While the Milwaukee Brewers continue to keep their playoff hopes alive, the team keeps winning at the gate.
Attendance, after 70 home games, stands at eighth in Major League Baseball. The Brewers have drawn 2,498,346 fans to Miller Park, averaging 35,690 fans per game. Should that average continue through the final 11 home games, the club would finish the year at 2,890,936 -- just over 109,000 shy of the three million mark.
That's better than their 2018 total, when 2,850,875 showed up (good for 10th in the MLB).
Let's put this season in perspective. The Tampa Bay Rays are currently locked into a wild card spot with an 82-59 record (trailing the front-running New York Yankees in the American League East by 9 1/2 games). The only team worse than Tampa? Those mighty Miami Marlins, averaging UNDER 10,000 a contest. Anyone out there want to question the logic of professional baseball in Florida?
Despite a winning record, the Rays are second-to last in MLB, averaging under 15,000 fans a game. On Tuesday, for example, they attracted just 6,844 bodies. Milwaukee, in comparison, had a crowd of 29,335.
You can bet that the next four games with the Chicago Cubs will bring attract 39,000+ each game. And the Brew Crew will need to win at least three of those to stay relevant and in the chase.
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Friday, August 23, 2019
There's Got To Be A Better Way For NFL Preseason Games
Come on and say it with me -- the NFL preseason/exhibition format sucks!
Many teams aren't playing their starters (see the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams for example), yet the owners still charge full-game prices to watch a bunch of players named "WhoDat".
Ridiculous.
And Thursday's Packers-Raiders game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada -- a totally FUBARed situation -- only exasperates the situation. Playing on an 80-yard-long field? Seriously? Put the blame on the Raiders (they shopped around for a game site after stepping away from $500,000 to rent the Oakland Coliseum for the game) and the NFL itself for not stepping in earlier and making sure the field was up to their standards.
There has to be a better alternative, one which the players AND the owners can find middle ground and agree. The owners, bless their money-grubbing hearts, want to see an 18-game regular season. The players, concerned about player health, want to stay at 16 but probably wouldn't mind an extra off-week.
So here's what I'm proposing (in my role of NFL Commissioner For A Day)...
The Canadian Football League has been around for a long, long time. Known as the CFL since 1958, it's roots actually go back to the 1800's and rugby. But by 1909, our neighbors to the north had moved away from their rugby roots and more towards American football.
North of the border, the league plays two preseason games, 18 regular season games AND still gives teams three bye weeks during the course of the season. The season starts the end of May, finishes up Thanksgiving weekend. That's six months of play.
The NFL currently starts playing in August, wraps up the first weekend in February -- roughly six months. So, if the league would turn the last two preseason games into regular season tilts (still a home and away format), provide two to three bye weeks, doesn't it seem like a win-win.
I would take it a step farther and eliminate the pathetic Thursday night games. OR assure teams of a bye week going into that Thursday game, thus ensuring a better product on the field.
And here's something the NFL Players Association could go for -- expand game-day rosters from 52 to 58 and the practice squad from 10 to 15 players. That's more jobs, more NFLPA members (and dues) and a few more bodies for Special Teams, etc.
Got a better idea? I'm listening.
Many teams aren't playing their starters (see the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams for example), yet the owners still charge full-game prices to watch a bunch of players named "WhoDat".
Ridiculous.
And Thursday's Packers-Raiders game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada -- a totally FUBARed situation -- only exasperates the situation. Playing on an 80-yard-long field? Seriously? Put the blame on the Raiders (they shopped around for a game site after stepping away from $500,000 to rent the Oakland Coliseum for the game) and the NFL itself for not stepping in earlier and making sure the field was up to their standards.
There has to be a better alternative, one which the players AND the owners can find middle ground and agree. The owners, bless their money-grubbing hearts, want to see an 18-game regular season. The players, concerned about player health, want to stay at 16 but probably wouldn't mind an extra off-week.
So here's what I'm proposing (in my role of NFL Commissioner For A Day)...
The Canadian Football League has been around for a long, long time. Known as the CFL since 1958, it's roots actually go back to the 1800's and rugby. But by 1909, our neighbors to the north had moved away from their rugby roots and more towards American football.
