Milwaukee Brewers Special Assistant to the General Manager/Director of Amateur Scouting Jack Zduriencik has been named 2007 Major League Executive of the Year by Baseball America. 

"I was honored and flattered when Baseball America informed me of the award," said Zduriencik.  "As appreciative as I am, this is a reflection of those that I work with and the hard efforts that they have put into their jobs.  I consider this award a representation of the entire organization and from the bottom of my heart I would like to thank Baseball America for this award."

Zduriencik is the first non-general manager to be recognized as the recipient of this award, which was first presented in 1998 to current Brewers Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin (then with Texas).  Prior to recieving the Executive of the Year Award in Nashville, Jack spent some time in the House of Blogs.

One On One With Jack Z.

His name might be tough to spell, but it belongs at the top of the leaderboard when it comes to delivering Major League talent.  Jack Zduriencik [Zur-EN-sik] begins his ninth year as the Crew’s Amateur Scouting Director.  His blue collar Pennsylvania roots fostered a "produce results, deflect credit" mentality.  But, the stats don’t lie and the spotlight continues to shine brighter.  Weeks, Hardy, Fielder, Braun, Hart, Kendall (Jack’s 1992 pick in Pittsburgh), and Sheets.  You need only look at the Brewers potential Opening Day lineup to keep score.   No Draft Day boss in baseball can rival the results Jack Z. has produced in Milwaukee. 

BRIAN ANDERSON: What is your "big picture" draft day philosophy?
JACK ZDURIENCIK: You have to remove yourself from addressing immediate needs at the Big League Level.  Baseball is different than any other sport in that normally our guys are three to four years away from being a big league player.  There’s a learning curve on what kind of impact they can have once they’re in the system.  There’s a point in time when you draft for need but with those early picks you have to take the best player available simply because in a small market we don’t have the luxury to go out and sign those high priced players.  If were going build up our team, we have to build it up with the kids in OUR system.

BA: What skills are you specifically looking for in a ballplayer in preparation for the draft?
JACK:  Power.  Power comes in many phases of the game.  Power arms, power speed, power bats.  Look at what JJ Hardy did this year at the shortstop position.  We think Rickie Weeks will be a power guy.  Ryan Braun IS.  Prince IS.  We have some kids in the Minor Leagues that can "fly!"  Those are power legs.  They are going to offer things to this organization in the years to come.  We took Mark Rogers (2004) and Jeremy Jeffress (2006).  These guys have power arms.  We talk about it all the time.  Power, in every aspect of the game, is a very desirable tool.  If you have it, then other teams are going to desire what you have because it’s a tough element to find.

BA: How about tools outside baseball skills?
JACK: What makes a player special?  His character, his drive, his desire, his confidence.  You can sit there and talk about 30 players but it works like a pyramid, eventually you get to the point where there is that one who is sitting there and that your going to select.  Now, you’re dealing with the human element so you’re not always successful but I think it’s important to find players who want to play and who want to play now.  I think it’s important to have background on players.  We like to watch them play other sports.  We have really pushed our scouts to make sure they have answers about a guy when you’re putting the kind of dollars into these players like we are.  In many cases, our scouts have hit the nail on the head.  We’ve been fortunate with our kids.  Our scouts have done a great job of recognizing what makes a major league player.

BA: What does it mean to a franchise to get good young players to the Big Leagues?
JACK: It does an enormous thing for your payroll.  Homegrown talent is much less expensive so it offers the opportunity to make a big free agent signing if necessary.  We’ve counted on our minor league system to deliver
big league players by need.  Our margin for error is a lot less than the higher market clubs.

BA: Drafting Prince Fielder came with some criticism.  Now, what impresses you most about his impact on the franchise?
JACK: I go back to draft day (2002), our area scout Tom McNamara stuck his neck out on the line for Prince.  He went to his private workouts, got to know the family, got to know the kid inside and out and when there were questions, Tom never wavered.  He said, "This guy is off the charts, he’s an old school type of player."  I think Prince has brought that to our organization.  To be 23 years old, to do what he’s done, to be respected by not only his teammates but especially his peers in the other dugout is pretty special.  Prince is a very special player.  The name is appropriate.  Actually, we should change it to "King Fielder!"   

