Brewers (Opening Column) 4/2/03

Note: This is only the first of two columns that will be up this week. The next installment will be up Friday after the Home Opener at Miller Park!

Latest Team Information (Correspondent Drifting):

Coming into the season, there aren't many high expectations for the 2003 Milwaukee Brewers. We've seen huge front office and leadership changes but, the product on the field is much of the same compared to last season. The Brewers once again play with their $43 Million payroll. With this said, are the -Brewers better then last year? On paper the answer is definitely "no." We've lost the offense of Jose Hernandez, and we have gained the light hitting Royce Clayton to fill in. The Brewers scored the least runs in the National League last season (627) with him, without him the outlook isn't good. Other then Helms over at third and John Vander Wal temporarily replacing Geoff Jenkins in LF who is currently on the 15-day DL , the team is throwing out the same offensive starters it did last year. Even with the small changes, last years trio of starters (Jose Hernandez, Tyler Houston, Geoff Jenkins) were more of an offensive threat then this years trio (Royce Clayton, Wes Helms, John Vander Wal).

If we go on paper, the Brewers should score less runs then last season. If we would go with the more traditional way, we would analyze the Brewers weaknesses last season and then we would be able to tell if those weaknesses were taken care of. Along with losing Jose Hernandez, we lose his high strikeout totals, and we lose his non-hustle play. If we look at it that way, we gained two possible good(s) out of one bad. Royce Clayton wont hit the ball as well as Hernandez but he will get on base more. He will flash a better glove, and he will hustle under Ned Yost's influence. Tyler Houston and Mark Loretta are gone so the Brewers will play with platooning two different players. Wes Helms and Keith Ginter should get an equal opportunity to capture the starting job.

Geoff Jenkins is the Brewers LF'er. He is eligible to come off of the DL April 5th, against the Giants at Miller Park for the second home game of the season. When this happens we will probably see John Vander Wal platoon with Jeffrey Hammonds in RF. It has also been going around the Geoff Jenkins could be moved to RF before seasons end because he has a stronger arm then all of the Brewers Outfielders. Ned Yost has been contemplating the move all Spring, and we may see a move come as early as May.

With all of the changes, with all of the mixed reviews, we are still unclear to the extent of the success or failure that the Brewers offseason was. To show this, I have been particularly interested in two quotes that I have read constantly here in Milwaukee. The first comes from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Gary Markstein, decided to make a quote about the two sections of a Brewer fan's brain. Here is the quote, "Things can't get any worse.....Yes they can." This quote is obviously for the Brewer fan that is less then optimistic about the direction that the franchise is going. I can definitely understand where this man is coming from. Go back to when Dean Taylor was first hired as GM after the exit of Sal Bando. It was said that Dean would change the Brewers franchise to become one of the winning ball clubs in the league. Year after year passed, and nothing changed. If anything, the franchise got worse. How can fans come out and actually trust that this change is going to be any different?

The second quote is for the optimistic Brewer fan. It is printed on the back of every ticket envelope and is the slogan of the 2003 Milwaukee Brewers Media Guide. "It's Coming Together." What exactly does this mean? What ever "it" means, It should already be together! Brewers fans are sick of waiting for a winner. The fans have stuck with the team through thick and thin and it is amazing that last season the Brewers had the best Attendance Per Capita in baseball. That alone shows that the fans are loyal to the team. The quote is something that may bring optimism but, it also stings when fans hear it. It should not be coming together, it should already be together. Fans have given the front office 10 year to build the team back into a winner. 10 years later, we are on another 5 year plan. Pieces of the puzzle may be coming together, the quote may be right. However, the quote is overdue.

The Milwaukee Brewers are supposed to be directed towards one statement. It is called the Brewers Mission Statement. Brewers fans are looking for it to be soon, once again, true. "The Milwaukee Brewers are committed to fielding a competitive team both on and off of the field that exemplifies a strong work ethic, respect for the game and loyalty to our fans. We deliver an affordable fan friendly, high quality entertainment experience in a world-class facility. As a fiscally responsible organization, our employees are dedicated to enhancing our relationships with the diverse businesses, communities and citizens of the city of Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin.

Local Perspective (Exhibition Games at Miller Park):

Friday and Saturday for the Milwaukee Brewers was a crucial time. During these exhibition games fans were looking for a much different team, and a much different way of running things at Miller Park. Most of the fans were happy with the outcome on Friday night with a 5-4 win over the Minnesota Twins and some fans believed the win was sheer luck. The loss on Saturday was the turning point of people’s optimism. After the 4-0 loss the fans thought, although only an exhibition game that doesn’t count, that the same old Brewers were back for yet another season.

Fans outside of the game getting some air were making comments about how the Milwaukee Brewers need something but they don’t know what it is. Other fans were defending the Brewers by saying that these were only exhibition games that didn’t count, and the Brewers are just getting used to being back at home, after being away for 6 months. Due to last season it is no wonder why the fans want something different but they are not going to get it with their criticism but only with their patience. Many fans were talking about all of the noticeable changes that Miller Park has had.

There have been many changes made in the stadium under the new administration. From free games to new entrance times this ballpark is definitely changed, even Ulice Payne himself was walking around through the stadium during the game and talking to fans.

Friday night’s tickets were free which brought on a sellout although the largest portion of the stadium was closed, the Terrace Level. Fans were upset when they arrived for the normal entrance time 2 hours prior to game time, only to find that the new policy is gates open promptly 1 hour and a half before game time, leaving them sitting out in the cold for a half of an hour longer. New scanners were installed in the stadium in place of the traditional tearing of the ticket. The scanners for the most part were a success although there were a couple gates where they did not work the greatest, which resulted by letting fans in with the assumption that their tickets weren’t counterfeit. After getting into the stadium, on Saturday, there was free giveaways from last year’s promotional events, i.e. T-Shirts, hats, etc. Some of the changes haven’t even taken effect yet like the new hot tub that will be in the right-center field seating section below the scoreboard. Starting on opening day, fireworks will take place after the games and much, much more.

Being back in Miller Park a fan could tell that someone new was running the team because some of the changes were very noticeable and some weren’t. Many people were pleased and some weren’t. Some players were playing well and some weren’t. Progress is being made with this team and stadium, one just quicker than the other, but this undoubtedly shows there is someone doing something for the team. That alone shows that these aren’t just the same old Brewers.