North of the border, the league plays two preseason games, 18 regular season games AND still gives teams three bye weeks during the course of the season. The season starts the end of May, finishes up Thanksgiving weekend. That's six months of play.
The NFL currently starts playing in August, wraps up the first weekend in February -- roughly six months. So, if the league would turn the last two preseason games into regular season tilts (still a home and away format), provide two to three bye weeks, doesn't it seem like a win-win.
I would take it a step farther and eliminate the pathetic Thursday night games. OR assure teams of a bye week going into that Thursday game, thus ensuring a better product on the field.
And here's something the NFL Players Association could go for -- expand game-day rosters from 52 to 58 and the practice squad from 10 to 15 players. That's more jobs, more NFLPA members (and dues) and a few more bodies for Special Teams, etc.
Got a better idea? I'm listening.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Who Gets The Heisman?
Once Upon A Time...
...the Heisman Trophy was presented to the "best" college football player in America. Not the winningest, not the one with the biggest media machine. But the best football player.
Maybe that's why, in 1956, Paul Hornung of Notre Dame won the Heisman -- despite a 2-8 record!
You read that right. As a senior, Hornung's Fighting Irish won just two games. Yet the versatile Hornung, the 'Golden Boy" who would go on to a Hall of Fame career with the Green Bay Packers, was named the best college football player in the country.
He completed 49 of 111 passes for 917 yards with three touchdowns and 13 interceptions; he ran 94 times for 420 yards (a 4.5 average) and six touchdowns; he caught three passes for 26 yards. Hornung was responsible for 45.86% of Notre Dame's offense that season.
Sadly, those days are done. College football has evolved. Today, the Heisman seems to go to the best QUARTERBACK in the college world, usually the one who has won a national title or put up amazing numbers. Of the last 19 Heisman's, 16 have gone to quarterbacks.
So that means that Wisconsin's junior running back, Jonathan Taylor (who in two years totaled 4,171 yards and 29 touchdowns, including 2,194 yards and 16 TDs last season) is probably a long-shot to win the Heisman. The odds are also pretty good that Taylor will declare for the NFL draft after his junior season.
...the Heisman Trophy was presented to the "best" college football player in America. Not the winningest, not the one with the biggest media machine. But the best football player.
Maybe that's why, in 1956, Paul Hornung of Notre Dame won the Heisman -- despite a 2-8 record!
You read that right. As a senior, Hornung's Fighting Irish won just two games. Yet the versatile Hornung, the 'Golden Boy" who would go on to a Hall of Fame career with the Green Bay Packers, was named the best college football player in the country.
He completed 49 of 111 passes for 917 yards with three touchdowns and 13 interceptions; he ran 94 times for 420 yards (a 4.5 average) and six touchdowns; he caught three passes for 26 yards. Hornung was responsible for 45.86% of Notre Dame's offense that season.
Sadly, those days are done. College football has evolved. Today, the Heisman seems to go to the best QUARTERBACK in the college world, usually the one who has won a national title or put up amazing numbers. Of the last 19 Heisman's, 16 have gone to quarterbacks.
So that means that Wisconsin's junior running back, Jonathan Taylor (who in two years totaled 4,171 yards and 29 touchdowns, including 2,194 yards and 16 TDs last season) is probably a long-shot to win the Heisman. The odds are also pretty good that Taylor will declare for the NFL draft after his junior season.
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
'Bama Visiting Camp Randall Great For College Football
It's about damn time!
That's my first thought yesterday when the University of Wisconsin announced a home-and-home football series with the Crimson Tide of Alabama, set for 2024 and 2025.
Seems like forever since an SEC team visited Madison's Camp Randall. Well, not quite forever -- just since 1971 when LSU's Tigers came to town and won 38-28, then repeated that in 1972 at Baton Rouge.
Granted, the Badgers have played a couple games against SEC foes in recent memory -- against Alabama in 2015 and LSU in 2016 -- but both were those pesky "neutral sight" games. Alabama hosted at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and Wisconsin hosted at Green Bay's Lambeau Field. And Bucky will face Notre Dame in neutral sight games in 2020 (Lambeau Field) and 2021 (Soldier Field in Chicago).
