
"He has a way of turning a negative into a positive in a hurry," said Melvin. "The other day I came into the clubhouse and said, 'Did you hear the Cubs just signed Maddux?' He said, 'Good. We'll kick his (butt).'
"He has a real passion for what he's doing. And when he does something, he focuses on it and doesn't let other things distract him. That's his style, and you can't change your style."
<b>Returning to glory</b>
Returning the franchise to a competitive mode has become an obsession for Yost, who spent much of the winter mingling with long-suffering fans yearning for better days. Yost played for the Brewers during their glory years in the early 1980s and remembers the fervent following that made it fun to play for the club.
"My personal motivation is to bring back the excitement that was generated when I was here in the '80s," he said. "I want our fans, who are great baseball fans, to be able to celebrate the success of the Milwaukee Brewers again.
"I knew before I came back how hungry they were for that. That's why I was interested in this job. You get the sense that they crave that winning excitement again. They are dying to be able to root for the Milwaukee Brewers in an enthusiastic way.
"I think our fans understand where we're at and where we're going. They know we can't win every game, but there's no excuse for not giving your very best effort. And that's what we're going to do."
Under Yost's guidance, there's simply no other way.
<b><font size=4>Brewers' brass talks, sort of</font></b>
When we promised last week that we'd ask the Milwaukee Brewers some of the questions you'd like to pose when the state reviews the team's finances, we had no idea we'd get to talk to two vice presidents on the same dime.
Rick Schlesinger, the Brewers' executive vice president of business operations, was joined on the line by Robert Quinn, senior vice president and chief financial officer. That was a good deal because it gave us twice as many people to ask, but they said they had an understanding with the state's Legislative Audit Bureau not to answer specific questions until after the report was out.
Instead they agreed to tell us what the report would and wouldn't cover, and your No. 1 question fell into the second category. No, it won't disclose the salaries of chairman of the board Wendy Selig-Prieb or her husband, vice president Laurel Prieb. It will only say whether those figures were in line with what other people who do the same job make with other clubs.
If you're wondering why, here's Schlesinger's answer:
"Whatever the number is - whether it's $1, $10, $100,000 it will be taken out of context by other people who will just say, 'Look at what they make,' and when it shows that they make less than the industry average for the position, that will never get disclosed because it's too easy to pick on the Brewers, and why should the Brewers get a fair shake? So the naked number, whatever it is, will just get disclosed without any context, and frankly, we're not in the business of trying to appeal to people's prurient interests."
You're free to look up "prurient" on your own, but we're pretty sure it doesn't cover another of your major questions, which was whether Major League Baseball revenue-sharing money went to anything but salaries and player development. Schlesinger said revenue sources weren't earmarked for specific uses.
"When we get revenue-sharing dollars, it doesn't come in a special little lock box that spills into another lock box," he said. "We have revenue from different sources, and our biggest expense obviously is baseball operations."
<b>Debt concerns</b>
You also wanted to know about the Brewers' debt. The number $110 million has been widely used, and although the vice presidents wouldn't confirm that, they did say the report would identify how much the club owes.
It could be more than $110 million, because they explained that there's bank debt, and there's "related party" debt, which means money owed to directors or shareholders. Quinn said the second kind "is not in the 110 that's been floated around," and it will be itemized in a separate disclosure.
"When the original questions were coming about how much our debt was, the 110 was tied to how much we owed to banking institutions," he said. "And of course we have many other liabilities on our books and many other receivables and assets on our books."
<b>$90 million answer</b>
On other questions, the vice presidents said the report would show how the Brewers fulfilled their $90 million commitment to help build Miller Park, that it would have a section on shareholder activity that would deal with whether any club money was spent to buy out previous owners, and that there would be a section on deals the club might have with companies owned by shareholders or directors.
On the other hand, the report won't answer your questions about which owners own what percentage of the team.
"They're going to have to just remain curious about something like that, I guess," said Schlesinger, pointing out that the Brewers are a privately held company.
<b>A common practice</b>
When we mentioned that it's a privately held company that's benefiting from about $400 million worth of tax money used to build Miller Park, Schlesinger indicated that that happened in a lot of places. Let's give him the last word on that.
"The sports landscape in this country is full of interaction, public assistance to private companies, private sports teams, in a variety of ways, and the level of disclosure the Brewers are giving is unprecedented," he said. "I am not suggesting that we're not thankful and grateful for the tremendous public assistance in building Miller Park, but I am saying that I find it somewhat ironic and suspect that the Journal Sentinel has decided that that's not a relevant piece of the story."
<b><font size=4>Ginter will be a busy man</font></b>
<b>With Spivey at second, he assumes utility role</b>
<b>Phoenix</b> - <b>Keith Ginter</b> should get good use from his equipment bag this spring.
Ginter will attempt to become a jack of all trades in the Milwaukee Brewers' training camp after suffering the disappointment of seeing the second-base job yanked away from him over the winter. Instead, the Brewers plan to go with <b>Junior Spivey</b>, acquired from Arizona in the <b>Richie Sexson</b> trade.
Thus, Ginter will work out in the outfield and nearly every infield position during camp, requiring a sackful of fielding gloves. In that process, water breaks will be at a minimum.
"I haven't been in a camp where they asked me to do all that but I've done a little bit of it in the minor leagues," said Ginter, who played 53 games at second base last season, 40 at third and two at shortstop and the outfield.
"We're going to have to find time to do it all. It's going to be up to me to get out there in the morning and take my fly balls, then in the afternoon take all my ground balls at all the different positions.
"It'll be tough but I think we'll figure out a way to get on a schedule and routine where we can bang it all out without running me into the ground."
General manager <b>Doug Melvin</b> and manager <b>Ned Yost</b> realize they are asking a lot of Ginter. But they think Ginter can help the club in several areas while getting enough at-bats to take advantage of his offensive potential.
"He was obviously disappointed. He wants to compete for the second-base position," Melvin said.
"I think it's about time on our ballclub that we have competition within our own ranks. The sign of a bad ballclub is when you don't have competition within your ranks.
"You've got to like the fire Keith showed (last year). When it's all said and done, Keith will be on the team. Can we get him 450 or 500 at-bats? That could be tough."
Ginter made sure he let Melvin and Yost know how unhappy he was with being supplanted by Spivey. But he's ready to move on and do whatever is asked of him this spring.
"It's all behind us and I'm going to go out and perform now and do the best I can," Ginter said. "They told me where I stand and what they look for me to do. If they live up to their side of it and get me 400 at-bats, I've got to be happy with it."
<b>The doc is in</b>
Brewers broadcaster <b>Bob Uecker</b> checked in to take his physical along with the players and club staff. Uecker then donned a doctor's smock and pretended to be helping with the blood tests.
Uecker told one young player to bring back the Band-Aid that was placed on his arm after blood was drawn.
"We're using them twice," Uecker told the confused player. "We're trying to keep the nut down."
<b>Signing</b>
The Brewers signed right-hander <b>Dan Reichert</b> to a minor-league contract. Reichert, who posted a 6.06 ERA in 15 games for Toronto last season, passed a physical Sunday and will report to minor-league camp in a few weeks.
Right-hander <b>Jose Silva</b>, who joined Reichert and a handful of other players at a tryout Saturday, was offered a minor-league contract but declined.
<b>Stormin' Gorman</b>
Former Brewers outfielder <b>Gorman Thomas</b> will visit camp for about a week to work with outfielders and hitters.
"I talked to Gorman on the winter caravan and asked if he'd ever been down to spring training," Melvin said. "I asked him why and he said, 'Because nobody has ever asked.' I told him to come on down for a week. He can work with <b>Davey Nelson</b> and the outfielders and mostly just come down and have a good time. He's part of what we want to get back to here."
Former Brewers infielder <b>Jim Gantner</b>, who was a teammate of Thomas' and Yost's on the Brewers' pennant-winning team in 1982, also will visit camp to work with the infielders.
<b><font size=4>Sheets bears burden</font></b>
<b>Team's hopes rest on young shoulders</b>
<b>Phoenix</b> - It doesn't seem fair to ask a guy with a bad back to do all the heavy lifting but that's what the Milwaukee Brewers demanded of Ben Sheets during his first three seasons in the big leagues.
Sheets, who arrived in the majors in 2001 with much fanfare as a first-round draft pick and Olympic hero, did not have the luxury of a break-in period. With the franchise mired in a long losing streak, dependable starters in short supply and fans clamoring for somebody to cheer for, the Louisiana native quickly became the staff ace.
Thus, at the age of 25, Sheets already has made 93 major-league starts and pitched 5882/3 innings. By comparison, Roger Clemens made 68 starts and pitched 4852/3 innings in his first three years in the majors, and Pedro Martinez made 86 starts and pitched 556 innings in his first three seasons as a regular.
"It does seem like I've been around a long time," said Sheets, who made only 35 minor-league starts before being rushed to Milwaukee.
"I look around and a lot of these guys seem a lot younger than me. But I still think I'm a young guy."
Although few young pitchers are consistent winners immediately upon arriving in the majors, big things were expected of Sheets after he shut out mighty Cuba in the gold-medal game of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Australia. Instead, he has struggled to a 33-39 mark with the Brewers, getting stuck on 11 victories in each of his three seasons.
Not exactly what Sheets expected but he never figured on pitching for three bad teams, either. The Brewers lost 94, 106 and 94 games in his first three seasons, going an astounding 102 games below .500 (192-294) over that stretch.
In other words, Sheets hasn't had a lot of help at the start of his big-league career.
"Victories have been precious for us," Sheets said. "I felt my 11 victories here were every bit as good as other pitchers' 14 or 15 on different teams.
"Maybe if I get better, I can take some of the other guys with me. I do think it's time I stepped up. In the overall picture, I'm disappointed with a lot of things but not to the point of being discouraged."
Sheets is well aware that his best stretch of good outings came during his first season in 2001. He recorded 10 victories by midseason and became the first Brewers rookie to make the All-Star Game.
But Sheets' shoulder broke down in the second half, forcing him to the sideline for five weeks, and he stumbled to an 11-10 record.
"Ben, in a lot of different organizations, wouldn't be thrust into learning on the job at the major-league level," manager Ned Yost said. "He has not had an easy task, and he has handled it very well."
Because of the immediate pressure to produce, Sheets has experienced little breathing room in the majors. It didn't help that he arrived in the Milwaukee as a two-pitch pitcher for the most part, relying on a live fastball and sharp-breaking curve.
He has worked hard to develop a changeup, and also throws both a four-seam and two-seam fastball to mix it up. Sheets throws strikes (161 career walks, 421 strikeouts), sometimes to a fault, resulting in damaging home runs (29 in 2202/3 innings in 2003).
More often than not, however, he has given the Brewers an opportunity to win, something no other starting pitcher can claim over that stretch. Making that task more difficult has been a balky lower back, courtesy of two bulging discs.
"It nagged me all last year and I still feel it," said Sheets, who gets treatment on the back before and after every start. "It never really feels good. It's something you deal with."
Said pitching coach Mike Maddux: "He was a pretty reliable guy when he was not 100%. I look forward to Ben being 100% so we can work on things and improve ourselves as opposed to just getting the Purple Heart for showing up."
Very little has come easy for Sheets during his time with the Brewers. But thanks to a new management team and a fighting spirit fostered by Yost, he began to see things turn for the better last season.
Now, if he could just get past that 11-victory barrier.
"It would be nice to win 15 instead of 11 one year," he said. "I don't want to be riding on potential. That's no fun. It's about time to reach it."
Sheets assumes his usual No. 1 spot in the starting rotation this spring but what happens after that is anybody's guess. Left-hander Doug Davis, impressive during a late-season trial in 2003 (3-2, 2.58 earned run average in eight starts), tentatively has been penciled in as the second starter.
Wayne Franklin and Matt Kinney, who took regular turns last season and each won 10 games, also are back. And the Brewers hope for big things from Wes Obermueller, who had more ups than downs after joining the rotation in late July.
But Yost insists that every pitcher not named Sheets must prove he belongs in the rotation this spring. He plans to keep an open mind in selecting his other four starters, with newcomers such as Chris Capuano, Adrian Hernandez and Travis Phelps and Ben Ford getting good looks.
"There's plenty of competition there," Yost said. "One of the left-handers might be bumped to the bullpen if they don't make the rotation. We've definitely got options out there.
"We've got to find out exactly where some of these guys are. I think they all know that. It's going to be interesting to mold this staff and see exactly what we have because I like what we've got."
A look at the other returning starters from last season:
<b>LHP Doug Davis (3-2, 2.58 ERA last season)</b>
Maddux helped Davis make an adjustment in his delivery last season that improved the command of his fastball. Maddux and Yost think he is primed for a breakthrough season.
"I always felt if I got the ball every five days I'd be OK. From what I hear, I'm penciled in. It can be erased. I know I'm coming out to try to win a job. There's a lot of young guys here wanting to take one of these jobs."
<b>LHP Wayne Franklin (10-13, 5.58)</b>
Franklin's a fierce competitor who sometimes challenges hitters with his fastball too much. Last year, that resulted in 36 home runs by the opposition, tops in the majors. He also needs to cut down on his walks (team-high 94).
"I rehashed everything in my mind over the off-season," Franklin said. "I learned you can't keep the ball in the strike zone too much. You can't keep throwing to the same spot. That's what they call learning the hard way, especially at our park."
<b>RHP Matt Kinney (10-13, 5.30)</b>
Kinney was hurt too many times by big innings, often the result of multi-run homers. But he has a good sinker and struck out 147 hitters in 1862/3 innings. The Brewers would like to see him stay away from mistake pitches more often this spring and improve on holding runners.
"I want to throw my off-speed pitches more for strikes, particularly my changeup," he said. "I need to get a lot more consistent in the strike zone. I want to concentrate on throwing more quality pitches."
<b>RHP Wes Obermueller (2-5, 5.14)</b>
Maddux calls Obermueller the "dark horse" of the staff. The former outfielder has improved with each season on the mound and is an aggressive pitcher who comes right at hitters. His numbers were skewed last year by a couple of bad starts.
"I feel like I belong on this squad and I want to prove that to them," Obermueller said. "I'm going to do whatever it takes to solidify a spot coming out of camp. I want to show them right away, from the get-go."
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/ben222.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/ben222.jpg height=300 width=300 border=1></a>
Ben Sheets has been a workhorse since he arived in the Major Leagues.
<b><font size=4>Winter of turmoil ending for Brewers</font></b>
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Milwaukee Brewers are more eager than usual to break out the bats and gloves at spring training. It's been a turbulent winter.
Since the Brewers completed their 11th straight losing season, the team has lost its popular president and its best player, and it's also been put up for sale.
Ulice Payne Jr. resigned as team president after going public with the club's plan to spend only about $30 million on payroll this season, a decision that forced the trade of slugger Richie Sexson and caused such an outcry that the Brewers agreed to a public review of its finances.
Then, left-hander Luis Martinez was arrested in a shooting in the Dominican Republic, throwing his career into question.
And general manager Doug Melvin said during a conference call with reporters this week that he was flustered that he hadn't heard from All-Star outfielder Geoff Jenkins' representatives for a couple of weeks. His agent called him later that day with a counterproposal for a contract extension that the club is mulling over.
Neither side is commenting on the negotiations but it's believed the Brewers' initial offer was for three years and about $18 million. Jenkins is thought to be seeking a four-year deal for around $30 million.
It's easy to see why Melvin arrived in Phoenix bright and early Thursday. Pitchers and catchers are due to arrive in camp this weekend, followed by position players next week.
``I don't think there's any doubt that we're ready to focus on baseball,'' Melvin said. ``The players, I'm not sure if they know or even care what's all going on back home. But as GM, it's my job to make sure the staff focuses on the game and does not get distracted by all this other stuff. We were here before 7 o'clock, so that shows how eager we are to get going.''
The Brewers, who had a 12-game improvement last year under new manager Ned Yost, have a lot of work to do thanks to their revamped roster, a product of the nine-player trade that sent Sexson to Arizona.
On Dec. 2, the Brewers acquired infielders Craig Counsell, Junior Spivey and Lyle Overbay, catcher Chad Moeller and left-handed pitchers Chris Capuano and Jorge De La Rosa for Sexson, who was due $8.6 million this year, and two others.
Counsell will play shortstop and Overbay first base. Spivey will challenge Keith Ginter for the second base job, the first full-fledged fight for a position in several seasons.
``I think it's about time that we on our ballclub have competition within our own ranks,'' Melvin said. ``The sign of a bad ballclub is when you don't have any.''
Spivey had an off year last season after making the All-Star team in 2002. Counsell is 33 but has never been a full-time starter. Neither has Overbay nor Moeller.
Free agents Ben Grieve and Gary Bennett also signed with Milwaukee.
Grieve expects to join Jenkins and Scott Podsednik in the outfield, and Bennett will back up Moeller. Prospect Corey Hart was moved from third base to outfield, where he hopes to hone his game at Triple-A this season.
Overbay will face plenty of scrutiny replacing Sexson, probably the team's most popular player.
``We've told Lyle, I don't think the expectations are that he's going to replace Richie,'' Melvin said. ``There wasn't anybody on the trade that will replace Richie. ... Lyle will hit more doubles. He's not a home run hitter like Richie was.''
The only prospect that Melvin expects to challenge for a spot on the 25-man roster coming out of camp is shortstop J.J. Hardy.
Before his arrest, Martinez was expected to make a bid for a spot in the Brewers' rotation after soaring through the minor leagues last season.
Martinez was 0-3 with a 9.92 ERA in four September starts for Milwaukee last season.
``He's still being held by authorities and I believe he's trying to negotiate his way out of not being charged,'' Melvin said. ``We're still talking in-house about what to do. We don't condone what he did, but we also don't know all the details.''
<b><font size=4>Hardy set for big-league experience</font></b>
<b>Shortstop hopes to learn from first Major League camp</b>
PHOENIX -- The guy who might be the top prospect in what might be baseball's best farm system arrived in his first Major League Spring Training with a new batting stance and a new idea of what's in store for 2004.
Shortstop J.J. Hardy, the Brewers' second-round draft pick in 2001, is only 21 years old but has already been a high school All-American, a minor league All-Star, a participant in the All-Star Futures Game and a member of a U.S. Olympic qualifying team. Now, he is looking to make a mark with Brewers coaches.
"I'm excited," Hardy said. "Whatever comes of this experience, I'm ready."
After the Brewers declined shortstop Royce Clayton's option after last season, it looked like Hardy's shot could come as early as 2004. Then the team traded Richie Sexson for a six-player package that included Craig Counsell, who later was anointed the likely starter at shortstop.
Hardy is probably headed for Triple-A Indianapolis, where he will be one of the International League's youngest players. In 114 games last year, he batted .279 with a career-high 12 home runs and 62 RBIs while playing his usual Major League-caliber defense.
Hardy was named to the Southern League's midseason and postseason All-Star teams.
"We're talking about how good he did last year, and I think we haven't seen anything yet," said Dave Krynzel, Huntsville's center fielder last year. "He's so good defensively. He's one guy I love to play behind."
Krynzel will probably be playing behind Hardy again. On Feb. 17, Hardy was working out with some teammates at the Brewers’ minor league complex when manager Ned Yost stopped by to explain the shortstop situation. Milwaukee is expected to go with Counsell and backup Bill Hall.
"He told me to come over here [to big-league camp] and just relax," Hardy said. "He said, 'We know what you can do. Don't stress, don't press. Just go out and play.'"
Easier said than done?
"Yes and no," Hardy said. "It helps when someone says that sometimes. You remember that you can go 0-for-5 and it's not the end of the world. They know what I've done before, and those five at-bats are not going to make or break it for me.
"What can I do but play well here, do the same at Triple-A and try and move on?"
Hardy is working on a new batting stance and will get a good, long look this spring. Barring injury, he is a good bet to make his Major League debut sometime this season.
He will work this spring with Brewers hitting coach Butch Wynegar on tweaks to his swing. During a workout in January, Frank Kremblas, who managed Hardy and the rest of Double-A Huntsville to the Southern League Championship Series last season, suggested that Hardy bring his hands closer to his body. Hardy also repositioned his feet closer together.
The result is a more compact swing that Hardy says feels more powerful.
"I couldn't get to the inside pitch," Hardy said. "I felt myself getting jammed all the time, all last year. Now I'm able to stay inside the ball. I just feel like I can be more consistent."
While pitchers and catchers begin their formal workouts this week, Hardy and the hitters will spend the bulk of their time in one of Maryvale Baseball Park's batting cages, taking thousands of swings.
"It's getting there," Hardy said. "I still find myself thinking about it, but I think in a week or so, as Spring Training really kicks in, it will be there."
He will have plenty of workout partners. Milwaukee's spring training roster includes a handful of Hardy's teammates including Krynzel, Corey Hart, a Richie Sexson clone working on a move from third base to the outfield and Ben Hendrickson, a curveball specialist who could jump to the big leagues later this season.
"It's so much more fun," Krynzel said. "I feel a little more relaxed around the clubhouse. Last year, it took me about a week just to get comfortable."
Krynzel was one of two former first-round draft picks in his first big-league camp last year. The other was Prince Fielder, who grew up around Major Leaguers with his dad, former slugger Cecil Fielder.
This time, Krynzel is the grizzled veteran.
"Got my boys here," he says with a laugh.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/09/08/9yroi4fs.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/09/08/9yroi4fs.jpg height=300 width=300 border=1></a>
J.J. Hardy batted .279 with 12 home runs and 62 RBIs in 114 games at Double-A Huntsville.
<b><font size=4>Ned's notes: Time to get to work</font></b>
<b>Physicals out of the way, but rain could limit workouts</b>
PHOENIX -- Brewers manager Ned Yost played with some of Milwaukee's best players in the early 1980s. Now in his second season at the helm, he is working to get the team back to prominence. Yost agreed to share his take on camp until the Cactus League schedule kicks in on March 4.
Today was an important day because we went through physicals. Everybody gets to see all of the doctors to determine everyone's health. That's an important thing before we get started to make sure everyone is physically ready to go.
Guys that had injuries last year, we check the status of their injuries and where they are and that they are clear to start full workouts.
The weather is bit of a concern right now. The most important days for us in Spring Training are these first 10 days. We're not really equipped to handle rain here in Phoenix. We don't have any real covered cages or tunnels. Rain in the first 10 days can set you back some.
It won't be something that we can't recover from, but you've got your guys here and they are excited and ready to go. You want to take full advantage of those 10 days before you start playing ballgames to get your players ready. They are talking about rain on Monday and really about all of next week so it is a bit of a concern. We'll have to adjust, if it does rain, to get our work in.
I think we're all anxious to get started. Our coaches are anxious. Our players are anxious. They've been doing their side work. They are ready to go, and they are excited to start the season.
I think and I am fairly convinced that we've got, if not the best coaching staff, one of the best coaching staffs in all of the Major Leagues. These are guys that are hard workers and that are experienced. They are smart guys that really want the best for our team. They work hard to see that every player gets what they need to be the best player they can be. You can't ask for anything more than that.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/21/XjNlyqHl.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/21/XjNlyqHl.jpg height=300 width=300 border=1></a>
Manager Ned Yost is anxious to get his players on the field.
<b><font size=4>A new day for closer Kolb</font>
He looks forward to fruitful spring
Phoenix</b> - Dan Kolb entered spring training expecting a change.
Make that two changes.
Kolb, the hard-throwing reliever whose pitches routinely rocked the radar gun at close to 100 mph last summer, is adding a changeup to the fastball-slider repertoire that helped him secure the Milwaukee Brewers' closer position.
He's also planning to change his luck.
The past few springs, you see, have been nightmarish for Kolb, a soft-spoken 29-year-old from the tiny town of Sterling, Ill.
In 2001, he reported to the Texas Rangers' camp in Florida and promptly strained a muscle in his right elbow, which had been surgically reconstructed the previous year. He made it to the big leagues in late August that year, appeared in 17 games and felt good about his prospects heading into 2002.
That spring was shortened, however, when Kolb suffered pain in his right shoulder during camp. Doctors diagnosed a slight tear in the rotator cuff and prescribed several weeks of rehab.
Once again, Kolb worked his way to the big leagues, appearing in 34 games and building momentum toward the 2003 camp, the Rangers' first in Arizona.
Again, things went downhill quickly.
"The first week I came down here (to Arizona), someone broke into my truck," Kolb said before taking the field for the Brewers' workout Monday morning at Maryvale Baseball Park. "That rubbed me wrong. The third week, someone broke into my apartment."
A few weeks later, the off-field dilemmas were replaced by a different kind of crisis. After a string of mostly uneventful outings in exhibition games, Kolb was released by the Rangers on March 26.
He signed with the Brewers a week later, dominated hitters at Class AAA Indianapolis and was called up to the big leagues in mid-June. A month later, he was given the closer's role when Mike DeJean struggled. He reeled off 18 saves in a row on his way to 21 for the season.
"Dan Kolb came in and sealed the deal," Brewers pitching coach Mike Maddux said. "We knew if we played eight solid frames that the ninth was going to be ours. This year, we're going to try some things as far as expanding what he can do."
That brings us to the changeup.
Kolb began experimenting with the pitch late last season, but didn't get many opportunities to work on it during games.
"Sometimes it's tough to field test things between the lines when it counts on your baseball card," Maddux said.
That won't be a problem this spring.
"I'm going to be a different pitcher this spring than you'll see during the season," Kolb said. "The first outing or two will be normal. I'll establish my fastball, get comfortable with it again. After that, it's going to be a lot of off-speed stuff."
The changeup is regarded as a "feel" pitch that takes a deft touch and a fair amount of confidence. That can only be gained through repetition.
"I worked on it all off-season," Kolb said. "Now I need a hitter in there. And I need to trust it.
"Right now, out of every 10 I throw, I probably throw three or four that come out good and feel right. The other ones, I'm babying a bit. That's what spring training is for."
Kolb, whose slider clocks in at about 88-90 mph, is hoping that his changeup - thrown at about 85 or 86 mph - will keep hitters from "cheating" on his fastball.
"Most of the hitters in the division have seen me now and they know what to expect," he said. "That doesn't bother me. I'm still confident in my fastball. They still have to hit it. But having a changeup will just make my fastball better."
While Kolb experiments with his new pitch, general manager Doug Melvin, manager Ned Yost and Maddux will try to build the bullpen around him.
While veteran Dave Burba seems likely to reprise his long relief role, candidates for the setup job include holdovers - Luis Vizcaino, who struggled much of last season after a stellar 2002 campaign, Leo Estrella, Mike Crudale and Matt Ford - as well a handful of newcomers such as Chris Michalak and Jeff Bennett.
"Last year at this time we had (Mike) DeJean, (Curtis) Leskanic and (Valerio) De Los Santos," Melvin said. "I was told not to tinker with the bullpen because that was an area that was our strength. It turned out that it didn't perform the way we thought.
"What we have to count on is guys we have improving."
One thing Melvin would like to see out of his relievers is more distance.
"Last year, we left spring training with a bullpen of players who couldn't go more than one inning," he said. "Using guys that can only go one inning at a time really took a toll on our overall pitching.
"This year, we may carry two or three long guys and let them pitch."
At this point, the identities of those pitchers are unknown.
"It's going to be interesting," Yost said.
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/kolb223.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/kolb223.jpg height=300 width=300 border=1></a>
Closer Dan Kolb is adding a changeup this season to go with his fastball and slider.
<b><font size=4>Ned's notes: Desert rains</font>
Coaches keep close watch on pitchers early in camp</b>
PHOENIX -- Brewers manager Ned Yost played with some of Milwaukee's best players in the early 1980s. Now in his second season at the helm, he is working to get the team back to prominence. Yost agreed to share his take on camp until the Cactus League schedule kicks in on March 4.
One thing we really make a point of is that we don't worry about things that we can't control. We just adjust. We came in today and it was pouring rain with no covered fields and no covered batting cages. We had to go to plan B.
The important thing was that the pitchers got out, did their throwing on the side and got their conditioning work in, so it didn't really set us back. Ideally, we would have liked them to throw to hitters today in batting practice but we couldn't accomplish that. But we got the main bit of work that we needed to get in done. All in all, it was a good day.
We're really hoping that the sun comes out tomorrow. We've moved our workouts from 10 a.m. to noon so that the grounds crew has two extra hours to get the field ready. We're hoping that we'll have at least one field available and if we have two or three that will even be better. Depending on the weather, we should be OK.
We have called Seattle (in nearby Peoria) and they do have covered tunnels that they have made available to us. So, we could get a bus and do our hitting under covered tunnels. You still would much rather do it outdoors but if we can't we'll still have that option available to us. It would not be until about 2 p.m., so [new Mariners hitting coach and former Brewers great] Paul Molitor will probably be gone from there by then.
Today was the first official workout, and the guys are always real excited to get back out there. A good thing about having the optional camp a week early is that guys can get all of that excitement out of them. A lot of the guys that were throwing today were throwing for the fourth time since they've been down here.
That's the importance of guys getting here early optionally and getting their work done. As always, guys feel good and they want to hump up. The key to this is conditioning and guys getting to exercise their arm and getting acclimated to the mound with a controlled effort.
It's real important that every time a pitcher throws, no matter where he is, that he has a pitching coach behind him. We were working off of four mounds today but we had four pitching coaches standing right behind them to make sure they guard their effort and they are working to command their fastball.
It's not a performance deal. We tell them that we don't want to know how hard they can throw the ball. We want to see how well they can control their effort. We want to see how smart they are and how much they trust their ability, can control their effort and exercise their arms in a proper fashion. Today, they did that very well. We were very pleased with how well they did.
<b><font size=4>Right man for lefty job?</font>
Southpaw Michalak is competing for a bullpen job</b>
PHOENIX -- Chris Michalak was in the right place at the right time, and he could be the right guy for the Brewers bullpen.
Or rather, the left guy.
Milwaukee will likely feature the National League Central's only left-handed heavy starting rotation with as many as three southpaws (Doug Davis, Chris Capuano and Wayne Franklin are all candidates). But the team is still looking for a left-hander to pitch out of the bullpen, an area of relative strength in the past half-dozen seasons thanks to pitchers like Mike Myers, Ray King and Valerio De Los Santos.
Enter Michalak, a left-hander with 53 games of Major League experience who arrived at Maryvale Baseball Park late last week after a whirlwind courtship with the Brewers.
It started a few weeks ago, when Brewers general manager Doug Melvin happened by a baseball facility in Dallas owned by a friend. Michalak, a 33-year-old whom Melvin claimed off waivers during the 2001 season when he was GM of the Rangers, was working out there. Melvin was surprised to hear that Michalak was still looking for work.
"We talked a little bit and he said there might be some opportunities up here," Michalak said. "He told me that there were some left-handers in the starting rotation, but they were thin in the bullpen. So I told him that I could maybe help."
Melvin was also surprised to hear about Michalak's new delivery. After years of competing but failing to make the starting rotation in places like Oakland, Arizona, Anaheim, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles and Texas, Michalak turned his focus to relief work and shifted from overhand to a sidearm motion.
Michalak saw it as a way to finally stick in the Majors. Melvin saw it as a possible solution to his lefty shortage.
"Every once in a while you try to do something different," said Melvin.
The Brewers GM had some success with reclamation projects in 2003. He found surprising gems with players like outfielder Scott Podsednik (the NL's rookie runner-up), Davis (a 2.58 ERA in eight late-season starts) and closer Dan Kolb (21 second-half saves). Podsednik, Davis and Kolb all played at one point for Texas.
So the men stayed in contact, and Melvin invited Michalak to a showcase at Maryvale Baseball Park scheduled for Feb. 21, the day pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training.
But, in another coincidence, one of Michalak's workout partners also works with Ned Yost IV, an aspiring collegiate catcher and the son of the Brewers manager. Michalak's name came up over dinner one night and a bullpen session was arranged which the younger Ned caught. Four days later, the Brewers made a contract offer.
"My son liked what he saw," Yost joked. "[Michalak] is a kid with some experience, a high-quality makeup kid. He has that deception in his delivery, so he's a kid that we're going to look at."
Michalak accepted a minor league contract with a Spring Training invitation and is once again competing for a roster spot. This time, he is aiming for the bullpen.
He is looking to follow in the footsteps of Myers, a submarine-throwing left-hander who pitched 141 games for the Brewers from 1998-1999 and has made a career facing the toughest left-handed hitters in the game, usually in close-and-late situations.
Other left-handers have tried it too, including former first-round Brewers draft pick Kelly Wunch, Mike Venafro and, most recently, Colorado's Javier Lopez.
Why is the submarine style so effective?
"The biggest thing is that the hitters just don't see it much," Michalak said. "How many lefties are there that do it? If you can drop down and get a little better angle, it makes it that much more difficult for them."
Michalak's arsenal of pitches is basically the same as what he brought as an overhand-throwing starter -- he brings a sinker, curveball, change-up and cut-fastball.
"I don't have anything that special, I'm just able to place it," he said.
Said Yost: "Some guys can make the adjustment to go from a starter to a reliever to a situational guy. That's what it's like to be a Major League pitcher. He's an interesting guy. I saw him and, right away, I liked what I saw."
Michalak is especially interesting because of his versatility. He has been focused on honing his skills as a sidearmer but could still surprise a hitter with an overhand pitch. And he went 8-11 with a 4.41 ERA in 18 starts for Toronto in 2002, leaving open the door for an emergency start or two if necessary.
"I'm used to facing right-handers," Michalak said. "I know how to get them out, and I can still throw all my pitches from that low angle."
Even with a solid spring, Michalak may still be edged out. The team has one open spot on the 40-man roster but could give it to veteran right-hander Dave Burba, who was valuable in long relief last season. The team will also take a long look at non-roster starters Adrian Hernandez and Brian Bowles and infielder/catcher Trent Durrington, among others. Plus, Franklin has big league bullpen experience and could see relief action for the Brewers if he fails to win a spot in the rotation.
Michalak is just happy that circumstance put him in position to compete.
"You know what? If I have a chance to be in the bullpen, then I'll be in the bullpen and do that as well as I can," he said. "That's where we are right now."
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/24/mMCUymBC.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/24/mMCUymBC.jpg height=300 width=300 border=1></a>
Chris Michalak, pictured here in a Chatham All-Stars tribute jersey with Toronto in 2001, has 53 games of Major League experience.
<b><font size=4>Brewers revising menu behind plate</font>
Moeller, Bennett will be featured
Phoenix</b> - Chad Moeller wasn't particularly surprised this winter to find out that he had been traded from Arizona to Milwaukee.
By the time the phone call came on Dec. 1, he had been hearing the rumors and reading the speculative reports in the newspapers and on the Internet for several weeks.
Though the reasons remain a mystery, he was also aware that he'd fallen out of favor with his now-previous manager, Bob Brenly of the Diamondbacks. After opening the season as Arizona's primary catcher, Moeller fell behind Rod Barajas and Robby Hammock on the depth chart. He collected just 51 at-bats in the second-half of the season, including just three in the final month.
"I can't say I was surprised to be traded," Moeller said. "But when it finally happens, it is kind of a surprise."
As is the case in such instances, Moeller's mind raced in a million directions at once. Who should I call? Where will I live. Who do I know with the Brewers? Will I get a chance to start? Who are their other catchers? Spring training is in Phoenix, which is more convenient than Tucson.
The more time passed, the more comfortable Moeller became with the opportunity unfolding before him. Joining the Brewers meant reuniting with his former college roommate and close friend, Geoff Jenkins, and his former minor-league teammate, Matt Kinney. Moeller started daydreaming about swinging for the inviting power alleys at his new home stadium, Miller Park.
Then, the catcher in him took over.
"I started thinking about it and I realized that Milwaukee is kind of a bad ballpark for pitchers," he said. "It's one of the bigger bandboxes in baseball. If pitchers don't keep the ball down, they can get in trouble in a hurry."
The task of steering Brewers pitchers clear of trouble this season will fall to Moeller, who turned 29 last month, and Gary Bennett, a 31-year-old native of Waukegan, Ill., who played for San Diego last season and chose to sign with the Brewers in part because Milwaukee is close to his home in Libertyville, Ill.
"I did a test drive after I signed and it was about 45 minutes, door to door," he said. "I think I might try commuting, at least for a while."
Veteran Mark Johnson, who spent last season with Oakland after playing parts of five seasons with the Chicago White Sox, also is in camp along with Kade Johnson, utility men Trent Durrington and Scott Sheldon and former UW-Milwaukee standout John Vanden Berg.
A year ago, the Brewers entered spring training with a huge question mark behind the plate and broke camp with Eddie Perez and Keith Osik, who entered camp as non-roster players and turned into somewhat pleasant surprises.
Perez, who signed as a free agent with Atlanta, and Osik, now in Baltimore's camp, combined to hit .263 with 13 homers and 63 RBI. That represented a vast improvement over the Brewers' 2002 catching corps (Paul Bako, Raul Casanova, Jorge Fabregas, Marcus Jensen and Robert Machado), which combined for a .218 batting average and a league-worst .599 OPS (on base plus slugging).
"I didn't think either one of those guys was going to make our team last year," general manager Doug Melvin said of Perez and Osik. "They ended up playing pretty well for us, but we knew we wanted to upgrade that area during the off-season and I think we did.
"We feel a lot better with our catching this year. Last year, went into spring training with two catchers who were non-roster players. We didn't have that comfort level that we do now. You look at Chad Moeller and he's been around a little bit. He's young in terms of big-league experience, but he's 28 and he's been around. He's a pretty good offensive catcher and Bennett was a front-line catcher last year. We expect the offense from our catching to be a bit more consistent this year."
Over the next six weeks or so, Moeller will try to learn as much as possible about his new teammates. His previous association with Kinney gives him a head start in that regard.
"Matty has to use his fastball more," Moeller said. "He can strike guys out with his breaking ball, but he's a guy that can strike out 10 guys in five innings,"
In time, Moeller expects to have a feel for the rest of the staff: What pitches do they like to throw to get ahead in the count? What pitches should they avoid in tight situations? The education won't happen over night, but Moeller knows it will happen.
"By the time we leave here, I will have caught everybody," he said. "That's mandatory. I'll skip catching a ball game if it means I can stay back and work with somebody. It's unacceptable to go into the season and not have caught somebody.
"That won't be an issue here."
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/chad224.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/chad224.jpg height=300 width=300 border=1></a>
Catcher Chad Moeller is happy to be reunited with former college roommate Geoff Jenkins and former minor-league teammate, Matt Kinney.
<b><font size=4>Hart seeks show in outfield</font>
Phoenix</b> - When <b>Corey Hart</b> heard the reasoning behind the Milwaukee Brewers' plans to switch him from third base to the outfield, it was difficult to argue.
"They said this might be a quicker way for me to get to the big leagues," Hart said. "It's nice to know they think that way."
Hart, 22, the most valuable player of the Class AA Southern League last season, was moved to third base two years ago to try to ease a first-base glut in the system that included <b>Brad Nelson</b> and <b>Prince Fielder</b>. Nelson moved to the outfield, paving the way for Fielder to advance as the organization's "first baseman of the future."
At 6 feet 6 inches and accustomed to playing on the other side of the diamond, Hart struggled at third base, committing 32 errors in each of the last two seasons. But he continued to progress at the plate, batting .302 with 40 doubles, 13 home runs and 94 runs batted in last year at Huntsville.
"I think this is going to be easier for me," said Hart, who has good speed for a big man (25 steals in 2003). "I can concentrate more on hitting and not have to worry about making an error at third base.
"I think I progressed at third base and would have been pretty good if I stayed there. But this is probably a better way to get to the big leagues. I should be fine out there."
Hart will work every day in camp with Brewers outfield instructor <b>Davey Nelson</b>. He also is getting pointers from centerfielder <b>Dave Krynzel</b>, considered the best farm system outfielder.
"He's going to be a heck of an outfielder," Krynzel said. "He's a good athlete. He just needs to work on getting longer with his throws after being used to snapping them across in the infield."
Hart is expected to start the season in right field at Class AAA Indianapolis.
<b>Signing</b>
Right-hander <b>Brooks Kieschnick</b> reached agreement on a one-year contract with the Brewers on Tuesday. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Kieschnick, 31, split the 2003 season between Class AAA Indianapolis and Milwaukee and split his duties between the bullpen and a pinch-hitting role. In 42 relief appearances in the major leagues, he was 1-1 with a 5.26 earned run average. He also hit .300 with seven homers and 12 RBI in 80 at-bats as a pinch hitter and outfielder. He became the first player in major-league history to hit a home run as a pitcher, pinch hitter and a designated hitter in the same season.
The Brewers have agreed to terms with 31 of 39 players on their 40-man roster.
<b>No-show</b>
Catcher <b>Alex Delgado</b>, a non-roster invitee from Venezuela, has not reported to camp.
"He was supposed to be here Monday," said general manager <b>Doug Melvin</b>, who is guessing that Delgado is having visa or personal problems.
In order to pick up some of the catching slack, the Brewers invited minor-leaguer <b>Scott Sheldon</b> to camp. Sheldon is an infielder and has caught in the past.
<b><font size=4>Yost betting Grieve can come back</font>
Outfielder struggled in recent seasons
Phoenix</b> - On the scale of desirability, established major-league players rank non-guaranteed contracts somewhere between food poisoning and rotator-cuff surgery.
Yet, rightfielder Ben Grieve agreed to report to the Milwaukee Brewers' spring camp with a non-guaranteed deal for $700,000, giving the club the right to cut him before opening day and pay only one-sixth of his salary.
Why would a 27-year-old player, supposedly in his prime and only six years removed from being American League rookie of the year, agree to such a deal? A look at his recent stint with Tampa Bay provides the answer.
"I didn't have any room to bargain after the three years I had there," Grieve said. "That's the way I looked at it. I couldn't demand anything.
"Certain guys might, but I'd rather get something because I deserve it than have it given to me."
It was quite a comedown for a player who made $5.5 million last season at the end of a four-year, $13 million deal originally signed with Oakland. After two mediocre seasons with the Devil Rays, Grieve experienced a complete nightmare in 2003, playing only 55 games because of injuries.
Having already spent time on the disabled list with an infected thumb, Grieve began experiencing swelling in his right arm in mid-July. Doctors discovered a blood clot in the upper arm that could be relieved only by removing the first rib on the right side.
That procedure shelved Grieve for the remainder of the season, leaving him with a .230 batting average, four home runs, 17 RBI and a one-way ticket out of Tampa.
Enter Brewers general manager Doug Melvin.
Needing to replace the departed John Vander Wal and unable to afford the going rate of two years, $6 million for established corner outfielders on the free-agent market, Melvin decided to take a run at Grieve with a non-guaranteed offer.
Grieve, whose father, Tom, once was GM with Texas and now is a television broadcaster for that club, was kept on hold in December by the Rangers while they worked on the Alex Rodriguez-Manny Ramirez deal that never materialized. Antsy to latch on with a club, Grieve opted to take Melvin's offer.
"One of my main interests was getting a chance to play a lot," Grieve said. "I thought this would be a good chance for me to play and get my career back going the right way. That was a big part of the situation here that appealed to me."
Now, if only the Brewers can help Grieve retrieve the game that made him the AL's top rookie in 1998 in Oakland. The second overall pick in the 1994 draft batted .288 that year with 18 homers and 89 RBI.
Grieve boosted his home-run output to 28 the next season and really hit it big in 2000, socking 27 homers and driving in 104 runs. But he also struck out 130 times and turned in below-average defensive work, prompting the A's to send him to Tampa Bay for pitches Cory Lidle and Roberto Hernandez.
Grieve's play continued to deteriorate with the Devil Rays, including a 159-strikeout season in 2001. Before making his offer, Melvin did some investigative work and discovered the left-handed hitter had become inexplicably passive at the plate.
"He was not as aggressive; he took a lot of pitches," Melvin said. "One year, 63% of his strikeouts were called strikeouts.
"He was a disciplined hitter in Oakland and then he ended up not being as aggressive. We've talked to him about it. He can still be selective at the plate but be more aggressive."
Grieve concedes that he was taking more pitches in recent years but isn't certain that was the cause of his slide. In fact, he's still somewhat puzzled as to what exactly happened to his game there.
"I had three pretty crummy years in Tampa," he said. "Before that, I had three pretty good years. I can't put my finger on any one reason for it. It's not like I'm wearing down or anything.
"It's been frustrating. It wasn't for a lack of work. For whatever reason, it never clicked there on a consistent basis like it did before. . . .
"I'm not ready to give up."
Restricted to picking through the scraps of other clubs by his $30 million payroll, Melvin hopes to hit the jackpot with Grieve as he did last year with centerfielder Scott Podsednik and closer Dan Kolb. If Grieve rediscovers his swing, it will be a master stroke by Melvin, who doesn't have over-the-moon expectations.