BA: How about draft day 2005 that produced the Rookie of the Year, Ryan Braun?
JACK: The draft that year was loaded with quality third basemen.  Washington took Ryan Zimmerman.  We picked 5th.  Quite honestly it got down to three guys for us, Ryan, Troy Tulowitski, and Cameron Maybin.  When it was time to pick, Ryan made the most sense to us.  We liked his work ethic. We liked the fact that was was ready to sign and start playing.  We liked his confidence.  I don’t think any of us expected him to put up these kind of numbers this fast but his impact in terms of solidifying the infield and the lineup has been phenomenal. 

BA: What are your thoughts on the contributions of two other Rookies in 2007, Yovanni Gallardo and Carlos Villanueva?
JACK: You look at Yovanni Gallardo as a future one or two starter down the road.  The confidence and poise he brings when he’s on the mound has been fantastic.  Carlos handled a few roles for us in ’07 including some real nice starts at the end.  And, these are young guys, 21, and 23 years old respectively.  I look at these guys and the rest of our young talent and I say, "This could be fun…for several years to come!"

BA: Can you give us an update on your latest first rounder, Matt LaPorta?
JACK: We’re very happy with what Matt has done.  He signed quickly and went out and played.  We had to get him through a lingering quad pull but once he was healthy, he was terrific.  He hit 12 homeruns in 30 games and adjusted very well to left field, which we are happy about.  We rolled the dice a little bit (with Matt and LF).  In our market, there are certain times you have to do that and as a result he had a long first three months on the job.  He did well in the regular season and did well in the Fall League.  He made some real good adjustments and we’ve seen some real positives.  We think once he gets a chance to relax a little in the winter, then continue to work on his conditioning, he’ll come into Spring Training next year and open some eyes.

BA: Your name continues to surface as a possible General Manager candidate.  Is that something you’d like to do?
JACK: Yes.  I would certainly like the opportunity to run an organization someday.  It is an interesting process.  I interviewed for the job in Pittsburgh.  Anyone in this game has goals and (GM) is something I’ve always wanted to do.  I’ve been fortunate in this game in that everything I’ve done I’ve enjoyed so I haven’t pursued jobs like others have.  I’ve been a Farm Director, Scouting Director, Director of International Operations…and in doing all of these different things I’ve been content.  But, there is a point in time where I’d like the opportunity to run an organization.  That said, I’ve had a great mentor in Doug Melvin and I’m excited about what’s here.  That’s the main focus.

BA: Can you tell us about the relationship between you and Doug Melvin?
JACK: Doug’s tremendous.  His demeanor?  I wish I could be as low key as he is.  He’s been a good friend.  He’s sharp and he has very good instincts.  I think he’s one of the better General Manager’s in the game.  I don’t think he gets enough credit for his abilities.

BA: What is the status of the organization, top to bottom, right now?
JACK: You always want to be better, we finished two games short.  We were in it right to the end which is a positive.  If you look at the age of these kids, our corps of talent, the possibilities are exciting.  That said, we have to get better.  Everyone in our league is going to be aggressive to improve their ballclub so although we’re headed in the right direction and we’re satisfied thus far, we’re not content by any means because we’re not where we want to be.

*photos courtesy of Scott Paulus

Here’s another "Jack" I’m fond of…CLICK  Check him out in Brew Town in January.

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Soon after Ryan Braun was named National League Rookie of the Year, I had a chance to sit down with him one on one.  Dressed in a stylish navy, pinstriped suit, the 23 year old phenom was California cool as we discussed the season, the award, and his love for the fans of Milwaukee.

BRIAN ANDERSON…What was your first reaction when you got the call saying you’d won the National League Rookie of the Year Award?

