Eddie Mathews was my hero. He hit a home run in the first game I ever attended at Milwaukee County Stadium. I learned his habits, of not stepping on the first base line while going to his position and always stepping on the third base bag before starting to take ground balls.
I imitated his batting stance, even though I was a right-handed hitter and he was a lefty. Whether Eddie was hitting one of his 512 homers, knocking down a hard grounder at third and throwing out the runner or fighting with Frank Robinson or another opponent, I loved everything he did.
Mathews was tough. He was strong. He had the knack for coming through with the big hit or play at the crucial moment of a game.
In the 1950s, when we still created heroes out of mere mortals, Mathews was the prototype. Forget the fact he drank too much at times and even had a couple brushes with the law. We were willing to ignore those things in those days, if a man had a knack for the heroic feat.
I remember meeting Mathews as an adult, during the Cooperstown induction ceremony for Hank Aaron. It was one of those "growing up" experiences we all have. I already was a sportswriter and was going to interview my boyhood hero.
I remember being struck by the fact he already was a bit stoop-shouldered. I remember the nervous twitch of his eyes, which he always had, gave me the impression that he was an old man. But, I still idolized him.
I was fortunate to interview my hero again, for my book, "Down in the Valley: The History of Milwaukee County Stadium." In fact, it was one of the last extensive interviews Mathews did before he started having problems with congestive heart failure, which eventually took his life.
Mathews was open about how much he loved playing in Milwaukee: "You had to be there and live it to really understand. You can talk about these other towns, but there was nothing like Milwaukee when we played there. It wasn't just Milwaukee. It was the whole state and surrounding states."
Eddie told the story of playing the Yankees in the World Series: "We were young kids, playing the pros in the Yankees. I hit a homer that got us back on track. The crowd exploded. I remember the next day, there was a billboard up near the stadium that had my picture on it and the word 'hero.' I don't know how they did it so quickly, but that was how it was in Milwaukee back then."
Mathews also told of his sadness when the Braves left Milwaukee. "As you might expect, that was an emotional night. Most of the players didn't want to leave. Aaron and I had been around the longest, and we certainly didn't want to leave.
"The fans cheered us all night, but when I came up in the bottom of the eighth, for what looked like the last time in Milwaukee, the fans gave me about a two-minute standing ovation. I was overwhelmed. My eyes filled with tears. I tried to bat, but I had to step out of the batters box three or four times. I know I finally did bat. I don't remember it though. Everything was a blur."
I will always cherish that final interview with Mathews and appreciate his willingness to bare his emotions. I knew it wasn't easy for a man who had such a reputation for being a tough, slugging hero.
The ultimate "growing up" experience for me came when my parents died. Suddenly, I no longer had the people to whom I had gone for advice and love for so long. I realized I was an "adult."
But, the past several days also provided another "growing up" experience, as first Bob Buhl died and then his old Braves roommate and my hero, Eddie Mathews.
Baseball is very much about our childhood, and our relationship with our heroes. Eddie Mathews was my hero. I will miss him.
Brewers Buzz
The pitchers and catchers have been in the Brewers' spring training camp at Maryvale, Arizona, for several days, and the position players are due in Tuesday of this week. But, Mark Loretta, Jeromy Burnitz, Jeffrey Hammonds, Ron Belliard and several other position players reported early. That's a good sign when the players are eager to get started.
Burnitz reportedly showed up with bleached hair and a goatee and a vow to enjoy himself for as long as he remains a Brewer. Sources say he expects to be traded before the July 31 deadline for deals without the need for waivers.
Belliard reported to camp about 14 pounds lighter than he finished the season at. He has looked good in early informal drills. All the pitchers and catchers took their physicals Saturday and passed. That's a lot better than last spring when pitchers Jamey Wright, John Snyder and others had physical problems detected.
The Brew Crew Review is carrying regular notes on the Brewers' camp and running periodic Spring Profiles on players. You can find it all at brewers.rivals.com.
--My first Talkin' Ball at the Bookstore drew a good crowd at the Mayfair Barnes & Noble last Saturday. The multi-media presentation is about Milwaukee baseball and ballparks. After it, I sign copies of Down in the Valley and talk ball with fans. The next Talkin Ball is at the Racine Barnes & Noble on March 9. Before that, I will sign books from 10a.m. to noon at the Wisconsin Sports Collectors Show in Gonzaga Hall on 92nd Street this coming Sunday. Former Brewer Don August also is at that show.
--Look for the Professor Baseball program to be developed by UW-Milwaukee. Several faculty members who have ties to the game are developing the program as part of a three-year marketing deal between UWM and the Brewers. More details will be released in this column and in the Review as they become available.
Bucks Buzz
The Bucks play the very tough San Antonio Spurs at the Bradley Center Monday night, but then seem to have a breather in the schedule when they play the Bulls, Grizzlies and Golden State in the next three games.
But, BEWARE. At just about this time last season, the Bucks went into a five-game swoon. Three of the losses were to the lowly Washington Wizards, and the Grizzlies and Golden State.
The Bucks did not show the same commitment to the defensive end of the court last Saturday that they had in recent weeks. They also seemed out of sync on offense, as point guard Sam Cassell, the key man on the team, did not play well.
Milwaukee has a comfortable lead in the NBA Central, but can't afford to take any team lightly. Playoff position will be very important this season, since homecourt advantage might be a big factor.
Coach George Karl, who practiced some tough love earlier in the season, was openly critical of his team last Saturday. It might be time for more of that tough love to make sure the Bucks don't stumble against teams they should beat.
--The Bradley Center and nearby pubs were buzzing for hours Saturday night about Hornets' Baron Davis' 92-foot heave at the close of the third quarter. It was the longest successful shot I have seen in more than 20 years of covering the NBA. I was sitting at the media table on the north end of the floor and could see it was on line all the way. The shot also was a dagger in the Bucks hearts, as the Hornets went on to a 103-93 win.
Admirals Buzz
The Admirals continued to cleanup in IHL individual awards, as winger Jeremy Stevenson was named the league's Plus/Minus Player of the Week last week. Stevenson had a +6 ratio with three points in three games.
One week earlier, three Admirals walked away with four IHL individual awards. As the players have been taking home these awards, they also have contributed to the team winning. So, the Admirals have moved very close to the final playoff spot.
Wave Buzz
The Wave beat Wichita, 13-4, Sunday for its seventh straight win. The Wave now is within a couple games of first place. They travel to Toronto Wednesday night and play Detroit at the Bradley Center next Saturday.
Gregg Hoffmann covers Milwaukee pro sports for the Associated Press, USA Today and Baseball Weekly and publishes The Brew Crew Review at brewers.rivals.com. He also is the author of "Down in the Valley: The History of Milwaukee County Stadium."
