Milwaukee Brewers News Clips Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Journal Sentinel http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/will-smith-  fond of relief role with Brewers fond-of-relief-role-with-brewers-b99471299z1-  'Selig Experience' to open at Miller Park on May 29 298083611.html  Jimmy Nelson struggles in minor-league game Will Smith fond of relief role with Brewers  Keeping bullpen flexibility important to Brewers By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel March 30, 2015 Brewers.com  Roenicke's focus on future, not past Phoenix — Of all the roles a major-league

ESPN.com player can fill, few provide a bigger adrenaline rush than  Brewers release reliever Chris Perez late-inning, high-leverage relief .  Gallardo is used to Opening Day spotlight Yes, the has the weight of the world seemingly on Madison.com his shoulders when he inherits a one- lead in the  Brewers: Hitting consistency seen as key to season ninth. But without reliable setup men in front of him, the  Brewers: Former All-Star closer Chris Perez closer would be twiddling his thumbs or doing crossword released puzzles in the bullpen.

OnMilwaukee.com  Gennett's chance is now to secure Brewers' Thrust into that setup role with the second base job for the first time last season, Will Smith enjoyed every

minute of it. Time after time after time. WITI  After ending up in Milwaukee by trade, Brewers first-baseman Adam Lind says: Seventy-eight times, to be exact, tied for the biggest “Hopefully I’m an answer” workload in the National League.

Express Milwaukee (Blog) "I didn't know they'd put me in that position," said Smith,  Ladies and Gentlemen, Your 1953 Milwaukee Brewers! (Almost.) acquired before the 2014 season from Kansas City in a trade for outfielder . "I enjoyed it. I had fun Lookout Landing (Blog) with it."  Another brief history of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers The big left-hander had been a starting pitcher coming up Florida Today through the Royals' system, and the Brewers briefly  Florida Tech not interested in financing toyed with the idea of keeping him in that role. But they Melbourne stadium were in need of lefties in the bullpen and Smith took to the assignment like a bee to pollen.

Over the first two months of the season, Smith incredibly

allowed one earned run over 28 appearances, covering 251/3 innings. He "slipped" to a 3.14

in 16 outings in June before finally hitting the wall in

July (14.54 ERA, 14 earned runs in 81/3 innings).

2 Obviously it was the heavy workload — 49 outings particularly effective against left-handed hitters, who before the all-star break — took a toll on Smith but he batted a mere .167 against him with a puny .516 OPS. insists he was not tired. Right-handed hitters fared much better (.299/.872) but when Smith is on top of his game, Roenicke doesn't "I enjoyed all the times I got to pitch. I didn't really want hesitate to let him cover a full inning. days off," he said. "It's as good as anybody's in the game," Roenicke said of "I wasn't really tired. I just wasn't getting the job done. I Smith's slider. "Even against righties, they don't see it was getting pitches up and all that stuff. I wasn't good." (well). When you know you have those two good breaking pitches (including a curveball) and he throws Pitches tend to rise in the strike zone when a pitcher is 95 (mph), it's pretty hard to sit on pitches." fatigued, but Smith wasn't going to beg for time off. He continued to struggle in August (6.52 ERA in 12 outings) Smith, 25, scuffled a bit with his mechanics in the early but bounced back nicely in September with 11 stages of exhibition play this spring but Roenicke gave appearances without allowing an earned run. him some multi-inning outings to sort things out. He has been much smoother of late, leading to a 0.87 ERA in When all was said and done, Smith had a 1-3 record, eight outings with 12 in 101/3 innings and 3.70 ERA and an impressive 86 strikeouts in 652/3 only one walk. innings with 31 walks. That ERA did not begin to reflect how effective Smith was for most of the season. "It took me a while to get my timing back," he said. "The past two outings, I felt normal again. The name of this "It could have been better but that happens," he said. "I game is to have our timing down to upset the hitters' had three outings that really hurt me." timing. It's all about timing." Smith referred to appearances on July 10 against In many ways, 2014 was a season of learning for Smith. Philadelphia (five runs, no outs), July 29 at Tampa Bay He picked the brain of longtime closer Francisco (four runs, one out) and Aug. 31 in San Francisco (four Rodriguez whenever he could, as well as veteran reliever runs, two outs). In his other 75 appearances, he compiled Jonathan Broxton after he was acquired from Cincinnati a tremendous 1.95 ERA. with a month to go. "I think he had an outstanding year," said manager Ron Not only did Smith become adept at getting ready Roenicke. "I hope we win enough ball games (this quickly, he was summoned on May 22 in Atlanta with no season) that he'll be in a lot of games again. You don't go warm-up pitches at all. That gaffe was the result of a lack into a season planning on something. You know he's of communication between Roenicke and the bullpen on durable. You watch how he pitches. a night when pitching coach and bullpen "It's a really good thing when you have guys with a lot of coach Lee Tunnell were attending the graduations of early appearances, the late-inning guys. That means family members. you're winning all these ball games." That mistake resulted in the Brewers blowing the game, With a live fastball with movement and a sharp breaking but Smith averted a possible physical consequence and ball dubbed by others as a "slider of death," Smith was now laughs about the episode.

3 "We still joke about that," he said. "The umpire told me efforts to promote and grow the game in his hometown. to take it easy but if somebody is standing there with a bat, it's full-bore. Let's go. We lost the game, which The Selig Experience will be open to the general public sucks, but it was just one of those weird things in during all Brewers home games, from the time gates baseball." open until the seventh inning, and admission is free for those with tickets to the game. Admission will be on a Having shown otherwise he can excel with games on the first-come, first-served basis. The attraction will also be line in the late going, Smith does not envision ever open to selected tour groups. returning to a starting role.

