tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59193449109975694882024-03-12T22:43:38.476-07:00On The Field, Off The FieldA day by day, week by week story about my life as a writer, ballplayer, and fanatic. Refrigerate and enjoy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371281797668949327noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919344910997569488.post-77351484021131880252012-12-08T19:16:00.000-08:002012-12-09T07:03:37.790-08:002013 Brewers Pitching<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pitching Predictions for the 2013 Brewers:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starting Rotation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gallardo</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dempster/Lohse/Veteran Free Agent</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fiers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Narveson</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peralta or Rogers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bullpen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Axford </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Estrada (replacing Hernandez)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Henderson (replacing Rodriguez)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Travis Webb (replacing Parra)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Badenhop (replacing Loe)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thornburg (maybe not Opening Day..?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvokpGSAlM-n5aWAvVe8ZM43YtCNkhNDdXtPHQ3eLVsPmcvjTP18dEZdMAZt0Ldh8c9paO_CYZCZvQS3jHCj-ss9poVHXc4hliXMFSYYdzEydskQfIcVOdUA3JEcN2dwLdVQHhUf6QoBy/s640/blogger-image--792076119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvokpGSAlM-n5aWAvVe8ZM43YtCNkhNDdXtPHQ3eLVsPmcvjTP18dEZdMAZt0Ldh8c9paO_CYZCZvQS3jHCj-ss9poVHXc4hliXMFSYYdzEydskQfIcVOdUA3JEcN2dwLdVQHhUf6QoBy/s640/blogger-image--792076119.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371281797668949327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919344910997569488.post-80064849611992978162012-12-02T18:49:00.001-08:002012-12-09T07:02:40.495-08:00Dempster to Milwaukee, Chicago, or Boston?<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So far I've seen the Cubs, Brewers and Red Sox interested in Ryan Dempster. He's looking to get back into the National League, so Boston is out. Now, his old team, or his old team's rival? Hmm, let's take a look at this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's say Dempster was looking for a winning team, a contending team. Then he'd go to the Brewers, right? The Cubs are in rebuilding mode and don't look to be winning too much in 2013. Now, let's say he was looking for a comfortable area. Both ballparks are usual for him; he's been to both plenty of times. Now, maybe he's just looking to get back to normal. Then the Cubs would get him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who knows? The Brewers and Cubs seem to have the best chances in getting him. Let the Winter Meetings BEGIN!</span> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSu2zZU9LOWvEfIzXw95XIWZcPtp20DHwGY5jnUiiNBAqxCGgG6TQA30oUjtaTBO5dL2QgiH1X6saB3bDQMCnn8zARVWLaihqlC9VC3SXldjuA_Y4AT91iWCWg9Yf9xnZG62XtqkG4zGRI/s640/blogger-image--302028462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSu2zZU9LOWvEfIzXw95XIWZcPtp20DHwGY5jnUiiNBAqxCGgG6TQA30oUjtaTBO5dL2QgiH1X6saB3bDQMCnn8zARVWLaihqlC9VC3SXldjuA_Y4AT91iWCWg9Yf9xnZG62XtqkG4zGRI/s640/blogger-image--302028462.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371281797668949327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919344910997569488.post-35387219210744765802012-11-28T14:58:00.002-08:002012-12-09T15:54:33.500-08:00Corey Hart & The Milwaukee Brewers<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Milwaukee Brewers seem to be taking extra long in deciding if they want to extend the already-willing-to-stay, potential Gold Glove award winning first baseman, or to let him play one more year in Milwaukee and test him in free agency in 2013. What's the fuss all about? He's already proved himself as a worthy 1st baseman, and he's definitely got the bat to go along with his stellar defense...so? Why are the Brewers waiting to sign this key piece in their top notch offense?