"I think, on the high side, we'd be pleased if he knocked in 80 runs," Melvin said. "It depends on how much he plays. I'd like to see him be able to hit in the middle of the order."
"This is a fresh start for him. It gives him a chance to come over to a new league. He's got some power, which might fit in our ballpark. It's somewhat of a low risk (because of the non-guaranteed contract)."
One thing on Grieve's side is the blank-slate approach of manager Ned Yost, who doesn't care how much a player struggled in his pre-Milwaukee life. Yost is more than willing to give Grieve every opportunity to win the starting job in right.
"I don't put a lot of stock in what I hear," Yost said. "I need to get to know him."
Should Grieve remain lost in space, or need a righty-hitting platoon mate, Brady Clark waits in the wings. Clark, who began the 2003 season as a backup outfielder and played regularly in September after Geoff Jenkins suffered a broken thumb, batted .272 with six homers and 40 RBI.
"Brady's extremely valuable," Yost said. "He was one of the bright spots for me last year."
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/ben225.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/ben225.jpg height=300 width=300 border=1></a>
The Brewers hope rightfielder Ben Grieve can retrieve the game that made him the American League's top rookie in 1998 in Oakland.
<b><font size=4>Jenkins doesn't fit into puzzle for Brewers</font></b>
In the awkward and potentially irresolvable case of Geoff Jenkins vs. the Milwaukee Brewers, the question you must ask yourself is which party is gambling more in this low-grade game of chicken.
Certainly, Jenkins, one of the few players left on a $30 million roster with anything more than negligible name recognition, has the public-relations upper hand. While there is no need here to recount the organization's recent troubles, it is enough to say that even Richard III never had a winter of discontent quite like the folks on Miller Park Way.
So does that mean the Brewers, at the risk of alienating even more customers after trading Richie Sexson, must capitulate to the contract demands of their remaining 2003 all-star?
Not necessarily, because Jenkins is hardly immune from risk as the clock speeds toward the player-imposed March 4 deadline.
For argument's sake, let's say the Brewers' reported offer of about $20 million for three years is fair and reasonable, given the depressed market. Let's also say that Jenkins, who is said to want $32 million over four years, rejects the Brewers to test free agency after this season.
Let's also say that Jenkins, who has a medical chart longer than the women's bathroom lines at old County Stadium, gets hurt again. Then how sorry would he be to have turned down nearly $7 million a season?
Sure, Jenkins is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $8.55 million this year, but that deal represented another time and place for the industry and the organization. But is it fair for a player of Jenkins' quality to accept a pay cut?
Players take so-called home-team discounts all the time to remain in familiar surroundings, but the Brewers have forfeited that chip with 11 consecutive losing seasons. No one, then, could fault Jenkins for wanting to leave because he is weary of repeated failure.
Since Sexson had no intention of re-signing, the hole-filling trade with Arizona was a no-brainer. The Jenkins situation is a little more ambiguous because he has said he wants to stay with the only organization he has ever known - but only at a price and if team does everything necessary to regain a competitive stance.
Yet with his public comments, Jenkins has given himself a polite way to play out his existing contract. He also may have tipped his hand with his unusual deadline squeeze play.
While not questioning Jenkins' competitiveness, isn't it peculiar that he would say that negotiations must end by the start of exhibition season so he could concentrate on games that don't count, especially when a veteran of his stature usually plays only an inning or so at the start?
I'd hate to be the Brewers on this one, especially the way Jenkins runs into left-field walls and knocks down right-field fences with his bat. You want to tell your dwindling fan base you can't afford him?
At the same time, how much sense would it make to give one guy a quarter of the payroll at a time when the future is predicated on rebuilding through a promising farm system?
The impression here is that neither side will submit in the next week, which means the Brewers must begin preparations to trade Jenkins before losing him without compensation at the end of the season.
It won't be a popular course of action for the battered franchise, but it may be the only sensible resolution for a team that needs pieces more than one star.
<b><font size=4>Brewers' dirty laundry aired on national report</font></b>
A report about the Milwaukee Brewers' financial problems that aired on national television Tuesday night said three members of the Selig family were drawing more than $2 million in salary at the time the club was seeking public funds to build Miller Park.
Titled "Milwaukee's Best?" and airing on HBO's "Real Sports with <b>Bryant Gumbel</b>," the report also said the Brewers, compared to other teams in baseball, contributed the least to the construction of a new ballpark and that the team is to receive $20 million this season from baseball's revenue sharing plan.
<b>James Brown</b> served as correspondent on the piece. Advance publicity said <b>Armen Keteyian</b> was to be the correspondent, but Brown wound up with the assignment. Brown is best known for his role as co-host of "Fox NFL Sunday." He also has a syndicated radio show on The Sporting News network.
Brown, citing an unidentified "senior state official who worked on the Miller Park project," said that at the time the Brewers were seeking tax money for Miller Park, the team was paying <b>Bud Selig</b>, daughter <b>Wendy Selig-Prieb</b> and son-in-law <b>Laurel Prieb</b> over $2 million a year.
Brown, citing an unidentified "industry analyst," said those salaries were "well above the norm."
The Brewers dispute those sources, Brown said.
According to the report, the Brewers said those numbers "are outrageously inaccurate" and that the salaries for the Seligs "were below league averages."
Those who came on camera to discuss the Brewers' problems were former state senator <b>George Petak</b> (R-Racine), state representatives <b>Mike Ellis</b> (R-Neenah) and <b>Bob Ziegelbauer</b> (D-Manitowoc) and Cleveland State sports economist <b>Mark Rosentraub</b>. The only Brewers official to appear on camera in the report was <b>Rick Schlesinger</b>, the team's executive vice president of business operations.
Commissioner Selig declined to be interviewed on camera.
Two assertions about the Brewers' finances made by Rosentraub are new.
"This particular ownership group has the least amount of capital invested in the physical facility, their stage, their platform, their store, than any comparable owner," Rosentraub told Brown.
Rosentraub said the Brewers are to receive $20 million under baseball's new revenue sharing plan, which would cover two-thirds of their 2004 payroll, which is around $30 million.
Rosentraub contended that because of the questions about how the club spent the revenue it generated from Miller Park, the team whose leaders championed revenue sharing are subverting its intent.
"You would have to look really hard to find another example that is as perverse to the concept of revenue sharing as is occurring right now," Rosentraub said.
"Rather than fulfill the promise of revenue sharing, what he (Selig) has done is to underscore the concerns, the fears, the objections, that every large market team has. So the argument, eloquently articulated for several years, was then simply trampled on by the very family that made the argument."
Ellis hammered Selig throughout the report.
"Selig from day one when he was in my office said, 'Build me the stadium that will enable me to get more revenue and I will use that new revenue to buy new players,' " Ellis said. " 'I will be a competitor.' Now what happened in the three years? We've gotten worse, not better. . . . "
Brewers owners recently announced their intent to sell the team, a team whose value increased significantly because Miller Park was built and has been in use since April 2001.
Schlesinger expressed indignation about contentions of critics who have called into question the integrity of the Seligs.
"You can bust the Brewers' chops for not winning games on the field," Schlesinger said. "But don't ever equate wins and losses with integrity. And the mistake that some of these politicians have made is that they have assumed that because the team hasn't performed well on the field that the Brewers ownership are bad guys, they have no integrity and are dishonest. That's unacceptable behavior and I will not tolerate it."
The Brewers have reached agreements with the Metro Association of Commerce and the state's Legislative Audit Bureau, which are currently reviewing the team's finances.
<b><font size=4>Neugebauer faces hitters</font>
He hopes shoulder woes are behind him
Phoenix</b> - Wednesday was a landmark day for right-hander <b>Nick Neugebauer</b>.
Once considered the Milwaukee Brewers' top pitching prospect, Neugebauer continued his comeback from multiple shoulder surgeries by facing hitters for the first time in more than a year during a batting practice session at Maryvale Baseball Park.
"It was a good first step for him," said manager <b>Ned Yost</b>. "It's a big hurdle to face hitters for the first time. He feels good; that's the key."
Neugebauer, 23, missed the entire 2003 season after having a second operation on his pitching shoulder to repair a frayed labrum and rotator cuff. The first surgery was in September 2001, and when the shoulder did not respond properly in 2002, he was shut down after 12 appearances with the Brewers.
The shoulder miseries sidetracked what once was a promising career, but Neugebauer is encouraged about progress made in recent months.
"It felt good to mix it up and see some hitters up there," said Neugebauer, a second-round draft pick in 1998. "We're working on my mechanics a lot. When I get my mechanics right, I feel real free and easy.
"My arm feels good. I'm a little bit behind (other pitchers) here but in about a month I should get it going full-go. I just want to stay healthy and be ready for the start of the season."
Neugebauer hopes to be ready to pitch somewhere in the minor leagues at the end of camp. Otherwise, he'll remain in extended spring training until he's ready.
"I don't care where they send me. I just want to pitch," he said.
<b>Extra incentive</b>
Yost was not pleased with the way his pitchers performed with a bat last season (.132 batting average, 126 strikeouts in 318 at-bats, 14 RBI), so he has a plan to get them more interested in 2004.
Yost has devised a point system to reward pitchers for getting hits, executing sacrifice bunts, driving in runs, etc. He plans to keep a running tally and reward the pitcher with the most points for the season with a trophy of some kind.
"We're going to make a little competition out of it," Yost said. "Hopefully, that will get them to really focus on it. We've got to find ways to get better in that area."
<b>Ben Sheets</b>, a notoriously poor hitter (.080 career average) who nevertheless loves to brag about his prowess at the plate, immediately proclaimed himself the favorite to win the competition.
"Just go ahead and put the trophy in my locker," Sheets said. "I'm going to dominate. It's embarrassing to even put these guys in my category."
<b>Matt Kinney</b>, who batted .036 last year (2 for 55), called Sheets' bluff.
"I won't guarantee I'll win the trophy but I will guarantee that Ben won't," Kinney said. "He has no chance."
<b>Four empty lockers</b>
Everyday players are not required to report until Friday, but all but four already are in camp. Those yet to arrive include the club's last two first-round picks, <b>Prince Fielder</b> and <b>Rickie Weeks</b>.
The only AWOL player is journeyman catcher <b>Alex Delgado</b>, who is several days late.
Asked whether it bothered him that Weeks and Fielder hadn't joined the other prospects to work out early, Yost, said, "Not a bit. . . . I know those kids are busting their butts, getting ready at home."
<b>Name game</b>
The Brewers have five players in camp with the first name Ben: Sheets, Grieve, Hendrickson, Ford and Diggins.
"I don't think I've ever played with anyone named Ben before," Sheets said to Grieve, who uses an adjacent locker.
Said Grieve: "This might be a major-league record."
<b>Name game, Part II</b>
According to Brewers media relations director <b>Jon Greenberg</b>, right-hander <b>Ben Ford's</b> parents are named Gerald and Betty.
<b>Name game, Part III</b>
The Elias Sports Bureau reports that <b>Trent Durrington</b>, an Australian who is vying to make the club as a utility player, is the only player named Trent to appear in a major-league game (Anaheim, 1999, 2000, 2003).
<b><font size=4>Rotation hopes to take flight in 2004</font></b>
PHOENIX -- A big Iowan who looks like he couldn't stop smiling even if he tried, Wes Obermueller does not exactly fit the bill as a boxing aficionado.
So why is he quoting Roy Jones, Jr?
"He says, 'It's either he or me,'" Obermueller said. "When he gets in the ring, that's his outlook. 'I'm gonna attack you. I'm gonna dominate you. You are not gonna beat me out there.'"
A relatively inexperienced Brewers pitching rotation will try to take that philosophy to the mound in 2003.
The team is counting on some of its young pitchers to step up in order to climb out of the National League Central cellar. Last year, Milwaukee's starters ranked 14th of 16 NL teams with a 5.48 ERA, 15th with 39 wins and last with 1,061 hits allowed and 144 home runs allowed.
"It was like when you walk out of your SATs," said left-hander Wayne Franklin. "It can be humbling."
Ben Sheets, barring injury, is on track to tie a franchise record with his third consecutive Opening Day start. Manager Ned Yost said he likes 28-year-old left-hander Doug Davis, who sparkled for the Brewers in eight late-season starts, for the second spot.
That leaves at least six others with a real shot at one of the three remaining jobs. With pitchers such as Obermueller, Franklin and Matt Kinney coming off their first season of Major League starts and newcomers such as Chris Capuano, Adrian Hernandez and Travis Phelps providing some competition, the stakes are higher this year for the staff.
"I think everybody knows that coming in there is a lot of competition for this rotation," Yost said. "We're going to find ways to get better."
One of the ways, Sheets hopes, is consistency. This marks the first season of Sheets' brief Brewers career that he did not have to introduce himself to a new pitching coach. Mike Maddux, whose brother, Greg, joined the National League Central when he signed with the Chicago Cubs, returns for his second season guiding the Brewers staff.
"And it's going to be nice, maybe next season, to have the same catchers back," said Sheets, who spent the first days of camp getting to know newcomers Chad Moeller and Gary Bennett. "We've never had the same pitching coach back and the same catchers back. I think that could make a huge difference. Instead of doing the groundwork, you're starting where you ended last year."
Sheets, 25, was thrust into the role of Brewers ace as a rookie in 2001 and will have to lead the way again. He has won 11 games in all three of his seasons and has worked more than 215 innings in each of the last two, but has never posted a sub-3.00 ERA and has given up more hits than innings pitched all three years.
He avoided salary arbitration this winter by agreeing to a one-year, $2.425 million contract, making him the only starting candidate earning significantly more than the league minimum.
"I can't speak for everybody else, but I know it's time for me to turn a corner," Sheets said. "I just want throw the ball good for one whole year and have better results in the end. I'm good for months and then bad for a couple."
For the rest of the returning starters, 2003 was all about confidence.
"Before last year, I never had the confidence to throw my curveball or my change-up behind in the count," said Davis. "This year, that is going to change. I'm going to be throwing those 3-2 curveballs."
Davis was one of general manager Doug Melvin's best finds in 2003. After moving through five different Major and minor-league clubhouses, including Texas' and Toronto's, Davis found a home at Miller Park. He went 3-2 with a 2.58 ERA in eight Brewers starts and was the only starter with a winning record.
He is also an unlikely veteran. Davis reported to Spring Training last season with the Rangers and was one of the youngest pitchers in the clubhouse. Now, only 29-year-old Franklin has him in years, and Davis' two years and 138 days of Major League service time makes him second in seniority among starters only to Sheets. Davis was one day shy of being arbitration-eligible.
"I think maturity has a lot to do with it, and I think that I matured a lot over the last two or three years," Davis said. "If you can't keep your composure out there when the bases are loaded with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, they're not going to want you out there. I want to be that guy out there."
The final three spots are up for grabs.
"I know that, for myself, it's definitely time to step up," said Obermueller, a right-hander who finished strong but still went 2-5 with a 5.07 ERA after being traded to Milwaukee from Kansas City. "As far as our group, I completely think that we are ready for that challenge and that we can do it. We all believe in each other and believe in ourselves."
That was not always the case in 2003, when Franklin, Kinney and Obermueller all got their first extended taste of life as big-league starters. Franklin and Kinney combined to make 64 starts, and Yost said he will expect more out of both this season.
"I come in this clubhouse, look around and say, 'This is my team now,'" said Franklin, who went 10-13 with a 5.50 ERA. "I'm not sitting here beating my brain out, wondering if I can play here. I know I can play here. That was a big question for everybody."
Franklin finished the year on a down note, going 3-3 with a 6.09 ERA in August and 0-3 with a 7.99 ERA in September. He traveled to Venezuela for winter ball and worked on a sinking fastball, which he hopes can become an out pitch alongside his slider.
Kinney also slumped to the finish, following a 3-1, 3.55 ERA August performance with an 0-4 record and an 8.72 ERA in September. He may have the best pure "stuff" on the staff besides Sheets, highlighted by a great slider, but Kinney was often the victim of big innings.
The Brewers are very high on Capuano, a 25-year-old lefty and the final piece of the nine-player Richie Sexson trade with Arizona. Phelps, who pitched relief for Tampa Bay in 2001 and 2002 and Hernandez, a Cuban defector with Major League experience with the Yankees who turns 29 on March 25 are also in the mix.
"He's a lot like Livan Hernandez and El Duque [the Yankees' Orlando Hernandez]," Yost said, referring to fellow Cubans. "He's funky, throwing from two or three different arm slots. His ball sinks, his ball runs, his ball cuts. He has a nice change-up. He's a kid that could fit in."
But where will he fit?
"It's going to be interesting to mold this staff and see exactly what we have," Yost said. "I like this staff a lot."
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/25/czJtukuY.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/25/czJtukuY.jpg height=300 width=300 border=1></a>
Ben Sheets led the Brewers with 11 victories last season but is hoping for more wins in 2004.
<b><font size=4>Ned's notes: Fundamentals</font>
Former Brewers keep Brewers past alive and well</b>
PHOENIX -- Brewers manager Ned Yost played alongside some of Milwaukee's best in the early 1980s. Now in his second season at the helm of the Brewers, he is working to lead the team back to prominence. Yost agreed to share his take on camp until the Cactus League schedule kicks in on March 4.
Today was similar to yesterday. In our first five days, we are getting our guys in the habit of working on our fundamental stuff and throwing batting practice. We incorporated batting practice for the pitchers today for the guys that didn't throw today. We worked on our bunting and our hitting, but all in all it was a great day.
Our infielders got a bunch of ground balls. We worked on the defensive fundamentals with the pitchers. Our outfielders worked on their defense as well for about 40 minutes. We got a bunch of hitting in. The sun was out and it was beautiful. The pitchers did great so it was a good day.
My old teammate Moose Haas stopped by today. Moose was a close friend of mine when we played together in Milwaukee. It was great to see him again. We would spend a lot of time together. We'd go out to dinner and spend time together away from the ballpark. I hadn't seen him for a while. I saw him last year for one day right before Spring Training started so it was nice that he could come out and spend the day together with us. It was great to see him.
We've got Cecil Cooper here with Ed Romero and Jim Gantner and Gorman Thomas coming down soon. That is important to me and to our fans. Those are the guys that they remember from our heyday and those were the players that were involved when it was a great time to be a Milwaukee Brewer and our fans were excited about it.
We all have the same bond because that was a real special team during a special time. We all had that closeness. It's important to me to keep those guys involved because those guys feel like they've got a heart for the Brewers and they feel like they truly are Milwaukee Brewers. It's a good thing to keep that cultivated between everyone in the organization and the players.
We've got our pitching for the exhibition games set up for the first two weeks. We'll play a pair of intra-squad games on the last two days before we start our Cactus League season to get everyone a chance to throw an inning before they get into the games, so we'll work ourselves up into that.
<b><font size=4>Notes: Overbay goes to 11</font>
Versatile Kieschnick agrees to one-year deal</b>
MILWAUKEE -- His big-league resume is short, but new Brewers first baseman Lyle Overbay is apparently long on confidence.
When Overbay made his first appearance in camp on Tuesday, a new No. 11 Brewers jersey was waiting for him. It was a bold choice given that his predecessor put up some serious numbers wearing the same jersey.
"Everybody's going to be talking about me filling Richie Sexson's shoes anyway, so I might as well go for it," Overbay said with a smile.
Overbay originally selected No. 37, but second baseman Junior Spivey, who came form the Diamondbacks in the same December trade that sent Sexson to Arizona, called to see if he could have it. Overbay immediately agreed.
Did he know the significance of No. 11?
"Oh yeah," Overbay said.
Several other projected starters including third baseman Wes Helms and outfielder Ben Grieve appeared in camp on Tuesday, several days before position players are required to show.
<b>Signing day:</b> Pitcher/outfielder/first baseman/pinch-hitter Brooks Kieschnick agreed to terms on a one-year contract Tuesday.
Kieschnick was one of the Cactus League's most intriguing stories last year, even earning a weekly feature in Sports Illustrated. He was among the final roster cuts but made his way to Milwaukee by the end of April and stuck, going 1-1 with a 5.26 ERA in 42 relief appearances while batting .300 with seven home runs in 70 at-bats, mostly off the bench.
"What he did increased his value as a baseball player," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "So he's always got this on his side. If you get into a situation where it gets into a numbers game, like it did last year, that little bit of value ups his ante."
To make the team this year, Yost said Kieschnick will have to be improved on the mound. He batted .381 as a pinch-hitter, but the Brewers expect to have a deeper bench in 2004 if they can avoid injuries.
Only eight of the 39 players on Milwaukee's spring roster have yet to agree to terms, most notably outfielder Scott Podsednik.
<b>Going live:</b> The weather cleared up on Tuesday allowing pitchers, catchers and the position players on hand to take the fields for three hours in the team's first official workout of spring.
Like last year, Yost's first at the helm, pitchers threw live batting practice to hitters on four separate diamonds.
"In other places, we would throw a few bullpens before we ever saw hitters," said pitcher Matt Kinney, who spent eight seasons with the Red Sox and Twins before coming to Milwaukee prior to 2003. "But this is nice. Everybody is just working on things. We're working on pitches and [the hitters] are working out their swings. No one cares much where the ball goes after it leaves the bat."
<b>Missing in action:</b> Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said he had not heard from non-roster catcher Alex Delgado, who was to travel to the United States from his home in Venezuela. Melvin said he spoke to Delgado on the phone last week but was disconnected; when Melvin called back no one answered.
Delgado, 33, batted .298 in 41 games for Triple-A Indianapolis at the end of last year. Utilityman Scott Sheldon, 35 and coming off two seasons in Japan after 141 Major League games for Texas and Oakland, took Delgado's place in camp. Sheldon signed a minor league contract on Jan. 26.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/04/07/R7mQHvNo.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/04/07/R7mQHvNo.jpg height=300 width=300 border=1></a>
Lyle Overbay, who hit .276 last season, will start at first base for Milwaukee this season.
<b><font size=4>Ned's Notes: Weather shapes up</font>
Catchers do more than their share in Spring Training</b>
PHOENIX -- Brewers manager Ned Yost played alongside some of Milwaukee's best in the early 1980s. Now in his second season at the helm of the Brewers, he is working to get the team back to prominence. Yost agreed to share his take on camp until the Cactus League schedule kicks in on March 4.
It was a regular day today. The fields dried up and the grounds crew here in Maryvale did a phenomenal job. They were working on the fields at six this morning. We were lucky and got some sun and we were able to get on the fields at noon. We had every field available to us so we did our work on four fields and we did everything that we needed to do.
We took ground balls. We had our pitcher's fielding practice with our pitchers. That encompasses fielding bunts, fielding comebackers to the mound, pickoffs at first base and covering first base.
Then, we went into our live batting practice where our pitchers throw five minutes on the side and then five minutes of batting practice. Then we had our coaches throw batting practice for our position players that were here. So, it was a good day.
The players did a nice job. You're trying to exercise in moderation. You are trying to get yourself in baseball shape and you do that by doing baseball things. We do a lot of covering bases and a lot of throwing batting practice. We also take a lot of ground balls and do outfield work. The players did a great job and the pitchers did a phenomenal job of throwing batting practice.
They were out there working on their command and their feel and touch. They all did a real good job of that.
The catchers really get the short end of the stick. You set your workouts up so that there is a balance where you get your baserunning accomplished, you get your defensive work accomplished and you get to hit. But catchers never really get to enjoy that balance because they're catching pitchers all the time so they hit whenever they can. If they are not catching a certain pitcher during a certain part of the day, they'll run over to a field and try and get some hitting in.
We can schedule everybody in and out but when you're a catcher it's hit and miss. They hit whenever they can. They get the short end of the stick in that respect but they enjoy it because they've got an important job to do. They have to learn our pitching staff. It's a learning process for them. We've got catchers that take pride in their defense and they are enjoying that part of the game.
The spring is so long that they will catch all of the pitchers at some time during the spring. We have our pitchers throwing at 80 percent effort right now. So we're not seeing the full extent of their repertoire but it's a personality thing. They are getting to know guys and getting to know their faces. These catchers are checking out the command of the pitchers during this stuff. They are seeing if, when they are throwing at 80 percent, can they throw a strike? They want to see if they can throw a strike eight times out of 10.
It's a long spring though so they will catch them four or five times each with the games and workouts.
Wednesday will be about the same as today with the weather hopefully holding up. The reports look favorable. The first five days are mirror images of each other with the exception of tomorrow where only half of the group will throw where the other half will work on fielding fundamentals and then go hit and bunt. Then we'll rotate those guys every other day.
It was a great day. Everyone feels good. Everyone got their work in. It doesn't matter how well you prepare for spring training. It's totally different. You're going to get a little bit stiff and sore from doing so much baseball stuff. I think everyone is little stiff and sore but it's a real good stiff and sore.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/25/7FUAA5NC.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/25/7FUAA5NC.jpg height=300 width=300 border=1></a>
Ned Yost says the catchers barely get enough time to work on their own games after they're done with the pitchers.
<b><font size=4>Future uncertain, Jenkins arrives</font>
Outfielder, Brewers working on contract extension</b>
PHOENIX -- Richie Sexson was the center of attention in Tucson when he showed up for the start of his Diamondbacks career. The Chicago Cubs are already planning for the media surge expected for Sammy Sosa's arrival in Mesa, Ariz. Similar large gatherings will surely greet other Cactus League stars like San Francisco's Barry Bonds and Anaheim's Vladimir Guerrero.
As for Geoff Jenkins' arrival in Brewers camp? It included slightly less fanfare.
On a dreary morning at Maryvale Baseball Park, the Brewers biggest star and longest-tenured player made his first appearance. He said some hellos, dressed for the day's rain-shortened workout and munched on a bagel smothered with peanut butter (chunky, for those keeping track).
Finally, he held court with the media, a "throng" populated by two writers. He later spoke with a Milwaukee television crew.
The small turnout was more about Milwaukee's small-market status than a lack of interest in Jenkins. In fact, the Brewers left fielder could prove one of the more interesting stories of the Cactus League, as his agents and the team continue negotiating a deal to keep him in a Brewers uniform after his four-year contract expires following the season.
"I signed that contract three years ago, and it seems like you're going to play baseball forever," Jenkins said. "And then, all of a sudden, boom! It's here. So yeah, you deal with it."
Talks between Brewers general manager Doug Melvin and agents Ken Felder and Tommy Tanzer resumed earlier in the week after a lull, and Jenkins insists he wants to remain a Brewer. Jenkins says both sides have until March 4, when the team starts its Cactus League schedule against Oakland, to work something out.
If that loose deadline comes and goes without a contract, Jenkins will become one of the bigger names on baseball's trading block.
"I just want to be focused on playing baseball and concentrate on the team, and not really worry about my status," Jenkins said. "I owe it to these guys, to Ned [Yost, the Brewers manager], to the coaching staff, to myself, to have a clear head."
Melvin has made two formal contract offers and said he last spoke to Felder, who lives in the Phoenix area, via telephone late last week. No face-to-face meetings are scheduled.
"You'd like to get it done and we'll make our best efforts to get it done," Melvin said. "I know we're serious from our end, as to where we're at and where we're headed to."
Barring some spring surprises, Jenkins and backup infielder Bill Hall will be the only position players originally drafted by the Brewers on the 25-man roster. Jenkins was the ninth overall pick in the 1995 First-Year Player Draft and made his Brewers debut in 1998.
Beginning in 1999, when Jenkins batted .313 with 21 homers and 83 RBIs in his first full season, the Brewers are 339-470 (.419) and have finished at least 20 games out of first place every year.
After making some strides in 2003 under new manager Yost and a new baseball brain trust headed by Melvin and assistant GM Gord Ash, the team pulled the trigger on a tough trade, sending Richie Sexson, Jenkins' best friend on the team, and two others to the D-Backs for a six-player package.
Jenkins watched with skepticism from his home in Scottsdale, Ariz.
"At first, I have to admit, I was a little mad about losing him as a player and as a guy in the clubhouse," Jenkins said. "But, when I took a look at it I was excited about the guys we got. It made sense to me that we could be a better ballclub, I guess, as a whole. We might have more players who can help out.
"With that being said, you can't keep doing that every year. Eventually, we're going to have to step up as an organization, as a franchise, and go out and get players. ... For us to take it to the next level, you're going to have to get some names and then along the way you have to have the young guys do their job, too, to help out."
Melvin, Ash and Yost, Jenkins said, are on the right track.
"Hopefully they'll want to keep some players around, because I don't see a ton of guys knocking on our door to [sign as] free agents," Jenkins said. "The way you do get that to happen is you have a core group of players and you have some young players, and you have a little bit of success now. Then you'll have some veteran guys wanting to join that success because they see your future. If we keep rebuilding and rechanging and redoing things, it's going to be tough to get to that point."
If he does not sign an extension, both sides could face a difficult first half of the season. The Brewers traded Sexson, who was also due for free agency after the 2004 season, rather than risk losing him for nothing more than a few compensatory draft picks. They would face the same possibility with Jenkins.
"I think Geoff is strong enough that if we don't get a deal done he'll be focused on going out there," Melvin said. "It's in his best interest to have a good year. If he has a good year our team is having a good year, more than likely. And it helps his value for the end of the season."
Despite missing at least a month in each of the last three seasons with injuries attributed to Jenkins' all-out style, contenders would love to add him for a pennant race. Before breaking his thumb last Aug. 31 and missing all of September, Jenkins batted .296 with 28 home runs and 95 RBIs and made the National League All-Star team thanks to online voting by fans. He is also one of the league's better defensive outfielders.
"I think that's something you deal with as it comes," Jenkins said of facing daily trade rumors. "I would find it hard to believe that I would not get traded just before the deadline, or sooner. That's business now, You have to get something for a guy before he leaves."
Still, he remains hopeful.
"Richie's situation was a little different than mine," Jenkins said. "He came here from Cleveland, so for him to leave was a little different. For me, this is my home. This is where I kind of grew up and got my feet wet. I'm a little more attached to Milwaukee than he is.
"I've had such a great career in Milwaukee and had such a good time with the fans and the players I've been with and coaches and front office. It's been a great run, and hopefully we keep running."
<b><font size=4>Brewers dispute HBO report</font></b>
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Milwaukee Brewers and major league baseball are disputing an HBO report that said three members of the Selig family were drawing more than $2 million in combined salary while the club was seeking funds to build Miller Park.
``That's obscenely inaccurate and outrageously inflated,'' said Rick Schlesinger, the team's executive vice president of business operations.
A baseball source with knowledge of the Brewers' finances, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Thursday that Bud Selig, his daughter, Wendy Selig-Prieb, and son-in-law, Laurel Prieb, earned approximately $700,000 in combined annual pay during the 1995-96 period when the team was pushing for a taxpayer-funded stadium.
HBO spokesman Ray Stallone said: ``We have no additional comment and we stand by our reporting'' on the story that aired on HBO's ``Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel'' this week.
Selig, the team's controlling owner, hasn't drawn a salary from the club since becoming commissioner full time, which occurred in 1998.
The commissioner's office forwarded a telephone call seeking comment from Selig to Carl Mueller, a Milwaukee-based public relations executive who represents major league baseball in Wisconsin.
Mueller said two reviews of the club's finances currently underway will show that the Seligs earned far less than $2 million at the time they were pushing for a new ballpark to replace County Stadium.
Those figures won't be made public, however, because Wisconsin's Legislative Audit Bureau and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce agreed not to reveal executive salaries when they release their reports this spring.
HBO cited an unidentified ``senior state official who worked on the Miller Park project'' as its source for the $2 million figure. Mueller called that figure way off base.
``I am confident that the financial reviews will document that the combined salaries were far less than $2 million amount reported and are even less today with the commissioner no longer drawing a salary from the club,'' Mueller said.
The Brewers also took issue with other aspects of the report: a sports economist's contention that the executive salaries were above the industry norm and that the Brewers paid the least amount toward ballpark construction of any baseball team that has a new ballpark.
The Brewers committed $90 million toward the approximately $400 million needed to construct Miller Park, which opened in 2001. Taxpayers in a five-county area are paying the remaining cost through a one-tenth of a cent sales tax.
In the HBO report, Cleveland State sports economist Mark Rosentraub argued that because of questions over how the Brewers spent revenue generated from Miller Park, the team is subverting the intent of baseball's revenue sharing, which Selig pushed for.
``Rather than fulfill the promise of revenue sharing, what he (Selig) has done is to underscore the concerns, the fears, the objections, that every large market team has. So the argument, eloquently articulated for several years, was then simply trampled on by the very family that made the argument,'' Rosentraub said.
Schlesinger disagreed, saying the Brewers, whose major league payroll will be about $30 million this season, will spend $20 million on minor league operations this year, ``which is above the major league average.''
``The Brewers are obligated to use revenue sharing to improve the team on the field,'' Schlesinger said. ``We're using it in our minor league system to improve our team, just as the Athletics did it, just as Minnesota did it and just as the Kansas City Royals are doing it.''
Selig owns 26 percent of the team. His daughter has served as the club's chairman of the board of directors since stepping aside as president in late 2002.
Ulice Payne Jr., who replaced her, resigned in November over differences in the team's plan to reduce player payroll. The search for his replacement was suspended when the club was put up for sale this year.
Last month, the club agreed to separate reviews of its finances over the last decade to satisfy a public that was angered by the front office turmoil, 11 consecutive losing seasons and the club's failure to live up to its pledge to field better teams with higher payrolls in a new ballpark.
``Let's let them complete their reviews,'' Schlesinger said, ``and then we'll be happy to let those reports be the basis for a dialogue about the Brewers' finances.''
<b><font size=4>Notes: Pitchers start hacking</font>
Kinney, Neugebauer, Silva agree to terms</b>
PHOENIX -- Brewers pitchers were about as proficient with a baseball bat in 2003 as Ozzy Osbourne with a crochet needle. But that could be changing.
Manager Ned Yost has a plan to improve the staff that ranked last in the National League in hitting. On his 3 1/2 hour flight from Milwaukee to Phoenix for the start of Spring Training, Yost devised a point system that will reward pitchers for successful at-bats during the regular season.
The winner will get a trophy, which he surely will parade around the clubhouse, especially in the unlikely scenario that the winner is Ben Sheets, who loves to brag about his hitting skills and immediately declared himself the runaway favorite.
"It's embarrassing that they would even put those guys in my category with the bat," said Sheets, who said he would do "anything for a trophy."
If anyone could have silenced Sheets' tongue-in-cheek tirade, he could have been reminded of his career .080 batting average and .085 slugging percentage.
"I don't gotta improve that much," Sheets went on. "All I've gotta do is get a little better because Matt Kinney can't hit. Wayne Franklin's not an athlete. Wes Obermueller is a former position player, but he can't hit like me. Chris Capuano? Nowhere near my skills with the bat. Who else? ... Doug Davis is the worst hitter I've ever seen."
He was kidding, of course. But Kinney nonetheless defended his honor. Sort of.
"I'd like to live in his world for a little bit," said Kinney, who batted .036 (2-for-55) in his first season in the National League. "He has no chance to win it. ... I'll try to be a dark horse. But he has no shot."
Said Davis: "I had two hits in 20 at-bats, so at least I have an average."
Here's how Yost's system works: Players will get two points for walking, reaching on an error, executing a sacrifice bunt or a squeeze play, or for moving a runner from second to third or from third to home with less than two outs. Pitchers get four points for a single, six for a double, eight for a triple and a whopping 10 points for a home run.
On the flip side, pitchers will lose five points for failing to execute a sacrifice bunt or squeeze play.
The Brewers' best hitting pitcher last season was Glendon Rusch, who batted .206 but has since moved on to Texas. Franklin led the staff with 10 hits and seven RBIs, but Obermueller is a former college infielder and could contend.
Joking aside, it is a serious issue for the Brewers. Yost said that if his pitchers could have mustered the league average, it would have meant about 14 more runs and one or two more victories. For a team trying to break an 11-season losing streak, every win counts.
"We've got to get better," Yost said. "We don't have the most athletic-hitting pitchers, but we have to improve in that area."
Pitchers took cuts for the first time in Wednesday's workout, and Obermueller got off to an inauspicious start when he broke his bat on his first cut. With hitting coach Butch Wynegar busy with the position players, first base coach Dave Nelson will spend time in the cage with pitchers on hitting and bunting. Yost fulfilled similar duties during his years as a coach for the Atlanta Braves, who feature one of the league's better staffs at the plate.
Yost is open to ideas for the name of his new award for pitchers. Have an idea? Send it our way. (adam.mccalvy@mlb.com)
<b>Signings:</b> Right-handed pitchers Kinney and Nick Neugebauer agreed to terms on one-year contracts Tuesday. The players yet to agree to terms are Capuano, Davis, Franklin, Keith Ginter, Bill Hall, Lyle Overbay and Scott Podsednik.
Also on Wednesday, Jose Silva reconsidered the Brewers' offer and accepted a minor league contract. The 30-year-old right-hander has pitched 154 games for the Blue Jays, Pirates and Reds from 1996-2002. He will report to minor league camp.
<b>Another new face:</b> Non-roster outfielder Jon Nunnally reported to camp on Wednesday. Still to show are former first-round draft picks Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks, as well as non-roster infielder Enrique Cruz and catcher Alex Delgado. Delgado is hung up in Venezuela, possibly by visa issues.
<b><font size=4>Ned's notes: Shaping things up</font>
Skipper making sure pitchers are ready for 2004</b>
PHOENIX -- Brewers manager Ned Yost is in his second season at the helm of the Brewers, working to get the team back to prominence. He agreed to share his take on camp until the Cactus League schedule kicks in on March 4.
What we're doing now is kind of lengthening out some of our drills. You try to work into it gradually so that you are ready to play games on the ninth and 10th days.
Our pitchers jumped up from five minutes in the pen and five minutes of batting practice to five minutes in the pen and 10 minutes of BP. They are going through all of their conditioning and fundamental drills for 40 minutes. Our outfielders and infielders work for 40 minutes. Then they hit off the pitchers for 40 minutes and take batting practice for another 30 minutes.
We try to adjust our workouts so that our guys are getting in shape doing baseball things. It's worked out well. Guys are feeling better. Some of that early camp stiffness is starting to work itself out and guys are feeling good.
My first Spring Training with Milwaukee in the late 1970s was nothing like this. We only had two fields and one you had to take a bus to Sun City. You had the whole team working on one diamond. Here, we have the capability of working on seven diamonds at the same time. We worked off six diamonds today at the same time. It's a real advantage.
If you ask a player to come out and give his best effort for a practice and to practice as you play, you can't have them standing around. We'll go to seven fields once everyone gets here and ask them to do everything right and do it hard. We don't want them standing around.
Back when I was here, it was 50 guys standing around trying to get their work in, so it was different. No one would stand for messing around though. It was a time for bonding and that is something that we still do.
We don't really have anyone shagging in the outfield because we have local firemen do that for us. That is the normal bonding time, but we have guys that are on the field at 9:45 for a 10 a.m. workout where they talk to each other for 15 minutes. That is nice time.
Tomorrow will be basically the same as today. There is some rain in the forecast but hopefully we can dodge that. We will have one more day of the same things as today. During the pitchers and catchers portion of camp we have five days of basically the same workout. We are working hard on the fundamentals and pitchers' batting practice.
On the sixth day we will have our first team workout so the focus will shift to the entire team.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/26/BmbVpJhM.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/26/BmbVpJhM.jpg height=300 width=300 border=1></a>
Ned Yost's team has the luxury of seven practice fields during Spring Training.
<b><font size=4>Notes: De La Rosa a shining star</font>
Young lefty could be up sooner than later</b>
PHOENIX -- Last year, newcomer Pedro Liriano inspired hitters to raise their eyebrows and ask, "Who is that?" during the first days of Brewers Spring Training.
This year, the fresh face belongs to Jorge De La Rosa.
The 22-year-old Mexican left-hander (he turns 23 on April 5) was the sixth name on the list of players acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the December trade for Richie Sexson. De La Rosa began his career in the D-Backs system but moved on to the Mexican League and then Boston, when he was packaged this winter in the deal that sent Curt Schilling to Red Sox Nation.
"He's just real fluid and sneaky," first baseman Lyle Overbay said after Thursday's live batting practice. "[Keith] Ginter, [Junior] Spivey and I swung right through a bunch of them."
De La Rosa, whom the Brewers like as a starter, and other pitchers are still working at about 80 percent effort, part of pitching coach Mike Maddux's plan to ease them into the spring routine and get them to focus on command instead of velocity. Still, De La Rosa impressed with a big 12-6 curveball, a deceptive changeup and a mysterious running fastball.
"I can't even explain it," said Kade Johnson, who caught De La Rosa's BP session. "It looks a lot like [left-handed pitching prospect] Manny Parra, the way it's real smooth and -- bang -- it just gets up on you. It surprised those hitters."
De La Rosa surprised Johnson, too. Both were at Maryvale Baseball Park during the week before pitchers and catchers reported for informal workouts, and Johnson assumed the baby-faced De La Rosa was from minor league camp.
"Then I caught him," Johnson said, shaking his head. "He's close."
The Brewers are short on left-handed relief and will consider submariner Chris Michalak for situational work this season. If Wayne Franklin or Chris Capuano fail to make the rotation, they could see work out of the bullpen as well. But the Brewers like De La Rosa as a starting pitcher, and he will probably start the season at Double-A Huntsville or Triple-A Indianapolis.
"If he continues doing what he's doing, he'll be here by the end of the year," Yost said.
<b>Maddux takes leave:</b> Maddux and his brother, Cubs pitcher Greg, were in Indiana on Thursday attending to a death in the family. Yost said the pitching coach would be back in Phoenix on Friday.
<b>Position players report:</b> Only four players were still missing Thursday, and infielders Enrique Cruz, Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks are expected in camp Friday, the mandatory reporting date. Weeks was No. 7 and Fielder No. 13 on MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo's list of baseball's top 50 prospects. Shortstop J.J. Hardy checked in at No. 27.
<b>Local ladder helps out:</b> For the second straight season, local firemen are in Brewers camp shagging fly balls during batting practice. The idea, conceived by third base coach Rich Donnelly while he was on Florida's staff, is to save Brewers pitchers from standing around in the outfield all day.
But the firemen need some work. With De La Rosa nearly out of baseballs during his throwing session, Yost called on one to "bring in the bucket" that he had filled with balls in the outfield. So, just as he was asked, the fireman dumped the balls onto the grass and trotted in with the empty bucket.
<b>He said it:</b> "That's why he did it. He didn't want Clemens or Pettitte to have to face us!" -- Yost, joking about Houston Astros manager Jimy Williams' decision to name Roy Oswalt the Opening Day starter, followed by Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte. The Brewers will likely face Brewer-killer Wade Miller, Tim Redding and Oswalt when Houston visits Miller Park from April 9-11.
<b>Steroid issue addressed:</b> Yost will meet with the full squad for a closed-clubhouse address Saturday before turning it over to Dr. Mark Niedfeldt, who will brief players on a number of issues including baseball's drug testing policy. Last year, the issue of over-the-counter supplements was a top issue following the death of an Orioles pitcher during Spring Training.
<b>Taking pictures:</b> Sunday is photo day, an annual spring rite during which players pose for their baseball cards. On Monday, representatives from the Major League Baseball Players Association will hold their annual meeting with players in the afternoon.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/07/02/LxDrCV3b.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/07/02/LxDrCV3b.jpg height=300 width=300 border=1></a>
Along with Wayne Franklin, the Brewers could use some more lefty hurlers on the staff.
<b><font size=4>Brewers ready to line things up</font>
Skipper Yost still filling gaps in the batting order</b>
PHOENIX -- Brewers manager Ned Yost puts on his reading glasses and reaches for a simple blue binder Brewers fans would love to get their mitts on.
It is filled with various reports, schedules and Yost's miscellaneous notes, scribbled ideas that found their way out of the skipper's brain during the cold Wisconsin winter. He opened it when the conversation turned this week to the starting lineup, which is already taking shape six weeks before Opening Day.
"There are a lot of things we can do," Yost said. "The only things set are No. 1 and 4."
The leadoff spot is Scott Podsednik's, who looks to build on a fabulous rookie season in which he ranked 11th in the National League with a .314 batting average and second with 43 stolen bases. The cleanup man will be Geoff Jenkins, who missed the season's final month but batted .296 with 28 home runs and 95 RBIs.
The player with the most appearances on Yost's mock lineup sheet is second baseman Junior Spivey, a right-handed contact hitter who could fit in the No. 2, 3 or 5 hole, or possibly lower in the order.
