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04-12-2004, 04:19 AM
<b>Veteran leftfielder points to added depth</b>
He was addressed as "Mr. Brewer" during a press conference Friday, and at 29 Geoff Jenkins qualifies as the elder statesman of a revamped Milwaukee team.
That means he can remember all the way back to home openers at County Stadium - "Cold, man" - in 1999 and 2000. And he can remember years when hope was something the Brewers could, well, only hope for.
This year, he's convinced, is different.
So convinced that he signed a three-year, $23 million contract extension to stay around at least through 2007.
Not that he's making any predictions about the Brewers' record in 2004. But when asked to compare the atmosphere Friday to that of opening day 2003, Jenkins let the enthusiasm flow.
"I think we were just as excited last year, but I think the general consensus among the guys is that we're more well-rounded, we have better depth," he said. "We can put anybody into the game and feel that they could be starting.
"We're confident that whoever's in there will get the big hit, get the big walk, make a big play. And when you have confidence in the guys next to you, you don't have to do as much.
"At points last year, and in years in the past, I think the team kind of felt that if Geoff or Richie (Sexson) doesn't hit a homer, we won't win that day. But now we feel everybody can contribute."
Jenkins also likes the atmosphere off the field.
"I think we have a really great clubhouse," he said. "Everybody rags on each other, messes with each other. That keeps everyone level-headed."
And it has helped keep "Mr. Brewer" in Milwaukee.
<b>Back to childhood</b>
There is one Brewer who goes further back with the team than Jenkins, though not in the same way.
Shortstop Craig Counsell, whose father worked for the Brewers in the 1980s, first experienced opening day in Milwaukee more than two decades ago.
"The first one I remember, it was the first year they had the new scoreboard at County Stadium. Sixto Lezcano hit a home run to win the game."
That was in 1980, the year before the Brewers first reached the playoffs and two years before their only World Series appearance.
"I have great memories of coming to County Stadium for opening day," Counsell said. "More so than actually being in a Brewer uniform, I think it's those memories of being here on opening day that make it special."
<b>Where's that?</b>
For most of the Brewers, and especially those new to the area, opening day followed moving night.
When the team arrived in town after its Thursday victory in St. Louis, the players bused to Miller Park, where their cars had been transported from Arizona. Then they headed to their residences - some of which they'd never seen.
"The team sets us up in spring training," infielder Bill Hall said. "They give you a list of various places, like downtown or in Brookfield."
That's no problem for Hall, who's been here before. But what about the many newcomers to Milwaukee?
Lyle Overbay, who had played here as a member of the Diamondbacks, said, "I knew where the Pfister was, and I found my place in Brookfield. But it might be different at night when I can't see my (landmark) spots."
Said catcher Chad Moeller: "I'm planning to get lost tonight. That's how I find my way around."
<b>The road home</b>
One Brewer who has an unusual commute is catcher Gary Bennett. He lives in Libertyville, Ill., and plans to spend as many nights as possible at home.
"I made it here today in 40 minutes," he said. "There's just one toll to go through. If I stay here a couple of years, I'll have to try to get the tolls written into my contract."
When a night game is followed by a day game, Bennett will stay in town.
"I'll get a room at a hotel, or if a couple of guys on the team like me, I might stay with one of them."
Asked how likable he was, Bennett joked, "The vote's not in yet."
<b>Fondly remembered</b>
The national anthem was preceded by a moment of silence in memory of three great contributors to Milwaukee baseball who died in the last year: Braves pitching legend Warren Spahn, broadcaster Earl Gillespie and Brewers manager George Bamberger.
He was addressed as "Mr. Brewer" during a press conference Friday, and at 29 Geoff Jenkins qualifies as the elder statesman of a revamped Milwaukee team.
That means he can remember all the way back to home openers at County Stadium - "Cold, man" - in 1999 and 2000. And he can remember years when hope was something the Brewers could, well, only hope for.
This year, he's convinced, is different.
So convinced that he signed a three-year, $23 million contract extension to stay around at least through 2007.
Not that he's making any predictions about the Brewers' record in 2004. But when asked to compare the atmosphere Friday to that of opening day 2003, Jenkins let the enthusiasm flow.
"I think we were just as excited last year, but I think the general consensus among the guys is that we're more well-rounded, we have better depth," he said. "We can put anybody into the game and feel that they could be starting.
"We're confident that whoever's in there will get the big hit, get the big walk, make a big play. And when you have confidence in the guys next to you, you don't have to do as much.
"At points last year, and in years in the past, I think the team kind of felt that if Geoff or Richie (Sexson) doesn't hit a homer, we won't win that day. But now we feel everybody can contribute."
Jenkins also likes the atmosphere off the field.
"I think we have a really great clubhouse," he said. "Everybody rags on each other, messes with each other. That keeps everyone level-headed."
And it has helped keep "Mr. Brewer" in Milwaukee.
<b>Back to childhood</b>
There is one Brewer who goes further back with the team than Jenkins, though not in the same way.
Shortstop Craig Counsell, whose father worked for the Brewers in the 1980s, first experienced opening day in Milwaukee more than two decades ago.
"The first one I remember, it was the first year they had the new scoreboard at County Stadium. Sixto Lezcano hit a home run to win the game."
That was in 1980, the year before the Brewers first reached the playoffs and two years before their only World Series appearance.
"I have great memories of coming to County Stadium for opening day," Counsell said. "More so than actually being in a Brewer uniform, I think it's those memories of being here on opening day that make it special."
<b>Where's that?</b>
For most of the Brewers, and especially those new to the area, opening day followed moving night.
When the team arrived in town after its Thursday victory in St. Louis, the players bused to Miller Park, where their cars had been transported from Arizona. Then they headed to their residences - some of which they'd never seen.
"The team sets us up in spring training," infielder Bill Hall said. "They give you a list of various places, like downtown or in Brookfield."
That's no problem for Hall, who's been here before. But what about the many newcomers to Milwaukee?
Lyle Overbay, who had played here as a member of the Diamondbacks, said, "I knew where the Pfister was, and I found my place in Brookfield. But it might be different at night when I can't see my (landmark) spots."
Said catcher Chad Moeller: "I'm planning to get lost tonight. That's how I find my way around."
<b>The road home</b>
One Brewer who has an unusual commute is catcher Gary Bennett. He lives in Libertyville, Ill., and plans to spend as many nights as possible at home.
"I made it here today in 40 minutes," he said. "There's just one toll to go through. If I stay here a couple of years, I'll have to try to get the tolls written into my contract."
When a night game is followed by a day game, Bennett will stay in town.
"I'll get a room at a hotel, or if a couple of guys on the team like me, I might stay with one of them."
Asked how likable he was, Bennett joked, "The vote's not in yet."
<b>Fondly remembered</b>
The national anthem was preceded by a moment of silence in memory of three great contributors to Milwaukee baseball who died in the last year: Braves pitching legend Warren Spahn, broadcaster Earl Gillespie and Brewers manager George Bamberger.