The exhibition space totals approximately 1,500 square "I haven't thought about starting since I was traded and feet, and will include authentic artifacts from Selig’s they told me I'd be a reliever," he said. "I'm not the one tenure as the Brewers owner. It celebrates the fans’ love to make that decision, but I like what I'm doing and the of the game, as told through the story of the Brewers success I've had. founder. "As many games as I can get in, I'm happy with it. So, 78 (appearances) was a pretty cool stat. It's almost half (of The main multimedia show builds to a surprising the season). I enjoyed every second of it and hope to do encounter with the former commissioner inside an it again and again and again for a long time." authentic reproduction of Selig’s County Stadium office, using technology found in only a handful of exhibits around the world. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/298044731.ht ml The design and production of the Selig Experience is 'Selig Experience' to open at Miller Park on May being led by BRC Imagination Arts, an experience 29 design agency. Uihlein-Wilson Architects is also By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel contributing to the initial design of the space for the March 30, 2015 Selig Experience.

Phoenix - The Brewers announced Monday that the Selig Experience, a state-of-the-art attraction at Miller Park to http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/298043631.ht honor retired Commissioner Emeritus and former ml Brewers owner Bud Selig, will open to the public Jimmy Nelson struggles in minor-league game on Friday, May 29 when the Brewers face the By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel Diamondbacks. March 30, 2015

The Selig Experience is located on Miller Park’s loge Phoenix - The Brewers had the day off Monday so No. 5 level in the left field corner. A highlight of the attraction starter Jimmy Nelson was sent to a Class AAA game to is a multimedia presentation that tells the story of Selig’s pitch and stay on schedule. role in successfully bringing the Brewers to Milwaukee, Nelson probably wished he had the day off, too, preserving in the city with his afterward. In 4 1/3 innings, he allowed 11 hits and 10 commitment to build Miller Park, and his longtime

4 earned runs, with four walks and six strikeouts. He threw Had the Brewers kept Perez, a non-roster invitee to 86 pitches. camp, he would have been given a $1.5 million base salary but would not have had a minor-league option. I wasn't at the game, so I can't tell you exactly what was That would have given the Brewers only two relievers going on. Nelson has been working on a curveball this with options -- Will Smith, who would have to suffer a spring and he might have hung a bunch of them with major meltdown to go to the minors -- and the last poor results. We will have to wait until we get a report reliever kept. from manager Ron Roenicke on Tuesday. Instead, the Brewers have three relievers in the mix for But, certainly, it doesn't look good on surface. Nelson the final two relief spots -- Tyler Thornburg, Michael has been unable to find any consistency this spring, Blazek and Rob Wooten -- and all have minor-league posting a 6.23 ERA in four Cactus League starts (13 options remaining. innings, 17 hits, 12 runs, 9 earned runs, 1 walk, 9 strikeouts). Opponents have batted .304 against him. "I told Chris he pitched OK (2.70 ERA in 10 appearances). I just felt we needed that flexibility (with Asked last week about Nelson's spring showing, minor-league options) on a couple of spots on our Roenicke said the organization still had confidence in the roster,” said general manager Doug Melvin. “We feel young right-hander. comfortable with back-end guys so we wanted to keep some flexibility in case we have to make roster moves." "He was the most dominant pitcher in Triple-A (in 2014)," said Roenicke. "That tells you if we can get back A few years ago, the Brewers opened the season with no to that guy, then we have a really good major-league relievers with minor-league options and when some starter." struggled, Melvin didn't want to expose them to waivers and risk losing them completely. He felt as if his hands Now, the Brewers will see if they can get back to that were tied in making moves, and doesn't want that to be guy. The season starts next week, so there isn't a lot of the case again. time left. But I have seen struggle in and then be ready to go when the season starts, The Brewers didn't have to tell Perz where he stood until so let's see how this develops. Tuesday but Melvin decided to give him the news Sunday night. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/298012401.ht "I didn’t want to keep Chris hanging until Tuesday," said ml Melvin. "“I talked to (agent) Nez Balelo and told him the Keeping bullpen flexibility important to Brewers first thing they should try to do is pursue a major-league By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel job. If they can’t find something later, then I’m open to March 30, 2015 discussing Triple-A with us.

Phoenix - As general manager Doug Melvin explained "The last two spots, we want to try to have some innings Sunday evening, the reason behind the decision to there. If a starter goes down, you have to have a long release bullpen candidate Chris Perez was tied to guy. I think we’ll probably be able to decide on maintaining roster flexibility. Tuesday.”