Yost said he is leaning toward Spivey in the second slot, leaving new first baseman Lyle Overbay or shortstop Craig Counsell as candidates for No. 3. Jenkins batted third for much of last season in front of Richie Sexson, but Yost prefers him in the cleanup spot until Wes Helms can develop better contact skills.
If Counsell bats third, Yost has Overbay penciled into the five hole. If Overbay bats third, right fielder Ben Grieve could hit fifth behind Jenkins.
Helms batted mostly sixth last season and finished with a .261 average, 21 doubles, 23 home runs and 67 RBIs in his first full season as a starter. He did strike out 131 times in 476 at-bats.
Nos. 7 and 8 would then fall to either Counsell or Grieve and the catcher -- Chad Moeller or Gary Bennett.
On paper, the Brewers believe they have a more balanced lineup thanks to the Richie Sexson trade with Arizona, which netted Counsell, Moeller, Overbay and Spivey, and expect to put more men on base than in 2003.
"I think you look at it and you have some good hitters," Podsednik said.
No matter how the batting order shakes out, the Brewers will probably be exclusively left-handed in the middle of the lineup and will feature five left-handed hitters most games. It could set up other teams to call on left-handed specialists to put out late-inning rallies, though Yost could turn to outfielder Brady Clark or utility men Keith Ginter and Bill Hall -- all right-handed hitters -- off the bench.
"And the good thing is that all of the lefties we have on our team hit left-handed pitching pretty well," Yost said.
Counsell, Grieve, Jenkins, Overbay and Podsednik are a combined 560-for-2,149 (.261) in their careers against southpaws. That is 20 points lower than their mark against right-handers (1,688-for-6,017 -- .281).
But the career numbers are impacted heavily by Grieve, who pounded right-handers while struggling against lefties early in his career and is a lifetime .247 hitter against southpaws in 888 at-bats -- 300 more than runner-up Jenkins. Grieve hits 33 points better against right-handers; the only player with a more dramatic gap is Podsednik, who hit .267 against lefties and .323 against righties in his rookie season.
"Maybe it's something I need to work on," Podsednik said. "But it's not like when I showed up at the ballpark and saw I was going against a lefty I was concerned. I was confident no matter what.
"I don't see all the lefty hitters as a plus or a minus. You put your best hitters out there and give them confidence to get the job done."
Counsell has actually enjoyed more success against lefties, hitting them at a .272 clip in 437 career at-bats versus .265 in 1,586 at-bats against right-handers. The small sample size notwithstanding, ditto for Overbay, who batted .291 in 86 at-bats against lefties last year and .261 against righties.
"The perfect situation would be right-left-right-left and so on," said Overbay. "But not a lot of teams are dealing with the perfect situation."
For left-handed-heavy teams like the Brewers, the National League Central is the place to be. Houston's Andy Pettitte is the only left-hander locked in to a starting rotation outside of Milwaukee, which could feature a trio of southpaws in Doug Davis, Chris Capuano and Wayne Franklin.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/08/22/zpehIADT.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/08/22/zpehIADT.jpg height=300 width=300 border=1></a>
Speedy Scott Podsednik hit .307 after the All-Star break last season.
<b><font size=4>BREWERS: Milwaukee's magic number: 13 wins</font></b>
After a tumultuous offseason, the Milwaukee Brewers open spring training today in Maryvale, Ariz., with many questions to be answered but none more important than: Are there 13 victories out there to be had?
That number represents the .500 mark, a position the Brewers (68-94 last year) haven't reached in 11 seasons. It might not appear to be much of an accomplishment, but to an organization poised to play with the lowest payroll in major league baseball, 81 wins would signal the team is headed in the right direction.
"Nothing really matters much until we take that next step and get to .500 or better," Brewers manager Ned Yost said as he prepared to start his second season.
Last year's progress didn't always translate into victories, as the Brewers' last-place finish in the National League Central demonstrated.
While they won 12 more games than in 2002, the goodwill earned was tarnished in November when Ulice Payne left as team president in a dispute with ownership over a projected payroll of $30 million for this season. It didn't help that a month later the Brewers felt forced to trade their most recognizable star, first baseman Richie Sexson, to Arizona.
Nonetheless, they are searching for better pitching, hitting and fielding with one goal in mind.
"We have to have the attitude that we are going to win more ballgames," general manager Doug Melvin said this week.
"I'm always gun-shy about predicting wins, but if we perform and play smart, hard baseball, the wins will take care of themselves."
The task at hand is to build a roster heading into opening day, April 5 at St. Louis. That process will be played out over the next six weeks in Arizona, but here is the early word on the 2004 Brewers:
<b>Pitchers</b>
This is the biggest area of concern, from the starting rotation through the bullpen. Thirty pitchers will be vying for 11 or 12 spots.
Two spots in the rotation appear to be locked up with right-handers Ben Sheets and Matt Kinney. Right-hander Wes Obermueller, and left-handers Doug Davis and Wayne Franklin, all holdovers from last season, and left-hander Chris Capuano, a rookie acquired in the Sexson trade, will compete for the other three spots.
Melvin declined to dive into the free agent pitching market in the offseason because he thinks experienced pitchers will be available at the end of spring training, if needed. "I'd rather find lightning in a bottle with a younger guy than a veteran," he said.
There are even bigger questions in the bullpen. Dan Kolb established himself as the closer in the second half of last season, but who comes before Kolb is another issue, especially on a staff where starters regularly failed to get into the seventh inning last year.
"We really need Luis Vizcaino to come back and pitch like he did two years ago," Melvin said of the right-hander who slumped to a 6.39 ERA last year.
<b>Catchers</b>
The Brewers are a step ahead of last year because their catchers are established.
Chad Moeller was acquired in the Sexson trade, and Gary Bennett is a veteran who played in 96 games with San Diego last season. However, neither has demonstrated he is ready to handle full-time duties behind the plate.
<b>Infielders</b>
This was an area of major overhaul in the offseason, primarily due to the Sexson trade.
First baseman Lyle Overbay replaces Sexson. But no one expects the power numbers of Sexson (45 home runs, 124 RBIs) from Overbay, a doubles hitter with solid minor league numbers who stumbled as a rookie with the Diamondbacks last year.
The double play combination will be Junior Spivey at second base, where he was an All-Star in 2002, and veteran Craig Counsell at shortstop, a position he has not played full-time. Wes Helms showed promise as a power hitter last season (23 HRs, 67 RBIs) and is entrenched at third.
<b>Outfielders</b>
A potential distraction is the ongoing negotiations about a contract extension for left fielder Geoff Jenkins, who has said he will discontinue talks if a deal isn't reached by opening day.
"I've made it clear that I want Geoff in the best frame of mind and ready to have a great season even if we don't reach an agreement," Melvin said of the only proven power hitter in the lineup.
Scott Podsednik, coming off a near rookie-of-year season in center field, and veteran right fielder Ben Grieve, who has never matched his rookie of the year season with Oakland in 1998, will play the other two spots.
<b>Depth</b>
This is an area of strength with the likes of infielders Keith Ginter and Billy Hall, and outfielder Brady Clark. Ginter and Clark were solid last season in every-day opportunities. Hall is at the stage of his career where he needs to show he can handle major league responsibilities for an entire season.
Much of the Brewers' depth this season will be at Class AAA Indianapolis and Class AA Huntsville, where they will send their promising minor leaguers. Melvin doesn't expect any of the youngsters to come north on opening day, though he admitted "a player can always change my mind."
However, Melvin said he is encouraged that players like shortstop J.J. Hardy, center fielder David Krynzel and Corey Hart, who is making the switch from third to the outfield, will be just a phone call away if needed at midseason.
Whether the pieces add up to 13 more wins remains to be seen, but Melvin is confident.
"A lot of things have to go right for us," he said. "But if we play to our capabilities and above, I think there are some more wins out there."
<b><font size=4>Spivey getting back in the groove</font>
Infielder couldn't wait to start spring training
Phoenix</b> - Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Butch Wynegar remembers only sketchy details of his first encounter with Junior Spivey.
It's not that Spivey was forgettable or that Wynegar didn't recognize the young second baseman's talent when they crossed paths six years ago in Tulsa, Okla.
There were extenuating circumstances.
Wynegar was a roving minor-league hitting instructor for the Texas Rangers. Spivey was an up-and-coming prospect in the Arizona system.
"Arizona didn't have minor-league teams at that time, so they loaned him to our Double-A team," Wynegar said. "I remember him being there, but he was a Diamondback, so I was a little reluctant to be hands-on with him. And, he was doing pretty well at the time, so I didn't really work with him a lot."
Over the past week, Wynegar and Spivey have been making up for lost time.
Even though Brewers position players aren't required to report to camp until today, Spivey, one of a half-dozen players acquired from Arizona in the Richie Sexson trade, has been taking part in optional workouts.
As he embarks on his fourth big-league season, the 29-year-old Spivey has been arriving early and staying late, trying to find the hitting stroke that netted him a .301 batting average, 16 homers, 78 RBI and a trip to the 2002 All-Star Game at Miller Park.
In 106 games with the Diamondbacks last season, Spivey hit .255 with 13 homers, 50 RBI and 95 strikeouts in 365 at-bats (he had 100 strikeouts in 538 at-bats in 2002). A year removed from his all-star season, he fell out of favor with manager Bob Brenly and lost playing time to veteran Carlos Baerga.
The trade to the Brewers represented a chance to start with a clean slate.
"I've got something to prove this year, definitely," he said. "I didn't like the way things turned out in Arizona, the way I finished the season there. It was a learning experience. I learned a lot. I learned not to panic. That's going to help."
Much to the chagrin of Arizona reporters who have dropped by Maryvale Baseball Park, Spivey has nothing bad to say about his former employer.
"The Diamondbacks have a great organization," he said. "I have a lot of friends there and a lot of great memories. They treated me very well. When I was coming up, I missed almost two years because I was hurt. A lot of teams would have given up on a player in that situation, but they stuck with me."
Spivey repaid the Diamondbacks by working hard on his game, something he has done since he chose baseball over basketball a decade ago.
Coming out of Douglass High School in Oklahoma City, Spivey wanted to play basketball. He spent a semester at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where a baseball coach convinced him to consider going to Cowley County (Kan.) Community College.
"I was a decent basketball player," he said. "As far as going to the NBA, I knew that would be tough. But I probably would have had a chance to play overseas somewhere or perhaps play in the CBA.
"But at that point, I think I needed a change in my life. I chose baseball. It was the best decision I ever made."
Spivey was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 36th round and charged up the organizational ladder with his speed, athleticism and an aggressive approach at the plate. Over the course of his three seasons with Arizona, Spivey hit in almost every spot in the lineup.
Brewers manager Ned Yost hasn't decided on a batting order yet, but is toying with the idea of hitting Spivey second.
"Everybody's mind is different," Yost said. "But in his mind, I think as a two-hitter he becomes more of a fundamental player. He's thinking, 'I have to do this. I have to do that. I have to move this guy over.' In the three hole, he can open it up a little bit more."
Wynegar saw that last year with veteran Eric Young, who got a little homer-happy after belting an unexpected 15 homers.
"I had to tell 'EY,' 'Remember right field?' " said Wynegar, who also likes the idea of Spivey hitting second.
"That's the place that jumps out at me," Wynegar said. "It's not that he can't handle the three or five or six spots. I think he can drive in some runs. But I think if we have (Scott) Podsednik and Junior at the top of the lineup, that gives us pretty good speed. That would look pretty good."
Spivey, who hit between leadoff man Tony Womack and leftfielder Luis Gonzalez in Arizona, agreed.
"I'll hit anywhere," he said. "But if you're asking me where I'm most comfortable, I'll go out on a limb and say I'd like to hit in the two spot. That's where I've been the most."
<b><font size=4>Jenkins focuses despite the fog</font>
Phoenix</b> - When healthy, Geoff Jenkins is recognized as one of the better power hitters in the National League.
What many folks don't realize is how productive he can be with a fielding glove on his left hand.
In his six seasons in the majors, the Milwaukee Brewers' veteran left fielder has progressed defensively to the point that he seldom makes an error.
In fact, Jenkins did not make even one error in 124 games last season.
How many fans outside of Milwaukee knew that?
"It's something I've worked on," said Jenkins, whose 2003 season came to an abrupt halt with a month to go when he broke his left thumb sliding at home plate in Cincinnati.
"I probably know where to play the hitters better than what to look for from the pitchers. It just comes from hard work. I had the foundation when I got the big leagues but I made myself better."
Some outfielders avoid errors by playing passive defense. You can usually spot those guys because their uniforms are as clean in the ninth inning as they were in the first inning.
But Jenkins plays the outfield as if he came out of the Southern California football program, not the baseball program. He doesn't hesitate to dive after sinking liners, is willing to crash into walls chasing deep drives and flings himself forward with great force trying to throw out runners.
Jenkins had 11 outfield assists before the thumb injury ended his season. It didn't escape his notice that San Francisco's Jose Cruz Jr., who had 18 assists and two errors, took home a Gold Glove.
"I could have won that thing if I played that final month and got another three or four assists," Jenkins said.
Make no mistake about it. It was Jenkins' power and run production that prompted the Brewers to give him a four-year, $18 million contract after the 2000 season, during which he batted .303 with 34 home runs and 94 runs batted.
Unfortunately for both parties, Jenkins has been bitten time after time by the injury bug since accepting that deal. He was limited to 105 games in 2001 by a strained shoulder and torn muscle in his left thumb.
Jenkins made it through only 67 games in 2002 before suffering a gruesome ankle injury when jamming his right foot into the third base bag as a base runner. Last year, it was the left thumb again, this time shelving Jenkins during his hottest tear of the season home runs in four consecutive games and five in 10 games, all Brewer victories.
Another thing on Jenkins' mind these days is his contract status. He is in negotiations with the Brewers for a contract extension but has set a deadline of Thursday the opening of exhibition season to reach a deal or end talks.
If the sides do not reach an agreement, Jenkins will begin a lame-duck season during which the club probably will trade him rather than risk losing him to free agency. Trade watches can be very distracting for players but manager Ned Yost said he expected nothing but the best from Jenkins.
"He's not only a great baseball player; he's a professional," Yost said. "He's under contract for this year. I fully expect and have no doubt that he will honor his contract to the fullest of his ability. It's not even a concern."
Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, who spoke with Jenkins' agent Thursday and hopes for a face-to-face meeting this weekend, concurred with that opinion, saying, "I think Geoff's strong enough that if we don't get a deal done he'll be focused. It's in his best interests to have a good year."
Having traded all-star first baseman Richie Sexson to Arizona, the Brewers will count on Jenkins more than ever to anchor the batting order. No matter what does or doesn't happen before the July 31 trade deadline, Yost expects his left fielder to make an impact for the underdog team.
"He's our best player," Yost said. "I love the way he plays the game. We were lucky last year to have two 'best' players.
"We'll worry about (trade possibilities) when the boat gets to the bridge. We'll worry about crossing when it gets there. I look for him to have a great year and help us get better."
With the bat and the glove.
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/1gj227.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/x1gj227.jpg border=1></a>
Geoff Jenkins is back on the field after a thumb injury derailed his 2003 season. He has set a deadline of Thursday to reach a contract extension.
<b><font size=4>MLB execs rebut HBO report</font>
Manfred, DuPuy defend Seligs</b>
Two top baseball officials, rebutting an HBO Sports story that aired this week about the Milwaukee Brewers, said Friday that the combined average salaries paid to three members of the Selig family over the past 10 years was less than $600,000 a year.
The salaries paid to Commissioner Bud Selig, his daughter, Wendy Selig-Prieb, and his son-in-law, Laurel Prieb, emerged as an issue for the franchise this week after HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" broadcast its report. Among the charges aired in the report: that the three were drawing more than $2 million in salary at the time the club was seeking public funds to build Miller Park. The report added that the combined salaries were "above the norm" in the industry.
The HBO report was not entirely specific about the time frame - which would have been the mid-1990s - in which the $2 million would have been paid.
Rob Manfred, executive vice president for labor relations for Major League Baseball, and Bob DuPuy, baseball's president and chief operating officer, addressed the pay debate and other issues raised in the HBO report, calling the report full of "untruths." Manfred also wrote a letter to the network, asking for an opportunity to respond on a future edition of the show.
The two baseball executives confirmed that the Brewers were expected to receive about $20 million in revenue sharing this season, and that the team is committed to a payroll of $32.5 million this year, a considerable drop from the $46.7 million payroll in 2001, the team's first year in Miller Park. Both said the team was and is using revenue-sharing money to support baseball operations and that it would be incorrect to infer the team is relying primarily on revenue-sharing money.
In addition to the major-league player payroll, the team must pay for other costs the team's critics ignore, according to Manfred. Such costs include medical and pension costs, and player development costs in the minor leagues.
"All of a sudden it's a big number," Manfred said.
The Brewers spent an estimated $72 million on baseball expenses in 2003, according to a team financial report obtained by the Journal Sentinel.
In addition, the two challenged a claim made in the HBO report by sports economist Mark Rosentraub. Rosentraub said the Brewers' ownership invested the "least amount of capital" among owners of major-league clubs.
According to Manfred, the Brewers' $90 million contribution toward the construction of Miller Park exceeded the contributions made by owners of Houston, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Texas, Atlanta, Cincinnati and the Chicago White Sox for their new stadiums.
"All of those teams invested smaller up-front payments than the Brewers," Manfred said.
On the Selig family salaries, Manfred said the HBO number of $2 million didn't add up.
"The Selig family has drawn salaries over the last decade that average less than 30% of that amount and have never been higher than 37% of that amount," Manfred said.
That would be less than $600,000 and never higher than $740,000 per year over the past 10 years.
"What I will tell you is that I suspect the $2 million figure was pulled out of thin air for somebody's agenda and purposes," Manfred said.
Selig was president of the club until 1998, when he left the team to become permanent commissioner of baseball. He has not drawn a salary from the club since he took over as commissioner. Selig was unavailable for comment.
Also in 1998, Selig-Prieb, who had held an executive position with the team when her father was president, took over as president. In September 2002, she stepped aside as president when Ulice Payne Jr. took over the team as president and CEO. At that time, she took the position of chairwoman of the Brewers' board of directors, a position she still holds.
Over the past 10 years, Laurel Prieb has held vice president positions in marketing and business operations.
Manfred and DuPuy said the club's overall salaries and administrative expenses - another issue of concern to critics of the team - were below the norm, compared to other major-league clubs.
Manfred did not provide specifics of either pay or general or administrative expenses.
Reached for comment, Ray Stallone, vice president for sports publicity at HBO, issued a statement: "We have no additional comment. We stand by our reporting."
<b><font size=4>Bennett impressing Yost with early camp progress</font>
Phoenix</b> - In the early days of the Milwaukee Brewers' spring camp, one of the pitchers who has piqued the interest of manager <b>Ned Yost</b> is <b>Jeff Bennett</b>.
"I'm anxious to see him in a game," Yost said.
Bennett was selected from Pittsburgh's organization at the winter meetings in December in the Rule 5 draft of unprotected players. The Brewers must keep him on their big-league roster all season or offer him back for half the $50,000 claiming price.
The Brewers kept two Rule 5 picks last season, left-hander <b>Matt Ford</b> and shortstop <b>Enrique Cruz</b>. Those players had not played above Class A ball but Bennett, 23, made it as far as Class AAA with the Pirates last season.
"He's more advanced," said pitching coach <b>Mike Maddux</b>. "He has really benefited from the work we've been doing and applied what we've talked about. He's a mule (6-foot-3, 210) and his fastball has a lot of hustle to it."
Or, as Yost put it: "He's got some life and giddy-up on his cheese."
Bennett spent most of the 2003 season at Class AA Altoona, where he was 4-4 with a 2.72 ERA in 33 appearances (two starts).
<b>Welcome aboard</b>
The Brewers' last two first-round draft picks, second baseman <b>Rickie Weeks</b> (2003) and first baseman <b>Prince Fielder</b> (2002), reported to camp and took part in the morning workout. Everyday players have their first official workout today.
Yost noted that many of the club's top minor-league prospects hit in the same group during batting practice.
"The last group on Field 4 was Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks and <b>J.J. Hardy</b>," said Yost. "They put on quite a show."
In its latest issue, Baseball America magazine lists its top 100 prospects for 2004. Weeks ranks fifth, Fielder 10th and Hardy 19th. Outfielder <b>Brad Nelson</b> ranks 48th, left-hander <b>Manny Parra</b> 69th and right-hander <b>Mike Jones</b> 84th.
Cruz had yet to report and catcher <b>Alex Delgado</b> remained AWOL while taking care of personal matters in Venezuela.
<b>Kicking it around</b>
General manager <b>Doug Melvin</b> and the agent for center fielder <b>Scott Podsednik</b> have had preliminary discussions regarding a multi-year contract. Melvin said all players must be signed by Thursday and indicated that wouldn't be enough time to work out a long-term deal for Podsednik.
"We could do a one-year (deal) and then come back and talk about it," Melvin said.
Players with one year of big-league service seldom get multi-year deals because salary arbitration doesn't kick in until after the third year. Coming up with a deal fair to both sides at that early stage is difficult as well.
<b><font size=4>Grieve hoping for new start with Brewers</font></b>
PHOENIX (AP) -- At age 27, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ben Grieve is a little young to be considered a comeback candidate.
But there is really no other way to put it.
After becoming the AL Rookie of the Year in 1998 and enjoying three solid seasons with Oakland, Grieve was traded to Tampa Bay and fell into a sea of injury, futility and frustration.
``I had three pretty crummy years in Tampa,'' he said. ``Before that, I had three pretty good years. I can't put my finger on any one reason for it. It's not like I'm wearing down or anything.
``It's been frustrating. It wasn't for a lack of work. For whatever reason, it never clicked there on a consistent basis like it did before,'' he said.
With little bargaining power after making $5.5 million and playing in just 55 games last season, Grieve headed into free agency and drew interest from Milwaukee, a team with little money to spend.
The Brewers gave him a 40-man roster spot and a non-guaranteed contract worth $700,000.
``This is a fresh start for him,'' Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. ``It gives him a chance to come over to a new league. He's got some power, which might fit in our ballpark.''
For the Brewers, the move is low risk because of the non-guaranteed contract, he added.
Grieve seems intent on making a good first impression. He reported to camp a week early and has been working with outfield coach Dave Nelson to improve his defense.
Grieve also has spent time in the batting cage with hitting coach Butch Wynegar.
``I've been very impressed with his work ethic so far,'' Brewers manager Ned Yost said.
The Brewers are hoping that Grieve can regain the offensive spark that he showed in Oakland, where he averaged 24 homers and 93 RBIs in three seasons, and cut down his penchant for strikeouts (159 in 2001).
``He was a disciplined hitter in Oakland and then he ended up not being as aggressive,'' Melvin said. ``We've talked to him about it. He can still be selective at the plate, but be more aggressive.''
Given regular playing time and good health, Grieve is confident that he can improve on his 2003 totals: four homers, 17 RBIs and a .230 batting average.
He said one reason he wanted to join Milwaukee was for more playing time.
``I thought this would be a good chance for me to play and get my career back going the right way. That was a big part of the situation here that appealed to me.''
<b><font size=4>Ned's notes: Kids stepping up</font>
Bennett, Sheets and Kolb looking sharp</b>
PHOENIX -- Brewers manager Ned Yost is in his second season at the helm of the Brewers, working to get the team back to prominence. He agreed to share his take on camp until the Cactus League schedule kicks in on March 4.
We got a lot of quality work done today. The pitchers did a great job in their batting practice sessions. The infielders got a ton of ground balls. They started incorporating throwing into their ground ball stuff. They turned double plays and threw the ball over to the first basemen across the diamond for the first time. Outfielders had their good fundamental work with Dave Nelson. It didn't rain so we got a lot done.
Jeff Bennett looked real good today. Ben Sheets and Dan Kolb looked great. Danny has been working on his changeup to lefties and he was very proud of it today. He did a real nice job.
Some of our kids really stepped up today. We ask them to focus on their command and watch their effort. We want them to work on their feel and touch. Part of being a Major League pitcher is just not standing out there and throwing the ball. It's having some finesse and some moxie. You have to know how to do that. You have to know how to command the baseball so that you can put it where you want to put it and not just stand out there and throw it. Our guys did a great job of that today.
Our whole workout is geared toward getting in shape doing baseball things. On Saturday, we are going to do a lot of those baseball things. We'll do our basic exercises and conditioning drills and then go right into long toss for arm exercising.
We then break up into groups of catchers, infielders, outfielders and pitchers. We'll have two groups of infielders on two fields. We will work on fundamentals for 20 minutes so the infielders will do their programs and the outfielders will be working with Dave on another field. They will work on their fielding practice while the batting practice pitchers will be working on their bunting mechanics in the cage for about 25 minutes.
Then we'll go into the cage for batting practice. We'll have eight pitchers throw 10 minutes each so it will be 80 minutes. We'll have six hitting groups that will rotate three times during the course of the day. They will rotate from live BP against the pitchers for 26 minutes down to hit off coaches for 26 minutes and then off to a baserunning field with Dave for 26 minutes.
At the end of that, we've handled our arms in long-tossing, our defensive stuff on the field with the coaches, our offensive stuff against live pitching and coaches and then baserunning.
To end the day we will run the bases as a team.
There are a lot of things that are done on the first day of full workouts. We introduce all of the coaches and staff and the training staff because a lot of our guys are new. We'll have a doctor talking to us about steroids and supplements so that our players know what to take and what not to take and what to look out for in that area.
I'll give them some of my comments about what I expect out of them and what our goals are for this year and what we are trying to accomplish. Most of them already have that firmly entrenched in their minds at this point anyway. I don't expect this to be an exceptionally long meeting. We do have some new guys that need to know about me and my staff and that's what we'll talk about.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/06/18/xgtXJ9ks.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/06/18/xgtXJ9ks.jpg height=300 width=300 border=1></a>
The Brewers hope for a big year of out closer Danny Kolb, who had 21 saves in 2003.
<b><font size=4>Notes: Dynamic duo arrives</font>
Fielder, Weeks ready to make an impression</b>
PHOENIX -- Milwaukee pitcher Ben Sheets, a former first-round draft pick himself, wondered aloud Friday morning about the Brewers' latest bonus babies.
Minutes later, they showed up.
Prospects Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks made their first appearance at Maryvale Baseball Park and immediately hit the batting cage. The duo -- ranked among baseball's top 10 prospects by Baseball America and the top 13 by MLB.com -- has been virtually inseparable since they became teammates at Single-A Beloit in August.
"I'm just soaking it all in," said Weeks, a second baseman selected second overall in last year's draft. "I'm a rookie coming in so I want to go out there and gain experience. I hope it can escalate down the road to where I can use all that stuff."
Weeks arrived with noticeably more muscle on his upper body after working out near Orlando with Anaheim's David Eckstein, Baltimore's Tim Raines, Jr. and Cincinnati's Felipe Lopez. Lopez recruited him for the group and Weeks said he focused mostly on agility exercises.
"By the end of this year, he'll be in the big leagues, no doubt," Eckstein said. "And it could be for good."
Weeks went from Southern University to the Major Leagues in 2003. He was 2-for-4 with four RBIs in his only game in the rookie league before batting .349 with eight doubles and 16 RBIs in 60 games at Beloit. Because Weeks was already on a big-league contract, the Brewers decided to call him up in September to work extensively with infield coach Rich Dauer, a former Orioles second baseman.
"He has great strength," Eckstein said. "He gets the bat through the zone quickly and the ball comes off the bat a little different from everyone else. He has pop and as a defensive guy, he has a very strong arm."
Speaking of strong, Fielder, the seventh overall selection in the 2002 draft, is in camp for the second time on a minor league invitation. He hit .313 with 27 home runs and 112 RBIs in a full season with Beloit and is projected as the Brewers' future first baseman.
The team drafted Fielder, son of former Major Leaguer Cecil, amid concerns about his weight. The younger Fielder dropped pounds and stayed healthy last year, and said he focused on cardiovascular work during the offseason.
"I mostly wanted to lean up," he said. "I definitely don't want to get bigger."
Led by Fielder, Weeks and a talented pitching staff topped by left-hander Manny Parra, the Snappers made it to the Midwest League Championship Series. Then the awards piled up; Fielder was named USA Today's Minor League Player of the Year, the Midwest League MVP and the Brewers Minor League Player of the Year, while Weeks won the Golden Spikes Award as the nation's top amateur player.
They also earned high praise from a number of publications in their annual prospect lists. Baseball America has Weeks at No. 5 and Fielder at No. 10 while MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo ranked Weeks No. 7 and Fielder No. 13. The Brewers were named Topps Organization of the Year and have been told to expect the same honor from Baseball America.
"It's fun to hear your name out there but you can't dwell on it," Weeks said. "You can't take anything for granted."
Said Fielder: "That can change any minute."
<b>Five alive</b>: Brewers manager Ned Yost was pleasantly surprised Friday after watching right-handed reliever Jeff Bennett pitch live batting practice. The team plucked Bennett out of the Pittsburgh system in the Rule 5 draft and would have to keep him on the 25-man roster all season or risk losing him back to the Pirates.
Yost said Bennett, 23, has an explosive fastball and an "inconsistent" slider that could get better with time. Yost compared him to hard-throwing reliever Jayson Durocher, who had a breakout season when he was healthy in 2002 but was sidelined with injuries in 2003.
"He could be a power set-up guy," Yost said. "He's got some life and some giddy-up on his 'cheese.'"
<b>Injury report</b>: Veteran Dave Burba saw a chiropractor Friday for treatment on a sore neck. Yost said he had not ruled out Burba returning to pitch batting practice Saturday. ... Tim Bausher, a promising reliever who played in the Arizona Fall League after a breakout 2003 season, got treatment for a huge blister on the bottom of his foot but is not expected to miss any work this weekend.
<b>Last call</b>: Infielder Enrique Cruz and catcher Alex Delgado were expected to arrive Saturday in time for the team's first full-squad workout. Players will break out by position for the first time for defensive work. ... The Brewers will play intra-squad games next Tuesday and Wednesday before Thursday's Cactus League opener against Oakland. Left-hander Wayne Franklin is slated to start the game and pitch about two innings. ... All 115 Brewers television broadcasts in 2004 will be carried on cable's Fox Sports Net.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2002/06/19/WupRgpqT.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2002/06/19/WupRgpqT.jpg height=300 width=300 border=1></a>
Prince Fielder takes a cut from the batting cages at Miller Park last season.
<b><font size=4>Brewers corner the market at first base</font>
Phoenix</b> - More than any other position on the baseball diamond, first base provides a comprehensive study of where the Milwaukee Brewers have been, where they are now, and where they are headed.
When the Brewers traded Richie Sexson on Dec. 1, critics bemoaned the jettisoning of another marquee player by the financially strapped ball club. Whether the Brewers had any chance to keep Sexson is open to debate but he was sent to Arizona in a deal that netted six players, most of whom are expected to play key roles for the Brewers in 2004.
One of those players is Lyle Overbay, who did not live up to advance billing during a brief, perhaps unfair trial with the Diamondbacks and now is the Brewers' starting first baseman. But Overbay is not expected to man that position for a long period, no matter how he performs.
In essence, Overbay is baby sitting first base until the arrival of Prince Fielder, one of the top prospects in a strong farm system that the Brewers are counting on to rescue them from baseball oblivion. When will Fielder arrive in Milwaukee? We'll know a lot more at the end of this season.
A look at the past, present and future of the Brewers' first base position:
<b>Richie Sexson</b>
Refusing to pull the personal plug despite the club's 11th consecutive season, Sexson played every inning of every game in 2003, the first player to do so over 162 games since Baltimore's Cal Ripken Jr. in 1986. Along the way, he matched his personal best with 45 homers and drove in 124 runs.
Nevertheless, it was evident by season's end that the losing had gotten to Sexson. In his three full seasons with the Brewers, the team finished 102 games below .500 (192-294).
"Losing games is tough, even if you're able to put together great stats personally. It just doesn't matter," said Sexson, who socked 119 homers and drove in 351 runs over those three seasons.
"Losing really gets old. It ate at everybody there. You want to win. We gave it everything we had but we were still losing."
When Sexson walked out of the visiting clubhouse in Houston on the last day of the season, he knew he had played his last game with the Brewers. A significant payroll cut was in the works and he knew his $8.6 million salary for 2004 didn't fit that budget.
The Brewers contend the decision to trade Sexson was made easier because he gave no indication he would sign a contract extension. Sexson, however, insists he never tipped his hand either way.
"I never once said, 'I'm not going to sign back here,' " said Sexson. "I think it was just in the best interests of both parties. Their payroll was going down and, realistically, (general manager) Doug (Melvin) was probably right that they wouldn't be able to sign me. But I never said that."
So, was it merely time to move on?
"I think so," said Sexson, 28. "When the payroll gets down that low, it's tough to take a big pay cut to stay. Plus, every player wants to win. The losing was tough.
"I was really excited about the new regime. I liked the way they were building around the minor league system. I always wanted to be part of a rebuilding process and see how great it would be for the city. But it just wasn't happening at the time I was there."
With Sexson in the middle of a veteran lineup, the Diamondbacks are expected to contend for the NL West title. It's difficult to imagine Arizona sending six players to the Brewers to rent Sexson for one year but he says there have been no talks for a contract extension to this point.
"We haven't really discussed it," he said. "I'm not really worried about it. Those things usually work out. I'd love to stay here."
As for his time in Milwaukee, during which he evolved from a fringe player to one of the top sluggers in the game, Sexson had nothing but nice things to say. He wants no hard feelings over his departure, even if some fans are unwilling to forgive the team.
"I'm indebted to Milwaukee for the rest of my career," he said. "They gave me the opportunity to hit fourth and play first base every day. That's all you can ask for as a player."
<b>Lyle Overbay</b>
Given a chance to win the first base job in Arizona last year, Overbay pressed, failed to meet expectations and found himself back in the minors in late July. Looking back, he realized he greased the skids for his departure as early as spring training.
"I was trying to impress and thinking, This is the right thing to do,'" said Overbay. "I ended up going into the season not ready. You never know how long you have to prove yourself.
"Throughout my career, I've used spring training to get ready. I've never really had a good spring training but I never had as bad a spring training as last year."
Overbay held his own in the first half of the season but struggled badly in July, batting .194 in 11 games before being sent to Class AAA Tucson. When he was recalled in September yet played sparingly, he suspected his chance had passed.
The handwriting on the wall became more pronounced after the season when the Diamondbacks announced that Shea Hillenbrand would move back to third base from first. Overbay heard nothing about getting a second chance, and he soon learned why.
"They never announced a starting first baseman, so it seemed they were going in a different direction," said Overbay, who batted .286 with four homers and 16 RBI in 35 games for Arizona.
"Then, they made the trade for Richie. Fortunately, they put me in that trade and I came here. It was time to move on."
Realizing second chances don't always come around, Overbay is determined to make the most of it. And, because he has been told the position is his, he intends to avoid the self-pressure that doomed him from the very start a year ago.
The Brewers have told Overbay they don't expect him to be another Richie Sexson. More of a gap hitter than a big bopper, he specialized in hitting doubles (more than 40 twice) and driving in 100 runs (three times) during his five years in Arizona's system.
"He doesn't have to hit .600 (in camp) for me to like him," said Yost. "He won't have that pressure here. He's going to get an opportunity to prove that he's a good player, the player that we think he is.
"I think Lyle's going to be just fine."
That's music to the ears of the left-handed hitter from Centralia, Wash. Having just turned 27 in January, he figures his best days are still ahead of him.
"I'm still learning things, learning my swing," he said. "I want to work on hitting off-speed pitches hard and getting my balance. That's a big thing for me."
While trying to carve a niche with the Brewers, Overbay is well aware that Fielder is in the rear view mirror. And, as car manufacturers warn, objects may be closer than they appear.
With a new life in baseball, however, Overbay can't waste time worrying about who might be gaining on him.
"I know who he is," Overbay said of Fielder. "Obviously, he can hit. He's just getting experience. I'm hoping we can make each other better."
<b>Prince Fielder</b>
Fielder will have played a month and a half at Class AA Huntsville this year before he turns 20. Yet, he already has played 210 minor-league games, hit 40 home runs, driven in 163 runs and claimed a league most valuable player award.
Not exactly Mozart composing music as a pre-schooler, but pretty impressive.
"I look at this as a big opportunity," said Fielder, who realizes the path has been paved for him to be the Brewers' first baseman at some point in the not-so-distant future.
"I just have to keep working hard and do the best I can. I'm just going out there and having fun."
Fielder, a left-handed hitter with a textbook swing, will get to the major leagues on his offensive potential. But the Brewers also want him to make strides on defense, an area he seldom worked on as a youngster.
The son of former big-league slugger Cecil Fielder still has a long way to go in that regard but seems dedicated to improving his glove work.
"I'm working real hard on that," said Fielder, who committed 18 errors in 137 games with Class A Beloit last season. "I don't want to be known as a one-dimensional player. I want to be an all-around player."
Fielder also battled weight problems as an amateur but has that under control at present. When selecting him with the seventh pick of the 2002 draft, the Brewers were convinced he was devoted to a new conditioning program.
Projected as a hitter for both power and average in the majors, Fielder also displays a plate discipline beyond his years. In becoming the 2003 MVP of the Midwest League, he drew 71 walks and struck out only 80 times in 502 at-bats.
Now, it's simply a matter of how fast Fielder gets to the big leagues. The Brewers have made a point of saying they won't rush him, hoping to lessen the pressure that comes with being a "can't miss" prospect.
"Is Prince going to be a very good first baseman? Is he going to be an all-star? Maybe," said Yost. "He's got that type of talent and ability. You can't ignore that.
"But the bottom line is that Prince still has to work his way up. He has to produce and do what he's capable of doing. We're not going to push Prince in any way, shape or form.
"He's going to have to earn his promotion here. Is he capable of that? We think absolutely. But we're not putting any undue pressure on him."
With just one full minor-league season under his belt, Fielder says he knows better than to look too far down the road. That can be a dangerous pursuit, no matter how talented you are.
"I'm not worrying about that," he said. "As long as you play hard, those things take care of themselves. I'll leave that to the Brewers."
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/rich228.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/xrich228.jpg border=1></a>
Richie Sexson knew his $8.6 million salary for 2004 didn't fit the Brewers' budget.
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/lyle227.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/xlyle227.jpg border=1></a>
Lyle Overbay fields a grounder during a drill at spring training in Phoenix.
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/prince228.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/xprince228.jpg border=1></a>
Prince Fielder: "I don't want to be known as a one-dimensional player. I want to be an all-around player."
<b><font size=4>Yost gives his opening remarks</font>
More expected this season, says Brewers manager
Phoenix</b> - Milwaukee Brewers manager <b>Ned Yost</b> has been watching and working with players for more than a week now, but the first full-squad workout of training camp Saturday gave him his first opportunity to address the entire team at once.
What was his message?
"Go get 'em," Yost said, laughing.
He was kidding, of course.
In addition to laying out team rules and introducing his coaching staff, trainers, front-office workers and clubhouse attendants, he told his players what he expects from them this season.
"We've got a different focus this year," Yost explained. "I said, 'We need to take the next step.' We accomplished what we wanted to accomplish last year. Now, there is a different set of things we want to do.
"Basically, we want to build on what we did last year. We want to continually focus on getting better."
<b>On the rebound</b>
After an outstanding campaign in 2002, right-hander <b>Luis Vizcaino</b> was virtually guaranteed a job as a setup man when he reported to camp last year.
This year, he's part of a jumbled mass of players competing for jobs in front of closer <b>Dan Kolb</b>.
Vizcaino was one of the club's more dependable performers in 2002, working 811/3 innings and posting a 2.99 earned run average. In 75 outings last season, Vizcaino posted a 6.39 ERA. In 62 innings, he allowed 64 hits, including 16 homers.
The lackluster results, coupled with an inconsistent arm slot on his delivery, prompted some Brewers officials to surmise that Vizcaino was battling arm soreness or fatigue.
Vizcaino was told to limit his innings in winter ball and has been throwing free and easy so far this spring. The Brewers are also thinking of using him in longer stints this spring to alleviate his "one and done" approach.
"I understand that he had a very successful campaign the year before," pitching coach <b>Mike Maddux</b> said. "But we also have to understand that this (coaching) staff was not around for that. We only know what we saw (last year).
"We'd like to see him be successful again. Maybe using him in a different way can help."
<b>In the swing</b>
Like several of his teammates, third baseman <b>Wes Helms</b> has been focusing on hitting the ball up the middle and to the opposite field during batting practice.
The approach is enthusiastically endorsed by Yost and hitting coach <b>Butch Wynegar</b>.
"That gets Wes into a good groove with his mechanics," Yost said. "Anybody can get in there and pull and try to hit home runs."
<b>Work in progress</b>
Kolb, a power pitcher who threw mostly fastball and sliders last year, continues to experiment with a changeup.
"He threw some really good ones the other day and that was exciting," Yost said. "He's working hard on it. That could be a big pitch for him."
<b>All the rage</b>
Part of the Brewers' morning meeting was devoted to a discussion of steroid testing, which begins Tuesday, and the BALCO controversy.
Team doctor <b>Craig Niefeldt</b> made a presentation to players, who will hear about steroids again Monday when they hold their annual briefing with representatives of the players association.
<b>First pitch</b>
Left-hander <b>Wayne Franklin</b> was surprised to hear from a reporter that he will start the exhibition opener Thursday against Oakland.
"They've already figured that out?" Franklin asked. "How about that? I'm pitching the opener."
<b>Friend down under</b>
Former Brewers slugger <b>David Nilsson</b> will report to the Atlanta Braves minor-league camp next month. Nilsson is hoping to use the spring and early summer to get in shape to play for his native Australia in the upcoming Olympics in Athens.
<b>Trent Durrington</b> thinks he may have to change his plans.
Durrington, a 25-year-old Australian who is trying to make the Brewers' roster as a utility infielder and emergency catcher, worked out with Nilsson during the off-season and thinks the Braves may have found a player who can help in the big leagues.
"He's just getting into shape," Durrington said of Nilsson, who was instrumental in helping the Australian team gain its Olympic berth. "He wants to play in the Olympics, but that may change."
<b><font size=4>Ned's notes: Nice to meet you</font>
Morning meeting focuses on introductions</b>
PHOENIX -- Brewers manager Ned Yost is in his second season at the helm of the Brewers, working to get the team back to prominence. He agreed to share his take on camp until the Cactus League schedule kicks in on March 4.
Everything went real smooth and we got all of our work done. The first full-squad day at times, with new players, can tend to get a little confusing, but our guys had a pretty good idea of where they were going and so it went like clockwork.
Our meeting this morning was fine. You get a lot of introductions. Doug Melvin spoke for a while. You introduce the GM so Doug and Gord Ash were there. Of course, Jon Greenberg in media relations speaks and introduces his staff. Tony Migliaccio introduces the clubhouse guys. Roger Caplinger introduces the trainers and the doctors.
We got a little seminar from Dr. Mark Niedfeldt on steroids and supplements that are on the market and what to be careful about.
Then, we went over our team rules and I gave some general comments and then we went out on the field and went to work.
We have a group of Phoenix firemen that help us with our workouts every day. They're awesome. They allow us to get our work in without a lot of stuff and without a lot of shagging. When you make players shag, it slows your workouts down a lot. It frees us up totally to work on seven fields at one time. Having the firemen to shag is an important part because you can't hit without balls, so once the bucket's gone you have to call a timeout and have everyone run out and pick up all the balls. The firemen are here and they do a great job for us. They probably save us 90 minutes a day. That's how important they are.
We had a nice little way to say thank you to them. They brought out a fire truck and all of the coaches and I got together with all of the firefighters and got on the truck and took a picture with all of them. It was a fun thing to do.
Tomorrow we start out with picture day. The first full week we have a lot of meetings and stuff. We have picture day and we fit for uniforms before we go out on the field for our workout. We will add a team fundamental to go along with our regular defensive work. The fundamental is going to be bunt defense. By the time the games start on Thursday we will have all of our team defenses in place and we will be ready to go.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/28/cduGWhSf.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/28/cduGWhSf.jpg border=1></a>
Brewers manager Ned Yost addresses his players before Saturday's practice.
<b><font size=4>Notes: Lee contract affects Jenkins</font>
Cubs signing of keen interest to Brewers officials</b>
PHOENIX -- The Chicago Cubs and first baseman Derrek Lee agreed Saturday to a three-year contract extension reportedly worth $22.5 million, a deal of interest to Brewers officials negotiating a contract extension for left fielder Geoff Jenkins.