So what's my point? That getting the Crimson Tide in a campus setting is HUGE! It's great for college football, and even more so for the home town fans. Most SEC teams just will not play non-conference games north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Granted, getting schedules to match up is hard. To book Alabama, for example, the Badgers shifted a home-and-home with Virginia Tech to 2031 and 2032. Seems a little odd, I'm sure, but that's a long way off. Other similar foes are Washington State (2022, 2023), Pittsburgh (2026, 2027) and UCLA (2029, 2030).
But going along with that is one question -- Will those teams be any good when Wisconsin plays them? And how good will the Badgers be? You hope that all involved will be competitive, but the fact remains it's a crap shoot.
I will go out on a limb here and state that Alabama will definitely be competitive. Will the Badgers be up to the task? We'll have to wait and see.
We do, after all, have the 2019 season to worry about first! More on that down the road.
That's my first thought yesterday when the University of Wisconsin announced a home-and-home football series with the Crimson Tide of Alabama, set for 2024 and 2025.
Seems like forever since an SEC team visited Madison's Camp Randall. Well, not quite forever -- just since 1971 when LSU's Tigers came to town and won 38-28, then repeated that in 1972 at Baton Rouge.
Granted, the Badgers have played a couple games against SEC foes in recent memory -- against Alabama in 2015 and LSU in 2016 -- but both were those pesky "neutral sight" games. Alabama hosted at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and Wisconsin hosted at Green Bay's Lambeau Field. And Bucky will face Notre Dame in neutral sight games in 2020 (Lambeau Field) and 2021 (Soldier Field in Chicago).
So what's my point? That getting the Crimson Tide in a campus setting is HUGE! It's great for college football, and even more so for the home town fans. Most SEC teams just will not play non-conference games north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Granted, getting schedules to match up is hard. To book Alabama, for example, the Badgers shifted a home-and-home with Virginia Tech to 2031 and 2032. Seems a little odd, I'm sure, but that's a long way off. Other similar foes are Washington State (2022, 2023), Pittsburgh (2026, 2027) and UCLA (2029, 2030).
But going along with that is one question -- Will those teams be any good when Wisconsin plays them? And how good will the Badgers be? You hope that all involved will be competitive, but the fact remains it's a crap shoot.
I will go out on a limb here and state that Alabama will definitely be competitive. Will the Badgers be up to the task? We'll have to wait and see.
We do, after all, have the 2019 season to worry about first! More on that down the road.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
State Roads Give Me An Axe To Grind
Veering off the sports road, I'm headed to a column on a topic that is driving me crazy.
The state, or lack thereof, of Wisconsin roads -- and the crap flowing from the powers-that-be as to how to pay for repairs.
One side says hey, let's charge MORE to state drivers via higher registration and titles. Seems to me that's a tax on Wisconsin citizens, hidden in the term "fees". And all the folks who come to enjoy our state don't pay a dime.
The other side says let's raise the gas tax, thereby having not only Wisconsin citizens, but those wonderful visitors from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota & Michigan help improve our infrastructure.
OH NO! says the other side, that's a tax and we can't raise taxes.
Seriously? It amounts to probably two bucks a week. That's pretty much the price of a cup of coffee...or a scratch-off card.
I think we could all absorb that.
The state, or lack thereof, of Wisconsin roads -- and the crap flowing from the powers-that-be as to how to pay for repairs.
One side says hey, let's charge MORE to state drivers via higher registration and titles. Seems to me that's a tax on Wisconsin citizens, hidden in the term "fees". And all the folks who come to enjoy our state don't pay a dime.
The other side says let's raise the gas tax, thereby having not only Wisconsin citizens, but those wonderful visitors from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota & Michigan help improve our infrastructure.
OH NO! says the other side, that's a tax and we can't raise taxes.
Seriously? It amounts to probably two bucks a week. That's pretty much the price of a cup of coffee...or a scratch-off card.
I think we could all absorb that.