5 Thornburg and Blazek would have no problems giving talk about what went wrong is helpful. … That's part of length to the bullpen because both are former starting life, and let's learn and let's get through it, and let's be a pitchers who have been stretched out this spring. Wooten better team because of it." has been mostly a one-inning pitcher in the majors but • On where he stands with starting Adam volunteered to be stretched out this spring to give himself Lind and Scooter Gennett vs. left-handed pitchers. a chance to make the club as a long reliever if needed. "I'm not seeing any bad at-bats from Scooter, and the , who had not pitched in the minors the most important thing is he's not chasing," said Roenicke. previous two seasons, also had options left and one was "That's going to lead to a lot of hits if you continue to do exercised Sunday when he was sent to Class AAA that. Lind, I'm not saying that because he's getting a lot Colorado Springs. He appeared to have an established of hits now that we're never going to play a right-hander spot in the bullpen but never settled into a groove this [at first base] against a lefty during the season, but he's spring, posting a 6.48 ERA over eight exhibition showing us that he's capable of hitting anybody. If that appearances, with 13 hits and five walks allowed over 8 plays out well, we think the whole group is a tough 1/3 innings, with an opponents batting average of .325. lineup to pitch against. We're trying to figure out where Lind slots in. Does he slot in in the fourth spot between [Ryan] Braun and Aramis [Ramirez]? Does he slot in the http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/115558088/ fifth spot after Braun and Aramis? A lot of that depends brewers-manager-ron-roenickes-focus-on-future- on how those guys are swinging the bat." not-past Roenicke's focus on future, not past • On whether he worries about starting pitching depth. Manager impressed with Gennett's, Lind's approach "For one, I think we're really fortunate to have five guys vs. left-handers we like," said Roenicke. "I don't think most teams come By Adam into a season knowing who their fourth and fifth starters McCalvy / MLB.com | @AdamMcCalvy | March 30, are. Everybody would like more depth, there's no 2015 question. … Hopefully,Jimmy Nelson continues to grow and to learn as a pitcher and to stay confident." PHOENIX -- Brewers manager Ron Roenicke sat down with MLB.com last week to discuss where his team • On whether there's a healthy debate with general stands heading into his fifth season at the helm. Video of manager Doug Melvin on the value of small ball vs. the the session is available above, and here are some of the three-run . highlights. "We talk about it," said Roenicke. "The nice thing is the first two or three years I was here, we got both. We had • On confronting last season's collapse during team the small ball, we were running, but we also had power. meetings this spring. Last year, we didn't see the power. Opposing teams "I don't want to dwell on it, but by addressing it, talking more home runs than we did in our ballpark. I don't like about it, explaining what I see happened and how we get that. I like being able to scratch out a run. … Doug likes through it the next time, I think it helps," said Roenicke. it too, but his idea more is with the ballpark, you do have "A bad thing will happen to everybody and every team, to have a power hitting team, which I agree with. We no matter how good they are. I think to address it and agree about most of this stuff, I'm just used to having

6 personnel I can do a lot of stuff with. Last year, we didn't If added to the 40-man roster, he would have received a have that kind of personnel. The personnel dictates how one-year contract calling for a $1.5 million salary in the much I can do." major leagues.

• On why he likes the stress of managing. "I wanted to be challenged a little bit more," said http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/texas- Roenicke. "I did like [coaching], and if I go back to rangers/post/_/id/4916006/yovani-gallardo-is-used- coaching sometime, I'll like that also. But the challenge to-the-opening-day-spotlight of doing more, being more in a position of a leadership Gallardo is used to Opening Day spotlight role, I think I can make more of a difference. … I think the challenge of knowing personalities and how to get to players, and ultimately getting the most out of players, By Ron Matejko which always produces more wins, is really what I can SURPRISE, Ariz. -- One of the reasons the Texas do in this job. That's why I wanted to do it." Rangers acquired pitcher Yovani Gallardo from the Milwaukee Brewers during the offseason was to add http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12588638/chris- depth to the rotation. perez-bid-join-milwaukee-brewers-ends-release Brewers release reliever Chris Perez Sitting behind ace Yu Darvish and rising star Derek Holland, Gallardo was supposed to cruise into spring

Associated Press training without pressure and work to build off somewhat of a bounce-back season a year ago.

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers have released Chris Fast forward a month and Gallardo finds himself in the Perez, ending the former All-Star closer's bid for a setup same role. Darvish is done for the year following job in the Milwaukee bullpen. Tommy John surgery and Holland suffered setbacks in his preparation for the season. The end result is that The 29-year-old right-hander was with the Brewers on a Gallardo is again the top pitcher on his staff -- even if minor league contract. He was released after only until Holland gets going -- and that includes the Milwaukee's 7-0 loss on Sunday night to Oakland, when assignment to pitch Opening Day in Oakland next week. Perez retired the only batter he faced in the game. This will be Gallardo's sixth straight year pitching on Perez was 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 games in spring Opening Day, so the adrenaline of leading Texas into a training with Milwaukee. He has 133 career saves, with new season should carry him through the first game. most of them coming while with the Cleveland Plus, he already experienced an unexpected Opening Indians from 2009-13. Day assignment in 2011 when he filled the role in place

Under baseball's collective bargaining agreement, the of who was put on the DL. Brewers had until Tuesday to give Perez written notice that he would be on the Opening Day roster, pay a "It's always exciting, no matter how many times it is," $100,000 retention bonus or release him. Gallardo said of taking the hill on to start the season. "It

7 is a bit of bad news to lose a guy like Darvish. You never seasons could also be a warning sign that his best years want to see one of the top pitchers in the league go down could be behind him. but injuries happen and we understand that in the rotation." http://host.madison.com/sports/baseball/professiona l/brewers-hitting-consistency-seen-as-key-to- Gallardo is also returning home, which adds a new season/article_ca4a28d7-2066-53e7-afe9- wrinkle for the right hander who grew up in Fort Worth, de6eb8d13e3a.html Texas. He would've pitched his first game during the Brewers: Hitting consistency seen as key to opening series in Oakland anyway, so he views that as an season advantage before all eyes are on him at Globe Life Park 5 HOURS AGO • GENARO C. ARMAS in Arlington. ASSOCIATED PRESS

"I think it definitely will help," Gallardo said of opening MILWAUKEE — Success for the Brewers this season the season on the road. "The first start with a different may hinge on Milwaukee's consistency in the batter's team, I'm sure I'll be a little nervous and have a little box. extra adrenaline to want to go out there and perform for this ballclub. I'm excited to be home for a whole year to September swoons can prove costly — as can prolonged pitch in front of my friends and family." slumps any other time of year, for that matter.