Both Jenkins and Brewers general manager Doug Melvin have expressed desire to extend Jenkins' contract past 2004 and the Brewers have reportedly made two offers, starting with a three-year deal in the neighborhood of $20 million. Jenkins set a Thursday deadline for talks, coinciding with the start of Cactus League games.
Asked about Lee's deal and whether it would impact his own contract talks, Jenkins said he had spoken with Lee in recent days but politely declined to comment further.
There are plenty of differences between Lee, 28, and Jenkins, 29, though both are former first-round draft picks at the top of their positions defensively. Lee has stayed healthy in recent seasons thanks in part to playing first base, and he negotiated his deal with a Cubs team primed to make a playoff run in 2004.
Jenkins has been stymied in recent seasons by injuries attributed mostly to the all-out style that has endeared him to Milwaukee fans. He is negotiating his deal with a club in the early stages of a building phase and could be tempted to field offers from contenders next winter. Plus, while Lee is surrounded by the likes of Sammy Sosa and the Cubs' talented pitching staff, Jenkins is the Brewers' marquee player, perhaps upping his value to the club.
But looking strictly at statistics, especially from 2003, there are similarities. Lee batted .271 with 31 doubles, 31 home runs and 92 RBIs with Florida while Jenkins batted .296 with 30 doubles, 28 homers and 95 RBIs despite missing the final month of the season with a fractured thumb.
Jenkins had the better slugging percentage (.538 versus .508), and a better on-base percentage (.379 versus .375) but Lee topped Jenkins in runs scored (91-81), stolen bases (21-0) and walks (88-58).
Jenkins' career numbers plugged into a 162-game average are significantly better than Lee's. But Jenkins has never played more than 135 games in a season, while Lee, playing a significantly less injury-prone position, has appeared in at least 155 games each of the last four years.
Some observers have also mentioned Jenkins in the same context as Boston's Trot Nixon, who signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract. <a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/stats/mlb_league_leaders.jsp?section1=null&statSet1=null&sortByStat=HR&statType=1&timeFrame=1&timeSubFrame=2003&baseballScope=mlb&prevPage1=1&readBoxes=true&box25=XXXX117601flo3&box38=XXXX132961milO&box39=XXXX119811bosO&compare.x=25&compare.y=7><b>Compare all three players' 2003 stats.</b></a>
Melvin had nothing new to report Saturday on the state of negotiations with agents Tommy Tanzer and Ken Felder. The Brewers GM said he was still trying to arrange a face-to-face meeting with Felder in Phoenix.
<b>Meet the troops:</b> The Brewers held their first full-squad meeting of the year on Saturday morning, and manager Ned Yost boiled down his message to, "Go get 'em."
"I just said we need to take the next step," said Yost, whose club made a 12-game improvement last season but still finished sixth at 68-94. "We have a different set of things that we want to accomplish this year. Continue to focus on getting better."
Melvin also spoke early in the meeting. He touched briefly on the Richie Sexson trade and told players he believes the club is deeper and more talented thanks to its offseason additions.
"I told them we have to worry about getting better in here -- as an organization -- before we can get better in the standings," Melvin said. "We've got to have competition, and I see that happening."
<b>Camp report:</b> Veteran Dave Burba, who sought treatment Friday for a sore neck, was held out of Saturday's throwing sessions. Right-hander Tim Bausher also skipped his mound session because of a nasty blister on his right foot. ... Nonroster infielder Enrique Cruz arrived on Saturday, when position players were required to report, leaving only nonroster catcher Alex Delgado missing. ... Sunday is photo day, when players pose for more than a dozen photographers representing Major League Baseball, media outlets and baseball card companies.
<b>Sophomore skipper:</b> Yost is entering his second season as manager and was asked if he had advice for this year's rookies. The conversation turned to one of the perks of being the boss: a hotel suite on the road.
"The first month, man, I felt weird in that suite," Yost said. "It was like, 'What am I doing here?' I was kind of embarrassed to open the door.
"It was strange because when I go in a hotel room, I go there to sleep. So the difference between a hotel room and a suite? It doesn't make any difference to me."
<b>Did you know?</b> They may be a long way off, but the Brewers could face some interesting questions with 11 players possibly eligible for salary arbitration next winter, including a big chunk of the starting rotation. The group includes starters Doug Davis, Wayne Franklin, Matt Kinney and Ben Sheets, relievers Dan Kolb and Luis Vizcaino, catchers Gary Bennett and Chad Moeller, infielder Junior Spivey, outfielder Brady Clark and utility man Brooks Kieschnick. Nick Neugebauer could also qualify if he spends time in the Majors this year.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/28/Amqtkvmc.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/28/Amqtkvmc.jpg border=1></a>
Geoff Jenkins hit .296 with 28 home runs and 95 RBIs in 2003.
<b><font size=4>Neugebauer a prospect once again</font>
Fireballer recovering from second shoulder surgery</b>
PHOENIX -- With a few battle scars adorning his right shoulder, the Brewers' bulldog has reinvented himself as an underdog.
Nick Neugebauer, whose blazing fastball once made him Milwaukee's top pitching prospect, is thrilled about his progress in early throwing sessions at Maryvale Baseball Park. Coming off his second shoulder surgery in three years, Neugebauer pitched live batting practice during two of the team's first three formal workouts, a sign that coaches and trainers have confidence in his surgically repaired right shoulder.
"I'm not throwing near close to full strength, but the ball is still coming out live," said Neugebauer, 23. "I'll still be a typical power pitcher, it's just a matter of getting my arm strength all the way back and getting my mechanics right."
A lot of people in the organization will be keeping close watch.
The flame-throwing right-hander was a second-round draft pick in 1998 and vaulted to the top of the Brewers' prospect list. By 2001 he was ranked the team's top minor leaguer by Baseball America, led the minor leagues with 175 strikeouts and won the organization's minor league Player of the Year award. He made his Major League debut a month after his 21st birthday and was considered a Brewers cornerstone alongside 1999 draft pick Ben Sheets.
"He was sure fun to watch back then," said former Single-A Beloit teammate Matt Childers.
It was short-lived. Amid his exciting big-league debut in August 2001, Neugebauer did not tell trainers about the ache in his right shoulder. He eventually needed arthroscopic surgery to repair damage to his labrum and rotator cuff.
Neugebauer made the Brewers rotation out of 2002 Spring Training only to be shut down after seven starts with what was diagnosed as shoulder tendinitis. He came back in September, finished the season with the Brewers and hoped for a fresh start in 2003.
Then, another setback. After experiencing soreness in early bullpen sessions, doctors decided that Neugebauer would need another surgery to repair a frayed rotator cuff and to re-anchor his labrum. The procedure cost him the entire season.
"It's easy to get down when you're in rehab and you're not doing anything," Neugabauer said. "It's like, OK, you bust your butt working hard to get better, and then you finally get better and something else goes wrong. You have to train your mind to think positively."
Kade Johnson, a minor leaguer who has caught Neugebauer in early sessions this spring, can relate. He has been on the disabled list in three of his four seasons and has had two surgeries.
"Just watch, he'll sneak back up on those lists," Johnson said. "He's hungry. I've been in camp with him the last few years and you can just tell. He used to joke around with everyone more, but now he doesn't do that.
"He's here for a reason. He knows what is at stake."
Neugebauer's last mound work came Friday, when he threw 10 minutes of batting practice. Afterward, Brewers manager Ned Yost walked over for a few words with Neugebauer and later called the session one of the day's highlights.
For now, Neugebauer says he's focused on mechanics. The team will worry about velocity later, and it remains to be seen if Neugebauer will regain the 98 mph fastball that made him such an exciting prospect.
"Before I would fly open and just rely on arm strength, and over time I guess my arm just wore down," Neugebauer said. "[Pitching coach] Mike Maddux said that with big guys that can happen, because they get away with it for a long time and their arms can take more abuse. Now, I'm doing things that are helping me not to have to use all of my arm strength."
His comeback is as much mental as mechanical. Neugebauer began reading books by Harvey Dorfman, whose titles include The Mental ABC's of Pitching and Coaching the Mental Game: Leadership Philosophies and Strategies for Peak Performance in Sports -- And Everyday Life. Neugebauer's agent even arranged a telephone conversation with Dorfman.
"It's all about thinking things through and being strong mentally," Neugebauer said. "Before I was just physical. I know what it is to be like that, but now I know what it is like to pitch."
What does it all mean for 2004? Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said the team would not make any decisions about Neugebauer's future until later in Spring Training, but will lean toward putting him in warm weather to start. That means he could remain in extended Spring Training at Maryvale Baseball Park to face hitters, or go to high Class A High Desert or to Double-A Huntsville. From there, he could move up.
"Generally, I think we have to be careful with him," Melvin said. "His workload will be guarded for the first two, three months. More than likely he won't be a guy who throws 80 or 100 pitches [in a game] this year."
Melvin and his staff will also determine whether Neugebauer's future is as a starter or a hard-throwing reliever. Melvin pointed to other fireballers who endured injury early in their careers but came back to find success as closers, like the Brewers' Dan Kolb, the Giants' Robb Nen and the Diamondbacks' Matt Mantei.
"He may be a guy who becomes a power-type reliever like Danny Kolb," Melvin said. "Danny went through some of those surgeries. It wouldn't be all that bad having Nick Neugebauer and Danny Kolb at the back of your bullpen. Those are two pretty good arms."
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/28/IeeQ4Mf2.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/28/IeeQ4Mf2.jpg border=1></a>
Nick Neugebauer tossed live batting practice during two of the Brewers' first three formal workouts.
<b><font size=4>Taking it all in stride</font>
Podsednik grows into a fan favorite
Phoenix</b> - Scott Podsednik sat in front of his locker in the home clubhouse at Maryvale Baseball Park, trying to pry a stretched-to-the-limit rubber band off an enormous stack of fan mail.
"There's a little more mail in my locker this spring, compared to last," he said with a smile. "No one knew who Scott Podsednik was last spring, including our manager."
Ned Yost is the first to admit he had no idea who Podsednik was at the outset of camp a year ago. Before the year was done, however, the Milwaukee Brewers' manager, the team's long-suffering fans and opponents throughout the National League became well-versed on the multiple talents of the rookie centerfielder.
After waiting for nine long years while hanging on in the minor leagues, Podsednik finally got his chance with the Brewers, and he didn't blow it. The native of tiny West, Texas, quickly established himself as one of the best leadoff hitters in the league, a force on the bases and a speedy fly-catcher in center.
"I don't really know how he could play any better than he did last year," said Yost, who replaced Alex Sanchez with Podsednik in mid-May and never looked back.
"If he plays close to that good this year, he'll be just fine."
Podsednik, who turns 28 on March 18, finished the 2003 season with a .314 batting average, 100 runs scored and 43 stolen bases. In the long, illustrious history of major-league baseball, only three previous rookies batted .300, scored 100 runs and swiped 40 bases: Jimmy Barrett (1900), Shoeless Joe Jackson (1911) and Ichiro Suzuki (2001).
Needing one more run to join that elite group on the last day of the season in Houston, Podsednik drove himself in with a memorable homer in his final at-bat. He finished with 175 hits, 247 total bases, eight triples, 55 multi-hit games and a .379 on-base percentage.
Not bad for a player claimed off waivers for $20,000 from Seattle in October 2002.
"He went out and played his butt off for 27 outs every time he stepped out there, with the intention of winning," Yost said. "The stats take care of themselves when you're prepared physically and mentally to give your all, when you've got talent like he does."
After the season, rookie-of-the-year awards starting rolling in. The Sporting News, Baseball Digest, MLB.com and Podsednik's peers (Players Choice Award) all deemed him the top newcomer in the National League.
One group apparently was not as impressed, however. The Baseball Writers Association of America, the most-recognized body in awarding post-season honors, voted for Florida Marlins left-hander Dontrelle Willis over Podsednik by an overwhelming margin.
It was an announcement that still irks the normally unflappable Yost.
"I don't care what anybody says; that wasn't right," Yost said. "It just wasn't right. He deserved to win the award.
"Somebody didn't do their homework and when somebody doesn't do their homework, it (makes me mad). There's no excuse. It was right there. Everybody realized it but the sportswriters across the United States.
"It doesn't have anything to do with what team he played on. He had to play against the better teams and still outplayed them. Most things, I don't have an opinion on, but that one I did."
That slight aside, life is radically different for Podsednik this spring. Last year, he simply tried to catch the attention of Yost and his staff, hoping to earn a roster spot as an extra outfielder.
Now, he is considered a cornerstone of the team's rebuilding efforts. Ensconced in the leadoff spot in the batting order and expected to play nearly every game, Podsednik has an entirely different focus in this camp.
"In terms of getting myself ready to play the season, it doesn't change," Podsednik said. "I'm not battling for a roster spot this go-round but that doesn't mean I'm content with where I am as a ballplayer.
"I'm still trying to improve my abilities and knowledge of the game. The difference is I can concentrate on preparing to play 162 games. I felt last year I had to go out and plant a seed and show them I could get the job done. Now they know what I'm capable of doing."
In other words, this will be a more relaxed camp for Podsednik. But don't expect him to let down once the bell rings on April 5. His inner drive and competitiveness won't allow it.
More than any other player on the team, Podsednik is driven to succeed, in large part because he wasn't sure he'd ever get this chance during his prolonged, injury-riddled minor-league career. Hitting coach Butch Wynegar says Podsednik is the team's best "snapper," a term giving to players who sometimes lose it after moments of failure.
"He's very intense," Wynegar said. "I tried to make him understand he's not going to get a hit every night. He expects a lot of himself, which is an admirable quality, but you've got to know how to balance it.
"You want guys who have control of themselves emotionally. But, on the other hand, you like guys who show emotion. There's a fine line. The biggest thing with 'Po' is keeping him off the emotional roller coaster."
Podsednik, who rapidly has become one of the most popular players on the team, admits that he went home after games last year at times "and beat myself up." But, having waited so long for the opportunity, he couldn't help himself.
And he knows it won't get any easier the second time around. Opponents who had no luck getting Podsednik out in 2003 will reach deeper into their bag of tricks to do so this season.
So be it, says Podsednik, who is primed for the challenge.
"I know I'm going to hear about the sophomore jinx. I know it's coming," Podsednik said. "I'm going to try to have fun with it. I know what it took to get here and I'm going to work my tail off and do the things I have to do to stay here.
"So much happened to me in the course of one season. I could never have imagined I'd be in this position a year ago. I feel like I've traveled a million miles in one year."
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/scott229.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/sscott229.jpg border=1></a>
Lead-off hitter Scott Podsednik became only the fourth rookie to bat .300, score 100 runs and steal 40 bases.
<b><font size=4>Jenkins, team still far apart</font>
Outfielder sets deadline for deal
Phoenix</b> - Milwaukee Brewers general manager <b>Doug Melvin</b> had his first face-to-face meeting with the agent for leftfielder <b>Geoff Jenkins</b> but only minimal progress was made Sunday toward an agreement on a contract extension.
"We're still a ways away," Melvin said after his meeting with <b>Tommy Tanzer</b>.
The Brewers have until Thursday to reach a deal with Jenkins or face the likelihood of talks breaking off. Jenkins has given the club a deadline of that day, when exhibition season begins, to reach a deal.
Jenkins is on the final year of a four-year, $18 million deal that pays him $8.55 million this season. Neither side has revealed details but the Brewers are thought to have offered a three-year extension for about $20 million.
Jenkins is thought to be seeking a four-year deal for about $32 million.
"We agreed to meet again," said Melvin, who is working under payroll restrictions that make it difficult to increase his offer. "I guess it's four (days) and counting. We'll try to get together and see if it works."
Jenkins can be a free agent after the season, and the Brewers probably will trade him before the July 31 deadline if a deal is not reached.
<b>Seven to go</b>
The Brewers have seven unsigned players for 2004: centerfielder <b>Scott Podsednik</b>, first baseman <b>Lyle Overbay</b>, infielder-outfielder <b>Keith Ginter</b>, left-handers <b>Wayne Franklin, Doug Davis</b> and <b>Chris Capuano</b>, and infielder <b>Billy Hall</b>.
Melvin said contracts would be renewed for any players not signed by the exhibition season opener.
"I'm not sure if we'll have to renew anybody," he said.
<b>Early to rise</b>
Outfield coach <b>Davey Nelson</b> is hitting the field early to work with <b>Corey Hart</b> and Ginter on defensive drills. Hart, one of the organization's top prospects, is switching from third base to right field and Ginter is being asked to play several positions this spring as a super utility man.
"I think they're both going to be fine," said Nelson, who laughed at the fact that Hart stands 6 feet 6 inches and Ginter is 5-10.
"They're both going to make the adjustments because they're good athletes. They're working hard and they're enthusiastic about it. One of the main things we're working on is footwork: the drop step and crossing over. That's very important."
Nelson also is working with <b>Ben Grieve</b> and <b>Chris Magruder</b> on improving their footwork in the outfield.
<b>The Ford focus</b>
Left-hander <b>Matt Ford</b>, the Rule 5 pick who spent the 2003 season on the Brewers' roster before injuring his elbow in late July, has looked good in camp. Ford, who had a bone spur removed from the elbow, has experienced no problems during mound sessions and appears fully recovered.
"He's right in the mix with everybody else (in drills)," pitching coach <b>Mike Maddux</b> said. "He's throwing the ball well."
The Brewers' plan for Ford this year is to send him to Class AA Huntsville so he can pitch in the starting rotation. Ford was a starting pitcher in Toronto's system before the Brewers selected him and put him in their bullpen.
"Don't forget, we got him right out of Class A ball last year," Maddux said. "He was thrust into a position he wasn't used to. He did a good job for us."
Said manager <b>Ned Yost</b>: "Last year was good for him. He got a taste of what it's like in the big leagues. Now he can go back and get a different perspective. He'll know what to expect when he gets back up here."
<b>A Wise decision</b>
One of the more intriguing pitchers in camp is <b>Matt Wise</b>, a non-roster invitee who sat out the 2003 season after undergoing "Tommy John" reconstructive elbow surgery. The 28-year-old right-hander pitched for Anaheim in parts of three seasons, going 4-7 with a 4.74 earned run average in 26 appearances (15 starts).
"I think he looks pretty good," Maddux said after watching Wise throw a session of live batting practice Sunday. "He throws on a downhill angle, shows good command."
Assuming Wise doesn't make the club, the Brewers would like him to go to Class AAA Indianapolis and start there, giving them an option should they need a pitcher at some point in the season.
<b><font size=4>Ned's notes: Thrills for the kids</font>
First Spring Training always one to remember</b>
PHOENIX -- Brewers manager Ned Yost is in his second season at the helm of the Brewers, working to get the team back to prominence. He agreed to share his take on camp until the Cactus League schedule kicks in on March 4.
I think it is a real exciting time for our kids that are in camp for the first time. Prince Fielder went through it last year and Rickie Weeks had a taste of the big leagues last summer.
My first time, it was my first experience with the big leagues. Just to see Sal Bando and those types of guys that you watched play, that you now got to have a locker next to, was a thrill for me. To be there with Robin Yount and Buck Martinez was great. So, I know that it is a thrill for them as well.
For kids like John Vanden Berg, Chris Saenz and Dennis Sarfate and all the rest, that first Spring Training is a great experience.
I think at a young age you kind of know where you are competing a little bit. I think you know when you are getting close to getting a chance. I think they know the odds are that they aren't going to make the team. You really don't worry about that. You come to Spring Training to make an impression on the Major League manager and the Major League coaches.
There are things that we see here that make an impression on us subconsciously. We try to follow everybody. During the regular season, we get minor league reports every day. If a kid makes an impression, you follow him a little bit. I know that last year, every time Pedro Liriano pitched I looked at that report because he made such an impression on me.
Especially with these kids, you kind of gauge them and see where they are. You want to see their progress and you make mental notes to see how far away they are. You want to see exactly where they are in their development. Are they a year away? Are they a half a year away? There's a lot of factors that you look at. You look at their maturity and their makeup. You look at their work ethic and, of course, you look at their talent.
On Monday, we will work on pickoffs. Today, we did bunt defenses. We'll run through all of our fundamentals one time each initially and then work on them as we go through the rest of the spring.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/29/lIKNPIKB.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/29/lIKNPIKB.jpg border=1></a>
Rickie Weeks takes some cuts during one of the weekend sessions at Spring Training.
<b><font size=4>Notes: Don't count out Johnson</font>
Former second-round pick hoping for big spring</b>
PHOENIX -- By most accounts, the Brewers will split catching duties in 2003 between Chad Moeller and Gary Bennett, a duo with Major League experience and spots on the 40-man roster.
That does not mean the other catcher on the roster is going through the motions this spring.
"When I left home my fiancee asked me, 'Where do you think they'll put you? Double-A? Triple-A?'" said Kade Johnson, a 25-year-old former second-round draft pick. "I told her that I'm not thinking about those places right now. I'm thinking of breaking with the big boys.
"I'm not here for that cup of tea. I feel like I belong. It's a comfortable feeling and it's something I want to be a part of."
He has a long shot at best, but you have to admire his confidence. Moeller and Bennett have a combined 503 games of big-league experience. Johnson has been limited by shoulder, elbow and hamstring injuries and has never played above Double-A. The Brewers briefly moved him to the outfield in 2002 after elbow surgery.
Johnson moved back behind the plate and stayed healthy in 2003, hitting .321 at advanced Single-A High Desert before a promotion to Double-A Huntsville. He struggled offensively after the move, hitting just .192 with four homers and 31 RBIs in 65 games, but finished strong in the Arizona Fall League with a .395 average in 16 games.
"It's been a long road to get here," Johnson said. "It's great to be back behind the plate. It's a rush. If you don't have a love for it you can't do it."
He proposed to his fiancee, Angie, on Valentine's Day and plans to marry Jan. 15, 2005. By then, Johnson would love to have some Major League experience on his resume.
"It's a challenge," he said. "I had a good offseason, training-wise, so I'm ready to go. You never know what can happen during the course of a year."
<b>Keeping busy:</b> Brooks Kieschnick was fighting for a job as a pitcher/pinch-hitter/outfielder/first baseman last year and seemed to never sit down during Spring Training. He is still competing this spring, but is trying to be smarter about it.
"I'm taking fewer swings this time," Kieschnick said. "It wore on me last year."
Brewers manager Ned Yost said if Kieschnick makes the team, it will have to be because of his pitching ability. He went 1-1 with a 5.26 ERA in 42 relief appearances last year while hitting .300 with seven home runs in 70 at-bats. He batted .381 as a pinch-hitter.
"Are we asking Brooks to be a better pitcher this year?" Yost asked. "Yeah, he's gotta be."
<b>Early schedule:</b> The Brewers will take to the practice fields an hour earlier than normal Monday to accommodate the Major League Baseball Player's Association, set to meet at 1:30 p.m. MT with players. Players are expected to be briefed on baseball's steroid policy and other union issues.
<b>Gorman storms in:</b> Brewers great Gorman Thomas, an all-out center fielder who starred on teams of the late 1970s and early 1980s, arrived Sunday for a week in camp with his old teammates Yost and bullpen coach Bill Castro. Thomas often visits Miller Park during the season but has never attended Spring Training as a special instructor.
"I'm looking forward to it," Thomas said.
Jim Gantner, another former teammate, is also expected to make a Spring Training appearance.
<b>Camp report:</b> Pitcher Dave Burba sat out again Sunday after getting treatment this weekend for a sore neck. The injury is not considered serious. ... Brewers players finished Sunday's workout with a baserunning seminar led by first base coach Dave Nelson. "I tell those guys all the time how lucky they are to have a guy like Davey," Yost said. "Because he's experienced and he's just the total package as far as coaches go." ... Forecasters are calling for rain Tuesday, when Yost planned the team's first intrasquad game. The Cactus League opener is set for Thursday against Oakland.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/05/29/HbrrfuvH.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/05/29/HbrrfuvH.jpg border=1></a>
Gary Bennett batted .238 in 96 games with the San Diego Padres last season.
<b><font size=4>Counsell living out boyhood dream</font>
Shortstop to man starting role in Milwaukee</b>
PHOENIX -- John Counsell's kid loved tagging along to the office.
John was the Brewers director of community relations from 1978-1988 and "the office" was Milwaukee County Stadium. His son, Craig, got to hang out in the clubhouse and met Brewers players like Ned Yost, Cecil Cooper, Gorman Thomas, Paul Molitor and Robin Yount.
More than two decades later, Craig is following in his heroes' footsteps.
Acquired by the Brewers in December, Counsell is playing for Brewers manager Yost and working in Spring Training with Cooper, the Brewers' Triple-A manager, and Thomas, who arrived Sunday for a week in camp. Molitor, who is over in Mariners camp as the team's new hitting coach, will head to the Hall of Fame this summer wearing a Brewers cap.
As for Yount -- Counsell's boyhood hero? The kid is about to play his position.
"It's an honor for me to play in Milwaukee," said Counsell, projected as the Brewers' Opening Day shortstop. "I'm proud to be able to do it."
Born in South Bend, Ind., Counsell and his family migrated north to Madison, Wis., in the mid-1970s and moved to Milwaukee in 1978 when John Counsell got the job with the Brewers. Craig, whose 12-year pro career has included World Series wins with the Marlins and Diamondbacks, has made his offseason home in the Milwaukee suburb of Mequon since 2001.
When the Brewers acquired Counsell and five others from Arizona in the Richie Sexson trade, general manager Doug Melvin called with the news and asked Counsell a question:
How do you feel about being the starting shortstop?
"I told him I was hoping he would ask me that question," said Counsell. "I saw the guys they had here and thought there was an opportunity to do it."
At 33 years old, Counsell will be the young Brewers' oldest position player and Yost has even mulled ideas about batting Counsell third in the lineup. One of his current and former teammates raises his eyebrows and smiled when told of that plan, but is not about to bet against a guy who has been dealing with doubters his whole life.
"He may not be the prettiest thing in the world, but this game is not about pretty," said catcher Chad Moeller, Counsell's teammate for the last three years in Arizona. "Everything Craig does, he does it right."
The everyday shortstop job could present a similar challenge. Counsell started a career-high 124 games in 2001, but only 56 were at short, one of the more physically demanding positions on the diamond.
Counsell has already begun work with Brewers bench coach Rich Dauer, a former Orioles second baseman who formed one of the league's best infield tandems alongside Cal Ripken Jr. Dauer instructs Brewers infielders.
"Craig is great at making the routine play, and where we are at right now with our pitching staff and the way our team is being built, the routine play is a necessity -- a guaranteed must," Dauer said. "You don't have to have this tremendous speed to play short. Ripken was probably the slowest shortstop in baseball, but he was always there to make the play."
Still, Counsell is a defensive step back from Royce Clayton, who manned shortstop in Milwaukee last season and is one of the better defenders in baseball. Dauer compared Counsell to Jay Bell, a strong fundamental player who succeeded despite less than spectacular range.
What makes Yost believe Counsell can play shortstop every day?
"Because he thinks he can," Yost said. "He thinks he can, so I'm more than willing to see if he can."
Counsell is Yost's kind of player, a guy who would have fit in with the blue-collar Brewers he used to watch as a kid.
"It's hard to explain exactly what he is, but there's not many like him," Yost said. "They're winners. They're guys that don't have the superstar-type talent but they've got the superstar-type heart and ability to help you win ballgames."
Despite its hometown feel, Milwaukee could present a big transition for Counsell, who has a knack for being on the right teams at the right time. His storybook 1997 season began at the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate and ended with Counsell scoring the winning run in the 11th inning of Game 7 of the World Series for the Marlins.
In 2001, his first full season in the big leagues with Arizona, Counsell played all over the diamond and shined for the Diamondbacks in the playoffs, earning National League Championship Series MVP honors for his work against Yost's Atlanta Braves.
The last two seasons have been marred by injuries. Counsell underwent neck surgery in August 2002 and suffered a dislocated thumb in May 2003 that he struggled all season to overcome. He finished the year with a .234 average in 89 games.
"I don't take anything as a given," Counsell said. "We all have to earn our playing time every day by producing. I don't sit here and say, 'I'm going to play shortstop every day.' I have to earn my keep in order to play shortstop every day."
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/29/NWGdwwcC.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/02/29/NWGdwwcC.jpg border=1></a>
Shortstop Craig Counsell is a career .266 hitter with 16 home runs and 188 RBIs.
<b><font size=4>Counsell remains humble despite success</font>
Phoenix</b> - Among players on the Milwaukee Brewers' 40-man roster, shortstop Craig Counsell has a clear lead in age (33), major-league service time (6 years 37 days) and World Series rings (two).
With credentials like that, it would not be out of line for him to demand preferential treatment such as first swings in the batting cage, first pass through the clubhouse food spread and first choice of seats on team buses and planes.
Out of line? No.
Out of character? Yes.
"With all that the guy has accomplished in this game, he really hasn't changed at all," said Brewers third-base coach Rich Donnelly, who was with Counsell for the Florida Marlins' championship run in 1997.
"He fought his way to the big leagues by working hard and doing all the little things right and he's played a long time. He's had a nice career. He's made some money. He's won two World Series. He scored the winning run in Game 7 (of the 1997 World Series). But he could walk down the middle of the street and most people wouldn't have any idea who he is. They wouldn't even know that he's a baseball player."
Being a baseball player is all Counsell ever wanted to be. By now, many Wisconsin fans can recite his story by heart. They know he grew up in Whitefish Bay and that his father, John, worked in the Brewers' marketing department from 1978-'88.
Young Craig would follow his father around County Stadium, where he got to play catch with heroes like Robin Yount and Paul Molitor, and eventually followed his dad's path to the University of Notre Dame, where he was a baseball standout. He was drafted by Colorado, the first of his five big-league organizations.
Given his college ties and the scrappy way Counsell plays the game, teammates in Arizona tagged him with the nickname "Rudy" as the team surged to its championship victory over the New York Yankees in 2001.
Though it made Counsell cringe, the moniker was fitting at the time.
Now, he seems to have outgrown it. The Brewers, who got him from the Diamondbacks as part of the Richie Sexson trade, are counting on Counsell to act as an elder statesman in the clubhouse and mentor to younger players like Bill Hall and J.J. Hardy.
"It does feel a little different," Counsell said after a recent workout at Maryvale Baseball Park. "In Arizona, I was one of the younger guys. Now, I'm one of the older guys. You feel like there are some sets of eyes on you. But that's all part of it. I don't mind guys watching me. That's how you learn."
As a youngster in the Colorado system, Counsell made mental notes as veteran shortstop Walt Weiss went about his business.
"He's a guy I really watched," Counsell said. "He did things the right way, I always thought. I watched how he played and the things that he thought were important."
Counsell's education didn't stop in Colorado. Florida manager Jim Leyland, one of the game's great characters, also made an impression. After being part of the Marlins' championship team in 1997, Counsell survived the fire sale that ravaged the club, which lost 108 games the next season.
"Leyland taught me a lot," Counsell said. "I remember I was having trouble defensively. I think I made four errors in April. And he told me, basically, that I shouldn't be making the errors. He said, 'Your hands are too good. Your defense is predicated on concentration. If you concentrate like you should, you won't make errors.'
"We were just sitting in the dugout, about 15 minutes before a game, when he told me that and I remember it every day. As long as my concentration is there, I feel like I won't make any mistakes."
When he got to Arizona, a team dominated by veterans, Counsell had several role models from which to choose. He watched infielders Jay Bell ("a total pro)" and Matt Williams ("He had this presence that not many people have. He could look at you and get his message across without saying anything.").
He also talked hitting with Mark Grace.
" 'Gracie' was exceptional breaking down pitchers," Counsell said. "He could tell you what they threw and exactly what they wanted to do with you. He was exceptional at that. If I was uncomfortable or unfamiliar with any pitcher, he was always on the money.
"There have been plenty of guys that I looked up to in my career. I think I took a little from a lot of guys."
Although he might be with the team only one year, given his pending free-agent status and the emergence of prospect J.J. Hardy, Counsell will be counted on by Brewers officials to return the favor by providing help and guidance to younger players.
"It's hard to explain exactly what he is," Brewers manager Ned Yost said of Counsell. "There's not many of them like him in baseball. David Eckstein is like him. They're winners. They don't have the superstar-type talent but they have the superstar-type heart and ability to help you win ball games. They're superstars in their own right even though they don't have superstar talent."
"They're so valuable. They help you win more than a superstar does in a lot of respects because they do things that people don't notice that help you win ball games. He may be a guy who hits a cutoff man and you throw a guy out. They're fundamentally sound. He gets guys over, bunts, gets on base. He just does things that you don't really notice that help you win ball games. That's why he's so valuable on a championship team, because he has those intangibles that he brings to the ballpark."
Those intangibles may not lead to fame and fortune. But there always will be a place for them in baseball, especially on Yost's team.
"Everybody that's a baseball fan loves (Counsell)," Yost said. "Some of my friends, guys that aren't huge baseball fans, they said, 'I love that guy.' (Comedian) Jeff Foxworthy is a great friend of mine and I was talking about the (Sexson) trade and he said, 'Man, I love Craig Counsell.' He didn't know who any of the other guys were.
"You can't find anybody who doesn't love him because he plays the game hard and plays the game right. He's kind of an underdog because he's had so much success without a great amount of talent. People love to see that."
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/craig301.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/scraig301.jpg border=1></a>
The Milwaukee Brewers are counting on veteran shortstop Craig Counsell to provide leadership this season.
<b><font size=4>Brewers, Jenkins closing in on deal</font>
Phoenix</b> - Enough progress was made Monday in negotiations between the Milwaukee Brewers and <b>Geoff Jenkins</b> that an agreement on a contract extension could happen as early as today.
The Brewers and representatives for Jenkins have engaged in heavy discussions over the past two days, mainly because Jenkins set a deadline of Thursday to reach a deal or end negotiations. General manager <b>Doug Melvin</b> sounded more optimistic Monday evening than at any previous time in the process.
"We made some progress today," Melvin said. "I guess you could say I'm optimistic. Anything could still happen. We'll know a lot more (today)."
Melvin declined to reveal any details of the talks, and Jenkins' agent, <b>Tommy Tanzer</b>, could not be reached for comment. But both sides have worked hard in recent days to find a common ground for an extension.
The Brewers are thought to be offering a three-year deal for about $20 million. Jenkins is thought to be seeking a four-year deal for about $32 million.
That gap could be closed by being creative with the contract language, allowing Jenkins to increase his pay and perhaps vest another year through performance clauses. That way, Jenkins could earn more money by performing well, and the Brewers would be protected somewhat if he is injured.
The 29-year-old leftfielder is in the final year of a four-year, $18 million contract that pays him $8.55 million this season. He is eligible for free agency after the season and the Brewers probably would be compelled to deal him at some point if an agreement is not reached.
<b>Keeping his head up</b>
When shortstop <b>J.J. Hardy</b> first heard of the trade that brought veteran infielder <b>Craig Counsell</b> from Arizona, he couldn't help but be disappointed.
"I had heard I was going to get a shot to make the team," said Hardy, a second-round draft pick in 2001 who is rated one of the organization's top prospects.
"When (the trade with Arizona) happened, it was kind of a shock."
The Brewers' original plan was to see if Hardy, only 21 and coming out of Class AA ball, could play three to five days a week at short in the big leagues this season. That blueprint was torn up after they acquired Counsell and five other players from the Diamondbacks in a blockbuster trade for <b>Richie Sexson</b> on Dec. 1.
Counsell, 33, was used in a variety of infield roles with Arizona but Melvin decided to pencil him in as the starting shortstop, thus removing the pressure from Hardy of having to make the jump to the majors.
Despite that development, it will be an important spring for Hardy. A player's first big-league camp always is. Brewers officials will watch closely to see how he handles himself daily, particularly when exhibition season begins.
"I'm just going to take a positive approach and attitude and see what happens," he said.
<b>Change of plans</b>
Because of a forecast for rain by the middle of the day today, manager <b>Ned Yost</b> moved up a scheduled intrasquad game from noon to 10 a.m. With 17 pitchers scheduled to record three outs apiece, Yost said he hoped to get in nine innings before being forced inside.
The Brewers have another intrasquad game scheduled for Wednesday before they open exhibition play Thursday against Oakland. Lefty <b>Wayne Franklin</b>, scheduled to go two innings in that game, will go after three outs today in the intrasquad game.
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/2gj227.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/feb04/s2gj227.jpg border=1></a>
The Brewers have made significant progress in contract negotiations with Geoff Jenkins.
<b><font size=4>Brewers and proud of it</font></b>
The final page of the Diamondbacks' trade with Milwaukee turned as soon as pitcher Chris Capuano sported his new baseball attire.
"It hit me a little different," Capuano said Saturday morning as he prepared for the Brewers' first full-squad workout at the Maryvale Baseball Park. "New uniform, new colors. But I've really taken to it quickly. I just think of myself as a Brewer now. I don't think about the way it was before."
The transition from Diamondbacks to Brewers colors has gone smoothly for Chad Moeller, Craig Counsell, Junior Spivey, Lyle Overbay, Jorge De La Rosa and Capuano - all dealt Dec. 1 for Richie Sexson.
General Manager Doug Melvin pointed out that the Brewers could field five ex-Diamondbacks in the lineup should Capuano make the rotation.
But they all have something to prove, and that suits each player fine.
"It's a challenge that's new and different for me," said Counsell, who is projected as the Brewers' shortstop. "Sometimes, we need that. It gives you a little kick in the pants to motivate you to want to succeed again."
Only Moeller, who mysteriously didn't start after Sept. 4 but still finished with a .268 batting average, took a peek at the past.
"The end was a little sour, but that's the way a lot of things end," Moeller said. "I was happy with the opportunity they gave me. I saw (Diamondbacks GM) Joe Garagiola several times this off-season and thanked him for opportunity and for putting me in a place where I'd get a chance to play.
"(The Diamondbacks) wanted to go a different way, and I definitely believe I still could be behind the plate every day."
For Spivey, the trade capped a mercurial year in which he endured an injury-riddled season and got married shortly before he was dealt and spent the off-season in Dallas.
"Everything hit me at once," said Spivey, a 2002 National League All-Star second baseman. "It was one hell of a year. I'm going to miss the friends. But I'm over it."
Overbay expressed gratitude to the Diamondbacks for not only trading him to a team where he could revive his career but also to a club that trains in the Valley instead of Tucson.
"That drive (between Phoenix and Tucson) gets old very quickly. It wears on you. I'm not holding any grudges. They obviously wanted to do what they did. I'm not thinking it's an insult to me."
The Brewers were just as proud that Overbay wasn't afraid to sport the same jersey number 11 last sported by Sexson, who has hit 30 or more home runs in each of the past five seasons.
"No one player can replace Richie," Melvin said. "That's why we got the number of players we did. That showed me something."
De La Rosa originally began his professional career with the Diamondbacks but was moved three days shortly after being reacquired as part of the Curt Schilling trade.
De La Rosa, 22, is a long shot to make the Opening Day roster but has made a favorable impression.
Melvin was pleased that a few Valley fans told him they came out to Maryvale to root for the Brewers because they could identify with Spivey and Counsell.
"We're starting to close that gap until some younger players are ready," said Melvin, whose farm system possesses two of Baseball America's top 10 prospects in second baseman Rickie Weeks and first baseman Prince Fielder.
"If these (ex-Diamondbacks) become star players, that's a problem I want to have. They're just not gap fillers until minor league players are ready. I think they got a chance to be good players."
<b><font size=4>Manager's take: Yost on Brewers</font>
Focus on fundamentals, regular-season wins</b>
PHOENIX -- Brewers manager Ned Yost is in his second season at the helm of the Brewers, working to get the team back to prominence. He agreed to share his take on camp until the Cactus League schedule kicks in on March 4.
We'll look to play intrasquad games on Tuesday and Wednesday. It's real important for the pitchers. They've been throwing batting practice and doing all of their fundamental defensive drills, so these games will give them an opportunity to get into their environment and get their feet wet with an inning before the games start.
The games are built around the pitchers. We will have the chance to let our hitters see our pitchers at game speed for an at-bat or two or three before our Spring Training games start. It gets everybody geared toward the start of the spring season Thursday.
Our pitchers have been throwing at about 80 percent capacity. We will ratchet that up here as the Spring Training games start. At 80 percent, you are still trying to get them into the feel-and-touch mode. They are exercising their arm and they have been building up some endurance over the last 10 or 12 days. Along with their throwing that they have been doing all winter long, they will be ready to go. They will step right up in the intrasquad games and have at it.
Toward the end of the spring it becomes more important to win the games. Early on, you are just trying to get guys in. Everything we do is geared toward winning on April 5, Opening Day. A lot of times, wins and losses early in the spring don't mean much because you are playing a lot of your young guys toward the end of the game, the most important part of the game.
Our whole focus is to get in shape and win as many games as we can, but we don't live and die with wins and losses in Spring Training.
We'll do fundamentals on and off the rest of the spring. We really simplify our fundamental regimen but we want them to do them precise and right each and every time they do it. Good teams are fundamentally sound and we'll work real hard at that. We'll work them all spring long.
We're looking forward to playing games. We work real hard the first couple of weeks. Practice is fun for the first few days and then you look forward to playing games. After two or three weeks of Spring Training games, you really look forward to playing games that count. It's a progression.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/01/GHZd4hUn.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/01/GHZd4hUn.jpg border=1></a>
Ned Yost talks to his players while they stretch during Spring Training.
<b><font size=4>Notes: Burba trying to latch on</font>
Veteran looking to make staff as long man</b>
PHOENIX -- Veteran Dave Burba, trying to pitch his way onto the Brewers roster as a long reliever, played catch Monday after getting more treatment for muscle spasms in his upper back.
Burba has been sidelined for several days with the spasms, which began near his neck. His is the only notable injury in what has been a happily healthy Spring Training for the team.
"It's getting better, but it's working its way down my back," Burba said.
At 37 years old, Burba is the only player in camp born in the 1960s. The youngest player in the clubhouse, 19-year-old Prince Fielder, was two years old when Burba was drafted and six years old when Burba pitched his first Major League game late in the 1990 season.
The right-hander, who owns a 111-86 record in parts of 14 seasons with Seattle, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Texas and Milwaukee, proved valuable to Brewers manager Ned Yost in 2003. Burba went 1-1 with a 3.53 ERA in 17 games, two starts, often saving the staff by eating innings during blowouts.
"We've got to find guys who can pick up some innings," Yost said. "If we got in trouble in the second inning last year, we were cooked. Until we got Burba."
Still, Burba has to pitch his way to a roster spot.
"There's a lot of question marks," said Yost.
Burba is not scheduled to pitch in Tuesday's intrasquad game and will continue to be monitored by Brewers trainers.
"It's just fat," Burba joked of his muscle spasms. "That's why it's taking longer to heal."
<b>Game time:</b> The Brewers scheduled intrasquad scrimmages for Tuesday and Wednesday, and moved Tuesday's start time from noon to 10 a.m. MT to avoid the rain predicted for the afternoon.
Weather permitting, 18 pitchers will throw one inning each: Mike Adams, Brian Bowles, Matt and Jason Childers, Mike Crudale, Jorge De La Rosa, Leo Estrella, Matt Ford, Wayne Franklin, Adrian Hernandez, Brooks Kieschnick, Pedro Liriano, Chris Michalak, Wes Obermueller, Chris Saenz, Victor Santos, Dennis Sarfate and Matt Wise.
"You really want the pitchers to have an inning under their belt" before the start of Cactus League exhibitions, Yost said.
Left-hander Franklin will start Thursday's league opener against Oakland, followed by Chris Capuano. Each pitcher will go about two innings or 40 pitches.
"Because we have eight or nine guys who are really battling, we have to dobule guys up," Yost said. "You just look at how they do as the spring progresses and you make your decision [on the rotation]."
<b>Camp report:</b> Catcher Alex Delgado took a physical on Monday but did not participate in the team's workout. He was delayed in Venezuela by personal matters and reported to camp on Sunday. ... Players gathered after the workout for a closed-door meeting with representatives of the Players' Association. Yost and the coaches, who are also dues-paying union members, had a separate meeting. For the second season, third baseman Wes Helms is the Brewers union representative.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/01/ZMBmBE3F.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/01/ZMBmBE3F.jpg border=1></a>
Dave Burba had a 3.53 ERA in 43 1/3 innings for the Brewers in 2003.
<b><font size=4>Helms' work ethic paying off</font>
Third baseman ready to step up in '04</b>
PHOENIX -- It is barely 6 a.m. on a chilly morning at Maryvale Baseball Park, fully four hours before the Milwaukee Brewers will take the field for their morning stretch.