RYAN BRAUN…I was just thrilled.  You know, it’s just cool…this is the biggest achievement of my baseball career to this point.  I was a little bit anxious, a little bit nervous anticipating the result.  I actually woke up early and went for a jog to burn off some of nervous energy.  It’s extremely exciting and rewarding knowing that all the hard work paid off.  I don’t think I could’ve possibly started my career any better individually.  To be recognized for an award of this magnitude at the end of my first season…I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

BA…Who was your first call to?

BRAUN…My parents.  I called the house and they put me on speakerphone so they could both hear at the same time…(smiles)…I told them I won (Rookie of the Year) and they both just started yelling…(laughs)…My parents have been so supportive.  I just can’t thank them enough.

BA…Comment on receiving an individual award in a team sport?

BRAUN…I’m humbled by it.  I realize how much my teammates contributed to winning such an award.  Without guys in front of me like Corey and JJ getting on, I don’t drive in runs…without guys like Prince behind me, I don’t score any runs.  Any individual award ANYBODY on this team wins is a result of being on a good team and we all know that.

BA…Going from the disappointment of not making the club out of spring training to winning Rookie of the Year, can you tell us about the range of emotions you went through this season?

BRAUN…I was certainly disappointed not making the team but I’m a firm believer in things happening for a reason.  The opportunity to go play in Nashville was unbelievable.  A great city.  A great team to play with.  Frank Kremblas is a tremendous manager.  Without that experience I have no idea if I would’ve had the same success in the Big Leagues.  Once I got to the Big Leagues, I just wanted to fit in, contribute, stay healthy and try to help the team win however I could.  Now, to win this award after starting the year in Triple A…It’s a phenomenal achievement.  I don’t think it has really sunk in yet.

BA…I believe one of the deciding factors in you winning R.O.Y. was the fact that from the day you arrived you were expected to carry a significant load offensively.  Very few Rookies in the history of the game are asked to do that.  You seemed unfazed.  How were you able to handle that kind of burden?

BRAUN…I embraced it.  I expect myself to have success.  I love having pressure and being one of the guys who is being looked upon to help carry the load.

BA…What were some of your individual highlights/lowlights this season?

BRAUN…Making my Major League debut.  It was a dream come true…something I had been dreaming of and working toward my entire life. 

The home run I hit in off Lidge in Houston.

Winning this award.

The lowlight was being eliminated from contention.

BA…Having hit second, third, and clean-up in ’07, what is your favorite spot in the order?

BRAUN…Third!  Right between two All-Stars in JJ and Prince.

BA…What are your thoughts about talk of a position change? (note: Doug Melvin has stated third base is where he expects Braun to play but the two have spoken about a potential move to the outfield).

BRAUN …I will do whatever it takes to make our club better.  I’ve always been confident in my abilities.  I understand this is only my second season at third base and I have work to do.  I believe I have the athleticism and work ethic to become a very good third baseman…it’s just a matter of time.

BA …You grew up on the West coast.  Played college ball on the East coast (Miami).  Now you’re loved in the Midwest.  How about your relationship with the fans of Milwaukee?

BRAUN…Incredible.  My flight arrived at 12:30am last night and there were some fans there waiting for me.  I was surprised.  I signed some autographs, took some pictures…it was fun.  Our fans are unbelievable…they’ve been extremely supportive.  I can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done for me and for the entire team.  As players, we talk about how we look forward to putting together a better season than this one and becoming a perennial contender.  We have a chance to be a very good team for quite a few years to come and we’re all very excited about it.

BA …What do you work on this off-season in preparation for next year?

BRAUN…Everything.  I have a long way to go to become the player I ultimately want to be.  I want to continue to get faster so I can steal some more bases…continue to work on my footwork defensively.  I want my defense to catch up to my offense.  I want to continue to get stronger as well.  I’ve learned so much from this season.  Our entire team learned a lot from this season.  We all expect bigger and better things and we want to build on the things we accomplished this year and ultimately get to the post season and win a World Series.