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
One-Third Of The Way Through Milwaukee's Season
I was at the health club the other morning (yes, it's true!) and as I paused during the workout, one of the guys who works there stopped by to chat.
Tony is built like an up-right freezer with legs -- not the look I'm shooting for but a nice guy none the less.
He stopped by the machine I was on, paused and said "So, what's wrong with the Brewers? I don't follow baseball much, but I see them losing a lot. You went to Opening Day, right? Thought I would ask you ..."
Well, Tony, Milwaukee is a a little over a third of the way through the season, posting a 38-28 record. That mark is good enough to put them in a tie for the Central Division lead with the hated Chicago Cubs.
That's not a bad record, all things considered. Being 10 games above .500 after the very tough opening schedule, one that featured a LOT of Cardinals, Cubs and Dodgers. I'm satisfied with that, despite the up-and-down pitching the team has shown.
Still, pitching seems to be a bit of a sore spot. Granted, most EVERY team wants better pitching. But Milwaukee needs better pitching. Beyond the surprising seasons that Brandon Woodruff (8-1, 3.87 ERA) and Zach Davies (7-0, 2.41 ERA), the staff has been a bit shaky. Jhoulys Chacin, currently on the Injured List, has struggled and while he was good over the weekend, Chase Anderson....yes, indeed...chase him off the mound and right out of Milwaukee.
Gio Gonzalaz was signed to eat up innings, but is on the IL as well. And Jimmy Nelson just returned to the mound after 21 months since his injury -- he's getting his sea legs again.
Milwaukee missed on free agents Craig Kimbrel (Chicago Cubs) and Dallas Keuchel (Atlanta Braves), but when you consider their price tags, it may have been a smart decision. The Cubs overpaid for save specialist Kimbrel (three years at $43 million) and Keuchel took a one-year deal with the Braves for $13 million.
The Brewers are already paying $120 million in salary this season. General Manager David Stearns is wise to bide his time and make a trade or two with teams like Toronto, Baltimore or Kansas City -- teams that may be looking for an influx of more young talent.
And, of course, Milwaukee could dangle Eric Thames as bait, since his numbers are more attractive now than struggling Jesus Aguilar.
Expect a move or two to strengthen the starting pitching and the bullpen. But all in all, this Brewer offense is good enough to take Milwaukee to another trip to the post-season.
Tony is built like an up-right freezer with legs -- not the look I'm shooting for but a nice guy none the less.
He stopped by the machine I was on, paused and said "So, what's wrong with the Brewers? I don't follow baseball much, but I see them losing a lot. You went to Opening Day, right? Thought I would ask you ..."
Well, Tony, Milwaukee is a a little over a third of the way through the season, posting a 38-28 record. That mark is good enough to put them in a tie for the Central Division lead with the hated Chicago Cubs.
That's not a bad record, all things considered. Being 10 games above .500 after the very tough opening schedule, one that featured a LOT of Cardinals, Cubs and Dodgers. I'm satisfied with that, despite the up-and-down pitching the team has shown.
Still, pitching seems to be a bit of a sore spot. Granted, most EVERY team wants better pitching. But Milwaukee needs better pitching. Beyond the surprising seasons that Brandon Woodruff (8-1, 3.87 ERA) and Zach Davies (7-0, 2.41 ERA), the staff has been a bit shaky. Jhoulys Chacin, currently on the Injured List, has struggled and while he was good over the weekend, Chase Anderson....yes, indeed...chase him off the mound and right out of Milwaukee.
Gio Gonzalaz was signed to eat up innings, but is on the IL as well. And Jimmy Nelson just returned to the mound after 21 months since his injury -- he's getting his sea legs again.
Milwaukee missed on free agents Craig Kimbrel (Chicago Cubs) and Dallas Keuchel (Atlanta Braves), but when you consider their price tags, it may have been a smart decision. The Cubs overpaid for save specialist Kimbrel (three years at $43 million) and Keuchel took a one-year deal with the Braves for $13 million.
The Brewers are already paying $120 million in salary this season. General Manager David Stearns is wise to bide his time and make a trade or two with teams like Toronto, Baltimore or Kansas City -- teams that may be looking for an influx of more young talent.