The clubhouse is dark. Coaches are filtering in to go over the day's workout. And out behind a blue two-story building that houses the locker rooms and team offices, the sound of lumber hitting horsehide cracks the morning silence.
Third baseman Wes Helms, one of the Brewers' most obsessive hitters and the team's only player under contract past 2004, is already hard at work.
"This, to me, is a time when a player should torture themself," said Helms, coming off his first full season as a regular starter. "I know you don't get any better by sitting in the clubhouse."
Helms was just as obsessive last season. He, outfielder Brady Clark and often infielder Keith Ginter showed up to Miller Park at 1 p.m. for night games -- six hours before first pitch -- and immediately hit the cage with batting coach Butch Wynegar.
The work paid off. After a brutal April in which he admits he pressed to impress his new coaches, Helms finished the season right where manager Ned Yost expected him: a .261 average, 23 home runs and 67 RBIs. He was just the second Brewers third baseman ever to hit 20 homers in a season and his average improved in every month but August, when he missed a few weeks with a hamstring injury.
"It was a big struggle for him in the beginning, it really was," said Yost, who lobbied GM Doug Melvin to trade reliever Ray King to Atlanta for Helms during the 2002 Winter Meetings. "The first month was a struggle, defensively and offensively. But I just knew that the way he went about his business and the way he worked, he would work it out. I just knew it."
With a full year under his belt, Helms wants to get better. Ten percent a year, he says, in every offensive category.
"I'll never stop until I top out," Helms said. "I don't know what my potential is. I might not be an All-Star. My potential might be hitting like Albert Pujols, who knows? I won't stop until I find out."
While most players shy away from setting statistical goals, Helms has some in mind. He would like to up his average to .275. He would love to crack 30 home runs and 80 RBIs, production that would surely help the Brewers' Richie Sexson-less offense operate.
For now, Helms is working on contact to the opposite field. Teammates may call him "The Caveman," but Helms is a thinking man at the plate this spring.
"It's all I do," he said. "Butch and I talked and agreed that until that first game, I don't ever want to pull a ball. Maybe one or two at the end of cage work just to feel it. That was my April last year; I'd be trying to pull the ball every time. I know my approach to hitting now."
Helms wants to make a case that he can hit fifth, behind left fielder Geoff Jenkins. Yost said he still likes Helms in the six-hole, at least until he proves he can make more contact and cut down on his 131 strikeouts in 2003.
When he is not in the cage, Helms is working with bench coach Rich Dauer on defense. The Braves originally scouted Helms as a high school pitcher, so he has the arm to play deep at third to account for his less than lightning-quick reflexes. It also helps that Helms arrived in camp lighter and more agile than he did last spring, when he lifted weights like mad to impress the new team.
"Now that Sexson's gone, not that I'm a guy who will ever consider myself the guy, I feel like one of the guys who should lead by example," said Helms.
"I feel good. Hitting, fielding, everything. I have that confidence level that comes from playing that first full season and now it's time to build on that."
The work ethic comes from Helms' father and grandfather, both military men.
"People look at me and say, 'You're going to get tired!'" Helms said. "But I don't tire out. I don't. Just like my dad, I'm a workaholic.
"My dad raised me in the military, and I was up at six in the morning every day doing chores. He told me, 'Whatever you put your hand on, you do 110 percent. You don't get better sitting around.'"
Helms signed a two-year, $2.4 million contract in January and recently bought a house in Whitefish Bay, Wis., the same Milwaukee suburb where new Brewers infielder Craig Counsell grew up. He says he and his wife, Meredith, are planning to spend the holidays in Wisconsin so their 13-month-old son, Wes Jr., can experience a white Christmas and Wes Sr. can do some community appearances.
Helms' real estate agent told him the neighborhood kids are already excited about having a Brewer in town.
Wes, an only child, calls home to Gastonia, N.C. every day to chat with mom and dad. They still talk baseball, but the conversation often turns to Wes. Jr., who celebrated his first birthday on Jan. 17. He was born four weeks premature but is now a healthy, 25-pound baby "into everything," according to dad.
"He's a mess," Helms jokes. "Hyper, like me."
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/01/9Cdzsg9S.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/01/9Cdzsg9S.jpg border=1></a>
Wes Helms has earned a reputation as one of the hardest-working players in the game.
<b><font size=4>Standing on the corner</font>
Helms believes he's found a home
Phoenix</b> - After only one season with the Milwaukee Brewers, Wes Helms decided to make his presence known . . . in the clubhouse and the community.
Buoyed by a new, two-year contract and hopes of a long and prosperous career with the Brewers, Helms not only bought a home in the Milwaukee area but also made a gesture to his teammates of his dedication.
Thus, a high definition television with 60-inch screen awaits the Brewers in the home clubhouse at Miller Park when the regular season begins.
"Wes just doesn't like watching cartoons on those little TVs, I guess," said Brewers manager Ned Yost.
As you might have guessed, Helms is often the brunt of jokes, pranks and general razzing within his baseball family, in large part because of his pronounced Southern drawl. Born and raised in North Carolina and now a resident of Atlanta, that speech pattern comes natural.
Dubbed "Caveman" by his teammates last year, Helms indeed comes off like a modern-day Fred Flintstone at times. But he's dumb as a fox, and don't forget it.
"He comes off at times like a big caveman but he's smart," said hitting instructor Butch Wynegar. "He knows what he wants to do."
<b>Job No. 1</b>
At the top of the list is becoming a more consistent hitter. Thus, Wynegar knows when he opens the batting cage for business every morning at 7 a.m. during spring camp, Helms will be one of his first customers.
And, invariably, when Wynegar calls it a day after extra hitting sessions in the afternoon, Helms is one of the last hitters to check out.
"He's one of the hardest workers," said Wynegar. "He knows what we're trying to do. When I say something to him now, he knows right away. He can step out and make the adjustment.
"It's just a matter now of getting more consistent."
In the early going last spring, consistency not only eluded Helms, it was missing in action. At one point, Helms was tempted to send out a posse in search of it.
After sitting on Atlanta's bench for three seasons as a reserve, more rust had accumulated on his game than Helms could have imagined. The only way to scrape it off was with daily effort and a determined attitude.
"Butch and I were working on things," said Helms, 27. "We took my swing and pretty much broke it down in spring training. We knew it would take time to get it right. I was trying to work the kinks out."
For whatever reason, Helms never worked them out on the road. He batted .203 with seven homers and 22 RBI in 65 road games, compared to .317 with 16 HRs and 45 RBI in 69 games at Miller Park.
<b>In his corner</b>
Fortunately for Helms, he had an ally in Yost, who knew him well after coaching on Atlanta's staff for 12 years. Yost was determined to stick with Helms, whose strong arm and power potential could not be ignored.
Yost now admits even he had doubts at times that Helms would turn the corner.
"In the back of my mind, maybe I wondered if I was wrong," said Yost. "The first month was a terrible struggle, defensively and offensively.
"But I just knew, the way he went about his business and the way he worked, he'd get it fixed. The deciding factor for me, if I'm willing to stick my neck out and give them a chance, is work ethic."
That blue-collar approach began to pay off for Helms as the season progressed. He became the first Brewers third baseman since Tommy Harper in the inaugural year of 1970 to hit 20 home runs, finishing with 23, 67 runs batted in and a .262 average.
Those numbers would have been even better if not for a hamstring injury that landed Helms on the disabled list in August. He was limited to 134 games of action but Helms bounced back strong by batting .310 in September.
Impressed by Helms' dogged approach to his job and convinced he had only scratched the surface of his talent, the Brewers rewarded him with a two-year, $4.5 million contract.
"It takes the pressure off," said Helms, who bought a home in Whitefish Bay to make wife Meredith and 1-year-old son Wes Jr. more comfortable during the season. "I thank the Brewers for having confidence in me.
"Now, you can go out there and do your job and not worry about anything. You know you're going to be the man at the corner. You're more relaxed because you know your job is secure and you can just go out and play."
<b>Reaching out</b>
As for the generosity of his television gift and the decision to buy a home locally, Helms said: "I was raised without much. I want to take care of my family at home and my family here. We're like a family on this team."
With a year of experience under Helms' belt and an increased confidence, the Brewers believe he will be more productive this year. Wynegar wants to see him put the ball in play more - Helms whiffed 131 times in 2003 - and use the entire field to take advantage of his considerable power.
At this point, no one knows just how good Helms can be. But the Brewers are committed to him, and vice versa.
"We gave a lot of guys an opportunity," said Yost. "I look at their desire, I look at their makeup and I look at their work ethic.
"If they've got those three things, they can't help but turn it around because they're in an atmosphere here that's conducive to them being successful."
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/wes302.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/swes302.jpg border=1></a>
Wes Helms, armed with a new deal, has put down roots in Whitefish Bay.
<b><font size=4>New real estate for Jenkins?</font>
Phoenix</b> - During a news conference to discuss his contract extension Tuesday, Geoff Jenkins let a pretty big secret slip out.
The Milwaukee Brewers have discussed moving him from left to right field.
"We've talked about it," said Jenkins. "I'd say it's 80-20 against it right now."
With free-agent signee Ben Grieve no sure thing in right field, the Brewers have contemplated moving Jenkins to right, possibly opening left field for displaced second baseman Keith Ginter. Jenkins has become such a proficient leftfielder (no errors in 2003), however, that moving him could be counterproductive.
"Somewhere in spring training we may decide the best makeup of the club is to switch him," said Brewers general manager Doug Melvin. "We'll look at it and see. I don't know which way is the right way.
"Do you take a leftfielder as good as he is and put him in right field? Is it going to make that big of a difference? I think it's a slim chance we would do it."
Milwaukee manager Ned Yost admitted he would not endorse such a switch without serious consideration.
"He has made himself into the best leftfielder in the National League," said Yost. "If we're going to do something, I wouldn't yank him back and forth. It would be a permanent move.
"It's still in the thinking process."
<b><font size=4>Brewers notes: A positive move</font>
Teammates praise signing of Jenkins to extension</b>
PHOENIX -- In a press conference announcing his new contract extension, Geoff Jenkins talked about how much he liked playing left field at Miller Park.
Then he smiled at manager Ned Yost and added, "Or right field."
Yost briefly considered the same move last spring and said he and Jenkins had recently kicked around ideas about a shift. It would open left field for a combination of Ben Grieve, Brady Clark and Keith Ginter.
"We're just sitting around and thinking, 'What's best for our team,'" said Yost. "If it's a move, it's got to be a permanent move. We're just still in the talking process."
Jenkins has played left field his entire career and is one of baseball's more underrated defensive outfielders. He has committed just four errors in the last three years and was the only everyday outfielder in baseball last season without a miscue.
He had 11 outfield assists in 2003, second only to Anaheim's Garret Anderson's 14 despite the fact Jenkins missed a month with a fractured thumb.
Wherever Jenkins plays, center fielder Scott Podsednik will have a nice view.
"He's unbelievable," Podsednik said. "It's fun for me to play next to a star."
For the rest of his teammates, Tuesday's announcement was good news.
"It's just a relief that we've got our big wheel signed," said third baseman Wes Helms, who had been the only Brewer under contract past 2005. Jenkins' new contract runs at least through 2007, with a club option for 2008.
"He's a guy that we all look up to, and just a guy you want signed for a long time," Helms said. "I'd like to think of me and Jenkins, Podsednik, Ginter, Brady [Clark] -- all those guys -- as being here for a long time. I think the fans would like to see that, and if we lost Jenkins it would have really let the fans down."
Jenkins' representatives had been discussing the parameters of an extension since GM meetings last November. Helms and Ginter said he never heard Jenkins utter a word about it in the clubhouse.
"We need 'Jenks' in our lineup," said Ginter, whose locker is next to Jenkins'. "He's about the one offensive threat that we have that people really know of. It shows that our front office is trying to do something."
<b>Game on:</b> Jenkins singled in the team's first intrasquad game on Tuesday, but the day belonged mostly to the youngsters. Shortstop prospect J.J. Hardy had a pair of triples, including a three-run three-bagger in the bottom of the eighth inning that helped first base coach Dave Nelson's team to a 7-2 win over third base coach Rich Donnelly's squad.
"J.J. impressed me last year," Yost said, referring to the times Hardy was borrowed from minor league camp. "My impression period is over. I have a pretty good idea of what he can do."
Teams will form again on Wednesday for a four-inning game. The pitchers will include starter hopefuls Ben Sheets, Doug Davis, Matt Kinney, Adrian Hernandez and Travis Phelps.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/02/HQcWZtVf.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/02/HQcWZtVf.jpg border=1></a>
Scott Podsednik (pictured) says teammate Geoff Jenkins is "unbelievable" in the outfield.
<b><font size=4>Yost assembling bench</font>
Only Clark, Ginter, Hall seem certain
Phoenix</b> - Sometimes the most forgettable games produce a season's most unforgettable moments.
That's why Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost still talks about the events of July 26 last year.
The Brewers were in Colorado, playing the second game of what turned out to be a lackluster three-city, 10-game trip. Trailing by three runs in the bottom of the second inning, the Rockies loaded the bases and sent pitcher Denny Stark to the plate to face right-hander Matt Kinney.
With Scott Podsednik taking a rare night off, Brady Clark was playing center field for the Brewers that night. We'll let Clark pick up the narrative from here:
"I remember (Stark) coming up. I was playing shallow and I moved over to the right-field side a little bit because I didn't know he could swing the bat like he did. If I remember right, it was the very first pitch. He just crushed it."
At the crack of the bat, Clark wheeled and began running toward the wall. In the dugout, his manager feared the worst. "I didn't think Brady had a chance," he said. "He was playing so shallow because it was the pitcher. I was sure it was going to be three runs. I thought we were going to be tied."
Clark had other ideas.
"For some reason, when he hit it, I thought, 'I'm going to get this ball.' It just kept going and going. The closer I got to it, the further away it seemed to get. I got to a point where it was go or don't go."
Clark went.
Still running at full speed with his back to the plate, he dived forward, body fully extended, and caught the ball before crashing to the ground just in front of the warning track. Think about Willie Mays catching Vic Wertz's fly, but with a diving element added.
"It was probably the greatest catch I've ever seen," said Brewers third base coach Rich Donnelly, who has been hanging around pro baseball diamonds for nearly 35 years. "I still can't believe he caught it."
Though Clark scrambled to his feet and fired the ball to the infield, base runner Larry Walker tagged and scored. The man behind him, Jay Payton, was able to scramble back to second before advancing to third.
The Rockies were limited to one run that inning but went on to win the game, 13-8, wiping out Clark's brilliant play and personal record four-hit night on their way to a series sweep.
Yost, who almost never plays the "small market" card when referring to his team, made an exception in this case.
"Brady's catch was the best play I saw all year and I never heard about it," Yost said. "They should have showed that one on 'SportsCenter' every day. It should have been the play of the year, but he's a Brewer. If a guy from New York or Chicago had made that play, you'd still be seeing it."
Clark doesn't mind the lack of notice. As an undrafted player who clawed his way to the big leagues and is fighting to maintain his spot, he's used to it.
"People who were there and saw it know it was a good catch," he said. "That's all that matters. I'm not one of those guys who says 'Look at me.' I try to go about my business, play hard and do things the right way. People can either respect that or not."
Clark's work ethic and attitude have earned him plenty of respect.
"I learned a lot watching Brady last year," said Texas veteran Eric Young, who was with the Brewers for most of last year. "People say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but I watched Brady prepare and I learned a lot of things that I'm going to have to apply this year now that I'm not going to be in the lineup every day."
Though he would rather be an everyday player, Clark understands the importance of being a reserve.
"Everyday, I come to the park with the mind-set that I'm an everyday player," he said. "When I see that lineup and my name is at the bottom (with the reserves), then my mind-set changes.
"I have to prepare, pay attention to the game and the situations when I might come up. A lot of guys sit on the bench and just kind of relax. Then when their name is called, they jump up and try to get ready. I always look ahead and see when I might be needed. You never know. Somebody could get hurt. You might have to pinch-hit. You might have to pinch-run. I always try to be prepared."
As the Brewers head into their exhibition opener today against Oakland, Yost is trying to decide which reserve players will make the 25-man roster. Clark's spot, along with those of infielders Keith Ginter and Bill Hall, do not seem to be in doubt.
The rest, however, are undecided.
"To finish our bench off, we're going to be making some tough decisions," Yost said. "You've got Matt Erickson, Trent Durrington, Chris Magruder, Jon Nunnally. Those are going to be tough calls. They are all pretty good players who can do things to help you win.
"It's not all platoon, left-right, cut and dried situations, either. We're looking for the best 25 guys who give us an opportunity to win. You don't necessarily take the 25 best guys. Experience, makeup and desire and work ethic fit into that plan somewhere. It may not be the best guy, but it will be the best guy for our team."
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/2bc303.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/s2bc303.jpg border=1></a>
Brewers OF Brady Clark is an undrafted player who figures to be on the Brewers' roster when the regular season begins April 5.
<b><font size=4>Manager defends his players</font>
Yost sees no signs of steroid abuse
Phoenix</b> - While baseball's burgeoning steroid controversy continues to cast a dark cloud over training camps in Florida and Arizona, Brewers manager <b>Ned Yost</b> said he has no doubt his clubhouse is clean of illegal drugs.
"I firmly believe that no one on our club is using steroids," Yost said. "We don't have anybody in that locker room involved in that. It would be safe to say I'm positive about that. I'd be stunned (otherwise)."
Because 5.7% of major leaguers tested positive last season in random testing for steroids, the second phase of baseball's much-criticized drug policy goes into effect this season. A first offense results in counseling, but a second offense brings a suspension and fine.
Third baseman <b>Wes Helms</b>, the Brewers' union representative, also said he expects no shocking news to emerge from the testing of his teammates.
"I'll be honest with you. In this clubhouse, you don't see anybody that you'd worry about," Helms said.
Both Yost and Helms agreed the steroid issue is not going to go away any time soon. They said that was unfortunate because non-users will be guilty by association with those who cheat.
"It hurts you because you know you'll see a guy go out and hit 30 home runs, and you know he's not on (steroids), and somebody will say, 'Well, he took it,' " Helms said.
"It hurts the game that way. It's bad for us right now. We need to get this thing cleared up and handled the best we can. We're in the public eye. The best way we can get them on our side is to show them we're not doing it."
With names of suspected users starting to slip out in the federal investigation of the BALCO laboratory, such as <b>Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi</b> and <b>Gary Sheffield</b>, Yost said it's time to produce proof of what's really going on.
"Until they get to the bottom of it, who did what, if anything, this will either clean it up or prove it didn't happen," Yost said. "We need to know, one way or another."
Brewers general manager <b>Doug Melvin</b> confirmed that commissioner <b>Bud Selig</b> has issued a gag order for all club officials regarding the steroid controversy.
<b>Kids rule</b>
The Brewers' impressive crop of minor-league prospects is making its presence known in camp. Outfielder <b>David Krynzel</b> led off the intrasquad game Wednesday with a inside-the-park homer and later doubled, and first baseman <b>Prince Fielder</b> socked a three-run shot far over the rightfield wall off <b>Travis Phelps</b>.
Fielder also made some nice defensive plays, including a diving stop of a smash to his right.
"The early work is helping a lot," said Fielder, one of a group of players doing extra work on fundamentals each morning before the regular workout. "We're mostly working on footwork. I don't want to be a one-sided player."
<b>On the bottom line</b>
Left-handers <b>Wayne Franklin</b> and <b>Chris Capuano</b> and infielder <b>Bill Hall</b> signed 2004 contracts. Left-hander <b>Doug Davis</b> received a contract renewal, leaving three unsigned players: centerfielder <b>Scott Podsednik</b>, infielder/outfielder <b>Keith Ginter</b> and first baseman <b>Lyle Overbay</b>.
Davis, who fell one day short of qualifying for salary arbitration, decided to go with a contract renewal when the sides couldn't agree on a figure. He said it was done mainly as a bargaining tool when he is eligible for arbitration next year.
"There are no hard feelings," Davis said. "I talked to (general manager) Doug Melvin about it. We just couldn't agree on something so we decided to let them renew me."
<b>Ready for action</b>
The Brewers begin exhibition play today against Oakland with this posted lineup: Podsednik, cf; <b>Junior Spivey</b>, 2b; <b>Overbay</b>, lb; <b>Geoff Jenkins</b>, lf; <b>Ben Grieve</b>, rf; <b>Helms</b>, 3b; <b>Craig Counsell</b>, ss; <b>Chad Moeller</b>, c; <b>Wayne Franklin</b>, p.
The A's will send lefty <b>Mark Redman</b> to the mound today. When the clubs meet again Friday, the Brewers' <b>Wes Obermueller</b> faces off against Oakland's <b>Tim Hudson</b>.
When Milwaukee plays Texas on Sunday, <b>Glendon Rusch</b> will start for the Rangers and Davis for the Brewers. Rusch formerly pitched for the Brewers and Davis for Texas.
<b><font size=4>Notes: Franklin to start things off</font>
Left-hander will face A's in Cactus League opener</b>
PHOENIX -- Wayne Franklin had a message for the Brewers' young ace.
"You tell Ben Sheets who the real Opening Day starter is," Franklin joked. "Print it."
Franklin, a left-hander coming off his first full season as a Major League starter, will get the ball when the Brewers face Oakland in their Cactus League opener at Maryvale Baseball Park on Thursday. After two weeks of drills and intrasquad scrimmages, the players are anxious to play ball.
Franklin will be on a two-inning or 40-pitch limit, as will Chris Capuano, another left-hander competing for a spot on the back end of Milwaukee's starting rotation. The Brewers were scheduled to follow with relievers Chris Michalak, Brian Bowles, Brooks Kieschnick, Victor Santos and Mike Crudale, each slated for one inning or 25 pitches.
Though the A's will counter with left-handed Brewer-killer Mark Redman at the start, Brewers manager Ned Yost is expected to start the same left-handed-heavy lineup projected for Opening Day in St. Louis.
Center fielder Scott Podsednik will lead off, followed by second baseman Junior Spivey, first baseman Lyle Overbay, left fielder Geoff Jenkins, right fielder Ben Grieve, third baseman Wes Helms, shortstop Craig Counsell, catcher Chad Moeller and the pitcher. Spivey, Helms and Moeller are the only right-handers in the group.
"I can't wait to get these games started," Yost said. "It will give us all something to talk about."
Three of the Brewers' first five opponents will start southpaws as Cactus League play begins. Oakland right-hander Tim Hudson is scheduled for Friday, and the Brewers will face Colorado left-hander Shawn Estes on Saturday afternoon in Tucson, Texas right-hander Ricardo Rodriguez in the Saturday nightcap at Maryvale Baseball Park and Texas lefty Glendon Rusch on Sunday.
<b>Extra work:</b> First base and outfield coach Dave Nelson took a group out to one of the practice fields early Wednesday morning for the first day of extra outfield work. The group included Keith Ginter, who will probably get at-bats in left or right field this year, and prospect Corey Hart, who is converting from third base to the outfield.
"I think it's real important those young guys get the benefit of our Major League coaches' experience," Yost said. "For them to get as much one-on-one as possible, they've got to take advantage of that from 8 to 9:30 in the morning."
Bench coach Rich Dauer will do similar exercises with infielders like J.J. Hardy, Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks, and hitting coach Butch Wynegar is in the batting cage as early as 6:30 a.m.
<b>Payback for Donnelly:</b> After taking a tough loss in Tuesday's intrasquad game, a team skippered by third base coach Rich Donnelly scored a 5-0 win in a four-inning scrimmage Wednesday.
The kids starred again. Center-field prospect Dave Krynzel hit a leadoff, inside-the-park home run over incumbent center fielder Podsednik for a lightning-quick 1-0 lead, and Fielder pounded a long three-run home run in the third inning off Travis Phelps.
Fielder, not known as a defensive whiz, also made a diving stop at first base.
"He's a lot better defensive player than people give him credit for," Yost said.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/08/17/lmafWdrX.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/08/17/lmafWdrX.jpg border=1></a>
In 34 starts, Wayne Franklin went 10-13 with a 5.50 ERA last season.
<b><font size=4>Versatile Brewers in familiar roles</font>
Starting jobs on the minds of Ginter, Clark</b>
PHOENIX -- Keith Ginter and Brady Clark are on the outside looking in again, and neither Brewer is very happy about it.
Their manager Ned Yost, a fiery guy in his own right, would not have it any other way.
"I didn't come here to be a pinch-hitter," said Clark, a strong-armed Brewers outfielder. "If that's my role, I do it to the best of my ability. But I want to be an everyday player. You strive for it until you get it."
"Wouldn't anyone be upset?" added Ginter, an infielder by trade who has been nudged out of starting opportunities by Brewers trades in each of the last two offseasons. "I understand it, but does it stink for me? Sure. Am I going to come into camp [angry] and hold a grudge on my shoulder? No. That's not me. I'd much rather be doing this than playing every day down in Triple-A."
The Brewers gave Ginter his first shot in the big leagues. He played every infield position plus left field and catcher during his early years in the Houston Astros chain before he and pitcher Wayne Franklin were traded for Brewers veteran Mark Loretta in 2002.
Going into 2003, Milwaukee had an opening at third base and Ginter thought he had the inside track. Then the team traded for Wes Helms and installed him as the everyday man at the hot corner, so Ginter made his first Opening Day roster as a backup.
By August, the Brewers had traded veteran Eric Young and given Ginter the everyday job at second base -- his best position. Ginter finished with a .257 average, 14 home runs and 44 RBIs in 358 at-bats and went into the winter thinking he had a job waiting for him in 2004. Then the team traded Richie Sexson to the Diamondbacks for six players, including second baseman Junior Spivey, a former All-Star set to earn $2.4 million in 2004.
One of Brewers general manager Doug Melvin's first telephone calls after the trade was to Ginter, showing "that he respects me," Ginter said. The gesture went a long way to giving Ginter peace of mind this spring.
"I think if Junior plays half as well as he can, he's starting," Ginter said. "Would it make sense to put a guy making almost $2.5 million on the bench, in Milwaukee? That's the logic that I have, and I understand it. I think we're all on good terms about it."
Yost said he wants to find Ginter as many at-bats as possible and plans to again use him at third and second base. Ginter has also been working extensively at first base and expects to be the primary backup behind newcomer Lyle Overbay, and he began working in earnest with outfield coach Dave Nelson at 8 a.m. CT on Wednesday.
"I told him the first day of Spring Training, 'I don't know where you're going to play this year,'" Yost said. "I'm going to try and get him in as much as I can, whether it's in left field, first base, third base, shortstop, second base, right field. Right now, he's going to have to do it all. Time will work it out."
Ginter is working to make sure he is as versatile as possible.
"I'm one injury away from being a starter at third, a starter at second or a starter in right or left field, maybe," Ginter said. "I think I give Ned a lot of options to work with."
As for Clark?
"Everybody has been talking about my situation, but no one is mentioning Brady," Ginter said. "He deserves a shot, too. He's totally underestimated."
It has been that way Clark's entire career. He has been dealing with assumptions ever since the Cincinnati Reds signed him as a nondrafted free agent in 1996.
"When I do become an everyday guy, I'm not going to change," Clark said.
Note the when.
"If I do change, I hope somebody slaps me on the back of the head and says, 'Remember when you didn't get drafted?'" Clark said. "They said I couldn't play Single-A ball, that I wasn't good enough. I remember when they said I couldn't play Double-A, then Triple-A. I remember when they said I wasn't good enough to be in the Major Leagues. Now, what is the next step? Being an everyday guy."
Several things have to happen for that to come to fruition this season. The Brewers seem set in the outfield with left fielder Geoff Jenkins, center fielder Scott Podsednik and right fielder Ben Grieve, though Grieve is coming off three bad years with Tampa Bay and is in camp on a non-guaranteed contract.
Clark entered last September with a .304 average and got a chance to start in left field when Jenkins went down with a fractured thumb. A groin injury slowed Clark in the final month and he finished the year batting .273 overall, including a team-best 10 pinch-hits.
"Gint and I both proved that we can do it," said Clark. "So I think we have to keep on doing it until we get the opportunity. I'm going to keep fighting until I get it, and then when the opportunity comes I'm going to take full advantage of it.
"Hopefully I'm that guy this year."
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/09/20/dyTAH8Hf.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/09/20/dyTAH8Hf.jpg border=1></a>
Keith Ginter (left) hopes for an everyday role with the Brewers.
<b><font size=4>Brewers: Jenkins' signing a positive step</font></b>
PHOENIX, Ariz.- The atmosphere in the Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse Wednesday morning was definitely upbeat.
The Brewers were about to play the second and last of their two intrasquad games before opening up Cactus League action today against the Oakland Athletics at the Maryvale complex.
But that wasn't the reason for the positive attitude, laughter and smiles all around.
"It's great to have it done and know he's going to be a part of what we're building here," shortstop Craig Counsell said of Tuesday's announcement that Milwaukee had come to terms with All-Star outfielder Geoff Jenkins.
Jenkins agreed to a three-year contract extension guaranteed for $23 million, with a club option for 2008 for $9 million, with a $500,000 buyout.
Left-handed pitch Doug Davis said the signing sent a message to everyone in the clubhouse.
<b><font size=4>Neugebauer won't be rushed into action</font>
Phoenix</b> - Right-hander <b>Nick Neugebauer</b> wants to be like all the other starting pitchers in the Milwaukee Brewers' camp. It's the first week of exhibition games and he wants to throw two innings (or 40 pitches) in a game played before thousands of spectators.
Instead, he's throwing a 6-minute session in a back bullpen, his motions watched closely Friday morning by a team of pitching coaches and a trainers who huddle on the mound to discuss the session after Neugebauer leaves to run wind sprints.
Sunday will mark the one-year anniversary of Neugebauer's most recent shoulder surgery, and he's still playing catch-up. General manager <b>Doug Melvin</b> said this week that he doubted Neugebauer would pitch in a big-league exhibition game during spring training and there is some doubt over whether he will break camp with a minor-league team or remain in Arizona for extended camp.
"I'd say we'll get a better read on it in about two weeks," Melvin said. "He seems to be coming around, but there is no hurry. There is no sense in rushing.
"If he throws in a game, it will most likely be on the minor-league side. You have a tendency to go out (in big-league games) and want to pump up."
Neugebauer, who made 12 starts in 2002 and did not pitch last year, admits that he gave thought to giving up during the long, lonely months of tedious rehabilitation workouts.
"I weighed my options but this is what I want to do," he said. "You can't think about what's outside of baseball. If it comes down to it, I'm ready to do whatever else. But right now, I'm full-go on wanting to get healthy. I want to get back and contribute to the team."
The first step toward doing that is getting healthy, which is why the Brewers are being cautious.
"I still have to be careful but I'm trying to go out there and have fun," Neugebauer said. "I'm still taking it easy, throwing at maybe 70%, 80%. I'm working on things mechanically so my arm doesn't get tired and I don't fly open. We're working on my front side, coming down through the ball more.
"Maybe if I was more mechanically sound before I wouldn't have had any arm problems. It's a learning process. We're trying to correct any mechanical things I was doing wrong before. It's pretty subtle, nothing too big. I'm trying to put as little stress on my arm as possible and use more of my body."
Though he remains confident that he'll be ready to pitch without restrictions by the beginning of April, Neugebauer has learned the value of patience.
"We're taking it day by day, based on how my arm is feeling and how I'm doing," he said. "My original goal was to be close to ready when all the teams start breaking (camp). Right now, we're taking it more day by day."
<b>Ouch</b>
Brewers centerfielder <b>Scott Podsednik</b>, who got two hits, stole two bases, scored a run and drove in a run in the first two innings against Oakland on Thursday, was plunked on the right knee by a pitch from <b>Tim Hudson</b> in the first at-bat of the game Friday.
"He's going to be all right," said manager <b>Ned Yost</b>, who expects to use Podsednik in the second game of a split-squad doubleheader today.
<b>Winning hit</b>
Appleton native <b>Matt Erickson's</b> RBI single in the top of the 10th inning lifted the Brewers to a 4-3 victory over Oakland on Friday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Coste had reached on an error by <b>Freddie Bynum</b>.
<b>Arms race</b>
Right-hander <b>Adrian Hernandez</b> and lefty <b>Jorge De La Rosa</b> were the pitching standouts Friday.
Each threw two scoreless innings. Hernandez did not allow a hit. De La Rosa followed him to the mound and gave up a pair of hits. <b>Mike Adam</b> and <b>Leo Estrella</b> also had solid relief outings.
<b>On-the-job training</b>
Brewers prospect <b>Corey Hart</b>, who is making the transition from third base to right field, made his debut Friday. Naturally, the first ball hit to him was a sinking line drive off the bat of <b>Esteban German</b>. Hart misplayed the ball and was charged with an error.
"That's tough," Yost said. "Your first major-league fly ball is a bullet. It's going to take awhile. The toughest thing is just reading the ball off the bat."
Yost credited Hart for making two subsequent plays without incident and getting a single and stealing a base.
<b>In the swing</b>
Rightfielder <b>Ben Grieve</b>, who began his career in Oakland, doubled home two runs against his former club Friday.
<b>Prince Fielder</b> served as the Brewers' designated hitter Friday and walked in each of his first three plate appearances. He then hit a sacrifice fly. In his final trip, he struck out on a 3-2 pitch.
"Prince had some great at-bats," Yost said.
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/scott305.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/sscott305.jpg border=1></a>
<b><font size=4>Five Questions with Milwaukee Brewers 2B Junior Spivey</font></b>
PHOENIX (Ticker) - SportsTicker recently caught up with newly acquired Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Junior Spivey and got his take on the following five questions:
1. What's your greatest high school sports memory?
"In basketball during my senior year, I had a real good game in the tournament and we won. In my junior year, I played against one of the top point guards in the city."
2. What is the one piece of memorabilia you would like to obtain?
"I would like a signed Jackie Robinson photo and Hank Aaron autograph."
3. Who is the one person you would like to trade places with for 24 hours?
"(Shaquille O'Neal) ... just to see what that is like to be 7-1. Plus he is a mega-superstar but still down to earth."
4. Who is the toughest pitcher to get a read on?
"Brad Penny. We came up together and I haven't got a hit off him and only have put one or two balls in play."
5. What would be the one change you would make if you were commissioner?
"I would get rid of QuesTec, just throw that out the window."
<b><font size=4>Kolb focusing on Opening Day</font></b>
PHOENIX -- With one blazing half-season, Dan Kolb went from the perennially injured list to the short list of pitchers virtually guaranteed an Opening Day gig with the Milwaukee Brewers.
"We've got [starter Ben] Sheets at the front end and Kolb at the back end and a lot to choose from in between," is the way assistant general manager Gord Ash described the Brewers staff at the start of camp.
The hard-throwing Kolb began the 2003 season as an oft-injured Texas Rangers castoff and morphed into one of the Majors' most surprising closers. He saved 21 games for the Brewers during the second half of 2003 and trailed only the Dodgers' Eric Gagne and the Yankees' Mariano Rivera, who each notched 24 saves after the All-Star break. Among closers, only Gagne, Houston's Billy Wagner and Oakland's Keith Foulke posted better second-half ERAs than Kolb's 1.27.
Kolb converted 19 straight saves in one stretch, including 10 in August to go with an 0.82 ERA that month. He finished his best-ever season, and his healthiest campaign in years, with a 1.96 ERA in a career-high 37 appearances.
"I think the dream second half would have only been better if I were there for the first half," said Kolb. "My focus this year is to go to St. Louis on that airplane [for Opening Day] and be on that field. I've never been able to do that."
The Brewers are banking that Kolb, who turns 29 on March 29 and will earn $1.5 million on his new contract, can stay healthy enough to be there.
The team snatched Kolb after he failed to make Texas' roster out of Spring Training and assigned him to Triple-A Indianapolis. He was called up on June 17, and reunited with Brewers GM Doug Melvin, who originally drafted Kolb in 1995, and hitting coach Butch Wynegar, his old manager in A-ball.
When then-closer Mike DeJean faltered at the end of the first half, Brewers manager Ned Yost went with a "closer by committee" approach. Kolb quickly assumed the seat at the head of the boardroom.
"Once he got in there and closed a few games, it was pretty clear the job was his," said fellow reliever Brooks Kieschnick, Kolb's teammate in Indianapolis and Milwaukee. "How could you not pick him? He was dominating."
This spring, Kolb is working to add an 84-86 mph changeup to his near 100 mph fastball and high 80s slider. He is progressing slowly, and coaches are being extra careful not to push him given his medical history.
"It's a great bail-out pitch, especially if guys are sitting red on the fastball like they do against Danny," Yost said of the changeup.
For now, Kolb is not penciled in to pitch in any of the Brewers' first few Cactus League games. He said the changeup has been particularly effective against left-handed hitters in early work, especially low and away. Against righties, it remains a struggle.
"It's a feel pitch for him," Kieschnick said. "It's all going to be about him getting confident with it. When you can go there and throw 95-97 mph, it's tough to risk getting beat by your third-best pitch. But I think it could be a good pitch for him."
The difference this year? Kolb is free to tinker in Spring Training instead of battling for a roster spot.
"Now that I've had the opportunity, I don't want to give this up," he said. "I haven't felt any pressure yet. I go out there and I know what I need to do."
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/06/18/xgtXJ9ks.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/06/18/xgtXJ9ks.jpg border=1></a>
Dan Kolb converted 19 straight saves in one stretch, including 10 in August to go with an 0.82 ERA that month.
<b><font size=4>Notes: Hart makes switch to outfield</font></b>
PHOENIX -- Corey Hart is working on his second position change in as many Spring Trainings, so he knows there will be days like this.
In his first appearance since converting from third base to the outfield, Hart committed an error on the first ball hit his way. He atoned by snaring a pair of line drives, knocking a ninth-inning single and stealing a base to cap a brief but interesting debut in the Brewers' 10-inning, 4-3 win over Oakland at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
"That's tough man," manager Ned Yost said. "Your first Major League fly ball is a bullet. After that, he made a nice play on the next two balls. We all know it's going to be an adjustment for Corey because he never played out there."
Hart, who turns 22 on March 24, was the Double-A Southern League MVP last season after batting .302 with 13 home runs and 94 RBIs at Huntsville. The Brewers signed Wes Helms to a two-year deal in the offseason, part of the reason club officials decided to move Hart from the hot corner to a corner outfield spot.
He made a similar change last spring, moving from first base to third because the Brewers were so deep at that position with players such as Richie Sexson and minor leaguers Brad Nelson and Prince Fielder. Hart committed 32 errors at third.
On Friday, Hart entered the game in right field for the bottom of the eighth inning and immediately was tested. The A's Adam Morrissey hit a sinking line drive off Leo Estrella and Hart charged, dove and missed for his first error of the spring.
After an infield single, Estrella induced a double-play grounder to leave the tying run at third base with two outs. The next hitter, Graham Koonce, smashed a line drive to right that Hart snared after a last-second adjustment. He caught another liner in the bottom of the ninth but could not get the throw home in time to stop the tying run from scoring.
Yost expects the adjustments to continue.
"It's reading the ball off the bat," Yost said. "There's nothing easy out there, especially when you're playing at this level."
<b>Unbeaten Brewers:</b> Fielder drew three walks and hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly, and Ben Grieve drove in a pair of runs, but pitching dominated most of the postgame discussion with Yost.
Wes Obermueller started and struggled with command in two so-so innings before Adrian Hernandez, another right-hander battling for a rotation spot, held Oakland hitless in two innings with one strikeout.
"The first time out, everybody gets that mulligan to get their feet on the ground a little bit," Yost said. "[Hernandez] didn't need it. If you don't need it, that's good. You can always save that mulligan."
Left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, acquired in the Richie Sexson trade, continued to improve his stock with two perfect innings. Once considered a lock to start the year in the minors, De La Rosa is now getting some attention for a 25-man roster spot.
"He's slated, at worst, to be a starter at Indy," Yost said, referring to Triple-A Indianapolis. "So we're trying to get a good look at him, plus prepare him, if he doesn't make this team, to make that one."
Right-hander Mike Adams was also impressive in one scoreless inning of work, throwing first-pitch strikes to all four hitters he faced.
<b>Health report:</b> In a scary moment, leadoff man Scott Podsednik took a Tim Hudson pitch on the right knee in the second inning and immediately hit the dirt. Podsednik stayed in the game with the rest of the Brewers starters for five innings and finished 0-for-2. Yost said Podsednik will play Saturday.
Back at Maryvale Baseball Park, reliever Dave Burba threw to hitters for the first time in a week. He had been sidelined by back spasms.
<b>On deck:</b> Yost will manage a pair of split-squad games on Saturday, beginning with an afternoon game against Colorado in Tucson. The team will bus back to Maryvale Baseball Park for its only night game of the season, against Texas. Brewers ace Ben Sheets will make his first spring start in the nightcap against Rangers right-hander Ricardo Rodriguez. Ben Ford, who pitched for the Brewers at Triple-A last season, gets the start in Tucson.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/06/23/FqA7qWKl.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/06/23/FqA7qWKl.jpg border=1></a>
Corey Hart was the Double-A Southern League MVP last season.
<b><font size=4>Bradley, Carter seek success in Milwaukee Brewers' organization</font></b>
PARKERSBURG - Sometime in the future, local baseball fans may actually want to trek to Cincinnati or Pittsburgh to see the Milwaukee Brewers play.
That's because both pitcher Dave Bradley and outfielder-pitcher Nic Carter, former Parkersburg High School baseball players, are now in the Brewers organization with aspirations of someday making the big leagues. Both report to spring training in Arizona March 13.
Of course, the 6-3, 190-pound Carter has been in the Brewers' farm system since being selected in the fourth round of the June 2002 free agent draft out of Campbell University in North Carolina.
But the 6-2, 180-pound Bradley is in his first year with the Brewers after being drafted out of Marietta College by the Reds and spending three seasons in their farm system before former Pirates reliever Kent Tekulve, another ex-Pioneer hurler, brought him to Washington, Pa., as part of the new Frontier League Wild Things team two years ago.
Carter, 23, was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American at Campbell, located near Raleigh, won the team leadership award as a sophomore and was All-Atlantic South Conference and team MVP as a junior, batting .381 after seasons hitting .300 and .312. He also set single-season and career Campbell records for steals (43 as a junior, following 41as a sophomore, and 98 total) and triples.
Carter was with the Class A Beloit (Wis.) Snappers of the Midwest League last year. He may be back in Beloit this season or at the Brewers' high Class A team at High Desert in the California League. ''It depends on how well I do in spring training,'' said Carter, who also took up pitching again last season when the need arose for the Snappers after not pitching since high school.
Carter related that getting back into pitching was ''just sort of a fluke thing where we needed somebody to throw an inning and I went in there and threw 94 (mph). It was like, 'Yea, OK, I can get some outs.' I didn't walk anybody, so they let me keep doing it. After a couple times, our farm director came and saw me throw three hitless innings , then said, 'Yea, you need to stick with this.'
''I'd love to be a closer as opposed to middle relief. That's why I want to get a couple more mph's on my fastball, get some more pitches and work on my slider. That'd be nice because I really enjoy pitching.'' Plus, he ''thinks it's easier to make it as a pitcher than as a position player. I actually like pitching better and not everybody can throw that hard, so that's something I've got on a lot of other people that they can't do.''
Carter ''would like to start at High Desert this year to still give myself a chance to go to double-A. But (getting to the majors) is usually a longer process, so I won't be disappointed if it takes four or five years, '' especially since this will be Carter's only second full season in pro baseball.
But pitching seems to be where Carter's future in pro baseball lies now, at least from the way he talks. ''I think I'll be more of a pitcher/utility outfielder,'' he said. ''If an outfielder needs a rest, I'll be able to fill in for him a game or two out there. I won't mind.''
Carter can't wait to get to spring training with Bradley. ''That'll be cool,'' said Carter. ''I don't think there's two other people in our whole organization from the same place, let alone the same high school.''
And what if they would end up on the same team this year as well? ''That'd be nice,'' said Carter.
About himself, Eric Grimm (Orioles) and Nick Swisher (A's) all playing pro baseball now after being teammates on the Big Red baseball team, ''It's amazing,'' said Carter. ''But those are my best friends in the world, so that makes it even better.'
Both a college All-American and Academic All-American at Marietta, Bradley, now 26, was drafted in 1999 in the 14th round by the Reds. He was a two-time All-American at MC, winning 29 games and losing just three as a junior and senior with ERAs of 2.29 and 2.16 respectively. His 18 wins in 1999 led NCAA Division III.