*Photos courtesy of Scott Paulus

Here’s a number that never got the airplay it deserved.  Click

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The season is over and I’m re-introducing myself to my family as I ease into full Wisconsin hibernation.  We have settled into a great neighborhood.  We love it here.  We’re nervous about winter but the summer was big fun and we are now experiencing fall colors for the first time in our lives.  Beautiful.  I’m trying to play as much golf as I can until the chill comes.  If you didn’t know, there are more outstanding courses in this area than just about anywhere else in the country.  Being a golf destination can be big for a city.  Our region is definitely a major golf destination, in my opinion.  My three favs: Whistling Straits, Erin Hills, and Bristlecone Pines.  Unfortunately, my game is in shambles.  Plenty of "hozzle rockets" to go around. 

This past season was the most enjoyable of my career and I want to thank you for welcoming me to Milwaukee.  The season offered some memorable moments despite a disappointing finish.  I believe the franchise can be a playoff contender for years to come.  I’m anxious to see how the off season moves improve the ballclub. 

As for Brewers TV, we had a record setting year in the ratings…thanks to you.  Producer John Walsh is an outstanding leader and Director Mitch Riggin is a creative whiz.  We’ve been nominated for a few Emmy awards already and I know Mark Attanasio has a few more "bells and whistles" to add to the production for next year. 

I am forever grateful for Bill Schroeder for taking me under his wing, smelly as it is!  He’s the star who drives the show and a great big brother to us all.  Rock and I developed a tight relationship with Craig Coshun, Davey Nelson and Jeff Grayson and I hope it showed at home.  It’s rare to find a group of announcers who check the ego and get along so well.  We get a lot of attention because we’re out front but our crew deserves most of the credit.  I have an enormous amount of respect for our team behind the scenes.  With that in mind, please read the names below and be appreciative of the talented men and women who bring you the sights and sounds of Brewers baseball every night.

PRODUCER: John Walsh

DIRECTOR: Mitch Riggin

PRODUCTION TEAM: Josh Adams, Andrew Kimball, Brian Mikolajek, Ryan Shaber

STAGE MANAGER: Renee Haffemann

STATS: Mike Falkner

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Lindsey Greschel

CAMERA: James Bath, Rick Bruch, Brian Dally, Tom Dorner, Jesse Liebe, John McKay, Dan Quinn, Korina Riggin, Ryan Rizzotto, Brett Robotka, Duane Rodriguez, Andy Stieber, Will Tinsley, Trent Windorski, Keith Wood

AUDIO TEAM: Dan Albert, Bill Bye, Paul Kelly, Karl Lanwer, Paul Lundin, Krystal Stephens, Eric West

TAPE: Andy Eggert, Maggie Gallegos, Tim Koenig, Phil Link, Lisa Lutomski, Danny Lutz

VIDEO: Dave Larson, Marj Sontag, Steve Zimmerman

FONT COORDINATOR: Linda Costello

FOX BOX: Dan Devine, Jason Shumanski 

We hope you enjoyed watching Brewers baseball as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you.  We all understand the awesome responsibility that goes with the job and look forward to next year.

As for the House of Blogs, I’ll be checking in periodically.  It should be an exciting "off season" of sports in Wisconsin to keep you entertained until pitchers and catchers report to Maryvale in February.

Have a great fall!

-BA

Here’s a cool tune from a guy I saw at the Pabst Theater recently.  A great show.  Turn it up, what a voice! Raul Malo.

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There is an old saying that goes, "A stable without an ox is always clean."  Do you know what that means?  It’s a perfect parable for this 2007 Brewers team.  It’s actually perfect for just about everything you do in your life.

Back in the day, a farmer needed a big ox to plow the field.  No animal pulls a load better than an ox.  The bigger the ox, the more the farmer could plow.  The more the farmer could plow, the more productive and successful his farm could be. 

Ahh, but an ox has to eat…and we all know that the "load" an ox pulls is in direct proportion to the "load" an ox leaves!  Make sense?

