Quick viewing(Text Mode)

Keep Moving Forward 2019 Season Preview

Keep Moving Forward 2019 Season Preview

Brewers Club May 2019 Alumni Newsletter Volume 13 Issue 1 Keep Moving Forward 2019 Season Preview

Last year was a fun and exciting season for the .

The Brewers captured their second Central Division pennant by rallying to win the last eight regular season games, including a rare Game No. 163 over the Cubs, giving the organization the best record in the league at 96-67 and the No. 1 slot in the postseason.

After sweeping the Rockies in the National League Division Series, the Brewers took the Dodgers to the brink in the NL Championship Series, falling one game shy of returning to the for the first time since 1982.

“From an organizational perspective, I was incredibly proud of how our organization presented itself throughout last season, and particularly on a national stage last October,” Brewers President – Baseball Operations and General Man- ager said this spring. “I’m proud of how our players presented themselves and proud of how our fan base engaged with the team. We put ourselves on the national stage and we made everyone proud to be associated with the Brewers.”

Now is the time to move forward. The Brewers are ready to turn the page and write a new chapter. There’s a big target on the Brewers’ back in 2019, particularly in one of the toughest divisions in all of baseball.

But Stearns and company are prepared to do it all over again.

“We know there is anticipation and we know there are expectations,” Stearns explained. “That’s something we felt before. We had expectations last year coming off our 2017 season. That’s a good thing.

“It also means we’ve had success. It means that our fan base is excited. Now it’s our responsibility to continue that.

“We’re happy with our team. We know that there will be peaks and valleys during the season. This is a good group that bonded last year.”

The Brewers nucleus is intact. Offensively, the team is balanced behind the likes of reigning NL MVP , and in the outfield and , Jesús Aguilar, and . The addition of over the winter makes the Brewers lineup as strong as any in the game.

“Over the last four years, Yasmani has distinguished himself as one of the premier in baseball,” Stearns said. “He provides us with an offensive force in the middle of our lineup. He’s one of the best receivers in baseball and handles a pitching staff exceptionally well.”

There is no question that the Brewers’ pitching strength has been measured by the quality arms in the over the last two seasons. But Milwaukee will be minus who is out for the season with an elbow injury. Even missed the first month recovering from a shoulder problem.

The injuries have prompted the Brewers to look for bullpen assistance elsewhere; but they haven’t dissuaded Stearns’ assurance in his pitching staff as a whole.

Stearns is excited about the Brewers’ starting pitching corps that line up behind 15-game winner Jhoulys Chacín and the advancements of three young arms who should have an impact in the rotation.

“We’re confident in our pitching,” Stearns said. “We have young starters like , and taking steps forward as Major League , and have the ability to solidify themselves this year.”

Once again, Milwaukee should be among the leading contenders.

“The goal since I got here was to build a team that can compete for division championships and playoff appearances,” Stearns added. “We’ve been able to do that now for two years and we believe we are capable of doing that for years to come.

“A big part of that is the influx of young players. We’ve seen that the last couple of years and we’ll need more guys to do that in the coming years if we are to have the sustainability we desire.”

And with the contending experience over the last couple of seasons and coming within one victory of a World Series berth, the Brewers are highly motivated and take nothing for granted.

“We recognize what we were able to accomplish last year and then knowing it means absolutely nothing for this year,” Stearns shared. “It’s a completely new year; a new team; and things are going to happen, both good and bad, so it’s our responsibility and our necessity to focus on this year, this team, this group of guys and how we perform collectively this season.

“We can always look back on last year, but it’s 2019 and time to look forward.”

Brewers named 2018 Organization of the Year

For the first time since 1987, named the Brewers its 2018 Organization of the Year.

Milwaukee had earned the distinction three straight years, from 1985-87, and now becomes the first organization to covet the honor a fourth time.