A lineup filled with accomplished hitters like Ryan Gallardo is a free agent at the end of the season when his Braun, Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Gomez has the current six-year, $43.5 million contract expires. The 29- potential to score runs. To break into the playoffs from year old is set up for another large contract and, if Texas the competitive NL Central, the Brewers must eliminate resigns him, the opportunity to play in his own backyard team-wide slumps. for a long stretch of his career going forward.

"Last year we kind of grinded it to a point where instead "I approach every year the same way," Gallardo said. of just playing day to day and for that game and to win, "Becoming a free agent, I have a lot of people thinking we looked like we were forcing things," manager Ron I'll feel more pressure but if I do what I've done, I'll be in Roenicke said. "We were trying to hold on to what we a good spot." had, and that's not the way we go about it."

Gallardo is seeking to improve on his last two seasons, The Brewers spent 150 days in first place before a which weren't as good as the previous four. His stunning, late-season collapse left them out of the rate has dropped over the last two years and he has given playoffs for a third straight year. up 20 or more home runs in four of the past six seasons - - which could prove an issue during the summer in "We've got a good club, and when we're playing the type Arlington. of baseball I think we can play every night ... if we just worry about that game today, at the end of the season, The 29-year old has a track record that says he could be good things will happen," the skipper added from the one of the better pitchers in baseball -- but his last two team's spring training complex in Phoenix.

8 The lineup is bashing again this spring. to rush and possibly make mistakes. But rally-killing outs on the bases can make fans at Miller Park groan. After a slow start, Braun has been hitting much better Perhaps of more concern is the approach at the plate, following an unusual offseason medical procedure. where the Brewers led the majors by swinging at 33 Extreme cold was applied to his right hand in hopes of percent of first pitches, according to STATS. Darnell fixing a lingering nerve problem near the thumb. Coles is the new hitting coach. The team wants to stay aggressive while having more plate discipline. Lucroy also looks like he is over a hamstring injury that limited him for the first few weeks of spring training. KEYSTONE COMBO: While Braun, Lucroy and The upbeat, energetic Gomez had three homers three Gomez draw much of the attention in the lineup, the weeks into spring ball. Brewers' keystone combination of second baseman Scooter Gennett and shortstop Jean Segura will be just as "Every day you learn something new ... you learn from vital to the team's success. Gennett, a left-hander, will that," Gomez said about the 2014 season. "The first step play every day and must prove he can hit lefties we have to do is make the playoffs. We take it game by consistently. The speedy Segura is a top defender, game." though he is looking to bounce back from a slump that The regular season begins on April 6 against Colorado at dropped his average nearly 50 points to .246. Miller Park. RAMMY OUT: It is probably one more and done for Some things to watch with the Brewers: third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who turns 36 in June. He has said he likely will retire after this season to spend PITCHING: The Brewers don't have a true ace, but they more time with his family. Ramirez's production has do have solid veterans atop the rotation in Kyle Lohse waned over the last two seasons, though he remains one and Matt Garza. Wily Peralta won 17 games last year in of the best in the league in fielding bunts and slow rollers his second full season in the majors, and Mike Fiers to third. impressed down the stretch. But Milwaukee traded

Yovani Gallardo and Marco Estrada, so there is no http://host.madison.com/sports/baseball/professiona experienced starting depth. Young right-hander Jimmy Nelson must prove he can be a consistent fifth starter. A l/brewers-former-all-star-closer-chris-perez- long-term injury to any of the starting five could leave released/article_180de23b-db44-58ca-b8a7- the Brewers scrambling. 01db9350af34.html Brewers: Former All-Star closer Chris Perez In the bullpen, veteran Francisco Rodriguez figures to released return to the closer's role after re-signing with the club 5 HOURS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS more than two weeks into spring training. He bounced back with 44 saves in 49 chances last season. MILWAUKEE — The Brewers have released Chris Perez, ending the former All-Star closer's bid for a setup AGGRESSIVENESS: Roenicke likes his team to take job in the Milwaukee bullpen. chances on the base paths, and he's sticking with that philosophy. That puts the Brewers in attack mode, and The 29-year-old right-hander was with the Brewers on a when working at its best, the strategy forces the defense minor league contract. He was released after

9 Milwaukee's 7-0 loss on Sunday night to Oakland, when portion of a mutual option to return to the club on Nov. Perez retired the only batter he faced in the game. 3.

Perez was 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 games in spring In the Brewers' world, one where they have continually training with Milwaukee. He has 133 career saves, with develop homegrown talent, the departure of one such most of them coming while with the player in Rickie Weeks meant that the transition to from 2009-13. another in Scooter Gennett was going to be full time in 2015. Under baseball's collective bargaining agreement, the Brewers had until Tuesday to give Perez written notice And the second baseman, who turns 25 on May 1, he would be on the opening-day roster, pay a $100,000 couldn't be excited for the opportunity to be an everyday retention bonus or release him. player at the major league level.

If added to the 40-man roster, he would have received a "It was a good experience for me to get that first full year one-year contract calling for a $1.5 million salary in the under my belt," he said of the 2014 campaign that saw major leagues. him hit .289 in 137 games.