Brewer fans haven’t had an ox in the stable for a long, long time.  Empty stable’s come with no mess, no clean up.  Empty stable’s also produce no bonus, no spoils.  Where’s the fun in that?  If you can handle a little "poop" along the way, hopefully there is a great harvest to enjoy very soon. 

With the Brewers, the seeds are in the ground.  They have extraordinary, young talent already producing in the Major Leagues, a dominant farm system, and an eager, aggressive owner and front office.  This franchise could be on fertile ground for years.  Maybe even this year.

The ’07 Brewers have struggled the last couple of months.  But, they have put together two significant stretches of winning this season.  With a little over a month to play, there is still time for the "click."  In baseball, the "click" can happen at any time. 

Tonight, the Crew begins a 3-city, 9-game road trip.  First up, Arizona.  The D-backs were just three games over .500 when they were in Milwaukee one month ago.  Now they are 17 games over and enjoy a four game lead in the NL West.  In one month!  How about that for a "click?"  The Brewers have it in ’em.  We’ll have a better idea if it’s "in ’em" this year when this road trip concludes.

Pennant races bring pleasure and unpleasantries.  So pull up your rubber boots and head to the stable.  You’ve got one big ox in there with these Brewers. 

Shovel with a smile!

-BA

Here’s a cool number "Live From Abbey Road" on the Sundance Channel Click

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Monday was a sad day for my family and me.  Mike Coolbaughs tragic death hit very close to home.  I got the news of Mike’s death early Monday morning in my hotel room in Cincinnati.

I knew Mike only a little.  We are connected mostly through our families.  The Coolbaugh’s are from San Antonio and I’ve known them for over fifteen years.  Mike’s sister, Lisa, and my wife, Michele, taught school together and are still very close friends.  Mike’s brother, Scott, also a former Major Leaguer, is a coach in the Texas Rangers organization with my brother.  Scott and my brother have been friends for years, even playing together in Korea. 

For a few years, when I lived in San Antonio, I spent a lot of time with Mike Coolbaugh.  He was part of a group of pro ballplayers I used to throw batting practice to and hang out with in the winter. 

Most of Mike’s 17 years in baseball were spent in the minor leagues.  He stuck it out for twelve years before he finally got his big league chance as a twenty-nine- year-old in 2001.  The Brewers gave him that chance.  His stay didn’t last long.  But, he made it.  Even if you don’t remember Mike in Milwaukee, it doesn’t change the fact that his greatest baseball moment came as a Brewer.  Mike belted his first career Major League home run in Miller Park in 2001.  On July 17, with two outs in the 9th inning, Mike went deep against John Garland and the White Sox.  It went down as another Brewers loss but for Mike and his family, the realization of a lifelong dream.  When he hit that homerun, his entire family cried (even his Dad and brother, though they don’t admit it) .  Mike had officially joined his big bro as Major Leaguer.

Mike’s last year in the Majors was 2002.  He kept on playing, only this year, traded his dream of once again playing in the Big Leagues, for the chance to one day coach in the Big Leagues.  He was hired by the Rockies as the Double-A Hitting Coach July 3rd – which means he pretty much spent everyday of his life as a ballplayer. 

To most around the country he’s now a headline.  Water cooler material.  The coach that was killed by a line drive.  But, I want you to know that he was a great guy.  Quiet, unassuming and a pro’s pro.  He was a great family man and father.  He leaves behind two young boys and his wife, Mandy, is six months pregnant.  His sister, Lisa, is also pregnant.  I tell you all of this because I want you to know a little more about who he was and what he left behind. Whether it’s through the Brewers or through me, you’re connected to Mike and his family. 

Here’s the Journal Sentinel’s account of Mike’s first day in the Big League’s with the Brewers…written by Tom Haudricourt: Click here.

If you care to make a donation to the Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Fund,Click here

To make an impact on the Coolbaugh’s, pray for them…and connect the name in the story to the man and his family.

BA       

What a home stand…two sweeps and a two-out-of-three. 

I’m playing my "Chad Pennington" card and stating for the record that it is an absolute privilege to watch these Brewers play every day.  Not just because of the current success, but because of the potential returns as well.   