And, of course, Milwaukee could dangle Eric Thames as bait, since his numbers are more attractive now than struggling Jesus Aguilar.
Expect a move or two to strengthen the starting pitching and the bullpen. But all in all, this Brewer offense is good enough to take Milwaukee to another trip to the post-season.
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Hey Bucks Fans -- Focus On The Positives
It seems that, when it comes to the NBA playoffs, teams gotta learn to walk before they can run. After all, didn't Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls struggle for several seasons to get past the roadblock that the Detroit Pistons provided.
I think it worked out pretty well for Mike. Six titles (two threepeats there). He may well have had eight if he hadn't left to play baseball. Of course, that self-imposed exile is still a tad questionable...
So it's no surprise to me that the Milwaukee Bucks came up short of playing for the NBA championship this season. Yes, the Giannis Antetokounmpo-fueled squad won a league-best 60 games this season. And yes, they won topped Detroit and Boston in the playoffs. Still, there are those who are SEVERELY disappointed that the squad won't get a chance to take on the Golden State Warriors.
Seriously? To many Bucks fans, just getting a series win in the playoffs was great. Everything after that was house money.
When the Bucks, two years in existence, made the playoffs and lost in the conference finals (4-1 to the New York Knicks), they did so led by rookie hall-of-fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then known as Lew Alcindor).
Over the course of five Jabbar's five seasons (1970-1974), Milwaukee made the conference finals four times, won a title in 1971 and lost to the Boston Celtics in the 1974 finals (4-3).
After that season, the Bucks traded Jabbar -- who wanted out of the city -- to the Los Angeles Lakers for a boatload of draft picks and players.
While Milwaukee may or may not have that long a run with The Greek Freak, enjoy this season and those that follow.
The Bucks will need to make some difficult decisions in the coming weeks -- whether to resign Brooks Lopez, Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon for example. It's best to look at this with a practical eye, as Giannis will become a free agent in 2021.
giannis antetokounmpo
I think it worked out pretty well for Mike. Six titles (two threepeats there). He may well have had eight if he hadn't left to play baseball. Of course, that self-imposed exile is still a tad questionable...
So it's no surprise to me that the Milwaukee Bucks came up short of playing for the NBA championship this season. Yes, the Giannis Antetokounmpo-fueled squad won a league-best 60 games this season. And yes, they won topped Detroit and Boston in the playoffs. Still, there are those who are SEVERELY disappointed that the squad won't get a chance to take on the Golden State Warriors.
Seriously? To many Bucks fans, just getting a series win in the playoffs was great. Everything after that was house money.
When the Bucks, two years in existence, made the playoffs and lost in the conference finals (4-1 to the New York Knicks), they did so led by rookie hall-of-fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then known as Lew Alcindor).
Over the course of five Jabbar's five seasons (1970-1974), Milwaukee made the conference finals four times, won a title in 1971 and lost to the Boston Celtics in the 1974 finals (4-3).
After that season, the Bucks traded Jabbar -- who wanted out of the city -- to the Los Angeles Lakers for a boatload of draft picks and players.
While Milwaukee may or may not have that long a run with The Greek Freak, enjoy this season and those that follow.
The Bucks will need to make some difficult decisions in the coming weeks -- whether to resign Brooks Lopez, Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon for example. It's best to look at this with a practical eye, as Giannis will become a free agent in 2021.
giannis antetokounmpo
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Packers' Royalty Passes Away
With great sadness, I learned today of the passing of Bryan Bartlett Starr. Sad to think that this all-time great will never again get a chance to walk onto Lambeau Field.
Starr, the Hall of Fame quarterback who, like his peers, called his own plays and ran the offense his way -- after building that playbook with Lombardi. This wasn't the era of passers throwing for 4,000 yards a season. This was an era of game control; for Green Bay, that was Jimmy Taylor and Paul Hornung on the Packer Sweep, turning the corner behind guards Fuzzy Thurston and Jerry Kramer.
Starr and his wife of 65 years, Cherry, are probably the closest thing to royalty that Wisconsin has ever seen. The Starrs, in 1965, were involved in starting the Rawhide Boys Ranch to give back to the community. Based in New London, it continues today to offer at-risk youth programs, programs that help reshape lives and provide counseling services for boys, girls, adults and families.