"Learned a lot of things not only with that, but things that http://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/scootergenn I need to work on, too. And just getting ready to apply ett2015.html those and get a good offseason in and come prepared as Gennett's chance is now to secure Brewers' possible for spring training. I think I have a better idea of second base job how to do that." By Jim Owczarski OnMilwaukee.com Gennett earned the right to platoon with Weeks after Sports Editor hitting .324 in 69 games at the end of 2013, largely when Published March 30, 2015 at 1:01 p.m Weeks was injured. In the aftermath of the Milwaukee Brewers' painful Ron Roenicke determined that the left-hander would sit collapse last summer, general manager Doug Melvin against left-handed starters in favor of the right-handed made the media rounds and was always asked, in some hitting Weeks, a decision aided, in part, because in fashion, about what changes he would make to the every 2013 he hit just .154 in 28 games (41 plate appearances) day lineup. against southpaws. And his response, invariably, would be some version of It proved to be the right decision, at least on paper, as "Who do you want to get rid of?" Gennett hit .103 in 37 games (42 plate appearances) in He would run around the diamond, from first to third, 2014. left to right, and behind the plate. So, that does raise the question – can Gennett hit major In his mind, the team was set – especially after the trade league lefty starters? for Toronto first baseman Adam Lind on Nov. 2 and Gennett smiles at the question. when third baseman Aramis Ramirez exercised his

10 Gennett said he would work in some left-handed batting “Brewers Nation” will enjoy Adam Lind, whom the practice in the offseason, but said nothing will answer it Brewers traded pitcher Marco Estrada to Toronto for like playing every day. He also welcomes to the after the 2014 season if he can begin to remind fans of doubters. former first baseman Prince Fielder.

"That confidence comes from paying games and just For all intents and purposes, nobody has played first base seeing them in games," he said. "I'm really looking since Fielder left for free agency. Lind knows he has big forward to that opportunity next year. I embrace it, to shoes to fill — but he says he’s not going to put pressure prove some people wrong that don't believe in certain on himself. He’ll just be who he is. things that I can do. “I’m just going to be who I am. I’ve heard that question a "I actually see it as a blessing in disguise. It gives me lot about the first base situation. Hopefully I’m an something to continue to work hard on. It seems like answer. For a year or two. But my expectations are very year there's something that comes up, whether it's something that other people from outside the room put something I need to work on, or something that I'm being on you. I have my own expectations and I expect to play successful on and i need to build success from that. I'm well,” Lind said. blessed to have that, not to have everything figured out So who is Adam Lind? and not be perfect. that mindset going forward I think is a good thing for me to have." When healthy, the 31-year-old has lower back issues he says are a part of him. He’s a big time producer. In 2009, Lind hit .305 with 35 homers and 114 RBI as Toronto’s http://fox6now.com/2015/03/30/after-ending-up-in- designated hitter. milwaukee-by-trade-brewers-first-baseman-adam- In four seasons he has played in at least 125 games, and lind-says-hopefully-im-an-answer/ Lind has hit no fewer than 23 homers and driven home at After ending up in Milwaukee by trade, Brewers least 67 runs. first-baseman Adam Lind says: “Hopefully I’m an answer” The former star at South Alabama hasn’t hit lefties well, POSTED 9:43 PM, MARCH 30, 2015, BY TOM but he figures he can make the grade. PIPINES WITI.COM “I plan on it. I don’t plan on going up there and MILWAUKEE (WITI) — Who’s on first? The struggling. I’d like to help this team win games,” Lind Milwaukee Brewers have had too many to count over the said. past few years, but they hope a man who speaks softly As for how he handles himself around the first base bag? will swing a big stick this season.

“I’m alright. I’m probably better than my reputation “I like the culture they try to promote with the team precedes me with. That’s Major League baseball, right? meetings we have each morning — try to get to know People have their own opinions,” Lind said. each other session. That’s definitely brand new to me. I enjoy that,” Adam Lind said.

11 Lind is a nice fellow — humble, low-key, almost shy, By Matthew J. Prigge but a certain outgoing pitcher helped bring him out a bit 22 hours ago during an interview with FOX6 News — Matt Garza. This week, like thousands of other baseball fans all “Yeah, we’re trying to answer serious questions here,” across the state, I bought myself an opening day ticket. Lind said. While I paid way over face value, it’s not going to get me in anywhere on April 6, nor any other day. It is for a FOX6’s Tom Pipines: “How about the robe? Will you team that no longer exists and a game that was never talk about how awesome it is that you got everybody played. Sixty-two years ago, it was the hottest ticket robes?” in Milwaukee, despite the game having already been canceled and the team having already skipped town. “Ah, it’s cool!” Garza said. Opening Day 1953 was a milestone event Few can match the gregarious Matt Garza — but Adam in Milwaukee and Major League history; however, it was Lind is an interesting fellow in his own way. As for his very nearly a national footnote and a local interests off the diamond? embarrassment.