Brewer fans, you should be pumped up about where this team is headed.  I look out from the booth and see these young faces perform the way they do, I am amazed.  When Geoff Jenkins starts in left and Ben Sheets is on the mound, every face looking back at me is of Brewer cloth.  Only the catcher (Estrada or Miller) in that scenario is not produced by the Brewers farm system. 

The entire starting infield is 24 years of age or younger…which is younger than my brother’s A-ball team in Bakersfield.  Never in the history of Major League baseball (I’ve checked ’em all, I think) has there been a younger "everyday" infield lineup.  The closest I could find was the 1973 Dodgers. Steve Garvey (24), Davey Lopes (28), Bill Russell (23), and Ron Cey (25).  That infield stayed together for nine seasons and helped produce four National League pennants and one World Series title.

Ned Yost refers to his ballclub as "young kids," much to the delight of Brian Shouse and Damian Miller.  The staff deserves some credit for setting a daily tone of "business as usual" regardless of the previous game’s outcome.  That being said, I think that playing for the Brewers this season is a new breed of kid.  Based on the way they carry themselves on and off the field, only the date of birth column on the roster gives away the evidence of age.

So, why not this team?  They don’t play like kids, they don’t act like kids, they just are.  Unwavering, confident, and resilient. 

Kid Crew!  They’ve passed every test so far.

-BA

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Hello Brewer fans!  Well, once again the great people of Milwaukee have proven to me that it is truly America’s city. I had one of the best times that I have ever had in a town. Not only did it start with visiting Miller Park, where I met some of your Brewers, but had the honor to meet Ned Yost and the one and only Mr. Bob Uecker.

What a beautiful park you people have there, my goodness.  Even if for some unknown reason you happen to not be a fan of baseball, you should go to that park just to see it. Your own Brian Anderson set it all up for me and the Brewers and Tyler Barnes could not have been more hospitable.

Then, that night I had one of the best shows that I have had in a while.  The Milwaukee fans are the best, and love to laugh. I didn’t want to get off stage. My dream would be an Angel-Brewer World Series, I would be at every game. Both home and away. Just wanted to say thank you to everyone in your fair city and let you know that it will not be the last time I visit America’s City. Thanks again and good luck the rest of the season.

Sincerely,
Bill Engvall

Hey everyone…Here’s a guest blog from my talented bud Willy Braun (no relation to Ryan).  Willy is the lead singer/guitar man of the band Reckless Kelly.  Check out RK in action: Click here  …and at www.recklesskelly.com.     Enjoy!  -BA

How I Won The 2004 World Series (with a little help from the Boston Red Sox)

OK…I know a lot of you Brewers fans out there are probably a bit skeptical, with good reason.  I would be too if I?d just read that title.  But, after reading the following FACTS, I?m sure you?ll agree that I did in fact help the Sox win the 2004 ALCS and ultimately, the World Series.

Any baseball fan knows I never actually played for the Red Sox, but any baseball fan worth his Prince Fielder bobble head would also know the importance of superstitions and good luck.  I?d like to share with you…such a tale.

AUG 26th, 2004:

Been a Red Sox fan since I was a little kid but, somehow, I?d never been to Fenway Park. My friends Tony ?Stapes Stapelfeld, Jay ?Jazz? Nazz, Chris Cody, and John Dowd (back then we called him Juanny D -this was before Johnny Damon tragically fell of a cliff and died in the eyes of the Red Sox Nation) knew I was a fan and had gotten me tickets to the game vs. Detroit.

Bronson Arroyo pitched his way to a 4-1 Sox victory, and even though that put Boston at 9 for their last 10, I still felt somewhat responsible for that night?s win as well as the next seven straight victories. I was their good luck charm.

AUG 27th, 2004:

Second straight game I?d been to…fourth Red Sox win in a row? Coincidence? I think not.