“We honored the Brewers as our Organization of the Year not just because they had a very successful big league season,” Executive Editor of Baseball America J.J. Cooper said. “We try to ensure that our flagship award digs deeper than that. The Brewers’ to the National League Championship Series was built by successful player development, scouting and analytics departments. We’ve been impressed with Milwaukee’s ability to develop and graduate prospects to the Major Leagues, as well as the Brewers’ ability to use their farm system to improve the Major League club, most notably with last year’s Christian Yelich .”

The award is selected by the staff of Baseball America. The honor recognizes not only the success at the Major League level, but also the organization’s amateur, professional and international scouting, farm system and player development efforts.

“This award recognizes the efforts that every person associated with the Brewers puts forth on a daily basis to create a championship-caliber organization,” said General David Stearns. “We are proud of what we have here in Milwaukee and look forward to building on the 2018 season.”

The Brewers finished the 2018 regular season with a National League-best 96 wins, leading to a Central Division title. The team qualified for the postseason for the fifth time in franchise history and went on to sweep the Rockies in the National League Division Series before falling to the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series in seven games.

Including the postseason, the Brewers recorded 102 wins, a franchise record for a single year, breaking the previous mark of 101 wins accomplished in 1982 and 2011.

The team featured a franchise-best five All-Stars, including Jesús Aguilar, Lorenzo Cain, , Jeremy Jeffress and Christian Yelich. Most notably, Yelich took home the MVP award, marking the fifth time a Brewer has done so ( in 1981; in 1982 and 1989; and Ryan Braun in 2011). The 36 home runs, with 110 RBI and led the National League in average (.326), (.598) and OPS (1.000).

Several key prospects played prominent roles on the Major League roster, including pitchers Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff. In addition, the organization saw success in the Minor Leagues with the emergence of 2017 first-round selection, . He represented the Brewers in the Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game and was named the MVP. Outfielder and right-handed Zack Brown took home the organization’s Player of the Year awards as they continued their rise in the system.

The Brewers faithful did their part as well, as 2,850,875 fans packed Miller Park last year. This averaged to 35,195 per game, which ranked 10th in all of baseball.

Accepting the 2018 Baseball America Organization of the Year Award was Brewers David Stearns (center), joined by his staff (left-to-right) Michael Groopman, , Ray Montgomery, Tod Johnson (kneeling), Tom Flanagan, (kneeling), Eduardo Brizuela, Matt Kleine and Karl Mueller.

MVP Christian Yelich’s sweet swing of success A solid all-around baseball player who carried the Brewers to the postseason By Mario Ziino

To no one’s surprise, except perhaps one person, Christian Yelich was a near unanimous selection as the National League Most Valuable Player in 2018.

It was a season of firsts for the Brewers outfielder, starting with being traded for the first time in his professional career. Oddly enough, he joined , and as the only NL players to earn the MVP the season after being traded.

He also was named to his first All-Star Game where he managed to get his first Mid summer Classic . Yelich got his first multi-homer game, his first , his first six-hit game, his first six-RBI game and his first cycle all in his first summer in Milwaukee. Heck, Yelich even added a second cycle weeks after the first, becoming only the third player to ever do it in the modern era.

He even produced his first 30-homer and 100-RBI season while setting personal- bests in nearly every other offensive category.

So why should anyone be shocked that he won his first batting title and came within two home runs and one RBI of winning the Crown – the closest a National Leaguer has gotten to the trifecta in 81 years?

“It was awesome,” Yelich said of the 2018 season. “It was an unbelievable ride.”

It certainly was. Undeniably, the 26-year-old was everything promised, and then some.

“His season was special,” Brewers Manager Craig Counsell said. “You spend a whole career in baseball and you see it once. You'll be talking about it a long time.”

“Christian’s strength was that he’s a solid all-around baseball player. He adds in every area of the game. He provides a consistent presence for us.”

That was the attention to detail Brewers General Manager David Stearns expected from Yelich when he completed the deal for him by sending four quality prospects to the Marlins.

“In a relatively brief time, Christian has emerged as one of the most skilled players in the league on both sides of the ball,” Stearns said. “It is rare when an organization gets a chance to acquire a player with Christian’s talents at this stage in his career, and we were excited to add him to our team.”