For years, and on his own, Starr would call Green Bay draft picks and welcome them to the Packer family. Not even an ill-advised stint as head coach could dim the shine on this Starr. Without any coaching experience, he responded when the franchise asked him to come in as head coach -- because of the loyalty he felt to the Green Bay Packers. From 1975-83, he directed the Packers to a 53-77-3 record (he was 1-1 in the playoffs).
Despite that lack of success as a coach, Starr is beloved by Packer fans. Whenever he returned to Lambeau Field for Packer Alumni reunions, no one received a bigger ovation than Bart Starr, no matter who shared the field with him.
Remember when former persona non grata Brett Favre returned to be honored and mend fences, Packer faithful forgave him because Bart Starr, attending Favre's special evening despite health issues that included a couple of strokes.
RIP Bart. Gone, but never forgotten by Packer Nation.
Starr, the Hall of Fame quarterback who, like his peers, called his own plays and ran the offense his way -- after building that playbook with Lombardi. This wasn't the era of passers throwing for 4,000 yards a season. This was an era of game control; for Green Bay, that was Jimmy Taylor and Paul Hornung on the Packer Sweep, turning the corner behind guards Fuzzy Thurston and Jerry Kramer.
Starr and his wife of 65 years, Cherry, are probably the closest thing to royalty that Wisconsin has ever seen. The Starrs, in 1965, were involved in starting the Rawhide Boys Ranch to give back to the community. Based in New London, it continues today to offer at-risk youth programs, programs that help reshape lives and provide counseling services for boys, girls, adults and families.
For years, and on his own, Starr would call Green Bay draft picks and welcome them to the Packer family. Not even an ill-advised stint as head coach could dim the shine on this Starr. Without any coaching experience, he responded when the franchise asked him to come in as head coach -- because of the loyalty he felt to the Green Bay Packers. From 1975-83, he directed the Packers to a 53-77-3 record (he was 1-1 in the playoffs).
Despite that lack of success as a coach, Starr is beloved by Packer fans. Whenever he returned to Lambeau Field for Packer Alumni reunions, no one received a bigger ovation than Bart Starr, no matter who shared the field with him.
Remember when former persona non grata Brett Favre returned to be honored and mend fences, Packer faithful forgave him because Bart Starr, attending Favre's special evening despite health issues that included a couple of strokes.
RIP Bart. Gone, but never forgotten by Packer Nation.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Funding A Shot Clock For Wisconsin High School Basketball
The Final Four is this weekend, and you've got to admit that the speed of the game is, by and large, amazing. That's thanks to the three-point shot and the shot clock -- those of us that are a of a certain age will recall the boring games that North Carolina's four-corner (lack of) offense brought us.
Thank the basketball gods for the shot clock.
It's just a matter of time before high school basketball in Wisconsin sees the addition of a shot clock.
Coaches are all for it, many other states already have moved that direction. It would seem the cost factor to various school districts big and small might be the major obstacle.
There's a simple solution -- sponsorship.
Would it be a slam-dunk public relations move for the Milwaukee Bucks to step up and fund this for the 529 teams, schools that range in enrollment from 2,529 down to 29. Of the 529 teams, 38 play an independent schedule while the rest find home in 62 conferences (some of which are divided into two or three divisions).
There are other corporate possibilities as well, and perhaps a "team effort" from one or many would make sense. Candidates based in the state, or with state ties, could include Kwik-Trip, American Family Insurance, Rural Insurance, Johnsonville, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Palmero's, Orv's, Jack's or Tombstone.
Hell, I would even throw the Green Bay Packers into the mix, based on their state-wide support and recognition. Or how about a Bucks-Packers-Brewers combo for funding the effort?
Granted, I don't have cost figures on what it would take to put shot clocks in every high school gym in Wisconsin. But I'm sure that sponsorship would help ease the burden for most school districts.
And it makes more sense to bring in a state-based business as opposed to the typical Coke/Pepsi backing.
Thank the basketball gods for the shot clock.