SEPT 4th, 2004:

The Red Sox finally lose one to the Rangers, as my good luck had worn off for more than a few days? The Sox go on to win the Wild Card, sweep the Angels (the Anaheim-Los Angeles-California-whatever Angels of Anaheim and The Surrounding Metropolitan Area) in the Division series, and advance to the ALCS to face the dreaded Death Star that is the New York Yankees.

Oct 14th 2004:

Sox are down one game to nothing to the Yanks…and my band is in Nashville mixing our ?Wicked Twisted Road? record when we need some ?trippy weird background noises? four our song, ?Motel Cowboy Show.?  Our producer, Ray Kennedy, has the idea to record some vocals and reverse the tape, playing it backward. I step in to the vocal booth, and much to the dismay of my fiddle playing Yankee fan brother Cody, say the first thing that comes to mind: REVERSE THE CURSE! Ray reversed the tape and re-recorded it back on to the track. In reverse, it sounds something like ?surf the surf view,? right about at the 3:27 mark on the record.

While we were still mixing the song, I got a call from my Dad, another rabid Yankee lover, with the best news I had ever heard.

?Hey Willy…Hans and Terry Carstenson just called and said if you want their tickets at Fenway to see a game you can have them.?

?Riiiiiiiiight… does he know it?s the playoffs and the Sox are Playing the Yanks?? I ask, in disbelief.

?Yeah, he knows you?re a big fan,? says Dad, ?You should call him? seriously.?

So I call Hans, and sure enough, he offers up his tickets, four of them, in the prestigious .406 Club, located approximately RIGHT BEHIND home plate on the corner of baseball heaven and October bliss.

Dad and Cody can?t make it, but my little brother Micky and his bass player, Gus can…as well as Hans and Terry?s son Ted (we call him Teddy Ballgame.)

Within seconds, I?m on the phone with the airlines trying to find a ticket to Boston on three days notice for anything less than what the Yanks are paying A-Rod for a season.  I book it and start praying the Sox will hang in till at least game 5. The Sox lose game two that night, making it 2-0, Spanks. Dang.

OCT 18th, 2004. A game 3 rain out insures that I will see a game, but it will be game Four instead of Five as per the local ticket custom, and after a 19-8 beating by the Yankees in game 3, I?m thinking as I hop on the plane that morning that I?m gonna fly all the way to Boston to watch the Sox get swept. Even the reversed vocal, my lucky hat and my previous 8 game winning streak at the Fens can?t keep me from thinking the Yanks are gonna take this one. It?s the glass is half empty Sox fan in me. The Glass is always half full through the regular season, most of the playoffs and right up to the point when the ball rolls through Buckner?s legs or Aaron ?who is this guy? Boone knocks one over the wall when the glass starts looking half empty.

But not tonight. No, tonight it?s the Sox turn, grinding it out through 12 long innings of post-season baseball. D-Lowe and the bullpen pitched a great one.  Dave Roberts was everyone?s hero for three innings, and then Big Papi shut out the lights with a ring a ding dingy that just cleared the bullpen fence in right field, but I didn?t see it land ’cause I was too busy jumping up and down slapping fives and just glad to see a victory! There would be no sweep for us and, even though there has never been a team to come back from a 3-0 deficit, I?d just seen the best ballgame of my life and the glass was starting to look half full again.

I think we all know the rest of the tale, the Sox did in fact go on to win 8 in a row, just like last time I was there, and so think I had a lot to do with it. Sure, It could have been the guys that hauled The Babe?s piano out of the lake, or maybe the guy that wrote ?reverse the curse? on the reverse curve sign on the Mass Pike, or it could have even been the Red Sox players themselves. I don?t know for sure who it was, but like any superstitious baseball fan, my story is that it was the reversed vocal and my lucky two- time 8 game winning streaks and I?m sticking to it.

Now, I’m ready for a Sox-Brewers World Series…go Crew!