Many long-time Brewers fans looked at Yelich and saw flashbacks to another era in franchise history when a young lanky player led the team to the playoffs.

Yes, the similarities between a young Robin Yount’s MVP season of 1982 and that of Yelich’s phenomenal campaign of last season are remarkable.

Both were nearly unanimous selection as MVPs. Yount got 27 of 28 votes in 1982 and Yelich garnered 29 of 30 first place votes in 2018.

“It never crossed my mind,” Yelich said in a humble tone. “It’s really hard to put into words what this means. You never dream of ever winning an award like this. It’s been amazing. I definitely exceeded my own expectations.”

In 1982, Yount blasted a career-best 29 homers, adding 114 RBI. He came within a percentage point of the batting title, hitting a career-best .331 while scoring 129 runs with 210 hits, 46 doubles and a .578 slugging percentage. When took over as manager in early June of that season, Yount led the Brewers charge in the second half to an East Division pennant and within a game of the World Championship.

In 2018, Yelich practically carried the Brewers’ fortunes on his back in the second half, leading the team to the Central title, the best record in the NL and a game of the World Series.

Yelich fell in love with baseball by the time he was four years old, mastering his skills while growing up in Thousand Oaks, CA. which is 15 miles from where Yount grew up in Woodland Hills.

And like Yount, by the time Yelich reached high school, professional scouts flocked to watch him.

The Marlins showed the most interest and snatched up Yelich with their first selection (the 23rd overall pick) in the 2010 June First-Year Players Draft – the same year went number one overall to the Nationals, went third to the Orioles, went seventh to the Mets and went thirteenth to the White Sox.

He earned the Marlins Minor League Player of the Year honor twice before his big league debut in 2013. What stood out at the time was that at the tender age of 21, he was the third-youngest player in the league, right behind Harper and his then-teammate José Fernández.

In his first full season in the big leagues, he continued to gain respect as a hitter, proving that he was an all-around performer by earning a Glove – the first Marlins outfielder to do so, while also being the youngest in franchise history.

Yelich is the complete package. And while most make comparisons to Yount, the Brewers Hall of Famer sees a difference.

“He’s stronger and faster, and more athletic than I ever was,” Yount said. “And while I had my best season in 1982, he’s just scratching the surface in his career. I see better days ahead of him.”

Yelich works hard at his craft and is ready to play anywhere and everywhere if it improves the Brewers chances of winning.

“I don’t mind playing all over the place,” Yelich said. “Whatever gives us the best chance to win, that’s what it’s all about. I feel comfortable anywhere in the lineup. I really feel comfortable in all three positions.”

Many have compared Yelich’s makeup to that of his skipper – very disciplined and professional.

“Well, I just try to play the game the right way,” Yelich explained. “I want to play hard. Show up every night and do it the right way. That’s all you can ask of any player. The season is long but if you can hold yourself accountable then things will be great.”

In 2018, things certainly were pretty good for the Brewers and for Yelich.

“When I got here, I was excited for the fresh start and being part of a winning organization that’s trending upwards,” Yelich said. “Expectations were awesome. People here want to win.

“I’m just excited to be part of it. As a player, that’s all you can ask for.”

Brewers Most Valuable Players  2018 – Christian Yelich – National League  2011 – Ryan Braun – National League  1989 – Robin Yount – American League  1982 – Robin Yount – American League  1981 – Rollie Fingers – American League New Spring Home of the Brewers Sparkling Desert Diamond American Family Fields of Phoenix By Kate Reed

Fans may not expect to see a Major League-level stadium during , but thanks to the Brewers, that’s exactly what they found in Phoenix, AZ this year.

After a short 10-month renovation, Milwaukee’s construction project in the desert, which was on budget and on time, wrapped up on February 12 with an unveiling at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, at which time the complex was officially renamed American Family Fields of Phoenix.

It was a $60 million investment by the Brewers, securing their Cactus League persona for the future.