With the Reds, ''they had me doing relief work out of the bullpen, so I went basically three years without starting,''said Bradley. But with the Wild Things, after his unexpected release by the Reds, Bradley got back into starting, more his mound forte, under the tutelage of Tekulve, Washington's GM.
''I felt like I could learn more about the art and craft of pitching from Kent than just about anybody else,'' said Bradley. ''He had followed me at Marietta and with the Reds and knew I would be more successful as a starter, that I was more suited for starting.''
So Bradley compiled two highly-productive seasons with the Wild Things, particularly catching the eye of one major-league scout late last season in Richmond, Ind. ''The (Brewers) scout had seen me pitch in college and liked what he saw that day in Richmond,'' said Bradley, and eventually convinced the Brewers to offer Bradley a contract and an invitation to spring training.
''They told me that I will be a starter and depending on well I do in spring training, they'll either send me to their high-A team (High Desert) in California or double-A in Huntsville (Alabama),'' said Bradley. ''Right now, they've got me on the roster for the high-A team, but you can never tell how things will work out in spring training.''
With five years in pro baseball, ''by now, I honestly thought I'd either be in double-A or triple-A or on the outskirts of the big leagues,'' said Bradley. ''Getting released kind of changed my outlook on it. It really was a major surprise to me. Now I'm just hoping to make it -whenever.''
But Bradley is optimistic.''I really feel good about my situation with the Brewers. It sounds like a really good opportunity for me, because I talked to Kent about it and also to an assistant to the (Brewers) GM who's in their scouting department and according to both of them, they're really weak in the minor-league starting pitching at the higher levels, like at high-A and double-A. So it seems to be a good fit for me. And I'm hoping to get the opportunity that I need to get in there and kind of make a name for myself in their organization and maybe that might be my road to get to where I want to go.''
About himself, Carter, Grimm and Swisher, ''I'm hoping we all do really well, that we all make it to where that brings some recognition for baseball in Parkersburg,'' said Bradley.
<b><font size=4>Brewers farm system now overflows with hope</font>
Phoenix</b> - By nature, Jack Zduriencik does not like being the center of attention. Thanks to the job he has done in helping Milwaukee rebuild its farm system, however, the Brewers' scouting director no longer can hide.
"I take it all with a grain of salt," says Zduriencik.
Perhaps, but it is hardly a secret that the Brewers have one of the best farm systems in the majors. In fact, Baseball America magazine - the most respected publication in evaluating minor-league talent - ranks the Brewers No. 1 among the 30 franchises.
That ranking becomes official in the next edition of Baseball America, but the Brewers have known for weeks of the pending honor. The Prospect Handbook, which is published by Baseball America and is already on bookstore shelves and available through mail order, reveals Milwaukee's top ranking.
The No. 1 ranking is impressive for many reasons, not the least of which is that Baseball America ranked the Brewers' farm system last in both 2000 and 2001. Only two years ago, Milwaukee was ranked 26th.
Baseball America executive editor Jim Callis said he could not remember an organization's farm system going from last to first in a three-year period.
"That's a big leap," said Callis. "Last year, we ranked them a little lower than we might have otherwise because a lot of their prospects were at lower levels of the organization and we wanted to see them do it above Class A.
"When ranking a team, we go on a combination of quality and depth. In general, we lean towards quality. We value impact players.
"Something like this is never the work of just one guy. But it you're looking for the main guy, you have to give Jack Zduriencik credit because the Brewers have done this almost completely through the draft."
One of the main reasons the Brewers careened into an 11-year losing streak was a series of hideous drafts in the mid to late 1990s. That trend changed when former general manager Dean Taylor hired Zduriencik to run the Brewers' scouting operation in September 1999.
In a four-year period of astute drafting, Zduriencik and his scouting department have stockpiled an impressive assortment of blue-chip prospects. With strict financial limitations at the major-league level, the Brewers wisely decided over the winter to embark on a rebuilding project centered on those players.
The only perk of a string of horrible won-lost records was that the Brewers picked high in the draft. But they have not had multiple first-round picks since Zduriencik was hired, keeping the pressure on the scouting department to make astute choices.
"You have to hit on your high picks," said Brewers general manager Doug Melvin. "It's a credit to Jack and his staff, and also to our player development people.
"You have to have consistency in your scouting staff. The way the numbers break down, you've got to get three or four people (to the majors) out of every draft."
Zduriencik's four first-round draft picks were center fielder David Krynzel (11th overall, 2000), right-hander Mike Jones (12th, 2001), first baseman Prince Fielder (seventh, 2002) and second baseman Rickie Weeks (second, 2003). All four players are ranked among the organization's Top 10 prospects by Baseball America.
The only player in the Top 10 not acquired in the draft is left-hander Jorge de la Rosa (No. 10), obtained in December from Arizona in the Richie Sexson trade. Right-hander Ben Hendrickson, ranked No. 8 and selected in the 10th round of the 1999 draft, is the only Top 10 player who was in the system before Zduriencik came aboard.
But farm systems aren't built on first-round picks alone.
Zduriencik and his staff have done well in later rounds, selecting shortstop J.J. Hardy (No. 3) in the second round and outfielder Brad Nelson (No. 5) in the fourth round in 2001, and outfielder Corey Hart (No. 7) in the 11th round in 2000.
Left-hander Manny Parra, ranked fourth in the system, was a 26th round pick in 2001 and signed as a "draft and follow" in May 2002. After improving tremendously after another year in junior college, Parra was the equivalent of a first-round pick that year.
"It's nice to be recognized for a lot of hard work," said Zduriencik, the only holdover from the Taylor regime. "It's a tribute to our entire staff, front office and player development people.
"As nice as it is, there's still a lot of work to do. The bottom line is that we still have to get our kids to the big leagues. It's an ongoing job. We still have a lot of work to do to have them become productive big league players.
"Then, we can sit back and look at it."
For long-suffering Brewers fans, that can't happen soon enough. Unfortunately for the 2004 edition of the team, the first wave of prospects is not projected to arrive in Milwaukee until next season. At the earliest, some might be summoned in September to get their feet wet.
The good news is that the farm system is so deep that the pipeline should keep flowing for several years. Taking into consideration that not every top prospect is going to pan out, the Brewers still have coverage because of the depth.
"Some guys aren't going to be as good as they look now," said Callis. "But the Brewers are one organization where you can look at nearly every position and see a player with a chance to be an all-star.
"This is not going to be a good year for the Brewers but I could see them contending by 2006 or 2007. I really think there is legitimate hope. It's amazing they could do it all through the draft."
Though Weeks was a no-brainer as the second pick last June out of Southern University, Zduriencik has concentrated for the most part on drafting talented high school players. Accordingly, most of the Brewers' top prospects are advancing through the system at relatively young ages.
Fielder will start the season at 19, Jones is only 20 and Weeks, Hardy, Parra and Nelson are 21. No player in the Brewers' Top 10 is older than 23.
"It's nice these kids are succeeding and succeeding at a young age," said Zduriencik. "That's the real acid test. It bodes well toward having a good major league career."
Seeking to foster winning attitudes among their top prospects, the Brewers kept them clustered for the most part with two teams last year - Class AA Huntsville and Class A Beloit. Both teams advanced to their respective league championship series.
Hart was named most valuable player of the Southern League and Fielder earned MVP honors in the Midwest League. Catcher Lou Palmisano, a third-round draft pick last June, was voted MVP of the rookie Pioneer League despite missing the final three weeks of the short season with a broken ankle.
"We want to create an atmosphere that we're winners, that we're going to do something," said farm director Reid Nichols. "I'm very proud of our staff and the players.
"It's something, with all the bad news we've had, that we can walk in the (minor league) clubhouse and say, 'You guys are the best organization in baseball.'
"It's good the kids can walk around with their chests out a little bit and say, 'We've got something coming.' "
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/prince306.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/sprince306.jpg border=1></a>
Prospects like Prince Fielder have helped the Brewers' organization become one of the top farm systems in baseball.
<b><font size=4>For now, just enjoy Brewers' promise</font>
Phoenix</b> - At least for today, I don't care if the Milwaukee Brewers' payroll is $30 million or 30 cents. At least for today, I don't care if the audit eventually discloses widespread malfeasance or general incompetence.
At least for today, I don't care if the disciples of the Rev. Moon buy the team. At least for today, I don't care if the roof leaks or even opens on opening day.
At least for today, I don't care if Richie Sexson hits 74 home runs for Arizona this season. At least for today, I don't care what Wendy and Laurel make. Frankly, I never have.
At least for today, I don't care if Ulice Payne was a good guy or a bad guy. But I do care that the parking space for the team president right in front of Maryvale Park is vacant - and a great place to put the rental car on a beautiful Saturday night for baseball in the Valley of the Sun.
<b>A glimmer of hope</b>
At this point we'll gladly trash the moldy cliches about hope springing eternal in spring training. Everybody knows the score with baseball, with its playing field as level as an upper deck.
"The Yankees get a guy hurt, Aaron Boone, what do they do? They get Alex Rodriquez," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin was saying. "If we get Geoff Jenkins hurt, we've got to bring up Jeff Smith."
That, of course, is the world in which the Brewers try to live, but today I do not care because the field is green, the infield is smooth, the temperature is 70 and the full moon is too pretty to be real.
We could crack wise about the sparse crowd for the exhibition game against the Texas Rangers being good preparation for the regular season, but we'll defer because, again, we don't care.
The only thing that matters for the moment is there is spring baseball to be played by a team for which the prospects are generally more prominent than the big leaguers. And in spring is where we'll see them.
Melvin likes to say that it's nice to see his players on the cover of Baseball America, but he longs for the day when he sees them on the cover of Sports Illustrated. For now, Baseball America will have to do because it has placed six of the Brewers prospects in its top 100, a fine honor indeed.
<b>Plenty more to come</b>
Eventually, Rickie Weeks, J.J. Hardy and Prince Fielder will make their way to the Miller Park infield. Nobody knows whether they'll be a modern-day Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance or make Brewers fans wonder why the organization ever took a chance on them. The feeling here is that they will soon demonstrate they can play.
Fielder has had good at-bats. Weeks started Saturday night in the split-squad affair against the Rangers. And Hardy "is going to show he's a big league player," Melvin said. "I'm confident we've got some players here.
"Are they going to be star players or not? I'm not going to sit here and say that because that's up to them, but we do think we have guys who can be impact players."
So this is why you come to watch a team that, as humorist P.J. O'Rourke might say, has experienced all the troubles in the world. It was nice to watch Ben Sheets get through a couple of scoreless innings because it won't matter if the everyday prospects develop to their potential and there is no pitching.
As for the rest, we'll worry about it tomorrow.
<b><font size=4>Brewers hope prospect gets up to speed quickly</font>
Phoenix</b> - As a NASCAR enthusiast, Ned Yost has been to the driving schools. The first few times around the track at 130 mph, everything for him was a blur. But with experience, it all began to . . . sloooow . . . doooown.
As best he can, the Milwaukee Brewers' manager is trying to replicate the sensation for his pitchers. Sunday morning, for instance, pitching coach Mike Maddux took 20 minutes to sit down everyone who had thrown the night before against Texas to dissect the game.
The hope is that the speed at which the game now moves for the prospects will eventually come into a more manageable focus because there is another racing analogy that can be applied to the organization.
If the everyday prospects are as good as advertised, the Brewers could one day become a magnificent car with no gas in the tank. Even if everyone else can hit and field, what will it matter if no one can pitch?
Asked if it is realistic to expect that the Brewers' suspect pitching can mature into a competent staff by the time the highly regarded prospects arrive, Yost didn't hesitate.
"Absolutely," he said.
Much of the Brewers' optimism is based on the potential of 22-year-old Jorge de la Rosa, the essential piece of the six-player trade with Arizona for Richie Sexson. If de la Rosa can become a frontline big-league pitcher, he alone could justify moving one of the game's top sluggers.
Formerly Boston's No. 1 pitching prospect, the left-handed de la Rosa had to be moved in November by the Red Sox to get Curt Schilling. Three days later, the Brewers insisted that de la Rosa become part of the Sexson trade.
Yost characterizes de la Rosa's spring progress to this point as "phenomenal." The idea for now is that he will begin the season in Class AAA Indianapolis, with the possibility of arriving in the majors by May.
Of course, the major-league landscape is littered with the casualties of can't-miss pitching prospects, Rick Ankiel being the poster child. Whatever happened to Brien Taylor? And what was the big deal about Todd Van Poppel?
But because hope is the encompassing umbrella for the organization, the development of de la Rosa, Ben Hendrickson, Manny Parra, Adrian Hernandez, Ben Ford, Matt Ford, Mike Adams, Chris Capuano, Dennis Sarfate, Mike Jones and others is critical.
But what evidence is there to convince a skeptical public accustomed to bases-loaded walks, three-run homers and blown arms that help is on the way?
"Last year at this time we were all over the place, eight or nine walks a day," Yost said. "We're not doing that at all this year. We're pitching much, much better in the early part of spring training. We've already had a pretty good start. It's exciting.
"These guys have all got stuff. It's command and makeup that determines if they're A, AA, AAA or major-league pitchers. That's what we look at, to see their stage of development. It's their makeup on the mound, how things go when they run into a little adversity and if they can command a fastball. Can you throw strikes with your fastball? If you can't, you're dead."
At the same time, the organization absolutely cannot make this a throwaway season if any momentum at the box office is expected for the future. So what about the here and now?
For one thing, Ben Sheets has to break that 11-victory barrier. Wayne Franklin, Matt Kinney and Wes Obermueller must show progress. And the bullpen, typically a bridge over the troubled waters of the horrendous seasons, is suddenly a problem.
"Depth there is a concern," general manager Doug Melvin said.
"We've still got a long way to go. We've got to get some pitching."
A trade might help. With a glut at second base - Junior Spivey is proven, Keith Ginter is promising and Rickie Weeks is on the way - an infielder could be moved for a pitcher.
Along with de la Rosa, Yost likes what he sees so far from guys like Matt Ford and Hendrickson. Against the Rangers on Sunday, starter Doug Davis gave up three runs (one earned) on five hits in two innings.
"The goal is to get good, talented pitchers and back it up with as much depth as you can," Yost said. "If guys struggle, you have options. That's where we stand a little bit better at this time than last year. We've got more options in case things go wrong. We didn't have options like that last year. That's encouraging to me."
Bottom line, expectations have risen with the Brewers.
"We've come to a point as an organization that we expect more out of everybody," Yost said. "It's about production. You've got to be able to do it at this level. And if you can't, somebody else is waiting in the wings to do it."
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/ned307.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/sned307.jpg border=1></a>
<b><font size=4>Outfielder putting in overtime</font>
Magruder going the extra mile
Phoenix - Chris Magruder</b> was sleep-deprived, but happy.
Playing his third game in a span of 24 hours, the Milwaukee Brewers outfielder ripped a bases-loaded triple to help his team to a 12-8 victory over Texas Sunday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park.
Magruder, a 25-year-old switch-hitter who is trying to win a spot on the Brewers' 25-man roster, woke up extra early Saturday and caught the team bus to Tucson, where he homered in a victory over Colorado. He then bused back to Maryvale, where he finished out the second half of the split-squad doubleheader against Texas. On Sunday morning, he got up early to join teammates at a Major League Baseball security briefing and then started in right field against the Rangers and went 1 for 4 with two runs scored and three RBI.
"I'm a little tired but you won't hear me complaining," said Magruder, who signed with the Brewers as a minor-league free agent after spending the last two seasons in the Cleveland organization.
"With the situation I'm in, I have to do whatever it takes. I want to make this team."
Magruder, who broke his left hand while diving for a ball in spring training last year, is one of several reserve players who have impressed Brewers manager <b>Ned Yost</b>. In fact, the Brewers have won their first five exhibition games in large part because of the play of guys like <b>Magruder, Trent Durrington, Bill Hall, Matt Erickson</b> and prospects like <b>Prince Fielder</b>.
"When we get down to the end of these games and we're behind, we feel pretty good about the guys we've got out there," Brewers manager <b>Ned Yost</b> said. "You feel like something is going to happen.
"I'm happy with the way all those guys are doing so far."
<b>Top of the world</b>
The Brewers are unbeaten in exhibition games, the only team in the National League and one of only two teams in baseball that can make that claim. They share the distinction with the Cleveland Indians.
"Us and St. Joe's," pitching coach <b>Mike Maddux</b> said, referring to the only unbeaten Division I men's college basketball team.
<b>On fire</b>
Hall is virtually assured of winning a spot on the Brewers' opening-day roster, but he isn't taking anything for granted. In the first four games, the infielder is 6 for 8 with four runs scored.
<b>Following orders</b>
Veteran right-hander <b>Dave Burba</b>, bothered by back spasms last week, made his spring debut and felt fine, except for surrendering a homer to <b>Kevin Mench</b> on the first pitch he threw. <b>Mike Crudale</b> also gave up a first-pitch homer to <b>Mark Teixeira</b>.
"Mike Maddux gave them a big speech about throwing the first pitch for a strike," Yost said. "Then we go out and give up two homers."
<b>Work in progress</b>
Brewers reliever <b>Brooks Kieschnick</b> threw his second perfect inning of the spring Sunday and has struck out five of the six batters he has faced.
"He's got more life in his arm this year than last year," Yost said. "He was on an 18-month cycle where he went from winter ball to the season into winter ball. He didn't have the opportunity to rest up and get himself in real top condition. He did that this winter."
Kieschnick worked on a new pitch - a cut fastball - in the game Sunday and said later the experiment was out of necessity.
"I couldn't throw a curveball for a strike in the bullpen," he said. "I was all over the place."
Catcher <b>Kade Johnson</b> corroborated Kieschnick's account.
"He threw two over the fence," Johnson said. "He was casting flies out there."
Bullpen coach <b>Bill Castro</b> told Kieschnick not to worry.
"His body was going faster than his arm," Castro said.
<b>Change in plans</b>
Commissioner <b>Bud Selig</b> had been planning to attend the Horizon League basketball championship game between the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Illinois-Chicago on Tuesday night in Milwaukee, but had to cancel his plans when he was called to Washington to testify before a Senate committee on steroids.
"I ran into <b>Bruce Pearl</b> last week at the grocery store and he said, 'If we get a game at home Tuesday night, we'd love it if you could come.' I really wanted to see that game."
<b><font size=4>Sutton: Wish you were here</font></b>
PHOENIX -- Like a kid in a candy store. Those words accurately describe how so many of us feel during this season-changing time of year known as Spring Training. This kid feels as if he is surrounded by walls of chocolate spending the next few weeks at the ballpark here in Arizona. Simply put, I wish you were here.
There is a great luxury here in the desert, being so close to so many teams. With that in mind, I took a trip over to Peoria, Ariz., where I caught up with the Arizona Diamondbacks' Luis Gonzalez just prior to a Cactus League battle with the Seattle Mariners.
Just a few months ago, Gonzo lost five of his former teammates in the trade that sent Richie Sexson to the Valley of the Sun. While Gonzalez is grateful to have someone of Sexson's caliber protecting him in the lineup, he said that the Brewers have added some solid players as they move positively into the future.
"On Milwaukee's side, they're getting a lot of bright young players," he said. "One of my favorite players is Craig Counsell. This guy's a blue-collar guy who works hard every day. I think he was sad to leave Arizona, but at the same time, he was very excited with his dad being in the organization [in the past] and growing up as a Milwaukee Brewers fan.
"In [Junior] Spivey, [Lyle] Overbay and [catcher Chad] Moeller, they've got a great abundance of good guys -- not only good players but good people over there," he added. "I do believe that that's going to help their ballclub. I'm sure the whole organization in Milwaukee is excited to have a bunch of these good young players."
There are many who believe that the surprise of the deal may turn out to be Moeller. Gonzalez is on board with that line of thinking.
"Chad is a competitor, and he legitimately should have been our starter here," remembered Gonzalez. "He just had a couple of minor injuries and bad timing. He can hit, but he's not only a good offensive player. He can play some defense, too, and he works well with pitchers."
Gonzalez admitted that many people remember the past when they consider the Brewers, but said that may be changing as the focus deservedly shifts to the future.
"Honestly, when you think of the Milwaukee Brewers, you think of [Robin] Yount and [Paul] Molitor and guys like that," he said. "They were there, and they were the cornerstone of that organization. But at the same time, you realize that they've got good young players over there. Now they've retooled in the offseason and picked up a lot of guys. That's going to be a team we are going to watch. I've got a lot of good friends on that team, and they've got some good players over there. It's going to be interesting to see how Milwaukee comes out this year."
Now we move from Gonzo's thoughts to your thoughts on a variety of subjects:
The Brewers team this year seems to be made up of a few minor stars and a lot of role players. The team feels like the Royals did last year. That team hustled and played scrappy baseball right up to the end. Even though they didn't make the playoffs, I think that those Royals and, as always, the A's should be models for small markets.
-- Keenan Duffey, Elm Grove, Wis.
Jenkins, I LOVE IT! I've been saying since the opening of Miller Park that everybody should calm down and wait a few years, success doesn't happen overnight for us farmers. The signing of Jenkins represents a positive move in the right direction for the future, the key word being future. The old way would have been to trade Jenkins like Sexson to remedy worry about the present. This feels different.
-- Nathan Peterson, Milwaukee
I read that some are saying we have the best farm team in the Majors. We need to be careful, because being good in minors doesn't mean being good in the show. What I mean is, we need to make sure these guys become sound in all aspects. Ben Sheets got thrown into the mix way early, and hasn't sputtered per se, but could have been a lot better had he been given time to develop his change up in the minors. I know it's going to be tough, because everyone is looking for results right now.
-- Ben Nelson, Springdale, Ariz.
Thanks for all of your e-mails this week. I read every one of them. We'll catch up again next week from Arizona.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/06/EgdFHeQ3.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/06/EgdFHeQ3.jpg border=1></a>
Former teammate Luis Gonzalez says that Chad Moeller is good both offensively and defensively.
<b><font size=4>Notes: Kieschnick making his pitch</font>
Milwaukee's utility man focusing on being a hurler</b>
PHOENIX -- Brooks Kieschnick is a Brewers pitcher/pinch-hitter/outfielder/first baseman, so it is fitting that he has started throwing a pitch with a slash in its name, too.
Warming up in the bullpen Sunday, Kieschnick's curveball was so bad that he went to Plan B. When Brewers catcher Alex Delgado dropped two fingers for the curve, Kieschnick instead debuted a pitch he calls a cutter/slider in a perfect inning of work in the Brewers' 12-8 win over the Rangers at Maryvale Baseball Park. Kieschnick struck out two of the three hitters he faced.
"This is my ticket to the big leagues -- pitching," Kieschnick said. "I think of myself 100 percent as a pitcher."
Last year, Kieschnick was one of the final spring cuts but was in Milwaukee's bullpen by May. He pitched mostly mop-up at the start, but later in the season saw action in the late innings of tight games. He also contributed with his bat, hitting .300 with seven home runs in 70 at-bats.
Now 31, Kieschnick is on the 40-man roster this time but finds himself fighting for a job again. Manager Ned Yost said Kieschnick has to make the team with his arm and considers the hitting a bonus.
"He's got more life in his arm this year than last year," said Yost, who attributed the improvement in part to taking a break from winter ball. "He never had an opportunity to rest up and get himself in real top condition."
Kieschnick said he got in trouble last year when he "took a pitch or two off."
"I'd say, 'OK, I'm just going to get this one over the plate,'" Kieschnick said. "Now I'm honing in and concentrating on every pitch. Every pitch counts."
That new concoction -- the cutter/slider -- could help. He said he threw it about four times Sunday for two first-pitch strikes and two foul balls.
"I'm not inventing a pitch," he said. "It's more of a cutter than a slider, something to keep them off balance."
<b>Big win:</b> The Brewers are a perfect 5-0 in the Cactus League including Sunday's come-from-behind win over Texas. The team exploded for seven runs on nine hits in the eighth inning, including two hits apiece from non-roster players Trent Durrington and Jeff Liefer and a bases-clearing triple by Chris Magruder.
All three are in a group vying for the final spots on Milwaukee's 25-man roster and the decision could go down to the final days of camp. Magruder has the advantage of being a switch-hitter while all the others are left-handed. The Brewers' projected starting lineup is also heavily-left-handed.
"This is probably the first time in my career that being left-handed is not to my advantage," Liefer said. "If I was a right-handed hitter, I probably would feel a little better about my chances. But I'm going out there with the intention of making the team one way or another."
Liefer has versatility. He started last year playing first base in Montreal but was later picked up by Tampa Bay and played third base. He played mostly in the outfield with the White Sox, who made him a first-round draft pick in 1995. The Brewers list Liefer as an infielder, and all of his action so far has been at first base.
<b>Injury report:</b> Brewers closer Dan Kolb threw a side session Sunday and will throw "one or two more" before getting into a game, Yost said. The Brewers are being especially cautious with Kolb, who has a history of arm injuries and experienced some minor shoulder soreness of late.
Brady Clark started in center field Sunday, a day after he was hit in the left elbow by a pitch. Scott Podsednik, who has hit in the right knee a day earlier, did not play and could miss a few more games.
Pitcher Dave Burba is recovered from back and neck spasms and pitched his first Cactus League inning against Texas, surrendering a solo home run to Kevin Mench. Afterward, he said his back felt "good."
Three more Brewers were hit by pitches Sunday, bringing the team's total to "at least 15" since the start of camp, according to third base coach Rich Donnelly. Catcher Chad Moeller was hit on the tip of his nose in the fifth inning.
<b>Familiar faces:</b> Phil Rozewicz, the Brewers' veteran visiting clubhouse manager, was surprised to see Eric Young get off the Rangers team bus.
"I thought you don't play on Sundays!" Rozewicz cracked, a jab at Young's habit of getting a rest for day games when he was Milwaukee's second baseman from 2002-2003.
"I need to get in all games I can get," Young shot back, holding up his outfielder's glove embroidered with "41 Bone," a memento from former Brewers teammate Jeffrey Hammonds.
Young will be playing a lot of center field for the Rangers, who are set at the middle infield spots with Alfonso Soriano and Michael Young. On Sunday, Young started in left field and had one embarrassing moment when he lost a ball in the bright sun, which plagued outfielders all day.
Young played 247 games for the Brewers before the team traded him to San Francisco last season for minor league pitcher Greg Bruso. He signed with Texas in the offseason as a free agent.
Glendon Rusch, who pitched two seasons for the Brewers, allowed four hits and three runs in 2 2/3 innings. He signed a minor league deal with Texas this winter after the Brewers declined his $5 million option for 2004.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/09/18/nMJvOQeK.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/09/18/nMJvOQeK.jpg border=1></a>
Brooks Kieschnick is a man of many positions for the Milwaukee Brewers.
<b><font size=4>Out of nowhere: Adrian Hernandez</font>
'El Duquecito' excited for chance with Milwaukee</b>
PHOENIX -- Once the hot new face in New York Yankees camp, "El Duquecito" is fighting for his baseball life on the opposite end of the game's spectrum.
No matter. This guy has been through some tough stuff already.
A Cuban defector nicknamed for his similarities to second cousin and fellow former Yankee Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, Adrian Hernandez is in Brewers camp on a minor league contract. He is the only non-roster player among as many as nine pitchers vying for five spots in the starting rotation.
His name is always mentioned first when manager Ned Yost or general manager Doug Melvin are asked about dark horses to make the club. He has brief Major League experience -- eight games with the Yankees from 2001-2002 -- and he brings a utility belt of pitches that he delivers from as many as three arm angles.
"I think he's a real sleeper," Yost said. "I don't think he ever got an opportunity to consistently pitch and show what he can do over there in New York at the big league level. He always had pretty good success at every other level."
Hernandez only improved his stock in his Cactus League debut by shutting down the A's in two hitless innings. He threw mostly fastballs and worked exclusively with an overhand delivery.
"I don't have too much pressure on me here," Hernandez said. "With the Yankees, I did my job but I was sent to Triple-A. Here I feel good with the manager, the coaches, and I think I have a chance. I feel really good."
Like former Brewer Alex Sanchez, Hernandez escaped Cuba for a new start in the U.S.
He defected on Jan. 2, 2000, using an exit visa acquired by his agent to slip through security and board a flight to Costa Rica, then to Guatemala. His face was well-known in Cuba at the time because he starred for the nation's top team, Havana Industriales, but convinced airport officials that he had permission to leave the country for a 10-day baseball exhibition.
"They believed me. They signed the papers and a lot of people lost their job because of that," said Hernandez, who exited in street clothes and not in drag as some New York papers initially reported. "I could have lost everything. But I said, 'OK, I have to do it.' I was scared. It was everything or nothing and I decided I wanted to go."
With Industriales, he made about $7 a week. After trying out for several Major League teams Hernandez signed with the Yankees for $4 million.
But he paid a price.
Hernandez did not tell his mother about his plans to defect until the day after and said he still speaks to her every day via telephone. He has two younger sisters in Cuba and an older brother, plus aunts, uncles and cousins.
"She cries, but at the same time she is happy for me," Hernandez said of talks with his mother.
He spends winters in Tampa, a 45-minute flight from Havana. But Hernandez has not seen any of his family in four years.
"This is what I chose," he said. "This is my dream. Now my dream is to someday go back to Cuba during the offseason like other Latin players do. That is the dream for all the Cuban people."
The Brewers are dreaming of Hernandez stabilizing a young and inexperienced rotation. Ben Sheets and Doug Davis are considered locks for starting gigs, with Hernandez and four others gunning for the last three spots.
Former Yankees scout Dick Groch, now a special assistant to Melvin, was in the group that originally signed Hernandez and believes he sometimes is hurt by his allegiance to "El Duque," who throws harder with more consistent control. Groch said "El Duquecito" would be well-served to pitch like he did against Oakland on Friday: Trust two or three solid pitches and throw from one angle.
"He can keep the nickname, just ditch some of the funky arm angles," Groch said.
Hernandez will pitch again Wednesday against the Rockies.
"I never worry about guys in front of me," he said of the competition. "I worry about working hard today. This is the best thing for me, pitching with Milwaukee. It is an opportunity. I'm excited."
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/07/ZzafDst9.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/07/ZzafDst9.jpg border=1></a>
Adrian Hernandez defected from Cuba on Jan. 2, 2000.
<b><font size=4>Kloosterman shares 'baseball sense'</font>
Former Central, Bethel standout prepares for return to Brewers camp</b>
Greg Kloosterman got a taste of professional baseball last summer.
Ever since the 2003 season ended, he has been licking his chops in anticipation of rejoining that world.
While Kloosterman counts the days until he reports Feb. 21 to participate in a pre-spring training mini-camp for Milwaukee Brewers prospects in Phoenix, he gets ready while he gives something back to the game and the community.
The former Central High School and Bethel College standout left-hander compiled a pro pitching record of 6-1 with a 3.28 earned run average while striking out 76 and walking 23 in 68 2/3 innings with the Helena (Mont.) Brewers last summer.
This fall and winter, he is working out and giving baseball lessons at the Elkhart Sports Center. He is at the facility seven days a week.
"I've been sharing my baseball sense," says Kloosterman, 21. "It's been great working with the kids in this area."
Kloosterman thanks ESC owners Brett and Cristy Eldridge for the opportunity.
"It's a just-in-time kind of thing," says Kloosterman, noting that the multi-sport facility opened its doors Sept. 17, 2003. "Brett and Cristy have done a great job of selling the place to the public. I show up and teach baseball and they take care of the rest."
Kloosterman marvels at the explosive growth of the ESC, which has 110 teams competing in the current indoor soccer session.
"(Brett's) hard work is really paying off toward the community," says Kloosterman. "It's a great place to have in the Elkhart area and something that's been desperately needed. He has made a lot of things happen here for a lot of kids."
When not teaching, Kloosterman has been going through the off-season conditioning program prescribed by the Brewers.
"(The Eldridges have) been kind enough to let me work out here," says Kloosterman. "I've never been able to throw long inside like this before. I haven't had my arm this strong this early ever."
Kloosterman expects to open the 2004 season in the lower Class-A Midwest League with Beloit (Wis.), where Don Money will be the manager and Rich Saveur the pitching coach.
"Depending on how everything works out, I have a chance to go to (high Class-A) High Desert," says Kloosterman. "I feel like they've got me going right where I need to be.
"(The Brewers) told me if I worked hard, kept a good head on my shoulders and did what they told me to do, everything would work out fine. So far, they've been true to their word as have I. Everything is going as planned. I don't plan to be rushed up the system. And I don't plan to be an eight-year minor leaguer."
As for future off-season hung pangs, Kloosterman already has a plan for that. He expects to live and train in the baseball-friendly climes of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., along with catcher and friend Lou Palmisano, the 2003 Pioneer League MVP.
"I've been totally away from the entire baseball world and I miss it too much," says Kloosterman. "Except for holidays, I plan on never leaving it next year."
I guess you could say Kloosterman is really eating up pro ball.
<b><font size=4>Kieschnick likes traveling two-way street</font>
Phoenix</b> - It took much of last season for Brooks Kieschnick to convince folks he wasn't a refugee from a traveling freak show.
Step right up, ladies and gentleman. See the bearded lady, alligator boy and the big Texan who not only hits a baseball but pitches it, too.
"I tried to get across to people that I wasn't just doing it as a one-year circus act," said Kieschnick, who made a historic impact with the Milwaukee Brewers as a rare two-way player.
"This is what I do; this is what I am. I've been a baseball player my whole life. I grew up hitting and pitching. I want to do this for a long time."
For now, Kieschnick will settle for a second season of double duty. It took courage to return to pitching in 2002 after nine professional seasons as an outfielder bouncing from organization to organization.
Now, it will take something else to continue on his unique path with the Brewers. It will take a solid spring of effective pitching out of the bullpen.
"What he did last year increased his value as a baseball player," said Brewers manager Ned Yost. "Now, are we asking Brooks to be a better pitcher this year? Yeah, he's got to be.
"He's going to have to make it as a pitcher. I think he can do that. But, then again, in search for consistency out of the pen, we've got to take the guys who do the job."
In other words, the Brewers would love to have Kieschnick's powerful bat on their bench but don't have the luxury of keeping him merely in that role. After a year of inconsistent work out of the bullpen, Yost is looking for a relief corps he can trust.
In that regard, Kieschnick is off to an eye-opening start in exhibition play. He has turned in two perfect innings, striking out five of six batters.
Kieschnick, a left-handed hitter but a right-handed thrower, eventually worked his way into a position of trust last season, evolving from a mop-up pitcher to one who was called upon in key situations in the final weeks.
It didn't take long for Kieschnick, 31, to pinpoint the turning point of his season as a reliever. On May 17, Yost had the confidence to call on him to face pinch-hitter Ken Griffey Jr. in an 8-6 victory over Cincinnati at Miller Park.
"Glendon (Rusch) was in the game and they already had announced Griffey to pinch hit, so Ned knew he was coming in," recalled Kieschnick. "He brought me in to face him, anyway, and I struck him out. After that, (Yost) started getting me in some more close games."
Though Kieschnick remained a work in progress on the mound, compiling a 5.26 ERA in 42 relief appearances, he was a consistent contributor with bat in hand. In 70 at-bats, he batted .300 with seven home runs (two as a pinch-hitter) and 12 RBI.
Kieschnick became the first major-league player to hit a home run as a pitcher, designated hitter and pinch-hitter. It's a nice niche in baseball history, but Kieschnick would rather be known as a relief pitcher who also happens to swing a mean bat when called upon.
"Hopefully, it kept the door open for me again," Kieschnick said. "I set out to prove I can play this game well on both sides of the ball and help Milwaukee win ball games.
"There were times when I was really hot at the plate and there were times when I had good stretches on the mound. It was just a matter of combining them and getting an opportunity to keep doing it."
Making the most of that opportunity is easier said than done. When you're expected to do all the pitching drills in camp as well as hitting drills, you don't get many coffee breaks.
After wearing down a bit late last season, Kieschnick believes he has learned how to pace himself.
"I was hitting in the pitchers' group and the regular group," he said. "That wore me down a little. I probably swung more last year than I did when I was a regular position player, which is crazy.
"I have to make this team as a pitcher first. The hitting is just a bonus. If I don't pitch well, I won't make the team. I'm still going to take batting practice and all that, but I have to pitch well this spring. I know that."
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/brook308.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/sbrook308.jpg border=1></a>
Brooks Kieschnick aims to make an impression with his arm and bat.
<b><font size=4>Outing a change of pace for Kinney</font>
He's satisfied with his first spring effort
Mesa, Ariz.</b> - Right-hander <b>Matt Kinney's</b> two-inning performance against the Chicago Cubs Monday afternoon at HoHoKam Park had the textbook trappings of a spring-training debut.
He felt a little rusty. The results weren't as pretty as he'd have liked. But he was encouraged with his first step.
"My arm felt good," Kinney said after giving up five hits and three runs. "I left a few pitches up. I'm disappointed, but my mental approach this year is better.
"If this was the last outing of the spring, I'd probably have a different attitude. But I did some things out there that I probably wouldn't do during the regular season. This is the time you work on them."
One of the things Kinney is working on is a changeup. He threw "eight or nine" against the Cubs, one of which induced a soft flyout from <b>Sammy Sosa</b>.
Brewers manager <b>Ned Yost</b> was happy with the way Kinney handled himself on the mound, particularly with runners on base.
"He was more aware of his surroundings," Yost said. "He varied his looks. He was holding the ball more. He tried to control the running game. We tried a pickoff play at second base. Last year, he wouldn't even have seen the pickoff play. I was pleased with that."
Though his spot in the rotation is not necessarily secure yet, Kinney feels comfortable enough to experiment coming off a season in which he made 31 starts.
"There are things I learned last year you can't just tell somebody," he said. "You have to go through it. I want to build things up. I've had springs with the Twins where I've just dealt, but I was doing what I was already good at."
<b>Rough outing</b>
For the first time since camp started, Brewers left-hander Jorge De La Rosa looked like a rookie. <b>De La Rosa</b>, who turns 23 next month, followed Kinney to the mound and was tagged for four hits, five runs (four earned) and two homers, including a massive shot by Sosa.
"He wasn't as live as he's been," Yost said. "His breaking ball wasn't as sharp. His changeup wasn't as good. This was his first subpar outing."
Although De La Rosa was regarded as an early dark horse to make the 25-man roster, Yost said the youngster would "probably start in Triple-A."
<b>Catching on</b>
Catcher <b>John Vanden Berg</b>, a graduate of Cedarburg High School and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, was hitless in his first two exhibition at-bats, but they were impressive.
Saturday night against Texas, Vanden Berg came up against right-hander <b>Frank Francisco</b>, zeroed in on a first-pitch fastball and lined out to deep right-center field.
"The guy had just walked the batter before me and I figured he was going to throw me a strike to try and get ahead," said Vanden Berg, whose father, <b>Gary</b>, is the head groundskeeper at Miller Park and is visiting Arizona this week. "I hit it pretty good."
On Monday, Vanden Berg came up as a pinch hitter against hard-throwing Cubs right-hander <b>Carlos Zambrano</b> and battled to a full count before striking out. Zambrano, perhaps the most overqualified No. 5 starter in the majors, struck out seven batters in three scoreless innings.
Vanden Berg wasn't the only Wisconsin-born catcher at HoHoKam Park.
Chicago minor-league catcher <b>Casey Kopitzke</b>, who played at East De Pere High School and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, took part in the Cubs' pregame workout. Kopitzke, 25, was a 27th-round draft pick in 1999. Last year, he spent his second season at Class AA West Tenn and hit .261 with no homers and 25 RBI in 106 games.
<b>Peaceful, easy weekend</b>
The Brewers' board of directors wrapped up their annual meeting Sunday and board Chairwoman <b>Wendy Selig-Prieb</b> said the mood was more "relaxed" than in years past.
"We had a tough winter," Selig-Prieb said, referring to the meltdown that led the ouster of club President <b>Ulice Payne Jr.</b> "We came down here and spent almost the whole time talking about baseball. That was refreshing."
<b><font size=4>Organization report: Brewers</font>
Milwaukee stockpiled with future stars at all levels</b>
The future success of every Major League team lies in its minor league system. With that in mind, MLB.com takes a top-to-bottom look at all 30 organizations, from top prospects to recent draft picks.
It's a good time to be a Brewers fan. Or, at least it will be very soon.
All that talk you've heard about the Brewers' farm system is absolutely true. There are a ton of prospects down on the farm at a variety of levels. If Milwaukee plays its cards right, Miller Park will be brimming over with young talent for years.
Primarily through the draft, the Brewers have stockpiled prospects at just about every position. While they do have some top-notch pitching getting close to helping in Milwaukee, where this farm system stands out is in the batter's box. The bats assembled in the organization are second to none.
This may not be helpful in the short term. But if the Brewers start to falter during the 2004 season, find a satellite dish package that carries Double-A Huntsville Stars games and you'll feel a whole lot better about the future.
<b><font size=3>2003 Organizational Record</font>
League (Level) Team W L PCT</b>
International (AAA) Indianapolis 64 78 .451
Southern (AA) Huntsville 75 63 .543
California (A) High Desert 42 98 .300
Midwest (A) Beloit 75 61 .551
Pioneer (R) Helena 48 28 .632
Arizona (R) AZL Brewers 18 37 .327
Total 322 365 .469
<b><font size=3>2003 Organizational Leaders</font>
Batting average:</b> Jason Belcher, .320
<b>Home runs:</b> Prince Fielder, 27
<b>Runs batted in:</b> Prince Fielder, 112
<b>Stolen bases:</b> Chris Morris, 67
<b>ERA:</b> Luis Martinez, 2.13
<b>Wins:</b> Derek Lee, 13
<b>Strikeouts:</b> Luis Martinez, 162
<b>Saves:</b> Roberto Giron, 15
<b><font size=3>Five Faves</font></b>
Five prospects whose names you should know:
<b>Rickie Weeks, 2B
Rank in Top 50: 7</b>
Weeks had a whirlwind year in 2003 after being drafted, playing for Single-A Beloit in the Midwest League playoffs, going up to Milwaukee for a big-league taste and finally on to the Arizona Fall League. The No. 2 overall pick in last year's draft is a five-tool player with excellent speed and a very quick bat. His defense at second, a concern to some, has been fine and the Brewers expect him to be able to stay there. He'll begin the year with Huntsville and the Brewers project him to arrive in Milwaukee by the end of 2005.
<b>Prince Fielder, 1B
Rank in Top 50: 13</b>
Everyone knows about Fielder's tremendous power, and he can hit it out to all fields. But the biggest thing he showed in winning the Midwest League MVP award last year was vast improvement in strike zone judgement. He can hit bad balls, but he became more selective at the plate in 2003. His walks total rose and, as a result, his other offensive numbers improved as well. He's better defensively than you'd think and, more importantly, he now understands that defense needs to be a part of his game for him to succeed. He'll jump a level up to Huntsville to form a formidable 1-2 punch with Weeks.
<b>J.J. Hardy, SS
Rank in Top 50: 27</b>
Hardy isn't the kind of player who is going to jump out at a scout because of a standout tool, but he's always in the middle of every important play, on the good side of it. Defensively, he's very solid and nearly ready for the big leagues. Nothing flashy, just always in the right position to make all the plays. The same can be said with Hardy at the plate -- you have to warm up to him. His biggest skill might be his ability to make adjustments during each at-bat. If he gets fooled by a breaking pitch and he sees it again, he's going to hit it hard somewhere. He'll head to Triple-A Indianapolis and the Brewers would love to give him a full year there, but if there's a need in Milwaukee, they won't hesitate to call.
<b>Corey Hart, OF</b>
It's another year, another position for Hart, who is moving to the outfield after moving to third from first a year ago. Milwaukee thinks he'll make the adjustment to right field more smoothly than he did to third, where he did a respectable job. He put up very good numbers and was the MVP of the pitching-friendly Southern League in 2003. He projects to being a very consistent RBI guy, the kind of hitter who piles up doubles year after year. He'll move up one rung to Indianapolis this season.
<b>Mike Jones, RHP</b>
In his first spring outing in big-league camp, Jones struck out the side. And that was without using his changeup. When everything is working, he's got three average to above-average pitches (fastball and curveball join the changeup) and he can command them all. He's coming off an injury, so the Brewers will want to make sure he's healthy before pushing him too much. With that in mind, he'll likely get sent to Huntsville to start the year, unless he's absolutely lights out in Spring Training. Either way, he should see Indianapolis at some point in 2004.
