A new feature, "Gumby Talks Ball," kicks off with this column. Former Brewer Jim Gantner will talk baseball with the Review periodically.

The River Coffee House, a great place in the Greenleaves Center in Hartland, sponsors the feature. It's owned by Gumby and his wife, Sue. Here are some of Gumby's thoughts on the All Star Game and what the Brewers need to do in the second half:

"I thought the honor for Cal (Ripken) and Tony (Gwynn) was great. They have had such great careers and contributed so much to the game. It was very deserved.

"I remember playing second base when Cal was a rookie. He wore Adidas spikes, and they were very sharp. He came into second, with a good, clean slide, but caught me with his spikes. I ripped up two toes. Had to go get stitches. He showed already then that he was a hardnosed player.

"His steadiness and endurance have been remarkable. He had to go out there sick, or hurt at times. I don't think any modern day player can break that record.

"The Lasorda thing was funny. (Tommy Lasorda, serving as an honorary third base coach, was knocked off his feet when Vladimir Guerrero's broken bat flew down to the coaching box.) I thought Zimmer and those other guys were going to die laughing. He bounced right back up though. He must be off that Slim Fast. He had trimmed down pretty good, but it looks like the weight is back on.

"I was glad to see Sheets get into the game, even if it was for only one batter. I thought the managers did a good job of trying to get everybody into the game. You can never satisfy everybody in those situations.

"I think it will be very exciting to have the All Star Game in Milwaukee next season. They have a great facility for it. I know the Brewers will put on a great show.

"As for what the Brewers have to do, first is get healthy. Hopefully, they can get their pitching back to where it was early in the season. Their bullpen has been great. Starting pitching will be the key.

{INSERT_RELATED}

"They also have to make better contact and move runners. I know Rod Carew has been stressing that. I used to see Gorman (Thomas) widen his stance with two strikes, or with runners on base, and move runners, even though he was a big strikeout guy. I saw him hit homers from that stance. Those guys are so strong they don't have to swing from their heels. You can do it if you discipline yourself.

"As for some of the trade rumors, I wouldn't trade Loretta. He's so versatile. It's not easy to get a player like that. He also hits for average and goes to all fields. They need more of that."

Look for more "Gumby Talks Ball" features in future columns. And, try some great Alterra java at his coffee house in Hartland. There also is a great bookstore next store called Bennings Books that carries some excellent baseball books.

Walk Of Fame

Rollie Fingers, Henry Aaron, Paul Molitor and Robin Yount were the first inductees into the Brewers Walk Of Fame outside Miller Park. All four attended a ceremony before Thursday's game with the Minnesota Twins.

"This is the history of our franchise," commissioner Bud Selig said, gesturing to the four during the ceremony. "We thank you for your dedication to the franchise and community."

All four emphasized how much the honor meant. "I'm honored to go in with the other members of this class," said the always-modest Yount.

"Milwaukee has always treated me so well," Aaron said. "I played with Robin and Paul when they were young. I watched Rollie play. It is a real honor to be part of the first group to go into the Walk of Fame."

Molitor said any hard feelings about his leaving as a free agent to Toronto have been long gone. "I have warm memories of my 15 years here, and the organization and community," Molitor said.

AL Plaque Dedication

Shortly after the Walk of Fame ceremony Thursday, baseball history also was celebrated downtown. You could almost see the old Republican House Hotel, with several baseball legends in Room 185 preparing to change baseball forever.

Members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), meeting in Milwaukee for their annual convention, gathered on Old World Third Street, outside the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel parking lot, where the hotel once stood. These lovers of baseball history helped dedicate a plaque that commemorates the incorporation of the American League, which took place in the hotel on March 5,1900.

The Journal Communications and Milwaukee Historical Society co-sponsored the plaque. Charles Comiskey III, the grandson of one of the founders of the AL, unveiled the plaque.

Player of the Week

Jose Hernandez hit two home runs in the game before the All Star break to earn the honor. Richie Sexson and Geoff Jenkins homered to save a little face in the Crew's embarrassing 13-5 loss to the Twins Thursday, but no Brewer played well enough to qualify for Player of the Week.

Play of the Week

It didn't involve a Brewer, but the Play of the Week has to be Lasorda's tumbling act during the All Star Game. Tommy looked a little like a stuffed bear the way he tumbled on the ground after Vladimir Guerrero's bat grazed him. Everybody in the place got a good laugh out of it, including Lasorda. Luckily, the 73-year-old legend was not hurt.

Goat of the Week

Jimmy Haynes earned the dubious honor for getting the second half of the season off to an atrocious start. His line in 2.1 innings included seven runs on six hits, including four home runs. Three of the Twins' homers came in succession.

Maybe next year, when the All Star Game comes to Milwaukee, Haynes can serve as the pitcher for the home run contest.

Review and Preview

Thanks largely to Haynes' pitiful performance; the Brewers got the post All Star segment of the season off to a horrible start with the 13-5 loss.

Manager Davey Lopes showed more fire than he has in two seasons when he blew up at the umpires after pitcher Will Cunnane was warned for throwing two inside pitches after Haynes gave up his three consecutive homers. Lopes was ejected.

The Brewers have two more games with the red hot Twins. Then, the Chicago White Sox come to town for an interleague version of the I-94 Rivalry. Pitcher Mac Suzuki, who was picked up from Colorado Thursday, could get a start on Monday. For more on Suzuki, see a story on The Brew Crew Review Message Board.

Gregg Hoffmann publishes The Brew Crew Review on Mondays and Fridays and maintains a special news and message board on OMC.