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Corey Hart, who will be 31 at the start of the 2013 season, is just looking to stay in Milwaukee as long as possible. One year, two years, three years; he doesn't care. If the Brewers offer him something, he'll take it. So why are the Brewers thinking this over? If it's money, why? The Brewers could get off with paying Hart lower than he should, because he'll want to stay so badly. If the Brewers need to keep up with their offensive mastery, Hart needs to be a part of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, what if it isn't money, could it be young talent? Yes, most definitely yes. Hunter Morris, who in 2012 played in AA, hit .303 with 28 home runs and 113 RBI. He'll probably be in Triple AAA in 2013, but could this mean, with Hart gone, Morris will get a shot at 1st in 2014? Who knows, but the Brewers seem to be taking this all into consideration.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Brewers have already stated that Hart will play 1st next year, so it wouldn't make sense to predict he'd go into right field. Besides, Aoki has that area covered. This means Mat Gamel, who didn't play more than a month in 2012 due to injuries, won't be the everyday 1st baseman like predicted early 2012. Therefore, Hart <i>will </i>be playing 1st as long as he's healthy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like I said before, what are they waiting for? Hart is a player that is needed on this Milwaukee Brewers team, especially since he proved himself so well this past year. Mat Gamel, Travis Ishikawa, Hunter Morris...nobody, and I mean nobody, could do the job better than Corey Hart.</span> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NmLXOgdda7M3GAYneBKg4RO_Vm2Wk4lIwBth-nB9IurIJdH2brQLCKBndy2myqytRmxRr8z2cqQ35Wj2TfO0Rsmrdimoz8XI9TAluRiqrYQe9Sk5vwpXTHRdg6mRr98ejIzLqAt8DTKG/s640/blogger-image--564444764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NmLXOgdda7M3GAYneBKg4RO_Vm2Wk4lIwBth-nB9IurIJdH2brQLCKBndy2myqytRmxRr8z2cqQ35Wj2TfO0Rsmrdimoz8XI9TAluRiqrYQe9Sk5vwpXTHRdg6mRr98ejIzLqAt8DTKG/s640/blogger-image--564444764.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371281797668949327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919344910997569488.post-383634825695712582012-11-23T11:43:00.001-08:002012-11-25T10:25:15.378-08:00Predictions for the NL Central<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's never too early to start predicting who will win the division, especially since there's only 129 days left until Opening Day! Here's my predictions for the NL Central 2013:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>5. Chicago Cubs</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This one wasn't a tough one to decide. The Cubs have too many things to fix, and only one winter won't fix them all. Pitching, offense, defense...it's just all terrible. LaHair left for Japan, and Ryan Dempster is likely going somewhere else. Who knows, though. Maybe they'll come up on top like the Bears managed to do so far this football season. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4. Cincinnati Reds</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This might come to a surprise, but its actually not that hard to figure out. In the NL Central, the Reds might be separated by a game or two. After having 2 of the past 3 seasons winning the division, it's time for the Reds to start cooling down. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. Pittsburgh Pirates</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a while there in 2012, the Pirates were considered in contention. We all know they had that late season meltdown to drop them to 4th in the Division, but in 2013 they'll be able to stay up in wins consistently, although they won't make it to postseason, even with Andrew McCutchen. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2. Milwaukee Brewers</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the terrible bullpen circus in 2012, if they manage to get a few bullpen arms and a quality veteran starter, Milwaukee might have a good chance of repeating what they did in 2011. Okay, maybe not quite as extravagant, but still pretty good. Maybe a Wild Card contender?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1. St. Louis Cardinals</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Cardinals have won a World Series, won the Wild Card. Now it's time for them to win the division. They've proved that you don't need to win the division, but, come on. Being the division winners would make you much more victorious than being a Wild Card winner. <br />
<br />
Follow my Twitter! @Catcher_Voice<br />
</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHQnowX_Rk69s7JXAIciPro_Dl7iaCDkHwZMJho1VvxF-5SisEtXVgIWoXHWIJ6i0Oj-T13baYcHdowDqbEf2oBL73619jMesWeiMA8RF4m1sYeZFMTs3FTpmXipoQM2Wxuxeeg5K7DUN/s640/blogger-image-1918886776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHQnowX_Rk69s7JXAIciPro_Dl7iaCDkHwZMJho1VvxF-5SisEtXVgIWoXHWIJ6i0Oj-T13baYcHdowDqbEf2oBL73619jMesWeiMA8RF4m1sYeZFMTs3FTpmXipoQM2Wxuxeeg5K7DUN/s640/blogger-image-1918886776.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371281797668949327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919344910997569488.post-71731950619867038072012-11-22T18:30:00.001-08:002012-11-25T10:24:06.000-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Turkey, football, family and friends, what better? Oh, yeah. Baseball, of course! Good news is, only 130 days until opening day! Give thanks, praise The Lord, and wait for baseball season! Have a nice week. -Erin <br />