<b>Others to watch:</b> Mike Adams, RHP; Anthony Gwynn, OF; Ben Hendrickson, RHP; Dave Krynzel, OF; Pedro Liriano, RHP; Brad Nelson OF/1B; Lou Palmisano, C; Manny Parra, RHP
<b><font size=3>Cinderella Story</font></b>
If you could send one pitch from any minor leaguer to the big leagues, you might choose Ben Hendrickson's curveball. The 10th-round pick in 1999 has a breaking ball to die for, and most scouts will tell you it's a quality Major League pitch right now.
Calling Hendrickson a one-pitch wonder wouldn't be fair, though. He's also got a good changeup and an average fastball. There were times in the 2003 season that he pitched decently without using the curve, as Hendrickson would work on his two-seamer. That should give some idea of what kind of command, and what kind of work ethic, he has. He missed some time last year with an elbow injury, but finished with a strong second half and excellent Arizona Fall League showing. There's a chance the Brewers could call Hendrickson -- and all three of his pitches -- to the big leagues if there's a need this season.
<b><font size=3>What's in a name?</font></b>
Shortstop Ozzie Chavez doesn't seem to have anything unusual or unique about his name. But a little investigation uncovers that Chavez is actually named for a man who reinvented the position he's now playing. Chavez's full name? Ozzie Smith Silfa Chavez.
<b><font size=3>2003 draft recap</font>
1. Rickie Weeks, 2B
.358 BA/ .500 OBP/ .552 SLG</b>
After Weeks hit .349 with a .494 OBP and .556 SLG with Beloit, he picked up 12 at-bats with Milwaukee. Then he hit .319 in the AFL, finishing second in steals (9) and fifth in OBP (.440). He'll play on a very talented Huntsville club in 2004.
<b>2. Anthony Gwynn, OF
.280 BA/ .364 OBP/ .326 SLG</b>
Gwynn could play center field defensively in the big leagues right now and he showed ability as a future leadoff type in his debut with Beloit last year. A scout who saw Gwynn play said he looked better as a professional than he did as an amateur and the Brewers think he's the kind of guy who will rise to whatever challenge is in front of him, including a possible jump up to Huntsville.
<b>3. Lou Palmisano, C
.391 BA/ .458 OBP/ .592 SLG</b>
All Palmisano did in his debut was win the Pioneer League MVP. He had three hits in a Major League Spring Training game early in camp. Defensively, he throws well. In other words, he's a rare breed in the minors, a complete catching package. He should move up to Beloit to start the season.
<b>4. Charlie Fermaint, OF
.300 BA/ .327 OBP/ .420 SLG</b>
Fermaint struggled a little bit in making the adjustments to professional ball. He's a "game player," the kind of prospect who won't excite in practice, but turns it on once the game begins. He's an explosive player with good first-step quickness and a quick bat. With a good spring, he could land on Beloit's roster. Otherwise, he might go to extended Spring Training before heading to Helena in the Pioneer League.
<b>5. Bryan Opdyke, C
.272 BA/ .364 OBP/ .388 SLG</b>
Opdyke is a young high school catcher who's going to take some time to develop. He moves well behind the plate and has an above-average throwing arm. He's a ways away, but he'll start down that path in extended Spring Training before getting a short-season assignment.
<b>Best of the rest:</b> RHP Robert Wooley (6th round) had a 2.49 ERA in 21.2 Arizona League innings. ... Ninth-round RHP Greg Kloosterman went 6-1 with a 3.28 ERA and 78 Ks in 69 IP for Helena. ... RHP Tommy Hawk (17th round) led the Arizona League with a 2.31 ERA. ... Outfielder Terry Trofholz (22nd round) hit .349 and topped the Pioneer League with 39 steals in 68 games.
<b><font size=3>Looking ahead: Needs for the 2004 draft</font></b>
Over the past few years, scouting director Jack Zduriencik and company haven't shown a tendency to follow any specific draft strategy other than taking the best available player. Just look at the last few years of first-round picks, starting with last year and going back -- college second baseman, high school first baseman, high school pitcher, high school outfielder, college pitcher.
The Brewers have had a terrific knack for finding talent in all shapes and sizes. Of course, having a losing team and getting the corresponding high draft picks helps, but Milwaukee has built one of the best systems in baseball through the draft. And while many organizations have pitching depth but lament not having position players, the Brewers have been able to evaluate hitting talent better than most.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/06/07/5LG7rpjc.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/06/07/5LG7rpjc.jpg border=1></a>
Before long, second baseman Rickie Weeks could be a staple in the Brewers lineup.
<b><font size=4>Notes: Kolb to return shortly</font>
Milwaukee closer could see action this week</b>
MESA, Ariz. -- Dan Kolb's take-it-easy approach to Spring Training will continue with another mound session Wednesday, and the Brewers closer could see action in his first game by the end of the week.
Kolb, who has an injury history longer than the bushy goatee at the end of his chin, experienced some minor soreness in his right shoulder early in camp. It was not enough to raise serious red flags among Brewers trainers, but the team decided it was best to take a cautious approach at the start of Cactus League games.
"I think the smart thing to do is to be careful with him," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "He's not fighting for a job, so there's no sense in pushing him before he's ready."
For Kolb, the twinge in his shoulder brought back some bad memories of his injury past.
"It bothers you a little bit. It's a scary thing," Kolb said. "But you have to put your trust in the trainers -- which I do. They know what is best."
Kolb has had to trust trainers before. He had Tommy John elbow surgery in June 2000, then tore a muscle in his forearm the following spring "trying to come back too early." In 2002, he suffered a partial tear in his rotator cuff but opted for a strengthening program over another surgery.
The Texas Rangers released Kolb at the end of 2003 Spring Training, and he signed a minor league deal with Milwaukee on April 2. Kolb emerged from a committee of closers after the All-Star break and saved 21 games for the Brewers, enough to enter this spring virtually guaranteed a job.
"The soreness is gone now," Kolb said. "Now it's just getting back throwing and getting strong. I have plenty of time."
After Wednesday's side session, Yost said Kolb could throw to live hitters before he is penciled into a game. Kolb said he could be ready for the season with as few as six or seven innings in spring games.
<b>Changing times:</b> Add Matt Kinney to the list of Brewers pitchers working on a changeup this spring. He threw eight or nine of them in Monday's 8-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs, when Kinney was hit for three runs on five hits including a solo home run in his first two innings of the year.
"I still haven't let it go all the way yet," said Kinney, who also tinkered with his curveball in situations when he may normally go with one of his more polished pitches -- a slider or fastball. "It's tough to get a read on yourself this early."
Kinney is already tough against right-handers because of his biting slider, but said an effective changeup could help keep left-handers off balance. He threw a first-pitch changeup to Sammy Sosa in the second inning, "something I don't know if I would have had the confidence last season to do," Kinney said.
Yost pointed to pitchers Matt Wise, Chris Michalak and Mike Adams as bright spots Monday, but left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, who's looked strong in Brewers camp so far, struggled. De La Rosa surrendered five runs in two innings on a three-run home run by third baseman Scott McClain and a two-run rocket by Sosa.
"This was his first subpar outing, really," Yost said. De La Rosa was traded from Boston to Arizona to Milwaukee this winter and could possibly win a spot in the Brewers rotation. If not, he'll end up headed for Triple-A Indianapolis.
<b>Get used to it:</b> The Brewers got their first taste of National League Central pitching Monday, and it tasted bitter. Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano, part of what could be baseball's best starting rotation, struck out seven in three scoreless innings.
The NL Central is stocked with new faces, topped by big-name free agents like the Cubs' Greg Maddux and the Astros' Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte.
"Those guys they got are quality pitchers," Yost said. "It's going to be fun for everybody to watch. I know I'm going to be interested when Clemens matches up against [Chicago's] Mark Prior. Pettitte against Kerry Wood. It will be interesting to see that."
<b>Injury report:</b> Veteran Dave Burba felt good Monday, a day after pitching in his first game of the spring. Burba suffered back and neck spasms early in camp. ... Yost said center fielder Scott Podsednik would miss a few more days with a swollen knee. A's ace Tim Hudson hit Podsednik in the right knee with a pitch Friday. ... Right-hander Tim Bausher threw to hitters at Maryvale Baseball Park on Monday. He had been sidelined with a large blister on his pivot foot.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/01/16/Al8XJhxw.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/01/16/Al8XJhxw.jpg border=1></a>
Closer Dan Kolb (right) hopes to have a strong 2004 season in Milwaukee.
<b><font size=4>Prime Time Prospect: J.J. Hardy</font>
Milwaukee excited about 21-year-old future star</b>
PHOENIX -- Rickie Weeks has the better prospect rating and Prince Fielder has the big bat to go with his big-league bloodlines. But J.J. Hardy is closest to taking his skills to Miller Park, and he's making a case that he belongs atop the Brewers' award-winning farm system.
"I'm excited," Hardy said. "Whatever comes of this experience, I'm ready."
When the Brewers declined shortstop Royce Clayton's option after last season, it looked like the 21-year-old Hardy would get his shot as early as this season. Those plans changed when the team traded Richie Sexson for a six-player package that included Craig Counsell, who later was anointed the likely starter.
So Hardy, the Brewers' second-round draft pick behind pitcher Mike Jones in 2001, is probably headed for Triple-A Indianapolis, where he will be one of the International League's youngest players. In 114 games last year at Double-A Huntsville, he batted .279 with a career-high 12 home runs and 62 RBIs while playing Major League-caliber defense.
Hardy was named to the Southern League's midseason and postseason All-Star teams.
"We're talking about how good he did last year, and I think we haven't seen anything yet," said Dave Krynzel, Huntsville's center fielder last year. "He's so good defensively. He's one guy I love to play behind."
Krynzel will probably be playing behind Hardy again. On Feb. 17, Hardy was working out with some teammates at the Brewers' minor league complex when Milwaukee manager Ned Yost stopped by to explain the shortstop situation. The Brewers are expected to go with Counsell and backup Bill Hall.
"He told me to come over here [to big-league camp] and just relax," Hardy said. "He said, 'We know what you can do. Don't stress, don't press. Just go out and play.'"
Easier said than done?
"Yes and no," Hardy said. "It helps when someone says that sometimes. You remember that you can go 0-for-5 and it's not the end of the world. They know what I've done before, and those five at-bats are not going to make or break it for me.
"What can I do but play well here, do the same at Triple-A and try and move on?"
Hardy is working on a more compact batting stance and will get a good, long look this spring. Barring injury, he is a good bet to make his Major League debut sometime this season.
Hardy will have plenty of workout partners. Milwaukee's Spring Training roster includes a handful of Brewers prospects including Fielder, Krynzel, Weeks, outfielder Corey Hart and right-hander Ben Hendrickson, a curveball specialist who could jump to the big leagues later this season.
"It's so much more fun," Krynzel said of his second Major League Spring Training. "I feel a little more relaxed around the clubhouse. Last year, it took me about a week just to get comfortable."
Krynzel was one of two former first-round draft picks in his first big-league camp last year. The other was Fielder, who grew up around Major Leaguers with his dad, former slugger Cecil Fielder.
The seventh overall selection in the 2002 draft, Fielder hit .313 with 27 home runs and 112 RBIs in a full season with Single-A Beloit and is projected as the Brewers' future first baseman.
The team drafted Fielder amid concerns about his weight, but he dropped several pounds and stayed healthy last year, and said he focused on cardiovascular work during the offseason.
"I mostly wanted to lean up," he said. "I definitely don't want to get bigger."
Weeks also spent the winter in Florida in training. He arrived with noticeably more muscle on his upper body after working out near Orlando with Anaheim's David Eckstein, Baltimore's Tim Raines Jr. and Cincinnati's Felipe Lopez.
"By the end of this year, he'll be in the big leagues, no doubt," Eckstein said. "And it could be for good."
Weeks went from Southern University to the Major Leagues in 2003. He was 2-for-4 with four RBIs in his only game in the rookie league before batting .349 with eight doubles and 16 RBIs in 60 games at Beloit. Because Weeks was already on a big-league contract, the Brewers decided to call him up in September to work extensively with infield coach Rich Dauer, a former Orioles second baseman.
The Weeks-Fielder duo -- ranked among baseball's top 10 prospects by Baseball America and the top 13 by MLB.com -- has been virtually inseparable since they became teammates at Beloit in August. Fielder was named USA Today's Minor League Player of the Year, the Midwest League MVP and the Brewers Minor League Player of the Year, while Weeks won the Golden Spikes Award as the nation's top amateur player.
"I'm just soaking it all in," said Weeks, a second baseman selected second overall in last year's draft. "I'm a rookie coming in so I want to go out there and gain experience. I hope it can escalate down the road to where I can use all that stuff."
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/09/08/9yroi4fs.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2003/09/08/9yroi4fs.jpg border=1></a>
J.J. Hardy hit .279 with 12 homers at Double-A Huntsville in 2003.
<b><font size=4>Day in, day out, Weeks impresses</font>
Phoenix</b> - It's not exactly a revelation that the Milwaukee Brewers, at least among Cactus League teams, typically have the fewest early morning autograph seekers. Such is life for one of baseball's most anonymous teams.
Yet when they congregate, fans generally seek out a second baseman with exactly seven games and 12 at-bats of big-league experience. Such is life for an organization that is regarded more for its prospects than established players.
So how does Rickie Weeks handle it? Pretty much the same way he goes about all of his business during his first spring training of great expectations.
"He's the perfect rookie," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "He's a guy who is seen and not heard. His eyes are open and paying attention to everything that goes on. He's a very level-headed, smart kid who is always watching and learning.
"He's a quality kid, a kid who is all business. He likes to have fun, but he likes to have fun the right way, by playing hard and winning baseball games, not by jacking around and trying to be the center of attention through goofy antics."
So, if Weeks one day becomes a multiple all-star or even an MVP, the Brewers won't exactly have a Terrell Owens on their hands?
"I don't think you'll ever have to worry about Rickie, ever," Yost said.
Upon meeting the 21-year-old future of the organization, you get the distinct impression that someone did a very good job raising Weeks.
Although nine months ago the Brewers paid the No. 2 draft pick $3.6 million just to sign, more than they will pay any big-leaguer this season except Geoff Jenkins, Weeks respectfully defers to his clubhouse elders. From locker neighbor Jon Nunnally, who has played for four major-league teams in 13 professional seasons, Weeks actively seeks advice on how to conduct himself as a pro.
Part of it is to remain unaffected by the burden of expectations.
"I'm the type of person who is going to take life as it is," Weeks said. "You've got to seize every day. The bonus is past. I'm here to play baseball."
Not drafted out of high school in Altamonte Springs, Fla., Weeks blossomed into the college baseball player of the year last season at Southern University. To accelerate his fast track, the Brewers brought him up in September after only a handful of games at Class A Beloit.
In retrospect, it was probably the best thing the Brewers could've done for the player and the organization because that mysterious barrier has already come down.
"In the back of Rickie's mind being a No. 1 draft pick, he always knew he was going to play in the big leagues, but there was always that unknown," Yost said. "What's it going to be like? How good is it?
"When I was a kid in high school, I literally didn't think major-league players were human. It surprised me that they urinated and pooped and ate dinner and went to bed."
Weeks is already way ahead of that game.
"That was one of the best experiences of my life right there," he said of the call-up.
"It gave me a sense of confidence to go out and play with these guys who you saw play on TV when you were younger."
Yost, who was part of the Atlanta organization when Ron Gant made the quick transformation from can't-miss prospect to big-league star, believes Weeks is better.
"Ronnie had a pretty good career, but Ronnie had to be moved to the outfield because he wasn't smooth and fluid in the infield," Yost said. "I don't think Rickie will ever be moved. Rickie's a more complete player than Ronnie was at that stage, a lot more."
Blessed with depth at second base with Junior Spivey and Keith Ginter, the Brewers have no reason to rush Weeks to the majors this season. But in the event of quick progression or a trade, he could be here soon.
Meanwhile, Weeks seems completely unaffected.
At night, he goes home to the apartment he shares with two other major prospects, Prince Fielder and Tony Gwynn Jr. Like most people their age, they play video games.
"Baseball is baseball," Weeks said. "There are big-league guys out there who have experience on you. I've been feeling comfortable lately. What you have to do is to know what kind of talent you have and try to play with the best of them."
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/weeks309.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/sweeks309.jpg border=1></a>
Rickie Weeks goes about his business during his first spring training.
<b><font size=4>Hammonds suffers a bad break</font>
Phoenix</b> - Outfielder <b>Jeffrey Hammonds'</b> three-year affiliation with the Milwaukee Brewers was marked by injury and frustration mixed with anger, suspicion, guilt and a whole lot of other emotions.
In other words, it was a lot like Tuesday.
Hammonds is now playing for San Francisco, the team that picked him up after the Brewers released him last summer and swallowed the rest of his $21.75 million contract, a franchise record recently eclipsed by <b>Geoff Jenkins'</b> new deal.
In the top of the first inning of an exhibition game at Maryvale Baseball Park, Hammonds was facing a 1-2 count from Brewers lefty <b>Chris Capuano</b>, who threw a high, inside pitch that ran toward Hammonds' head.
"I was trying to throw a fastball in," Capuano said. "I tried to hump up a little and I overthrew it a bit."
Hammonds ducked his head out of the way, but his hands went up behind his batting helmet and the ball hit his right thumb, crushing it. Medical tests later revealed a fracture that will keep Hammonds in a splint for four weeks and sideline him longer.
Hammonds howled in pain, then stalked to first base alternately glaring at Capuano and staring at his thumb. Realizing the injury was serious, Hammonds left first base then headed toward the Giants' dugout on the third-base side, where he was met by a trainer.
At times, it looked as though Hammonds was going to charge the mound.
"He was definitely thinking about it a few times," Brewers catcher <b>Chad Moeller</b> said.
During the changeover between innings, Hammonds walked past the Brewers' dugout on his way out of the stadium and took the unusual step of stopping to talk to manager <b>Ned Yost</b>. Several Brewers players said Hammonds asked Yost, "Was that on purpose?"
Yost declined to talk about his discussion with Hammonds, but denied that the Brewers were throwing at Hammonds.
"We have absolutely zero reason to throw at Jeffrey Hammonds," Yost said. "It doesn't make any sense. I can't even come up with a reason why we'd want to hit Jeffrey Hammonds."
Capuano felt badly about the incident but maintained that it wasn't intentional.
"It sucks that he's hurt," Capuano said. "But he's got to know that with the count 1-2, I'm trying to get his (expletive) out. If I was going to hit him, it would be with the first pitch. This is spring training. We're trying to work on our command. I feel badly for him, but I can't let it bother me. I still have to pitch."
<b>Killer B's</b>
The Brewers have scheduled a "B" game against Seattle on Thursday morning in Peoria. The pitchers scheduled to work include <b>Jorge De La Rosa, Ben Hendrickson, Jason Childers, Matt Childers, Travis Phelps</b> and <b>Dennis Sarfate</b>.
The Brewers also are talking to the Giants about having a "B" game next week.
<b><font size=4>Notes: A spring surprise</font>
Brewers boast a 6-1 record in Cactus League games</b>
PHOENIX -- Sporting a new-look offense courtesy of the Richie Sexson trade, the Brewers are a surprising 6-1 in Cactus League games despite hitting just three home runs.
Two of those homers came in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the San Francisco Giants. Junior Spivey, one of four position players acquired in the deal who is expected to start for the Brewers, hit a two-run home run in the third inning. Non-roster catcher Chris Coste also hit a solo shot.
Before that, the only Brewers longball came Saturday off the bat of non-roster outfielder Chris Magruder, a switch-hitter trying to win a job.
Sure, Cactus League games don't count. But Geoff Jenkins is still encouraged by what he sees.
"I think we could surprise some people," Jenkins said. "It's the way we are winning these, by moving guys over, getting them in."
Brewers hitting coach Butch Wynegar figures that the Brewers offense, stocked with contact-hitting newcomers Spivey, Craig Counsell, Lyle Overbay and Chad Moeller, will hit far fewer homers this season but will score more overall runs.
"[Brewers GM] Doug Melvin looks at baseball like a board game," Wynegar said. "You capture the opponent's bases. It doesn't matter how you do it."
Last year, the Brewers hit 196 home runs and tied for second in the National League with St. Louis, trailing Atlanta's 235. But Milwaukee hitters combined for a .256 average, 13th in the 16-team league.
"Last year, we had a ton of home runs but we didn't sustain rallies, we didn't move runners like we should," said Wynegar, who called home runs "overrated." "That's why I'm excited about this team because I think we will see more of that."
Jenkins hit 28 homers in 2003 and Wes Helms 23, the only players on the current on the roster with 20-plus longballs last season. If outfielder Ben Grieve can return to form, he has the potential to join that group.
"But he's going to struggle, just like Geoff will and Wes will, if they go up there and start lifting the ball and all of a sudden their swing gets long," Wynegar said.
<b>Heated moments:</b> Brewers fans are all too familiar with Jeffrey Hammonds' habit of catching bad breaks. Those at Maryvale Baseball Park witnessed another one on Tuesday.
On a 1-and-2 fastball that got away from Chris Capuano, the former Brewer reacted by bringing his bat behind and over his head, right into the path of the baseball. He suffered a broken right thumb and immediately left the game.
"I was just trying to burn one inside and it got away," Capuano said. "It happens. I'm sorry he got hurt but I'm not sorry I threw the pitch."
Hammonds, who was released by the Brewers last summer in the final season of an injury-riddled three-year, $21 million contract, was not convinced. Walking with his equipment bag back to the clubhouse, he approached the Brewers dugout and asked manager Ned Yost if the pitch was intentional. He also exchanged words with catcher Chad Moeller.
"It blows my mind that he would even think we would throw at him," Yost said.
Said former teammate Jenkins, who knows all about tough injuries: "He's frustrated. I mean, I guess I understand. He is fighting for a job over there."
Hammonds, who signed on with the Giants last season after the Brewers cut him, is back on a one-year, $1 million contract.
<b>Injury update:</b> Scott Podsednik took cuts in the batting cage on Tuesday but is a few days away from returning to games. The speedy center fielder was hit in the right knee by a Tim Hudson pitch last Friday and has not played since. "It's getting better every day," Podsednik said. "Nothing to worry about." ... Closer Dan Kolb threw successfully off a mound for the second time in three days but will throw another side session before facing hitters for the first time. Kolb, who has a history of arm problems, experienced minor shoulder soreness early in camp.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/09/QYpOMi6U.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/09/QYpOMi6U.jpg border=1></a>
<b><font size=4>Kinney expects to build on '03</font>
Starter challenges himself to make this year's team first</b>
PHOENIX -- Brewers general manager Doug Melvin is a connoisseur of quirky stats the way some people love a fine wine.
This spring, he has a favorite: Brewers starter Matt Kinney had more strikeouts and issued fewer walks in 2003 than reigning American League Cy Young winner Barry Zito.
"A lot of people could win some money with that bet," Melvin said. "It goes to show you the small range a pitcher has for being successful and not so successful."
Oakland's Zito followed up his Cy Young year by going 14-12 in 2003 with a 3.30 ERA and 146 strikeouts versus 88 walks. Kinney went 10-13 with a 5.19 ERA and 152 strikeouts versus 80 walks.
This season, the Brewers expect more out of the 27-year-old Kinney and Kinney expects more out of himself. The first order of business is to make the team.
That makes Spring Training a difficult balancing act for guys like Kinney, who made his spring debut in Monday's loss to the Cubs, and left-hander Wayne Franklin, who made his second appearance Tuesday against San Francisco. Do they pitch to their strengths -- fastball and slider -- to win a spot in the five-man starting rotation? Or do they trust that coaches saw enough of them last year and work on their weaknesses -- in Kinney's case a developing curveball and his new addition, a changeup?
"Before, I would have springs where I was dealing, but it was because I was only doing the things I was good at," said Kinney, who rose to the Majors in the Twins system before a November 2002 trade sent him to Milwaukee. "Sometimes if you want to take the next step, you have to do the things you're not good at."
He took that approach in his outing against the Cubs, throwing "eight or nine" changeups, including one on a first pitch to Sammy Sosa in the second inning, inducing a lineout off the end of Sosa's bat.
The Cubs scored three runs on five hits in Kinney's two-inning stint.
"The changeup is a big pitch for him," manager Ned Yost said. "He's got to get better. If you're just average, you can't keep being just average."
Yost and pitching coach Mike Maddux have lined up pitchers to compete for the final rotation spots. Kinney was followed Monday by Jorge De La Rosa, a young left-hander who was surprisingly effective early in camp but is probably ticketed for Triple-A.
On Tuesday, left-handers Chris Capuano and Franklin were the first to pitch, and on Wednesday the Brewers are scheduled to start with right-handers Adrian Hernandez and Wes Obermueller.
Did pitching a full season in 2003 give Kinney a leg up?
"Last year is over, so I don't think that matters now," Kinney said. "Obviously, they've seen some things that I can do and that might help me in certain situations. But it's a new year, so you go out there like you're fighting for a spot."
Kinney made the club out of Spring Training last year and was the team's most steady starter early on, going 2-1 in April with a staff-best 2.48 ERA. He had another good month in August, going 3-1 with a 3.55 ERA to enter the home stretch with a winning record.
But September was a different story, as Kinney slumped to an 0-4 record and an 8.72 ERA that month. It was a fitting end to a roller-coaster season.
"The big innings hurt him as much as anything," Melvin said. "There were times where we didn't make plays behind him, too. His pitch counts would get high.
"But I think he has a chance. You've got to like his arm and his stuff. It's just a mental hurdle to get over."
Kinney agreed.
"Looking now at the things I learned last year, there are four or five games that I might have been one pitch away from a win," he said. "Now, this year is about not making the same mistakes and recognizing situations a little bit earlier and not get caught up going crazy in games.
"I have to control myself and get better."
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/09/8fkAJ7D8.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/09/8fkAJ7D8.jpg border=1></a>
Matt Kinney proved to be a steady pitcher at times last season but endured a rough September.
<b><font size=4>Competition heats up</font>
Pitchers make push to be starters
Phoenix</b> - Milwaukee Brewers right-handers <b>Adrian Hernandez</b> and <b>Wes Obermueller</b> pitched against the Colorado Rockies Wednesday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park.
In a way, they were also competing against each other and several other teammates.
Hernandez, who gave up a run in three innings, and Obermueller, who worked three scoreless innings, are vying for spots in the Brewers' starting rotation. If they don't make the rotation, they could end up in the bullpen.
Although they are being considered among a larger pool of pitchers, the fact that they are pitching on the same day makes side-by-side comparisons virtually inevitable.
"Just because they're pitching on the same day doesn't mean that only one of them can make the rotation or only one can make the club," said Brewers manager <b>Ned Yost</b>, who used lefties <b>Chris Capuano</b> and <b>Wayne Franklin</b> for three-inning stints on Tuesday.
"They could still both make it. We have a lot of pitchers in camp, so we have to double guys up for now."
As the pitchers head into their second and third outings, the competition is starting to intensify.
"More is expected," Yost said. "They've got their first outing out of the way, and production is important. Results are important.
"At the same time, I don't want them thinking it's a do-or-die situation. A problem arises when pitchers feel like they have to go out and do well. We want them to go out and feel good and do well. If you go out thinking you have to do well, you never do."
Reliever <b>Mike Crudale</b> seems to be guilty of pressing a bit. Wednesday marked his third consecutive shaky outing. In two innings over three appearances, he's allowed nine hits and eight runs - most of them against younger hitters late in games.
"He hasn't torpedoed his chances," Yost said. "He's got a little bit of an upper hand because he's got experience and he was here last year. He's on that 'A-list' of guys we're looking at. But it's a big list."
<b>All grown up</b>
Rockies manager <b>Clint Hurdle</b> had fun watching Brewers first baseman <b>Prince Fielder</b> play on Wednesday.
"I've been watching the kid since he was a little boy," said Hurdle, who grew up on the South Florida coast. "He lived in Melbourne. This is like his 27th big-league camp; he's been coming to big-league camp since he was 4. I've had my eye on him for a while because of his dad <b>(Cecil)</b>. It's nice to watch, very refreshing."
Hurdle was joking about how many camps Fielder has attended. Prince won't turn 20 until May 18.
<b>Getting acquainted</b>
Sheets, the Brewers' opening day starter, will make his second appearance of the spring today, which means he'll likely hook up with catcher <b>Chad Moeller</b> for the second time. Moeller also caught Sheets' spring debut on Saturday night against Texas.
"He has a great curveball," Moeller said. "The spin on it is so hard. That's a great pitch for him. He was fun to catch."
In his first three big-league seasons, Sheets did not enjoy a lot of continuity behind the plate.
<b>Trendsetter?</b>
Brewers reliever/slugger <b>Brooks Kieschnick</b> could have some company this year.
Boston's <b>David McCarty</b>, who has been a first baseman and outfielder for most of his career, is trying to reinvent himself as a reliever/hitter just as Kieschnick did last season with the Brewers.
McCarty is planning to call Kieschnick for advice.
"I'll tell him to go out there and enjoy it," Kieschnick said. "That's the best advice I can give - have fun. I'd also tell him to remember how hard it is to hit when he's out there on the mound. I'd also tell him to expect some soreness. When I first started pitching again, I'd throw one day and need two days off. I was really sore."
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/ad310.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/sad310.jpg border=1></a>
Milwaukee pitcher Adrian Hernandez prepares to throw the ball to first after a bunt by Colorado's Royce Clayton.
<b><font size=4>Notes: A homer for the kids</font>
Jenkins' blast lets 50 kids leave with souvenir bats</b>
PHOENIX -- Geoff Jenkins hit a called shot on Wednesday. Only he did not call it.
The public address man at Maryvale Baseball Park announced a new promotion before Wednesday's 8-5 Brewers win against a Colorado Rockies split squad: If Jenkins slugged a home run, 50 kids in attendance would get a souvenir baseball bat with the left fielder's name on it.
The deal was announced again just before Jenkins and the Brewers batted in the bottom of the fifth inning. Sure enough, facing tough, sidearm left-hander Javier Lopez, Jenkins squeaked a solo home run over the left-center field wall.
"Is there a bigger jinx or what?" Jenkins joked afterward. "I'm standing there on deck and they're like, 'If Geoff Jenkins hits a homer...'"
The homer was Jenkins' first of the spring and his second hit in the game. He singled in the fourth inning and was hit in the shoulder on a pickoff throw by the Rockies' Brian Tollberg, but was unhurt.
Jenkins is back to his familiar swing after tweaking it a bit last season. For a time, Jenkins felt he was lunging at pitches so he opted to keep his right leg stiff as he stepped into his swing. By mid-August, just before he suffered a broken thumb, Jenkins was back to his familiar leg lift as he approached the ball.
"To be honest, especially at this time of year, when you find something that feels comfortable you go with it for a few weeks. Then you change," Jenkins said. "I don't feel dialed in at all right now. That ball today was the first one I got any [arm] extension on at all."
He may not feel particularly good, but Jenkins is hitting. His average is up to .500 (7-for-14), though all his hits before the home run were singles. The closest he came to extra bases was March 5, when he smoked a ball off the right-field wall and was held to a single by Oakland right fielder Jermaine Dye.
Jenkins has taken some big cuts this spring but did not connect until Wednesday.
"He has, but all I'm watching right now is his body positioning and how he's getting his hands to the ball," hitting coach Butch Wynegar said. "For me, right now, he is a lot further ahead right now than he was last year at this time."
Last year, Jenkins was coming back from a horrific ankle injury that ended his 2003 season in June. His Spring Training was further interrupted by a hand injury that forced him to start the regular season on the disabled list.
<b>That's nothing:</b> Right fielder Ben Grieve said he once witnessed a much wilder "called shot" off the bat of then-Arizona infielder Jay Bell.
"It was pretty amazing, because it had to be Jay Bell, it had to be a grand slam and it had to be in a certain inning," said Grieve, who was with Oakland at the time. "He did it. And the prize for some fan was something amazing, like $1 million."
<b>Arms race:</b> The Brewers cruised to an 8-1 lead through six innings thanks in large part to right-handers Adrian Hernandez and Wes Obermueller, who pitched three innings apiece. Both are battling for spots in the Brewers rotation.
Obermueller had the better day, holding the Rockies to one hit and a walk while striking out a pair. Hernandez started the game and surrendered two quick hits including an RBI double by former Brewer Royce Clayton before settling in. He allowed two hits and no runs the rest of the way.
"I felt a little tight, like I wanted to be rushing," Hernandez said. "So I have to slow down and be loose. I feel good."
Brooks Kieschnick surrendered a run in the eighth inning, his first in three spring appearances, and Dave Burba pitched a scoreless inning in his second stint since experiencing neck and back spasms.
Mike Crudale, another right-hander looking for a job in the Brewers bullpen, struggled. He faced six hitters in the ninth and surrendered five singles and three runs.
"It doesn't help his cause, but it doesn't torpedo him, either," manager Ned Yost said. "There's so much competition out there that it does set you back a little bit."
Yost said the only spot locked up in the bullpen belongs to closer Dan Kolb. Once the team settles on its starting rotation, some new arms could be added to the already-crowded bullpen mix.
<b>Endorsement:</b> Rockies first-base coach Dave Collins, who served in the same capacity in Milwaukee under former manager Davey Lopes, had some words of praise for the Brewers' starting center fielder on Wednesday.
"You know the guy I really like over there?" Collins asked a reporter. "Brady Clark. He's a guy that whatever you ask him to do, he goes out and does it. He's just a winner. You can feel it. You gotta love a guy like that."
Collins and Clark crossed paths before, when Collins was a coach in Cincinnati.
<b>Extra work:</b> The Brewers will play a "B" game Thursday morning against Seattle in Peoria, Ariz. Scheduled to pitch for the Brewers is Jorge De La Rosa, Ben Hendrickson, Jason Childers, Matt Childers, Travis Phelps and Dennis Sarfate. Infielder Trent Durrington could see action for an inning or two at catcher in the game.
The team will play its regularly scheduled contest against the A's at Maryvale Baseball Park at 2 p.m.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/10/TgMlQNYE.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/10/TgMlQNYE.jpg border=1></a>
Geoff Jenkins is batting .500 (7-for-14) this spring.
<b><font size=4>Two new catchers in the mix</font></b>
PHOENIX -- Every spring, Brewers ace Ben Sheets has followed the same routine.
Show up in Phoenix, set up shop at the locker labeled No. 15 and search the clubhouse for his new battery mates.
"Every year, we've had different catchers," said Sheets, who debuted with the Brewers in 2001. "I can't wait for the time when I don't have to meet a new guy back there."
This season is not that time.
The Brewers have a pair of new catchers expected to start the season. Chad Moeller, the favorite to catch Sheets on Opening Day, was acquired along with five others from Arizona in the Richie Sexson trade. Two weeks later, free agent Gary Bennett signed a one-year contract.
Others have hope, too. Kade Johnson is on the 40-man roster trying to bounce back from injuries and a brief stint in the outfield. Non-roster invitees Chris Coste, Alex Delgado, Mark Johnson and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduate John Vanden Berg are trying to make an impression as well. Even Trent Durrington, a utility infielder who has excelled in early Cactus League games, has an outside chance of seeing action behind the plate for the Brewers this season.
But for now, Moeller and Bennett remain the favorites. They spent the first three weeks of camp with virtual "Hello. My name is..." stickers on their chest protectors.
"The meet and greet part was great, and now we're trying to familiarize ourselves with each others' strengths and weaknesses," said Bennett, who went 3-for-3 with two RBIs in Milwaukee's 8-5 win over the Rockies on Wednesday.
Added Moeller: "There's a lot of guys in here. It would help to have some names on their backs."
Behind Sheets, the Brewers have as many as seven pitchers fighting for four spots in the rotation. The team is only eight games into the spring, including Wednesday's tilt against a split-squad of Colorado Rockies, so pitchers and catchers are still getting to know each other.
"That takes time," said Moeller, who turned 29 two days before reporting to camp. "I need a pitcher to shake me off a few times to understand how he likes to work. You really want to pitch to their strengths rather than the hitters' weaknesses.
"You ask them to do something that they're not comfortable with, even though it's the hitter's weakness, it ends up hurting you. If they don't make a pitch with conviction or trust, it's normally a very mediocre pitch."
Moeller's best advice? Keep it simple.
"[Curt] Schilling will throw a curveball three times in an entire game. He'll throw a slider maybe four times," said Moeller, who was co-ace Randy Johnson's personal catcher for a time in Arizona. "Otherwise, he's predominantly fastball and split. Randy has two pitches. [New York's Mike] Mussina is fastball, curveball. They have other pitches, but when it comes down to it they have No. 1 and No. 2 and they don't want to get beat by Nos. 3 and 4."
Like a number of other former Diamondbacks involved in the Sexson trade, Moeller is coming off a frustrating season in Arizona. He found his way to manager Bob Brenly's bench with the emergence of rookie Robby Hammock, and got only 10 at-bats in August and three in September.
He will share time with Bennett, a Waukegan, Ill., native who plans to try the 45-minute commute to Miller Park instead of getting a place in Milwaukee. For day games after night games, Bennett will stay in a hotel.
Bennett appeared in a career-high 96 games last season for San Diego and is considered more of a defensive catcher. Bennett also has more experience, 14 years of professional baseball including parts of eight seasons in the Majors. He is a career .252 hitter.
"My priority is behind the plate," said Bennett, who turns 32 on April 17. "My job is to get that pitcher in sync, get him through innings and get him through the game with us ahead. Do I want to hit? Of course, I want to hit. But my job is behind the plate."
How important is building trust with his new batterymates?
"That's the majority of it, in my opinion," Bennett said. "Not that he has to listen to everything you say, but he has to trust that you have an idea back there. With a man on, he's got to trust that if he makes a pitch down in the dirt, you're going to block it. Otherwise, he may leave something over the plate.
"That goes unnoticed. Of course, the pitcher still has to hit location and throw the pitch, but if he trusts you and you're working well together that invariably happens. They get through the game unscathed."
Since Sheets debuted in 2001, the Brewers have used 10 different catchers over three seasons. Only one -- Raul Casanova -- lasted more than one year with the team.
The Brewers broke camp last year with a pair of catchers who entered the spring on minor league contracts. Eddie Perez and Keith Osik were surprisingly effective, batting .272 with 13 home runs, 66 RBIs with a combined .991 fielding percentage.
"I'd love to stay here," said Bennett. "The last few years, I've seen a few teams so I would love to stay put. From what I've seen early in camp, there is a great group of guys in here who could sneak up on some teams."
Bennett is on a one-year deal, but Moeller is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time next winter.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/10/Ad6w6zuF.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/10/Ad6w6zuF.jpg border=1></a>
Chad Moeller played with Arizona the past three seasons and played in a career-high 78 games last season.
<b><font size=4>Notes: Wise elbows for bullpen spot</font>
Reliever impressing with jaw-dropping changeup</b>
PHOENIX -- Right-hander Matt Wise struggled Thursday through the toughest of his four Cactus League outings, but he was smiling afterward.
No one predicted Wise would be pitching this spring at all, much less competing for a spot in what manager Ned Yost said could be a seven-man Brewers bullpen.
Wise is two weeks away from "celebrating" the one-year anniversary of Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, a procedure that usually sidelines a pitcher for a full year. Just two months ago he was limited to 60-pitch bullpen outings, and when the Brewers signed him to a minor league deal on Jan 20, the team assumed he would not be ready to pitch by the start of the season.
"I've always fought elbow problems, and I don't have any discomfort at all," said Wise, 28. "Every day, every opportunity is a bonus. It's fun to be able to compete."
Wise has dropped jaws in camp with a changeup that dies at the plate, a pitch he developed in 1998 with Anaheim Angels roving pitching instructor Zeke Zimmerman. Wise throws a 90 mph fastball and a decent slider but his go-to pitch quickly became the 78-82 mph changeup.
Yost compared Wise's mastery of the pitch to some of baseball's best, including closers Trevor Hoffman and Keith Foulke.
"It's that good," Yost said. "It's definitely a pitch that keeps him in contention for one of our spots."
Wise said Anaheim, the team that drafted him in the sixth round in 1997, never liked him in the bullpen. He was 4-7 with a 4.74 ERA in 25 games, 15 starts for the Angels in 2001 and 2002. Yost said Wise's dramatic "downhill" delivery could fit well at Miller Park, where inducing ground balls is key to success.
After holding opponents to one run and one hit in three previous innings of work, Wise surrendered a run on three hits and one walk in the third inning of Thursday's 4-1 win over Oakland. He struck out Eric Chavez on a wicked changeup but hung one to Scott Hatteberg, who ripped an RBI double to the right-field corner.
Brewers center fielder Dave Krynzel saved Wise further damage when he threw Hatteberg out at the plate to end the inning.
"I feel like working out of the bullpen is something I would really, really enjoy," said Wise.
Wise has the dubious honor of wearing No. 87, the highest of any player in Brewers camp. It means his locker is right in the middle of the clubhouse at Maryvale Baseball Park, though you would not know it because he is one of the quietest players in the place.
"No one knows No. 87 because I don't say a lot," Wise said. "I don't mind it a bit. I just want to go out and pitch."
<b>Tough finish:</b> Chris Magruder and Corey Hart homered, but the Brewers dropped a 'B' game to Seattle, 3-2, when reliever Matt Childers served up a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday morning.
Non-roster infielder Trent Durrington saw his first action at catcher and was behind the plate when Childers hung a game-ending slider. The game continued so Childers could get in his work, but he hit his pitch count with only two outs and the teams called it quits.
Durrington is trying to make the team and has seen most of his action at third base, though his ability to serve as an emergency catcher could help his cause. He added the position about two years ago, and caught for the Australian National Team last fall in an Olympic qualifying tournament.
"It adds an extra tool," said Durrington. "That was the reason for doing it. I'm trying to get to the big leagues."
<b>Making a statement:</b> Magruder also played in the regular game against the A's, and made a sliding catch in foul territory to help the Brewers avoid an Oakland rally in the ninth inning.
He dove earlier for a ball, but it was ruled a trap. Magruder said he hesitated before diving because he broke his hand at this time last year attempting a similar catch for Cleveland and missed the first half of the season.
"When it comes time to make a play, you can't really hold back," said Magruder, a switch hitter who has homered from both sides of the plate this spring and is the only Brewer with two home runs. "Anybody who puts this uniform on, puts himself at risk every day."
<b>Injury report:</b> Keith Ginter was scratched from a start in right field Thursday with back spasms. ... Outfielder Scott Podsednik is still feeling the effects of a Tim Hudson pitch that hit his right knee on March 5. He wants to test his leg in baserunning drills before getting into a game, which will not happen until next week at the earliest. ... Ben Sheets' back is better than ever, Yost said, and he is on track for his Opening Day start. Sheets threw 50 pitches in two scoreless innings Thursday and was scheduled for Pilates exercise on Friday to keep his sometimes testy lower back in shape. ... Closer Dan Kolb threw another side session Thursday and the next step is live batting practice before he sees game action next week. Kolb was set back by minor shoulder soreness.
<b>Congrats:</b> First baseman Lyle Overbay and his wife, Sarah, welcomed their first child on Wednesday. Adam Overbay weighed six pounds, six ounces. His dad is expected to go back to work on Friday, when the Brewers play San Francisco in Scottsdale.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/11/7Mh34SwC.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/11/7Mh34SwC.jpg border=1></a>
Matt Wise has impressed this spring with five strikeouts and one run allowed in three innings.
<b><font size=4>Coste hoping to 'Crash' roster</font>
Veteran catcher about to release second book</b>
PHOENIX -- Think Brooks Kieschnick is the Brewers' ultimate utility man? A catcher in Brewers camp is giving him a run for that title.
Meet Chris Coste, pronounced "like the soap," he jokes. He is a 31-year-old catcher in Brewers camp on a minor league contract, wearing No. 73 and still clawing his way toward the big leagues.
Coste's professional baseball career began nearly a decade ago in the Independent leagues when he signed for $700 per month in the North Central League. He moved on to the Prairie League and later the Northern League, where he caught, worked in the club's merchandising department and hosted a daily afternoon sports talk show in addition to his at-home duties as husband and dad.
He moved on to the Cleveland and Boston organizations and, after signing with Milwaukee last November, also played third base and first base in winter ball.
He has his own website, www.chriscoste.com, and in April, Coste will release his second book about life at the bottom of the minor leagues.
"I didn't want this second one to be about me; I wanted it to be all the behind-the-scenes stuff, funny stories, crazy injuries that people don't always get to hear about," Coste said.
"No matter what happens here, I always want to have something to do with baseball."
Coste was born in Moorhead, Minn., and raised in Fargo, N.D., where he dreamed of playing baseball. The Northern League's Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks provided the perfect opportunity, and from 1996-1999 Coste was one of the Independent leagues' better hitters with a .323 average.