Milwaukee’s home-away-from-home during Spring Training will serve as the organization ’s year-round player development hub for the next 23 years.

With all of the physical transformations, American Family Fields of Phoenix stands out as one of baseball’s top Spring Training facilities.

Under the surface, it upholds this standard through two commitments that go far beyond the physical: player development and the Phoenix community. The Brewers ensured that the communities around the park were involved in the project. Through a partnership with Grand Canyon University, the Brewers created a “Learning Lounge” at the facility that offers free tutoring to local students. Additionally, a front office position was created to manage various community events, both club and non-club funded.

“It’s not just bricks and mortar,” said Brewers Senior Vice President of Communications and Affiliate Operations Tyler Barnes. “We are fully invested in the community and we want to be great neighbors in every sense.”

In the Brewers community, a commitment to player development also sets the facility apart. Behind the scenes, it is the Brewers’ year-round hub for medical operations and player development. The renovations were designed to invest in the future of Brewers baseball. By advancing player development and support in Phoenix, the Brewers will be able to continue their success in Milwaukee. The elite features built into the facility are crucial to creating an even stronger foundation for the Brewers.

Each aspect of the renovation follows a similar guiding motto, “Leave the jersey in a better place than you received it.” This quote hangs on the new locker room wall, symbolizing its importance to the organization.

Throughout American Family Fields of Phoenix, the investment to the players, the community and the entire organization is quite apparent – the Brewers are committed to their future in the Valley of the Sun with this sparkling desert diamond. Nellie Global Award resident to receive honor named for Davey Nelson

In June 2019, the Brewers will name the first recipient of the Nellie Global Award, a prestigious honor named for former and broadcaster Davey Nelson, who died last April after a courageous battle with cancer. Nelson was 73 years old.

The award will recognize a Wisconsin resident who has made significant and meaningful contribution to society on a global scale. The Brewers will present the award in Nelson’s name annually.

Nelson was an original board member, supporter and contributor of Open Arms Home for Children in South Africa, an organization that provides care and a home-like environment to children who have been orphaned by the AIDS pandemic.

“The Brewers are honored to introduce the Nellie Global Award this year,” said Brewers President – Business Operations Rick Schlesinger. “Through this award we are able to keep Davey’s vision alive by recognizing Wisconsin residents who share the same passion he did for making an impact around the world.”

Any U.S. resident can nominate a Wisconsin resident for the Nellie Global Award. Individuals can nominate someone who has contributed to an effort impacting the lives of people around the globe either by completing a form online at brewers.com/nellieaward or by picking up and submitting a form during a Brewers home game at the Guest Relations Booth located on the Field Level concourse at Miller Park.

Nominations for the Nellie Global Award must be received by June 2, 2019. The Brewers will review all nominations and select one individual to receive the Nellie Global Award. The nominee who is selected will be rec- ognized in a pre-game ceremony prior to the Brewers game against the Reds on Thursday, June 20 – Davey Nelson’s birthday. The award ceremony will include on-field acknowledgement as well as an opportunity for the recipient to throw out a prior to the game. The award recipient’s name and photo will also be featured on the Brewers’ website.

In connection with the Nellie Global Award program, Brewers Community Foundation will make a $2,500 donation to Open Arms Home for Children in South Africa as well as a local charity selected by BCF that provides care or services to orphaned children.

Nelson joined the Brewers organization in 2001, first as a roving Minor League instructor and later as a first base coach under Manager . Prior to coming to Milwaukee, Nelson coached in the White Sox, Athletics, Expos and Indians organizations. He also spent some time as a television commentator with the Indians. Beginning in 2007, he served as Director of Alumni Relations for the Brewers, and as a Broadcast Analyst for FOX Sports Wisconsin.

Born in Fort Sill, Okla. and raised in Gardena, Cal., Nelson signed with the Indians in 1964. He played in 10 big league seasons with the Indians, Senators, Rangers and Royals.