Follow my Twitter! @Catcher_VoiceAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371281797668949327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919344910997569488.post-52611229715121530802012-11-21T20:27:00.001-08:002012-11-25T10:25:50.343-08:00Why Josh Hamilton Won't Go to the Brewers<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the biggest rumored destinations for Josh Hamilton this offseason is Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Now, I do admit he would fit in perfectly there, but it isn't likely...at all. Here are my reasons why Josh Hamilton will not go to the Brewers this winter. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Options</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a player like Josh Hamilton, he has so many other places that would offer him enough money and years. There are also other teams that need Hamilton to boost their offense. The Brewers don't need that kind of boost, although it would be a major addition to the team. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Offense Not the Problem</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sure we all know that offense is not the problem in Milwaukee. With power bats like Ryan Braun and Aramis Ramirez in the middle of the order, the Brewers are pretty much set for 2013. Leading the National League in home runs, power is definitely not an issue for next season, and seasons to come. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Pitching</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If the Brewers are looking to win more games in 2013, they need pitching. More importantly, relief pitching. Acquiring Josh Hamilton will limit the amount of quality pitchers the Brewers will be able to get during the winter. Considering that they need pitching more than they need Josh Hamilton, it wouldn't make sense to spend it on him.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Money</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Brewers are a small market team. Simple as that. They don't have the money to pick up Josh Hamilton and give him the money and the years he's looking for. With a considerably high payroll, adding Hamilton will not help the Brewers economically. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. It's Just Not Likely</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just take a long, deep thought about all of this. Is it actually even a possibility? Well, yes, but a very small possibility. There are only two ways the Brewers would end up signing Josh Hamilton; 1, He lowers his price/years dramatically; 2, Doug Melvin makes a huge mistake and signs Hamilton instead of the much-needed bullpen pitching. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make sense now? Next time you see an ESPN or Bleacher Report writer talking about the "high chances" Josh Hamilton has to sign with Milwaukee, just think. <i>Is this really going to happen? <br />
<br />
Follow my Twitter! @Catcher_Voice<br />
</i></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKrvma5fjwKA_ONbvxT4dGsmL3gromjx8TiGWKnTtdNcrlz206IEO2QYACc6DYLpnHNI_2xPrdHu17PCKZCcR245CM6drGIsiNhtJNN5Hf_ZWDAL5ABWzRQocUPznnlGwbbJ5O980v1kK/s640/blogger-image-894631570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKrvma5fjwKA_ONbvxT4dGsmL3gromjx8TiGWKnTtdNcrlz206IEO2QYACc6DYLpnHNI_2xPrdHu17PCKZCcR245CM6drGIsiNhtJNN5Hf_ZWDAL5ABWzRQocUPznnlGwbbJ5O980v1kK/s640/blogger-image-894631570.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371281797668949327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919344910997569488.post-45744856884581522672012-11-20T06:16:00.001-08:002012-11-25T10:24:44.740-08:00"Baseball is a love."A synonym for love is passion. <br />
<br />
So it makes sense. <br />
Follow my Twitter! @Catcher_Voice <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihWyaD-q3rXVK4kkMj2cxoCNP0ktLkfC8bN4EnkekAn-uXHbDesgi7wH5Lc1KZVXF_S7S-QEnkeyBv5EMGzrXq5kdJxjIPObVvGQHAi3NG8kpoqX_ayZ7GTtU5mwrZwt3GSWj0VrikCUl/s640/blogger-image-1252704765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihWyaD-q3rXVK4kkMj2cxoCNP0ktLkfC8bN4EnkekAn-uXHbDesgi7wH5Lc1KZVXF_S7S-QEnkeyBv5EMGzrXq5kdJxjIPObVvGQHAi3NG8kpoqX_ayZ7GTtU5mwrZwt3GSWj0VrikCUl/s640/blogger-image-1252704765.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371281797668949327noreply@blogger.com0