“I like wine. I love, I’ve been to Napa a few times. I’d I have to say, I nearly plotzed when I found this ticket on like to be on my own little Adam Lind business — trying eBay. Full tickets for the oldAmerican Association to make money — the stock market,” Lind said. Milwaukee Brewers are a tough find, particularly special event tickets for an opening day or playoff game (for an You can bet your bottom dollar on this: Adam Lind isn’t excellent blog on the Brewers and Borchert Field, a self-promoter. He doesn’t brag about what he’s check this out). But this ticket was the rarest type of all, accomplished during his career to date. one with a weird backstory and vivid historical significance. Milwaukee County Stadium (1953-2000) “I’ve had an okay career. I’d like to get 10 years. Then I was a trendsetter among major league sports stadiums, feel like you’re a legitimate success. I have a few years publicly financed and located outside of the urban city to go. I’m just riding the wave, man,” Lind said. center. The city of Milwaukee had been toying with the

Brewers Opening Day is set for next Monday, April 6th. idea of a municipal stadium since the 1930s, following The Brewers face the Colorado Rockies at Miller Park. the basic idea put forth by Cleveland Municipal Stadium, a multipurpose facility funded by public bonds. Several

sites were proposed, most either on the western edges of the city or on the lakefront. As early as 1935, the minor http://expressmilwaukee.com/blog-11445-ladies- league Brewers were interested in using a city-financed and-gentlemen,-your-1953-milwaukee-brewers!- ballpark to replace Borchert Field, an oddly shaped (almost.)-%7C-what-made-milwaukee-famous- wooden park at Eighth and Chambers. %7C-blogs-%7C-shepherd-express.html Ladies and Gentlemen, Your 1953 Milwaukee The idea lingered but got no real traction until the 1940s, Brewers! (Almost.) when a site at Story Quarry was approved by city and A closer look at Borchert Field, home of the county officials. By then, however, wartime shortages in building material put construction plans on hold. It was Brewers before County Stadium.

12 also around this time that the possibility of a Major in MilwaukeeCounty’s New Stadium! appeared on that League Baseball franchise moving to Milwaukee was year’s pocket schedules. A program from late in the raised. Milwaukee had been a charter member of the season featured an artist’s rendition of County Stadium, American League back in 1901 but had lost its poorly The Future Home of theMilwaukee Brewers. In January supported team to St. Louis. Now, the AL was trying to 1953, a firm opening date of April 15 was set for the new shift that same fledgling team, known as the St. Louis stadium’s debut, with the Brewers set to take on the St. Browns, to a more promising location. Having been a Paul Saints. Fighting off rumors that it was only a matter hardy supporter of the minor league Brewers for decades, of time before a Big League tenant would be found for and showing real interest in building a new Major the park, forcing the Brewers to relocate, General League-ready facility, Milwaukee was considered a Manager Red Smith told the press, “The Brewers will prime destination. definitely operate inMilwaukee in 1953.” The team moved its offices into the new stadium, with Ground was finally broken on the new stadium in correspondence going out on letterhead with a watermark October 1950, and for the next two years, rumors flew of County Stadium. That spring, the team began to sell over which big league team would get to call it home. game tickets, including about 12,000 to the highly- Through 1950 and ’51, it seemed that the Browns would anticipated opener. That is to say, the opening of the land in Milwaukee. Miller Brewing president Fred Miller Stadium was anticipated. The actual playing of the was set to buy the team and move them north, reports Milwaukee-St. Paul game scheduled for April 15 was a said, with a complicated swap of the Browns’ home park terrifying proposal to local baseball boosters. As teams in St. Louis to the NL Cardinals, who would then fold prepared to head south for spring training, there was still their minor league club in Columbus, allowing the doubt as to whether or not Milwaukee’s big league Brewers to move to Ohio. ballpark would have big league tenants. The Browns, now owned by former Brewers owner Bill Veeck, were Other reports claimed that, as the parent club of the ready to make the switch, but Boston Braves owner Lou Brewers, only the long-suffering Boston Braves could Perini would not give up his Milwaukee territory, not move to Milwaukee. Fred Miller was supposedly in on unless the Brewers could shift to a market comparable this deal as well but also was eying other teams. It was to Milwaukee. Frustrated by the prospect of the Brewers reported that the Philadelphia A’s, St. Louis Cardinals(!), opening in the new stadium, Clifford Randall of the and Chicago Cubs (!!) were all candidates for relocation. Greater Milwaukee Committee told the press, “You can Meanwhile, the opening of the stadium was pushed back bet we didn’t spend five million dollars for a new due to construction delays. On Jan. 31, 1952, stadium for .” Of course, it was with Milwaukee backers still courting various teams, an Perini’s own Braves that finally made the shift opening date of July 24 was announced for the opening to Milwaukee. On March 19, the move was approved by of the new park, with the Brewers taking on an American the National League and Milwaukee rejoiced. The phone Association opponent. By the opening of the 1952 lines at the Brewers’ County Stadium office were season, that opening date had been pushed back yet instantly alight with people wishing to buy Braves again, but the Brewers still planned on being the new tickets. The skeleton staff at the Stadium wasn’t sure stadium’s primary residents. A grammatically-muddled what to do, or even, at that moment, who they worked tagline of Watch for Brewer Opening for. Down in Florida, the new Milwaukee Braves, with

13 Bs still on their caps, took on the Yankees. Elsewhere in http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2015/3/30/8309773 the state, a team took to the field wearing Milwaukee /another-brief-history-of-the-wisconsin-timber- Brewers caps and jerseys, although no one was really rattlers sure what to call them. Another brief history of the Wisconsin

After assembling an office in Milwaukee, the Braves Timber Rattlers announced that tickets would go on sale on April 1, with By Ashley Varela @wcoastfangirl on Mar 30, 2015, an opening date set for April 14 against the Cardinals. 10:00a Before any Braves tickets would be sold, a team official The second half of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers’ said, Brewers opening day ticketholders would have the tenure with the Mariners carried a slightly more sour chance to exchange them for the April 14 opener. The taste. official also begged Milwaukeeans to stop calling the old