Brewers Wall of Honor Hall of Fame will join keystone combination in special ceremony Enshrinement set for August 9, 2019

Two of the Brewers’ prized prospects of the early-2000s who helped end a long losing drought and were instrumental in leading the team to its first postseason appearance in 26 years, and a Hall-of-Fame closer who finished out an illustrious career in Milwaukee, will be enshrined on the prestigious Brewers Wall of Honor this summer.

Closer , who became the sixth uniformed player and the eighth Brewers representative to be elected to the prestigious Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018, and J.J. Hardy and Rickie Weeks, who formed a formidable -play combination in the Brewers infield for six seasons, become the 64th, 65th and 66th members inducted into the Brewers Wall of Honor since the exhibit was unveiled in 2014.

Hoffman, who is second on the all-time Major League list with 601 saves, spent the final two of his 18 seasons with the Brewers (2009-10), earning 47 saves and a National League All-Star nomination. As a Brewers pitcher, he was named to his last of seven National League All-Star Games during his first season in Milwaukee, posting a 3-2 record with a stingy 1.83 ERA and 37 saves in 55 appearances. Hoffman recorded his 600th career during his second season with the Brewers on September 7, 2010 vs. the Cardinals – becoming the first Major League player to reach that milestone.

Hardy and Weeks join fellow teammates Bill Hall (2014), (2014), (2017), (2018) and (2018) on the celebrated wall.

In their first season together, Hardy and Weeks anchored the 2005 Milwaukee infield and guided the team to its first .500 campaign in 13 years. Three years later, they guided the Brewers to the franchise’s first National League Wild Card berth – a return to the postseason for the first time since 1982 when they won the American League Championship and a berth in their lone World Series. The 2008 Brewers won 90 games for the first time in 16 seasons.

Hoffman, who retired following the 2010 season as the all-time Major League leader in saves (later passed by ), joins Aaron (1982), Rollie Fingers (1992), (1998), Robin Yount (1999) and (2004) as the only players to play for the Brewers and be elected to the Hall of Fame. Broadcaster was recognized by the Hall of Fame with the Ford C. Frick Award in 2003, and former owner and Commissioner Emeritus Allan H. (Bud) Selig was elected by the Hall’s Modern Baseball Era Committee in 2017.

Selected in the 11th Round of the 1989 June Free Agent Draft by the Reds, Hoffman was selected by the Marlins in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft and made his big league debut on April 6, 1993. Three months later, he was packaged in a trade to the Padres where he would spend the next 16 seasons and would earn six All-Star nominations and finish runner-up twice for the Award. He led the NL in saves twice, including posting a personal-best 53 saves in 1998.

Hardy was the 56th overall selection in the 2001 June First-Year Player Draft while Weeks followed as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2003 Draft.

A 13-year veteran, Hardy spent the first five seasons with the Brewers, maintaining a .262 batting average with 75 of his 188 career home runs and 265 of his 688 career RBI. In 2007, Hardy was named to the National League All-Star team and finished the season with a .277 average, 26 homers and 88 RBI.

Weeks spent 11 of his 14-year career with the Brewers, batting .249 with 148 of 161 career homers while driving in 430 of 474 runs in a Milwaukee uniform. In 2011, Weeks was named the starting second baseman for the NL All- Star Game and became the first Brewers player to steal a base in the Midsummer Classic. In the 2008 National League Division Series against the eventual world champion Phillies, Hardy led the Brewers with a .429 batting average, collecting six hits in 14 at-bats.

The following season, he was traded to the Twins for Carlos Gomez. In 2010, he was dealt to the Orioles and went on to have seven productive seasons where he won three Gold Gloves. In 2011, Hardy had a personal-high 30 hom- ers with 80 RBI and in 2013, he was named to the American League All-Star team.

Weeks was part of the Brewers’ 2008 and 2011 postseason teams, but his finest year with the Brewers came in 2010 when he led the National League with 764 plate appearances, 651 at-bats and 25 hit-by-pitch and was posting personal-bests in nearly every offensive department including 112 runs scored, 175 hits, 29 homers and 83 RBI.

