One of the many reasons I love baseball is the nostalgia factor. The history and continuity between players and eras and fans melds in such a poetic way, and it’s another reason Brewers fans should be thankful that we have someone like Bob Uecker to help us bridge these gaps.
While I’ve been a Brewers fan my whole life, I stepped up my game in 1994 and haven’t looked back. I’ve seen an awful lot of bad Brewers come and go, but some of them were great.
Here are seven recent Brewers pitchers that I would love to get back. Even if these weren’t necessarily the best players, they each brought something special to the crew.
1. C.C. Sabathia
I’ve never seen a pitcher like C.C. during his short stint with the Brewers, and I doubt I ever will again. His performance in 2008 was beyond dominating, and when the Yankees poached him, I was reminded again why baseball’s salary inequity will ultimately destroy small-market teams’ chances for sustained greatness. Had the Crew signed him after that season, they would’ve won the World Series in 2011.
2. Zack Greinke
You could say the same for Greinke, although I didn’t especially like his attitude on the team (secret injury during pickup game of basketball?!?). But you can’t argue with results. What an excellent, technical pitcher. I’m surprised he’s been able to handle life in L.A., though.
3. John Axford
I just miss Ax, but mostly for his personality and love for Milwaukee. He embraced the community, the Milwaukee Film Festival and the mustache. Classy, funny and approachable, he represented the Brewers so well. I still root for him.
4. Chris Capuano
So tenacious and tough, Cap worked so hard to rehab from his multiple injuries, and he clearly wanted to be a Brewer. Another guy I wish continued success.
5. Yovani Gallardo
Yo had his personality flaws (who among us doesn't?), but he was a hard worker, and when he was on, he was great. I wonder what the future holds for him.
6. Brooks Kieschnick
PHOTO: Getty Images
Fine, he wasn’t a dominating pitcher, but the fact that he was a legitimate threat on both sides of the plate made him such an interesting player. He’s pretty good on Twitter, too.
7. Seth McClung
I’m biased on this one, because Big Red is a friend of mine, but McClung loved being a Brewer. He loved Milwaukee and he loved playing baseball. Things have been tough for him lately but he’s working through it. Had he started that wildcard game in 2008 instead of Jeff Suppan, the Brewers could’ve gone deeper into the playoffs.
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