Brewers offices looking for tickets. Meanwhile, the In 2001, they lengthened their playoff streak to six Brewers began the process of shifting their operation consecutive seasons with one more attempt, but a roster to Toledo, where they would become the Mud Hens. debilitated by injured prospects hampered their best efforts. Only three days before the first round opener, There was no word of what was to happen to the Brewers infielders Pedro Liriano and Dan Floyd and closer Chad tickets that were swapped in for Braves seats. Wiles were each ruled out with wrist injuries. Despite the Presumably, they would have been destroyed, with a few addition of supplemental players from the Arizona Fall maybe kept as souvenirs. It seems highly unlikely that League, the Rattlers flunked out of the semifinals against anyone would have kept their ticket instead of trading it the Diamondbacks’ co-champion South Bend Silver in, although some people might have been miffed at Hawks. having to pay the difference in price (this $1.75 ticket would have needed an extra seventy-five cents to get the While their major league counterparts enjoyed a record- Braves seat). In the event this was a ticket that someone tying 116 wins, the Single-A Rattlers put up their best held on to, they would have missed a great game. Warren record since signing on with the Mariners: 84 wins, 16 Spahn threw ten innings and was one of five future Hall shutouts, and a league-leading 2.96 team ERA. Three of of Famers to play in the game. Billy Bruton won it for the top four pitchers in the belonged the Braves in the bottom of the tenth with a walk-off under Wisconsin’s banner: right-handers John Butler, homer that glanced off the mitt of Enos Slaughter and Rett Johnson, and Jared Hoerman. Twenty-year-old over the barely-completed outfield fence. The Braves righty Clint Nageotte, the only one of the bunch to reach would play for 13 years in Milwaukee, winning two the majors, led Midwest pitchers with 187 strikeouts -- pennants and a . over 15 percent of the team’s league-best 1,225 whiffs.

Their success was short-lived. The following season

would be the final one for manager Gary Thurman,

whose three-year stint was the longest among skippers in Appleton. For the first time since 1995, attendance plummeted to under 200,000, perhaps indicative of the skid to come.

14 On the field, the 2002 Rattlers produced only 53 wins, striking out 18 batters in just 14 innings. By the spring, their lowest mark in nine years. Much of their bad luck he would be squirreled away in San Bernardino, could be credited to a string of injuries, from right- California with the High-A . hander Phil Cullen’s snapped humerus bone to infielder The 2004 season was marked by success of a more Luis Cordova’s groin strain. The Mariners’ most tangible kind: a surge in attendance. The Rattlers filled promising hitters, outfielder Shin-Soo Choo and corner the ballpark with 206,487 fans, more than they’d seen in infielder Greg Dobbs, were promoted just after the three seasons. In the dugout, Daren Brown was replaced halfway mark in the season, forcing the team to rely on a by Steve Roadcap, who headed Wisconsin’s squad back hodgepodge of emergency replacements and mediocre in 1999 and had taken a year and a half off to join the performers. Inland Empire 66ers. In 2004, he split his duties between As Gary Thurman entered into a three-year reprieve from the 66ers and Rattlers, managing the first to a 77-63 his minor league managerial duties, San Bernardino record, the other to a 57-82 finish. It would be his last Stampede skipper Daren Brown transferred to the season in the Mariners’ minor league system. Midwest League for a one-year shot with the Rattlers. Though Rattlers’ fans didn’t have a postseason to fret The 2003 season got off to a slow start -- their first over, the 2004 squad turned out some stellar prospects. month culminating in a three-game losing streak and 20 Twenty-four-year-old right-hander Brandon Moorhead scoreless innings -- but a much-needed rally from racked up 163 strikeouts in 145 2/3 innings, allowing a outfielder T.J. Bohn moved the team within a game of paltry five home runs and 50 walks. Outfielder Wladimir .500 by early May. The Rattlers vaulted to second place Balentien led the team with 15 home runs and secured a by the midseason mark, coming within a game of spot on the Dutch Olympic team by early August. clinching the first half title after making a 12-4 run in their final 16 games. Even with their brightest stars in play, however, Wisconsin’s best efforts petered out by season’s end. While the Rattlers reaped the benefits of hitters like 23- They lost 12 of their last 14 contests and finished eighth year-old Jon Nelson, who led the league with 38 doubles in the Western Division. Their next and final shot at a and placed third with 91 RBI, and 23-year-old Matt playoff title would come in 2005. Hagen, who whacked a franchise-best 21 home runs, they barely scraped above .500 with a 69-66 record. Still, In fact, the 2005 season not only resuscitated the Timber their finish in the first half merited a wild card spot, Rattlers’ playoff hopes, but brought the attendance to a which they promptly squandered, getting trounced 2-0 by whopping 211,927, the highest it had been since 2000. the Brewers’ Beloit Snappers in the first round of the For the fourth time in as many years, the Rattlers postseason. marched to the tune of yet another manager, this time the Arizona League Mariners’ Scott Steinmann. Amid the rise and fall of the Rattlers’ playoff hopes was a bright spot: the timely and brief arrival of one Felix Joining the Rattlers were a plethora of prospects from the Hernandez. The 17-year-old advanced from the short- Mariners’ short-season affiliate in Everett, Washington. season Everett AquaSox during the last two weeks of the It was a mark of success for Everett manager Pedro season for a two-game stopover in Wisconsin, allowing Grifol, who told the Seattle Times’ Matt Massey, "My three earned runs, one home run, three walks, and biggest challenge is making sure that nobody comes