Willy

All is good in the neighborhood.  Literally!  I finally have a neighborhood.  We moved into our house and are currently in the process of unpacking and getting settled.  It’s great to finally have a place to call home.  We have been blown away by the warm reception given to us by our new neighbors.  The people here are great!  What a blessing.  It was no fun going home to an empty apartment.  But, we are all here together, finally.  The family and I have been living out of a suitcase since December 28th.  Now Milwaukee really feels like home and we couldn’t be happier.

As for the Brew Crew…what a roller coaster ride this year has been, eh? One of the great things about working for Golf Channel was the fact that I was able to broadcast a "winning" performance every week.  Think about it…every Sunday, I signed off for the week calling the golfer who finished in first place.  No losing streaks, no o-fer’s!  It’s a different deal now.  I’ve spent pretty much every single day with this team since February 17th.  I like these guys.  I’m emotionally involved.  Broadcasting Brewer wins is easy.  The losses are tough because I want to be fair and "report" the game but I feel the disappointment of a loss just like the players and all of you.  I remember that feeling when I did minor league baseball but not to the extent that you feel it at this level.  So there is a balance to achieve on the air.

The stakes are certainly higher for this ballclub.  They expect, and are expected, to make it to the post season this season.  Whether they fulfill such expectations remains to be seen but, there is no doubt with so many young, talented players, this New Brew Crew has a chance to be very good for a very long time.  The core of this team is 25 years of age or younger.  Which is why this franchise is the envy of many inside the game of baseball.   

So, let’s enjoy the ride as we hit the summer. 

-BA

Here’s one from my bud PG…make sure you check him out at Summerfest July 8th..he’s great live, you won’t be disappointed: Click

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Well, we’re six weeks into the season and the "building" process continues for me in the booth.  I’d say that I’m in the framing portion of construction.  I wanted to come in and get a solid foundation first.  Get to know the crew (the people I work with) and the Crew (the Brewers).  With each game, I get more and more comfortable. 

I realize it might seem like it’s just Bill and me and all of the pretty pictures but in reality, there are ton of people behind the scenes who bring you Brewers TV.  Producer John Walsh and director Mitch Riggin are the leaders in the truck.  Both are super-talented and our crew at Miller Park is outstanding.  I have a soft spot for camera operators since I started in this business toting an Ikegami 79 on my shoulder.  Our "eyes" behind the lenses are superb.  As you watch, be mindful of the skill and effort it takes to capture and deliver the most important images and sounds of the ever-evolving story on the field.  When you see the fire in Prince Fielder’s eyes, there is an operator behind that lens understanding that reaction is part of the story.  When you hear a ball "thud" off the outfield wall, think about the individual who planted the microphone there.  The sights and sounds of Brewers baseball all come together in the truck and with split second decisions, delivered to your television.  Our crew deserves big props.

Already, I feel very comfortable working at Miller Park.  The more I settle in to a routine, the more I trust my instincts and I hope it’s starting to show up on the air.  I’d say one of the biggest challenges for me right now is judging fly balls in big league parks.  Working in the minors, if the wind blew in, the wind blew in!  There are no upper decks to deal with.  Up here, the wind blowing in from left, might mean it whips around the upper deck and jet streams out to right.  Swirling winds and ballpark nuances are tricky.  I’m an expert in understanding flight patterns of fly balls in the Texas League…but that does me no good in the National League!   I’m learning on the fly.

For example, at Miller Park, the elements change depending on whether the panels are open or closed, whether the roof is open or closed…or any combination of the two.  Road games take a little extra effort, too.  Every park we go to is a first for me.  Sightlines change, the booth setup is different and ballpark nuances take some getting used to.  I try to watch fly balls during batting practice but until I get some more games under my belt around the league, there’s going to be an adjustment period. 

Otherwise, all is well and I really appreciate all of the kind words.  This is the greatest job in the world.  The New Brew Crew has been an absolute joy to cover.  A winning teams raises everyones spirits.  The execution has been most impressive.  I’ve called over a thousand ballgames in the minor leagues but I have never seen the game of baseball being played so well.

Hope you’re enjoying it too.  Have a great week.

BA

I like when a new band pays tribute to a legend: Click here.  And the live version from the master: Click here

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