The Northern League bills itself as Double-A quality, and the accommodations are decidedly minor league. Roadside motels, long bus trips and pregame spreads in which peanut butter and jelly are the main ingredients are commonplace in the league. Its players are an eclectic mix of hopefuls looking for their big-league break and veterans holding on to past glory.
It makes for quite a story.
"At some point in 1996 one of the guys said, 'Chris, you're from this area, you're smart, you should write a book about this stuff,'" Coste remembered.
Coste's immediate response: "You're crazy."
But the idea festered, and near that end of the season Coste jotted down story ideas on a notepad. Suddenly he had the outline for a book.
"I just went and filled in the blanks, and before I knew it I had 350 pages,' Coste said.
The first book, Hey ... I'm Just the Catcher, chronicled Coste's ride through the minors. He paid about $6,000 from his own pocket to print 2,000 copies and sold it for $10 at sporting goods stores and minor league ballparks.
"I maybe made a little bit, but my goal was never to make money off this," he said. "The second one is going to be exactly the same way. If I break even, that's great."
The second book is titled Roller 'Coster', and it could be a welcome alternative to tell-alls from the likes of Pete Rose and Jose Canseco, whose brother, Ozzie, is featured prominently and hilariously in Coste's latest volume. He calls it "safe enough for a 10-year-old to read but funny enough for a 40-year-old to enjoy."
"I was very content there," Coste said of his time in Fargo. "I didn't make a ton of money, but I made enough to where I could do it forever. I figured that one day I would be manager there."
Following the 1999 season, the Indians called with an offer. Coste declined, thinking he would not get a fair shake against higher-paid, younger Indians prospects. Fargo's manager and pitching coach changed his mind.
The experience with Cleveland, Coste said, was good and bad. In 2000 he had the best spring of his life and felt he at least deserved a starting job in Double-A, but was placed on the disabled list with a phantom injury because the Indians could not find a roster spot for him.
He eventually got playing time and finished with a .324 average between Akron and Buffalo.
"I was 27 years old at the time and everybody else was 21, 22, so I understand how it works," Coste said. "There were many times when I said, 'This is ridiculous. I want to quit.'"
But he stuck with it. The Red Sox picked him up for the 2003 season and offered him a job catching at Triple-A Pawtucket. An ankle injury derailed his season in the team's second game, and the Brewers made the strongest offer last winter. Coste signed a minor league deal on Nov. 12.
"They seem like a team that gives guys opportunities," Coste said. "As good of years as I have had, I have never, ever been in a position where the ball is in my court. Every year I have great springs -- I hit well, I catch well and it doesn't matter."
Coste thinks the situation with Milwaukee is different. He has a chance to make an impression with manager Ned Yost -- himself a former catcher -- and could be a midseason option if the Brewers lose either Chad Moeller or Gary Bennett to injury.
"I'm 31 years old and I don't have any big-league experience, but this is my 10th year playing [professionally] and I've played every position on the field," Coste said.
"One of these years I just hope some team says, 'We've got to give this guy a shot.' I hope this is that team."
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/11/zmEej72n.jpg><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/03/11/zmEej72n.jpg border=1></a>
Brewers catcher Chris Coste has nearly a decade of minor league experience.
<b><font size=4>Re-signing Jenkins right thing to do</font>
Phoenix</b> - If you're going to get a deal done, there are worse places to seal it than poolside at the Phoenix Ritz Carlton. It was there a little more than a week ago that Geoff Jenkins became a Milwaukee Brewer for very likely the rest of his career.
There were many, including yours truly, who seriously doubted it would happen. There were too many questions, among them whether it was wise for a struggling franchise to commit roughly one-quarter of its payroll to an injury-plagued star who has never played more than 135 games in any one season.
But after watching the Brewers for the better part of a week in spring training, I've decided it was the proper thing to do, just as trading Richie Sexson was the right way to go.
For Sexson, who wasn't going to re-sign, the Brewers will get starters this season at first base (Lyle Overbay), second base (Junior Spivey), shortstop (Craig Counsell) and catcher (Chad Moeller), as well as two pitchers (Chris Capuano and Jorge de la Rosa) who could help. The everyday players should be more than adequate until the prospects arrive.
But without Jenkins, the Brewers would've had no all-star performer, no salable name in the interim. Think of Jenkins, then, as a necessarily expensive bridge between the present, when the Brewers must show good faith, and the future.
Now in his 10th year in the organization, Jenkins has seen bad acts come and go. In the newcomers and the prospects, he finally recognizes talent and hope.
That's one reason why he decided to stay. At the same time, "People obviously don't know these new faces we've got," he said. "It's important to keep a guy around who can be a leader, a veteran guy that can appeal to the fans."
You can buy that, mostly because the Brewers spent the winter alienating the very people who are paying for Miller Park. With the Jenkins contract extension, they finally did something right from a public-relations standpoint.
"I think that signing Geoff sends a message," general manager Doug Melvin said. "I think there were a lot of people who thought we were going to lose both Richie and Geoff."
Yes, but the Jenkins signing does not come without risk. What if he gets hurt again?
"I live in fear of that every day," Melvin said. "I break out in sweats reading the trainer's report. Markets like this, you can't replace a player."
What about devoting one-fourth of the money to one-25th of the roster? That's a problem, Melvin admitted, but at the same time he hopes the payroll will eventually rise to a reasonable level if Jenkins helps the Brewers win. If you're a fan, you've got to be encouraged that maybe the Brewers are finally following the business platitude that you've got to spend money to make money.
Certainly, the Brewers have made the kind of colossal financial mistakes from which a small-market team cannot recover. At least in a healthy Jenkins, who homered Wednesday and had a double Thursday, you know you're going to get power and splendid defensive play.
There is also the incalculable value of having a guy who actually wanted to stay with the Brewers.
"I've got a great manager, a coaching staff and players I love being around," Jenkins said. "I'm comfortable here. I just thought the grass wasn't going to be greener on the other side.
"I kind of feel like it's my destiny to be in Milwaukee for my whole career. You don't see that often anymore."
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/jenk310.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/sjenk310.jpg border=1></a>
Geoff Jenkins is comfortable in Milwaukee.
<b><font size=4>Brewers feature left bank of hitters</font>
Scottsdale, Ariz.</b> - Despite the drawn-out innings and grueling split-squad doubleheaders, spring training exhibition games as a whole pass by so quickly and blend together so formlessly that it can be hard to spot trends.
There is, however, a noticeable exception in the Milwaukee Brewers' camp.
"We have faced a ton of left-handed pitching this spring," first-base coach <b>Dave Nelson</b> said as the Brewers prepared to play San Francisco Friday at Scottsdale Stadium.
"Every day, it seems like we're facing a left-handed starter and some lefties out of the bullpen. We've seen a lot more lefties this spring than we did last year."
The Giants' starting pitcher, <b>Kirk Reuter</b>, was the sixth southpaw starter the Brewers faced in their first 10 games and the third in a row. <b>Brian Anderson</b>, who is to start for Kansas City this afternoon in Surprise, will make it seven of 11 and four in a row.
One reason this quirk of coincidence stands out is that the Brewers' expected starting eight probably will feature five left-handed hitters: <b>Scott Podsednik, Lyle Overbay, Geoff Jenkins, Ben Grieve</b> and <b>Craig Counsell</b>.
"I don't think that's going to be a problem for us," manager <b>Ned Yost</b> said. "First of all, there aren't that many left-handed starters in our division. Houston has <b>(Andy) Pettitte</b>. Pittsburgh might have one. That's about it.
"The other reason it doesn't bother me is that most of our left-handed hitters do a pretty good job hanging in there against left-handed pitching. We don't really have to worry about that, but if we need to pinch-hit late in a ball game, we'll have guys like <b>(Keith) Ginter</b> and <b>(Brady) Clark</b> and <b>Billy Hall</b> to do that."
So far this spring, the Brewers' core left-handed hitters have had good swings against pitchers like Oakland's <b>Mark Mulder</b> and <b>Mark Redman</b>, Colorado's <b>Shawn Estes</b> and Texas' <b>Kenny Rogers</b> and <b>Glendon Rusch</b>.
"It's definitely a different feeling up there when you are facing a lefty," said Grieve, who has a .280 batting average and 85 homers against right-handers and a .247 mark and 25 homers against lefties.
"I think the more times you face them, the more comfortable you get. Sometimes, it helps you stay on the ball longer. I actually go through phases where I feel better against lefties than righties.
"The sidearm guys are tough. I think I'll probably see more of them in the National League than I did in the American League. Colorado has two of them.
"Whether it's a righty or a lefty, I think the more you see them, the more comfortable you get because you know what they're going to throw you. Some guys are easier than others. I think lefties hit (Seattle veteran) <b>Jamie Moyer</b> better than righties."
<b>Getting closer?</b>
While centerfielder <b>Scott Podsednik</b> continues to work his way back from a bruised right knee, he could also be making progress toward a contract extension.
General manager <b>Doug Melvin</b> plans to speak to Podsednik in the next day or so and will meet with agent <b>Bob Garber</b>, who is in Phoenix.
"We're going to talk about it," Melvin said.
Podsednik will make $400,000 this season. He will not be eligible for arbitration until after the 2005 season.
<b>Cutting down</b>
The Brewers probably will make their first round of roster cuts early next week. The team's minor-league camp will open on Monday and big-league players are paid meal money on Tuesday, which means the cut - to include about a dozen players - probably will come before that.
"We don't like to broadcast that," Melvin said. "But I think they can probably figure it out."
<b>Fast start</b>
Even before winning again Friday by 7-1 over San Francisco, the Brewers had the best record in the majors (8-1) and led the National League in batting (.319), hits (93), doubles (28), hit batters (12) and stolen bases (15). They were tied with Florida and Los Angeles for the league lead in runs (61).
<b>Making a statement</b>
The battle for jobs in the Brewers' bullpen will intensify as camp progresses, but Yost listed a dark horse candidate this week.
"The guy nobody is talking about is <b>Mike Adams</b>," Yost said. "That kid has been outstanding. He's put himself in the mix."
Adams, a 25-year-old right-hander who pitched for Class AA Huntsville last season, has appeared in three innings over three games and allowed two hits and a walk.
Yost also is intrigued by the work of <b>Matt Wise</b>, a non-roster pitcher who is less than a year removed from elbow surgery and has shown one of the better changeups in Arizona.
"He's very deceptive," Yost said. "He's tall and he's got a good downhill delivery. He keeps the ball down. I think he's pretty tailored to Miller Park."
<b><font size=4>Davis latest of baseball's waste to fit Brewers</font>
Scottsdale, Ariz.</b> - Depending on your point of view, the Milwaukee Brewers are either the Casablanca of Rick Blaine and Ilsa Lund or the Oz of Frank Baum.
They're either the last refuge of players desperate to stay in the big leagues or a land of vast opportunity.
In the case of Doug Davis, they're a little bit of both.
From one perspective, Davis represents everything that's right and good about general manager Doug Melvin's ability to recognize salvageable reclamation projects, a must for a cheapo organization that treats nickels like George Steinbrenner regards horse-choking bankrolls.
From MLB's trash heap, Melvin has recovered a rookie phenomenon in Scott Podsednik, a closer in Danny Kolb and a potential No. 2 starter in Davis, who spent eight years bouncing between the minors and the bigs before making a solid impression in the final month of last season for the Brewers.
But there's the cutting dichotomy. On a better team, Davis wouldn't be considered for a high spot in the rotation. With the Brewers, he's thankful for the chance after getting the Texas runaround.
"The confidence in me here is great to have," Davis said. "I'm not used to it. Every spring training I'm penciled in somewhere, but I don't think it's ever been No. 2.
"It's always been No. 4 or 5 and they end up using the eraser. They say they're going to erase you right out of here, and that's exactly what (Rangers GM) John Hart did. I'm just glad I'm out of there, bottom line."
The Brewers continue to be pleased with their left-handed find. In an excellent outing Friday against the Barry Bonds-less San Francisco Giants, Davis struck out four and gave up just one hit and one walk in three innings.
Claimed off waivers late last season from Toronto, Davis was 3-2 with a 2.58 earned run average. Six of his eight starts were deemed so-called quality outings; i.e., six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs. He beat the Cubs and the Giants and threw 16 consecutive scoreless innings.
And of great importance to the Brewers, the 28-year-old Davis works cheaply because he just missed the cutoff for salary arbitration last season.
"This is a guy who has 28 (major-league) wins and not even eligible for arbitration yet," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "There aren't a lot of guys out there like that. There's another great Doug Melvin find. He's got a knack for doing that."
As a finesse pitcher, Davis sometimes gets a little too cautious spotting his fastball. Like Steve Traschel, Davis can drive fans nuts and prematurely age managers by pitching in and out of trouble. Seemingly uncomfortable until there are two on base, Davis said, "I make the pitches when I have to."
Along with Ben Sheets, Davis is the only pitcher to have earned a spot in the rotation. That's good and bad for the Brewers. Bad, because they're still searching for reliable arms. Good, because for once there is competition from some of the younger pitchers, as well as the opportunity seekers.
"A lot of guys came over here because they thought they would have a chance, and they do," Davis said. "They really keep an open mind on everybody, too. This is the first spring, ever, where I've seen this many in camp so late. You have no idea who's going to be staying."
Eventually, the Brewers must upgrade their pitching to match the everyday prospects. Until then, and perhaps longer, Davis is a keeper.
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/doug312.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/sdoug312.jpg border=1></a>
Doug Davis was a surprise in the Brewers' rotation in August and September last season.
<b><font size=4>Closer Kolb is getting close to active roster</font>
Surprise, Ariz.</b> - Even though closer <b>Dan Kolb</b> fell behind other pitchers in the Milwaukee Brewers' spring camp immediately with a tender arm, manager <b>Ned Yost</b> said a red flag never went up.
"Maybe a pink flag," said Yost.
Thinking further, Yost said, "Really, it was more of a yellow flag. It was more of a caution."
Kolb took a step toward removing all flags Saturday morning by facing hitters for the first time during a batting practice session at Maryvale Baseball Park. Afterward, Yost said he had no doubts about Kolb starting the season on the active roster.
"He looked great and felt great," Yost said. "He had all three pitches working for him. He told me he didn't feel this good all of last season."
Yost said Kolb would pitch in a simulated game Monday or Tuesday and then see his first Cactus League action later in the week. That would leave just more than two weeks before the start of the regular season, but Yost said that would be enough time for Kolb to get ready.
"He really only needs to throw five to seven innings down here," Yost said. "That will be plenty for a closer. I'm not worried about him one bit. He'll be fine."
<b>Hitting machine</b>
There has been no stopping <b>Bill Hall</b> at the plate this spring. The backup infielder continued his torrid hitting with two run-scoring singles in the Brewers' 6-4 exhibition victory over Kansas City, boosting their Cactus League record to 10-1.
By going 2 for 4, Hall kept his batting average at .500 (10 for 20) and pushed his team-high RBI total to nine.
"I'm real excited about the way I'm swinging the bat," said Hall, who has worked hard with hitting coach <b>Butch Wynegar</b> to smooth out his swing.
"I wasn't satisfied with hitting (.261) in the big leagues last year. I'm maturing; that's the main thing. As you move up, it gets tougher. You have to make adjustments."
Hall was tabbed to be the backup shortstop behind <b>Craig Counsell</b> at the beginning of camp and certainly has done nothing to hurt his chances of making the 25-man roster.
"I don't know if he had to win a spot," Yost said. "The worst he could do is lose a spot.
"He's been great. I like everything about him - his work ethic, his defense, his offense, the way he goes about his job."
Yost gave <b>Geoff Jenkins</b> the day off Saturday and quickly decided to use Hall in the cleanup spot in the batting order, as the designated hitter.
"That left us with a void, and the guy who has been killing the ball the best all spring has been Billy, so we threw him in the four spot," Yost said.
In the spirited battle for the 25th spot on the roster, backup outfielder <b>Chris Magruder</b> went 3 for 3 with two singles, his second home run of the spring and two RBI. Magruder also is batting .500 (9 for 18) in exhibition play.
"We've got a lot of guys playing hard for that spot," Yost said. "We're going to have to make some tough decisions. I'd like to keep them all."
<b>The tapes don't lie</b>
Reliever <b>Mike Crudale</b>, whose first three outings of the season were ugly (2 innings, 9 hits, 8 runs), finally got himself squared away with a solid eighth inning. Crudale allowed a single and recorded a strikeout.
Afterward, Crudale said he and pitching coach <b>Mike Maddux</b> had detected a "pretty bad" flaw in his mechanics by watching videotapes of past performances.
<b>Extra action</b>
To give their overload of pitchers more work, the Brewers have scheduled their second and third "B" games of the spring. On Monday at 9 a.m., they'll play the the Oakland A's. <b>Travis Phelps, Ben Hendrickson</b> and <b>Dave Burba</b> are scheduled to pitch in that game.
On Tuesday at 9 a.m., the Brewers will play the San Francisco Giants.
"We've got guys piling up," Yost said. "We need to get them some innings."
<b><font size=4>Brewers are the boys of spring</font>
Surprise, Ariz.</b> - Rarely has a dateline been more fitting for a baseball story.
Surprise, the Milwaukee Brewers are 10-1.
Break up . . . the Brewers?
Sure, it's spring training, and maybe you remember what Whitey Herzog said about spring training, that only bad baseball teams care about good spring-training records.
To be sure, the Brewers' run of incompetence during the last 11 years has been nearly unprecedented in all of professional sports. No informed baseball fan is naive enough to think that such an organization can generate sufficient goodwill by merely ripping through the Cactus League; certainly, the Brewers would not have you believe that.
So what is the best exhibition record in baseball worth?
Nothing.
Everything.
All of the above.
Mostly, it means that the Brewers' Nos. 60s and 70s are better than the opposing Nos. 60s and 70s.
The higher a player's number, the less chance he has to make the team. Typically, then, the football-lineman jerseys are given to the younger prospects who play the final four innings after the regulars take a seat.
That's an indication that the farm system, ranked No. 1 in a recent Baseball America survey, has been restocked with talent, as opposed to the empty uniforms that once took up minor-league roster space.
"It tells me we've built some depth in our organization," general manager Doug Melvin said.
Within reason, winning spring ball also shows the field manager what he's been longing to see.
Said manager Ned Yost, "You know why it's important for me? You always want to win, but you don't put overemphasis on winning in spring training to the detriment of the young kids. You need to make sure you get a fair look at everybody and try to win ball games, too.
"And we've done that. We're not playing our nine guys out there nine innings a day trying to win spring-training games. What I'm so pleased about is we're winning ball games with all 60 guys we've got out here. Everybody's pitching and everybody's playing out here. That says something about the organization a little bit."
<b>Everything's working</b>
The pitching has been crisp for a change. Hitters are driving balls hard to the gaps. The lone star, Geoff Jenkins, hustles and stays late as an example to the kids.
The four new starters from Arizona are fitting in. For once, there is legitimate competition for jobs.
"I don't think there's anything bad about winning ball games, spring training or anywhere," Melvin said. "It builds confidence among the players. With us having so many new players, it's refreshing to win games like that.
"We recognize that it's early, but our organization has been beaten down because of our losses. Realistically, (a good spring-training record) may not translate over into the season. But it does tell you that you're better than what some people project you to be."
<b>Nice chemistry</b>
Success is helping to form chemistry on the Brewers' economical roster, but it wouldn't be advisable to project what's happening with the Bucks to the Brewers. It's really to soon to say anything definitive about a team with suspect pitching about to compete in baseball's second-toughest division, other than it's a guarantee that the Brewers won't begin the regular season 10-1 with their early schedule.
Still, 10-1 in the spring beats the alternative for a team that won all of 11 games last exhibition season.
"Teams with bad spring records will tell you they don't worry about it, but they do," Melvin said. "I wouldn't want to be 1-10 right now."
<b><font size=4>Hernandez pitches in as Brewer</font>
He hopes for chance Yankees didn't offer
Phoenix</b> - It didn't take Adrian Hernandez long to discover that auditioning for the New York Yankees' pitching staff is a lot like singing in front of American Idol's Simon Cowell.
You have very little chance of succeeding.
When Hernandez defected from Cuba in January 2000 and put his strong right arm for sale in the United States, he was considered by many scouts a sure-fire major leaguer. The Yankees were so impressed with his resume as a pitcher with the Cuban national team and subsequent workouts that they signed Hernandez to a four-year, $4 million contract.
Though unrelated to then-Yankee star Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, Adrian Hernandez was dubbed "El Duquecito" because of their similar styles of pitching. And he quickly got his shot in the major leagues with the game's premier franchise.
Hernandez was summoned on three different occasions by the Yankees during the 2001 season but didn't stick around long. He saw action in only six games, three in relief, going 0-3 with a 3.68 earned run average.
The following season, Hernandez's time in the Big Apple was even shorter. He was called up April 15 to pitch in relief and May 22 to make a spot start but was returned to Class AAA Columbus after each appearance.
Hernandez's eight big-league appearances (four starts) resulted in a 0-4 record and 5.46 ERA. He never pitched again for the Yankees, who exercised a $300,000 buyout of a club option for 2004.
"I pitched real good in Triple-A last year (8-5, 3.21 ERA, 32 appearances, nine starts) and they don't call anybody," said Hernandez, 29, who feels comfortable enough speaking English that he doesn't require a translator. "That really made me sad.
<b>One chance with Yankees</b>
"With the Yankees, it's really hard on the pitchers. They like people with a lot of experience. The young pitchers do not get many opportunities there. When they need somebody to pitch in the major leagues, they go to other teams. They don't go to the minor leagues.
"A lot of teams call up minor league pitchers and give you three, four, six opportunities. But the Yankees give you just one opportunity, maybe two. If you do good, you're OK. But if you don't do good, they pick somebody else from another team."
After getting his pink slip from the Yankees, Hernandez went to Venezuela over the winter to prove he could still dominate the action from the mound. In 22 innings for the Lara Cardenales, he posted a 1.64 ERA with only four walks and 21 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a .160 batting average.
<b>No rush party</b>
Still, teams hardly knocked down his door with contract offers.
"He just sort of got lost out there," said Brewers general manager Doug Melvin. "One thing was he was coming off a $600,000 contract. People might have thought he was looking for a million dollars."
Melvin's top scouting assistant, Dick Groch, worked for the Yankees when they signed Hernandez and put in a good word. Melvin decided to take a chance and gave Hernandeza contract that pays $425,000 if he makes the big-league roster.
"I called (Yankees general manager) Brian Cashman and he said Hernandez could be a sleeper," Melvin said. "He's got a durable arm. We have good reports on him, on and off the field."
It is up to Hernandez to prove the Yankees erred by releasing him. The track record of pitchers defecting from Cuba is hardly overwhelming, with noted flops such as Ariel Prieto, Rene Arocha and Osvaldo Fernandez, mediocre performers such as Rolando Arrojo, Eddie Oropesa and Vladimir Nunez, and a few successes such as Livan and Orlando Hernandez.
The jury is still out on big-money pitchers Jose Contreras and Danys Baez.
<b>Standard stuff</b>
Hernandez features the standard repertoire of fastball, breaking ball and changeup. But, like many pitchers out of Cuba, he relies heavily on deception, throwing pitches from different arm slots while showing hitters a variety of windups.
The first time Brewers pitching coach Mike Maddux watched Hernandez throw in the bullpen this spring, he walked away shaking his head.
"He's entertaining," said Maddux. "Here's a guy who can give you seven pitches with seven different looks.
"He's definitely a 'feel' guy. Let's see how the hitters react to him. If the hitters are off-balance, keep throwing the 'funky dunky' at them."
At this point in camp, hitters have looked anything but comfortable against Hernandez. In his first two exhibition outings, he allowed four runs and one hit in five innings while walking none and striking out three.
Melvin, manager Ned Yost and Maddux are interested enough to keep Hernandez on the staff, though his role eventually could prove to be in middle relief.
"There's a difference being in our situation and being in the Yankees' situation," said Yost, who first saw Hernandez in action three years ago in the Arizona Fall League.
<b>The Brewers difference</b>
"If you get (to New York), you've got one chance to make an impression, and maybe one more if you struggle. They don't wait long. That doesn't mean these guys are bad baseball players.
"All players need a fair shot to show what they can do. Some clubs just can't afford to give you that opportunity. They have to find somebody who gets right in there and does it. We're trying to win, too, but we'll give guys a chance."
Which, at this stage of his career, is all Hernandez can ask. He was converted from a starting pitcher to reliever last season at Columbus and feels comfortable performing either duty.
The key is getting a chance at the big-league level.
"I think Milwaukee is the best team for me right now," Hernandez said. "It's a young team and they need pitching. I feel really comfortable here. I think I'll get a good chance here."
<b>Misses his family</b>
Hernandez would feel a great deal more comfortable if he could get his mother, two younger sisters and older brother out of Cuba. When he defected from the best team in that country, the Havana Industriales, most of his family was detained by the Castro regime.
Two years after Hernandez escaped by slipping through security and boarding a flight to Costa Rica, his wife, Jaqueline, and daughter, Jari, managed to do likewise. Since then, a son, Adrian Jr., has been added to the fold.
"We want to bring the rest of our family, too," said Hernandez, whose agent, Ted Bryant, has worked hard to get Guadalupe Hernandez and the remaining family members out of Cuba.
"I talk to my mother every day but it is hard for her. I hope she will come here one day. That's my dream."
That, and wearing a big-league uniform for more than a few days.
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/adrian314.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/sadrian314.jpg border=1></a>
<b><font size=4>Franklin takes a hit in his starter quest</font>
Left-hander has bad outing; Capuano sharp
Phoenix</b> - In what Milwaukee Brewers manager <b>Ned Yost</b> has characterized as an open competition for the final three spots in his starting rotation, left-handers <b>Wayne Franklin</b> and <b>Chris Capuano</b> moved in opposite directions Sunday.
Franklin, a member of the rotation all of last season, turned in an ugly 3 2/3-inning stint in a 9-2 exhibition loss to an Anaheim Angels split squad featuring only two regular players. He allowed six hits and six runs (five earned), while walking three, throwing two wild pitches and surrendering a home run.
Following Franklin to the mound, Capuano was very sharp in pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings. He allowed only two hits, walked none and struck out seven.
"I like what I've seen from him," said Yost. "He's a good athlete, he holds runners and controls the running game, he throws three pitches for strikes and he swings the bat (1 for 2 Sunday)."
Franklin has an 8.31 ERA (eight earned runs in 82/3 innings) with three homers allowed in three exhibition outings. He wasn't pleased with the results against Anaheim but also seemed perplexed about the competition for a rotation spot he held for 34 starts last season (10-13, 5.50).
"Nobody likes their job being put up for grabs," said Franklin. "They haven't said anything to me about it.
"I wish I'd be penciled in but what can you do? You can't do anything about it. I'm definitely not going to worry about it. I know I can pitch in the big leagues. I've proven that."
Yost said he didn't feel compelled to tell any pitcher he had the roster made, particularly after a 94-loss season in 2003 in which the team earned run average was 5.02, 14th among the 16 National League clubs.
"I haven't told <b>Ben Sheets</b> if he's in the rotation," said Yost, who has Sheets scheduled as his opening day pitcher. "When you come to spring training, you're fighting for a job.
"I don't sit down with guys and tell them they're on the team or not on the team, coming into spring training. A lot of things can happen. I haven't told one person out there that they're on the team.
"Would it be a good bet that maybe <b>Geoff Jenkins</b> is on the team? Yeah, probably. But I haven't sat down and told him he's on the team."
<b>Hardy cut
J.J. Hardy</b> was not scheduled to be among the first players cut from the Brewers' camp.
Then again, Hardy didn't expect to have an ailing shoulder, either.
With Hardy unable to swing a bat because of a "loose" left shoulder, the Brewers included him among the nine players sent out in their first cut. The Brewers do not believe the problem is serious but Hardy was disappointed to end his first big-league camp with an injury.
"I can still run, field balls, do all that stuff but it hurts when I follow through on my swing," said Hardy, one of the top prospects in the organization.
"It's probably the best thing because I can't swing but it's still a little disappointing. I'm hoping I'll only be out another week. I think I'll be OK by the start of the season."
Hardy is scheduled to open the season as the starting shortstop for Class AAA Indianapolis but medical personnel will keep an eye on him for the next week or so. At this point, general manager <b>Doug Melvin</b> said he was not overly concerned.
The other players cut were catchers <b>Kade Johnson</b> and <b>John VandenBerg</b>, and pitchers <b>Matt Childers, Tim Bausher, Ben Diggins, Matt Ford, Chris Saenz</b> and <b>Dennis Sarfate</b>.
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/wayne314.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/swayne314.jpg border=1></a>
LHP Wayne Franklin has struggled this spring.
<b><font size=4>Spending: It's not 'how much,' just 'how'</font>
Surprise, Ariz.</b> - The measure of misplaced outrage over the Texas Rangers' trade of Alex Rodriguez to the New York Yankees is, frankly, amusing.
It's the end of the world as we know it, indignant fans write to their local sports pages. Baseball ought to create two leagues, one for the haves and one for the have-nots, they complain. The rich just get richer and the game is dying, they grumble.
Really?
Even with their industry-leading payroll of about $190 million, more than six times what the Milwaukee Brewers pay their players, exactly how many World Series have the Yankees won in the last three years?
For everyone who believes that the game won't survive unless it adopts the NFL's parity-obsessed structure, remember that baseball's previous three champions were a relative upstart (Arizona) and two modest-revenue teams (Anaheim and Florida). During the same span, New England won two Super Bowls.
While it's true that the Diamondbacks bought their way into a championship in 2001, economic forces have compelled Arizona to scale back. It's also instructive to remember that the Marlins, who are barely hanging on without a stadium deal in sight, have won twice as many World Series as the Atlanta Braves.
It's not so much how much you spend as how you spend it, which doesn't exactly reflect well on the Yankees' World Series chances this season. Without a championship-level pitching staff, the Yankees would be at a competitive disadvantage to a team like the Chicago Cubs, whose payroll is half that of New York's. Even the Boston Red Sox, who blew it by not getting A-Rod and then looked silly by complaining when he went to their archrivals, have better pitching than the Yankees.
Baseball's new labor agreement, which forces big spenders like the Yankees to pay heavily into the revenue-sharing plan, is working and will continue to work. It's up to the teams that get the luxury-tax funds to spend judiciously. If Minnesota, Oakland and Kansas City thrive with the system and the Brewers cannot, that's on the Brewers, not baseball.
The problem, then, is not with the system, which has finally allowed medium-revenue teams like the Marlins and Angels to win championships. It's with individual clubs like the Rangers and an owner like Tom Hicks, who nearly buried the franchise with his wrong-headed decision to sign Rodriquez in the first place.
Four years ago, before the historic labor agreement went into place, Hicks bid against himself in the vainglorious move to sign A-Rod to the ludicrous 10-year, quarter-billion-dollar contract. Even with the best player in baseball, the Rangers finished last in their division for all three years Rodriquez was there.
It only made sense, then, for Bud Selig to allow the deal that sent Rodriquez to the Yankees for Alfonso Soriano and a player to be named later. It was a tremendous trade for both teams. Even though the Rangers have to pick up $67 million of the $179 million left on A-Rod's contract, the financially struggling franchise gets cost containment. And despite what the Chicken Little alarmists scream, there is nothing inherently wrong with baseball's marquee player performing on the country's largest and most glamorous stage. It's actually kind of cool.
The Rangers will be better off as well.
They're a bad team now, but at least they won't be quite as financially crippled for the future.
Like the Brewers, the Rangers have painfully discovered that a new stadium is not a panacea. You have to be smart with your money.
<b><font size=4>Making a pitch for rotation</font>
Obermueller continues to impress Yost
Surprise, Ariz. - Wes Obermueller</b> says he tries not to worry where he stands in the open audition for three spots in the Milwaukee Brewers' starting rotation.
If he keeps pitching like this, he needn't worry at all.
Turning in his finest performance of an already impressive spring, Obermueller pitched four hitless innings Monday as the Brewers cruised to a 6-1 exhibition victory over the Texas Rangers. The victory improved Milwaukee's record to 11-2, best in the Cactus League.
Obermueller extended his scoreless-inning streak to seven and is 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA through three outings. Never taking anything for granted despite finishing last season in the rotation, Obermueller showed up in camp determined to prove he should stay.
Asked whether he felt another strong outing put him in a favorable position, Obermueller said, "I'm sure it does, but I don't let that creep into my head.
"I'm working pitch to pitch and let the chips fall where they may. I can only control what I can control. Today was a good day. Hopefully, I can build off that."
Manager <b>Ned Yost</b>, who has made no bones about keeping the pitchers who perform best in camp, regardless of their 2003 standing, couldn't say enough good things about what he has seen from Obermueller.
"We're looking for guys to come in from last year better than they were," Yost said. "Show us signs that you're getting better. Wes has done that.
"I like him because he's an athlete with tremendous room for growth. He does a lot of things very well."
<b>Geoff Jenkins</b>, who tripled twice in 124 games last season, matched that total in four at-bats before leaving the game. <b>Bill Hall</b> continued his torrid spring with two hits, and <b>Ben Grieve</b> knocked in a couple of runs.
In a morning "B" game against Oakland, <b>Rickie Weeks</b> cracked a two-run homer and <b>Jeff Liefer</b> singled in two runs to lead the Brewers to a 5-3 victory. Right-hander <b>Adrian Hernandez</b>, who has a foot in the door toward making the pitching staff, pitched in and out of trouble, allowing two runs in four innings while striking out six.
"He gave up a lot of hits (seven), but he worked out of trouble, which I liked," said assistant general manager <b>Gord Ash</b>.
<b>Rehab central</b>
Closer <b>Dan Kolb</b>, who has yet to pitch in an exhibition game after experiencing arm tenderness early in camp, pitched a simulated inning during a morning workout and reported no problems. Yost said Kolb probably would pitch another simulated inning before seeing game action at the end of the week.
"It went very well," Yost said. "He threw 23 pitches. That's a lot of pitches in one inning for a closer."
Centerfielder <b>Scott Podsednik</b>, who has been sidelined for more than a week with a bruised right knee, took part in running drills during a morning workout and pronounced himself ready to return to action today.
The news was not as good for infielder / outfielder <b>Keith Ginter</b>, who has been out with an ailing back. Ginter tried to play catch and was forced to shut it down when he experienced discomfort.
"I guess it's still inflamed," said a discouraged Ginter. "I'm hoping to get back in there by Thursday."
<b>Tale of the tape</b>
The Brewers are excited about the work of <b>Joe Crawford</b>, their new coaching assistant / video coordinator, and his assistant, <b>Karl Mueller</b>. Crawford, a former pitcher who was in Milwaukee's camp four years ago, and Mueller are compiling an extensive video library of each player so they can review their swings and pitches.
"Joe and his partner, Karl, both of those guys are phenomenal," Yost said. "They've worked really hard filming everybody this spring. They're going to help out a lot."
Reliever <b>Mike Crudale</b>, who pitched very poorly in his first three outings, found a flaw in his delivery on one of Crawford's videotapes, corrected it and pitched much better his last time out. Crawford also will help during the season with advance scouting and statistical analysis of upcoming opponents.
"Obviously, they're giving me a huge chance," said Crawford, who served as pitching coach for the Blueport Bluefish of the independent Atlantic League last year.
<b>"Doug (Melvin)</b> and Gord and Ned have been phenomenal. They really have a vision of what they want to do. They're giving us a lot of leeway."
<b>Musical agents</b>
Jenkins, who was aligned with agent <b>Tommy Tanzer</b> when he signed his three-year, $23 million contract extension two weeks ago, could be headed toward agent <b>Jeff Moorad</b> at some point in the future. Jenkins is represented by former Brewers first-round draft pick <b>Kenny Felder</b>, who left Tanzer's agency and joined Moorad.
Felder and Tanzer had a public disagreement the day of Jenkins' signing, and Felder later called Melvin to apologize. But Felder said he had decided to join Moorad before that confrontation.
"I was planning on moving on, anyway," Felder said. "It was a better opportunity."
Podsednik also joined the Felder / Moorad tandem, leaving agent <b>Bob Garber</b>. Melvin and Felder have held preliminary talks on a possible extension of Podsednik's contract.
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/wes315.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/swes315.jpg border=1></a>
Wes Obermueller pitches during one of his four hitless innings Monday in his best outing of the spring. He has a 2.00 ERA through three outings.
<b><font size=4>Waiting for the delivery to come in</font>
Sheets seeks more consistency
Phoenix</b> - Being the No. 1 pitcher on the staff doesn't exempt you from going in the repair shop.
Right-hander <b>Ben Sheets</b> is working on making his delivery more fundamentally sound this spring, a process that has led to some uncomfortable moments for the Milwaukee Brewers' ace.
"Obviously, I don't totally have the concept of what I'm trying to do yet," Sheets said Tuesday after an uneven performance in an intrasquad game.
Sheets and pitching coach <b>Mike Maddux</b> are working on a change in his delivery that will help him stay over the pitching rubber and not get out front in his delivery. Because Sheets had done it the other way so long, he's still trying to get a feel for the adjustment.
"Obviously, I'm more consistent with what I've always done," Sheets said. "But in the long haul, to be more consistent I need to do what we're working on.
"I'll have it a couple of times but the consistency's not quite there yet. I'm trying to keep muscle memory on what I did OK, to try to get ready. Hopefully, it'll become second nature and you don't even realize you're doing it."
Pitching against a team composed mostly of minor-league prospects and fringe players trying to make the Brewers' roster, Sheets allowed eight hits and three runs (two earned) in four innings with no walks and three strikeouts. <b>David Krynzel</b> led off the game with a homer and <b>Alex Delgado</b> and <b>Matt Erickson</b> smacked RBI doubles.
Maddux said he wanted to implement the change last season but didn't have the time because a nagging back problem prevented Sheets from doing extra work.
<b>Crudale released</b>
In a sign that the Brewers think they have much more pitching depth this spring, reliever <b>Mike Crudale</b> was given his unconditional release. The move caught Crudale by surprise even though he struggled in camp.
Crudale had a 24.00 ERA this spring (10 hits, eight runs in three innings) but pitched well last season (2.89 ERA in nine appearances) after coming from St. Louis in the <b>Mike DeJean</b> trade. Several non-roster pitchers moved ahead of him in camp, however, prompting general manager <b>Doug Melvin</b> to release him in time to possibly get a shot elsewhere.
Tuesday also was the last day to release players on one-year contracts and be responsible for only one-sixth of their salaries. Crudale was scheduled to make $323,000 this season; $153,800 if he pitched in the minors.
"We just couldn't project him making our big club," Melvin said. "He didn't pitch well and a lot of other pitchers have pitched well, and showed us more.
Melvin said pitchers such as <b>Adrian Hernandez, Matt Wise, Mike Adams, Jeff Bennett</b> and <b>Victor Santos</b> had moved ahead of Crudale in camp.
"All five of those guys are non-roster guys," said Melvin, who has only two openings at present on his 40-man roster.
"If all or some of them make our club, we need to find room. I know he was surprised but we didn't see things changing in the next 10 days or so. He probably wouldn't have gotten many more innings."
<b>Leaving an impression</b>
After their 9-2 exhibition loss to San Francisco, the Brewers sent out seven players, many of whom represent the future of the franchise. Outfielders <b>Corey Hart</b> and Krynzel and right-hander <b>Pedro Liriano</b> were sent to Class AAA Indianapolis and second baseman <b>Ricky Weeks</b> was sent to Class AA Huntsville.
First baseman <b>Prince Fielder</b>, shortstop <b>Enrique Cruz</b> and right-hander <b>Jason Childers</b>, who are not on the 40-man roster, were returned to minor-league camp.
"I told them I was proud of all of them," manager <b>Ned Yost</b> said. "They all did a wonderful job. It's time for them to go over there with their teams and get chemistry there. They're the real thing."
<b>Hurting his chances</b>
Right-hander <b>Travis Phelps</b>, one of seven or eight pitchers vying for three open spots in the rotation, did himself no favors by surrendering three homers in four innings against the Giants. Phelps allowed five hits and five runs (three earned) in four innings.
The bright spot for the Brewers was the return to action of centerfielder <b>Scott Podsednik</b>, who had been out for more than a week with a bruised right knee. Podsednik doubled twice, knocked in a run and made a couple of nice catches in the outfield.
"I felt good at the plate," Podsednik said. "As far as I'm concerned, (the knee) is a dead issue."
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/ben316.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/sben316.jpg border=1></a>
Ben Sheets is still tinkering with his delivery.
<b><font size=4>Adams builds case for bullpen</font>
Long, lean reliever turns in heavyweight spring outings
Phoenix</b> - Mike Adams has heard all of the skinny jokes.
You're so skinny, if we painted you yellow, you could be a foul pole.
You're so skinny, you have to run around in the shower to get wet.
You're so skinny, if you stick your tongue out, you'd look like a zipper. When you're 6-foot-5 and generously listed at 190 pounds, you're going to catch your share of grief in the life-as-a-rail department. And when you show up in a major-league clubhouse with that physique, verbal abuse is almost guaranteed.
"Some of the guys have had a little fun with it. It's nothing I haven't heard before," said Adams, a right-handed reliever making his first appearance in the Milwaukee Brewers' spring camp.
Adam's performance to this point has been anything but lightweight. In fact, he has piqued the interest of the club brain trust to the point of being considered for a spot in the bullpen.
Adams turned in another strong outing Wednesday in a 6-5 exhibition loss to Kansas City. He pitched a hitless inning with a walk and two strikeouts, lowering his spring earned run average to 1.69 in five outings.
"Part of the job is to assess exactly where these rookies are as far as their development," manager Ned Yost said. "We found out this spring he's real close.
"We brought him over (from minor-league camp) a couple times last spring and he was impressive as a young kid. This year, he's more of a finished product. He's on the attack and throwing strikes."
At one time, Adams put his lanky frame to use on the basketball court, not the baseball diamond. He went to Texas A&M-Kingsville to play basketball but soon found his way to the pitching mound.
"I never expected to play college baseball," Adams said. "I never thought this would happen. I just went out there to have some fun."
Undrafted as a college senior, Adams signed a free-agent deal with the Brewers and quickly blossomed into a reliable reliever. Last season at Class AA Huntsville, he went 3-7 with a 3.15 ERA and 14 saves in 45 appearances, with 83 strikeouts in 741/3 innings.
Adams, 25, originally was targeted to open the season at Class AAA Indianapolis. Because of roster considerations and the number of candidates vying for spots on the staff, that destination still seems likely.
But Adams already has survived two roster cuts while continuing to catch the attention of the decision-makers.
"I hope they've been impressed a little bit at least," Adams said. "It's kind of hard to gauge exactly what the coaches are thinking.
"That was my goal, to go week by week and last as long as I can. Hopefully, I'll be on that flight to St. Louis at the end. You have to set realistic goals and I think it's realistic."
Stranger things have happened. But, no matter how it plays out at the end of camp, Adams has boosted his stock considerably this spring.
"First impressions are very important. I don't care what anybody says," Yost said. "You come in here and you make an impression, we're watching you all year long. If you don't, we're not."
Which brings us to one last skinny joke. Yost was asked whether he had seen another pitcher with Adams' build.
"No, but I've seen broomsticks with that build," Yost said.
Rim shot, please.
<a href=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/mike317.jpg><img src=http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/mar04/smike317.jpg border=1></a>
Relief pitcher Mike Adams is making a good impression on Brewers coaches this spring.
<b><font size=4>Utility men are Brewers' commodity</font>
Phoenix</b> - Of the many battles for roster spots taking place in the Milwaukee Brewers' very competitive spring camp, manager <b>Ned Yost</b> has enjoyed one in particular.
With one utility job up for grabs on the 25-man roster, <b>Chris Magruder, Trent Durrington, Jon Nunnally</b> and <b>Matt Erickson</b> have not made it easy for the Brewers' decision-makers. Each has done his part to impress Yost and his staff and in a variety of ways.
"That's going to make it tougher," said general manager <b>Doug Melvin</b>. "Sometimes you just wait, and the players help you make those decisions."
Making the battle even more interesting is how different the four players are in terms of ability and what they can contribute to the team. Here's a look at the four candidates:
Magruder: A switch-hitting outfielder who has some pop in his bat and also can run a bit. He can play all three outfield spots, a factor in his favor.
Durrington: A versatile, fiery competitor from Australia who can play nearly every position. He could serve as a third catcher, which works to his advantage.
Erickson: A good-fielding, good-hitting infielder who can play at short, second and third. The Appleton, Wis., native can run and puts the ball in play but might not be needed as an extra infie