15 back." Luckily for Grifol, it appeared that his newly From 2006 to 2008, the club failed to accumulate more promoted AquaSox would have little trouble sticking in than 600 runs per season, sitting well below .500 and the Midwest League. only one or two places above the poorest performers in the Western Division. Attendance figures dipped as low Together with some veteran holdovers from previous as 190,000 in 2008 and the club averaged little more than seasons, the young Rattlers clinched a first-half and 54 wins per season, notwithstanding two managerial second-half title in the Western Division, firmly changes and the addition of soon-to-be familiar names anchoring their place in the postseason. Oddly enough, like Michael Saunders, Alex Liddi, Michael they also supported one of the poorest pitching staffs, Pineda, Carlos Peguero, Shawn Kelley, and Carlos with the second-highest ERA (4.02), fewest strikeouts Triunfel. (881), and most hits (1,297), runs (790), and earned runs (669) allowed. Their saving grace was a superb showing Finally, both the Mariners' and Rattlers’ higher-ups by their offense, which placed second in the league with pulled the plug on the ailing affiliation. In 2009, the 788 runs, 1,331 hits, 712 RBI and a slash line of Timber Rattlers were turned over to the Milwaukee .275/.350/.409. Brewers, who had themselves sustained a 14-year relationship with the Midwest League Beloit Snappers It came as relatively little surprise that the Rattlers blazed and just returned from a four-year stint with the South through the preliminary rounds of the playoffs, first Atlantic League West Virginia Power. The Mariners, for ousting the Twins’ Beloit Snappers, then shutting out their part, entered a more fortuitous and fruitful theRangers’ Clinton LumberKings. Their downfall came relationship with the Clinton LumberKings. in the final round against the Eastern Division-leading South Bend Silver Hawks, who took the series 3-2 for Wisconsin trivia their first championship since 1993. Notable Timber Rattlers: Wladimir Balentien, Asdrubal Buoyed by a strong showing in the Midwest League Cabrera, Shin-Soo Choo, Greg Dobbs, Greg Halman, finals, the Rattlers received only accolades from Felix Hernandez, Adam Jones, Shawn Kelley, Alex Mariners' management as they approached their 14th Liddi, Mark Lowe, , Carlos Peguero, season with the club. Michael Pineda, Michael Saunders, Ryan Rowland- Smith, Carlos Triunfel, and Matt Tuiasosopo. "I feel like we have the best affiliates possible," Mariners’ director of minor league operations, Greg In 2005, all anyone could talk about was 19-year-old Hunter, told the Seattle Times. "They are in good third baseman/shortstop Matt Tuiasosopo. The young communities who support the team, and they have nice, prospect was taken third in the 2004 draft and finished fair fields. […] As long as you’re around that .500, that the season with six home runs, 45 RBI, and a .359 competitiveness stays there and that’s a big part of the average. However, the most peculiar moment of his first development." pro season happened off the field, when the multitalented infielder punched a window after infield practice, cutting Unfortunately for the Rattlers, "that competitiveness" his left wrist and requiring several stitches and some had dissolved by the time the 2006 season kicked off, quality time on the DL. and they found themselves relegated to the bottom of the league for their final three seasons with the Mariners.

16 http://www.floridatoday.com/story/sports/2015/03/3 "Florida Tech officials have shared with the Manatees 0/fit-interested-teaming-stadium-deal/70679820/ and the City that we have no interest in financing or Florida Tech not interested in financing building the downtown stadium that is currently being discussed. We have stated that we might be interested in Melbourne stadium playing some baseball games there if it were ever built Michael Parsons and Rick Neale, FLORIDA and rentals were reasonable. That is the extent of our TODAY7:12 p.m. EDT March 30, 2015 interest," the statement read.

The Florida Institute of Technology has no plans to "Any other representations of our intentions are play football in proposed stadium overstated. The university will be pleased to participate in any future talks, but within those parameters." The Florida Institute of Technology does not plan to help finance a future stadium proposed along New Haven Contacted for comment about the statement, LaRusso Avenue in downtown Melbourne, said Wes Sumner, said that he is just trying to open up a conversation with university vice president. the principal parties.

If built, the 4,000-capacity stadium would become the "We've never spoken about financing the stadium with new home of the Single A-Advanced Brevard County anybody. We haven't even presented a formal proposal to Manatees. The baseball team plays at Space Coast the city of Melbourne yet," LaRusso said. Stadium in Viera, but the pending departure of the "We are sanding off the rough edges of our formal has placed that ballpark's future in proposal, and we will be presenting to the city question. management soon," he said. During last week's Melbourne City Council meeting, Florida Tech's baseball team plays its home games at Mark LaRusso, a business consultant, pitched the Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field on campus. The football stadium idea publicly for the first time. During his team plays games at Palm Bay High School's Pirate presentation, he said he had a telephone conference call Stadium. with Florida Tech President Anthony Catanese earlier that afternoon. LaRusso said Manatees officials are willing to sign a 30- year deal to play in downtown Melbourne. "His comments to me were, 'Mark, please tell the council when you go there this evening that I would be very interested in a dual-purpose stadium that would include both football and baseball. Or, I would be very interested also in just a single-use baseball stadium as well, too,' " LaRusso told council members from the public-comment podium.

This morning, Sumner released the following statement to "clarify our perspective" on the topic:

17