It's just a matter of time before high school basketball in Wisconsin sees the addition of a shot clock.
Coaches are all for it, many other states already have moved that direction. It would seem the cost factor to various school districts big and small might be the major obstacle.
There's a simple solution -- sponsorship.
Would it be a slam-dunk public relations move for the Milwaukee Bucks to step up and fund this for the 529 teams, schools that range in enrollment from 2,529 down to 29. Of the 529 teams, 38 play an independent schedule while the rest find home in 62 conferences (some of which are divided into two or three divisions).
There are other corporate possibilities as well, and perhaps a "team effort" from one or many would make sense. Candidates based in the state, or with state ties, could include Kwik-Trip, American Family Insurance, Rural Insurance, Johnsonville, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Palmero's, Orv's, Jack's or Tombstone.
Hell, I would even throw the Green Bay Packers into the mix, based on their state-wide support and recognition. Or how about a Bucks-Packers-Brewers combo for funding the effort?
Granted, I don't have cost figures on what it would take to put shot clocks in every high school gym in Wisconsin. But I'm sure that sponsorship would help ease the burden for most school districts.
And it makes more sense to bring in a state-based business as opposed to the typical Coke/Pepsi backing.
Monday, April 1, 2019
Brewers Off To Hot Start
Made my annual pilgrimage to Milwaukee for the Brewers' home opener. I think this was my 28th (posting a record of 17-11)...probably the 27th in a row.
Gotta say this was probably the most exciting, and memorable, home opener in my experience. From Christian Yelich and his three-run home run to that incredible game-saving catch from Lorenzo Cain, it was a great day for the crowd of 45,304. Miller's capacity is 41,900 -- so another GREAT day for attendance.
What stood out to me more than Cain's catch was his exuberance, his sheer joy, afterwards, running towards Ryan Braun, hurling the ball towards the Miller Park roof, huge smile on his face. I love to see this group of players enjoying the game and each other. I'm not sure where that ball came down, if it ever did.
National projections for this edition have the defending NL Central champions winning 86.5 games. Last year, counting the one-game playoff to win the Central, the BrewCrew notched 96 wins -- I had projected an 89-73 record. This year, the pesky St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs are better. And while the Brewers improved their every-day lineup, their pitching remains a question -- especially in light of closer Corey Knebel being out for the season with Tommy John surgery.
I see Milwaukee's 89 wins giving the squad the NL Central title again. That everyday lineup should be good enough to get the Brewers to the World Series. After the club won 5-4 Sunday, taking the opening series from the Cardinals, 3 games to 1, I'm even more encouraged.
By the way, the Brewers will celebrate 50 years in Milwaukee next season -- though the team technically met that mark this year, as the Seattle Pilots entered the league in 1969 for a one season run before relocating to Milwaukee.
Gotta say this was probably the most exciting, and memorable, home opener in my experience. From Christian Yelich and his three-run home run to that incredible game-saving catch from Lorenzo Cain, it was a great day for the crowd of 45,304. Miller's capacity is 41,900 -- so another GREAT day for attendance.
What stood out to me more than Cain's catch was his exuberance, his sheer joy, afterwards, running towards Ryan Braun, hurling the ball towards the Miller Park roof, huge smile on his face. I love to see this group of players enjoying the game and each other. I'm not sure where that ball came down, if it ever did.
National projections for this edition have the defending NL Central champions winning 86.5 games. Last year, counting the one-game playoff to win the Central, the BrewCrew notched 96 wins -- I had projected an 89-73 record. This year, the pesky St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs are better. And while the Brewers improved their every-day lineup, their pitching remains a question -- especially in light of closer Corey Knebel being out for the season with Tommy John surgery.
I see Milwaukee's 89 wins giving the squad the NL Central title again. That everyday lineup should be good enough to get the Brewers to the World Series. After the club won 5-4 Sunday, taking the opening series from the Cardinals, 3 games to 1, I'm even more encouraged.
By the way, the Brewers will celebrate 50 years in Milwaukee next season -- though the team technically met that mark this year, as the Seattle Pilots entered the league in 1969 for a one season run before relocating to Milwaukee.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)