Weeks went on to play with the Mariners, Diamondbacks and Rays, retiring following the 2017 season.

The Wall of Honor is a permanent display located on the third-base side of Miller Park adjacent to the Hot Corner entrance. Honorees on the wall each have a photo plaque with a brief synopsis of their career. The plaques are designed by Matthews International, designers of the plaques for the National Baseball Hall of Fame as well as the plaques on the Milwaukee Braves Wall of Honor at Miller Park.

Nominees for the Brewers Wall of Honor must meet one or more of the following:

 2,000 or more plate appearances  1,000 or more  250 appearances as a pitcher  Winner of a major award (MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, or Fireman of the Year)  Manager of a pennant-winner  General Manager for 10-plus years and postseason appearance  Individuals memorialized as a statue on the Miller Park Plaza  Members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame who have played or managed for the Brewers -Also alum who donned a Brewers uniform for any length of time, and who served as a primary broadcaster for a minimum of 20 seasons with the team

Members of the Brewers Wall of Honor , , , , , , , , , , , Craig Counsell, , , , , , Prince Fielder, Rollie Fingers, , , Bill Hall, , J.J. Hardy, Corey Hart, , Trevor Hoffman, , Geoff Jenkins, Harvey Kuenn, , , , Davey May, Bob McClure, , Paul Molitor, Don Money, , , , , , , , Bill Schroeder, George Scott, , Allan H. (Bud) Selig, , Ben Sheets, , , B.J. Surhoff, Don Sutton, , , Bob Uecker, Jose Valentin, , Fernando Vina, , Rickie Weeks, , and Robin Yount. Brewers Alumni in the Community

Larry Hisle, Manage ofYouth Outreach was featured on CBS 58. The piece highlights Larry’s baseball career on and off the field as he continues to do great work with youth in the community. The video can be found here: https://www.cbs58.com/news/life-of-larry-hisle Coming soon to Larry’s native hometown in Ohio, the Hisle Park Apartments project! A partnership between Shawnee Family Health Center and Portsmouth Metropolitan Housing Authority to build 45 units of Permanent Supportive Housing for Transitional Aged Youth. Transitional Aged Y outh are young adults ages 18-24 who are aging out of the foster care system, but they’re still kids. At the age of 18 these kids are turned out of the foster care system to fend for themselves regardless of whether they have finished high school. Too often they leave with no knowledge of how to care for themselves. If they are still in high school they usually drop out. They end up going back into the home they were removed from, they “sofa surf” or they end up on the streets. Thanks to the Hisle Park Apartments Project, they will now have a place to go. Congratulations Larry!

On February 15 & 16, , Jerry Augustine and mingled with fans who were camped out at Miller Park for the Arctic Tailgate event.

On March 1, Jerry Augustine joined front office staff at Victory School for Read Across America. Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss. Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers.

On March 14, sponsors and investors enjoyed a reception during Spring Training at The Arizona Biltmore Resort. Brewers alumni Rollie Fingers and Robin Yount were in attendance.

In support of Aurora and “Donate Life” Month, on On April 9, Ken Sanders and joined front April 5, Gorman Thomas made a visit to organ office staff and helped to prepare lunches for Ronald donors, recipients and the Aurora surgeons. Prior to McDonald House’s Lunch-2-Go program. the game, Gorman also took photos with Season Seatholders at one of their Season Seatholder Appreciation Days.

On February 23, Cecil Cooper was inducted into the Gorman Thomas won the gold medal for the best BBQ Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame. Congratulations, mustard sauce at the World Wide Mustard Competition in Cecil! Middleton, WI.

Upcoming Events June 7: Negro Leagues Tribute Game July 13: Cerveceros Night

August 9: Wall of Honor Induction Ceremony

Upcoming Alumni All-Fan Giveaways

June 30: Prince Fielder Bobblehead

If you are interested in attending any of the events listed, have ticket requests or any other alumni needs, please contact Katina Shaw at (414) 902-4532 or via email [email protected]

Top View