Welcome to Saturday Scorecard, where this week we are offering a 2-for-1 special on Derrick Turnbow bobblehead dolls. (The Jeffrey Hammonds model is free).
On to the notes...
Wounded knee: Yovani Gallardo's potentially season-ending knee injury will not prevent the Brewers from winning the National League Central.
But, it certainly won't help.
The Brewers entered the season with decent pitching depth, but that has been torpedoed by the injuries to Gallardo and Chris Capuano and the release of Claudio Vargas.
In the wake of Gallardo's injury, the Brewers need Ben Sheets to stay healthy, Jeff Suppan to avoid brutal nights like the one he experienced this week at Wrigley Field and Dave Bush, Manny Parra and Carlos Villanueva to step up, provide consistent performances and learn how to survive the third time through the batting order.
Gallardo was just one player. He was only going to appear in about 25 more games this season. But, starting pitchers have an impact beyond the days they throw (stoping losing streaks, saving the bullpen, etc).
While Brewers scouts scour other rosters in search of potential trade targets, keep an eye on right-hander Jeff Weaver, who turned in a solid debut (5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 7 K) Thursday night for Class AAA Nashville and could be a factor for the Brewers before the first keg is tapped at Summerfest.
The Muscle: While you're tracking Nashville, keep an eye on Russell Branyan. In his first 24 games with the Sounds, Branyan hit .363 with four homers nine doubles and 16 RBI. You heard it here: the guy is going to play a role for the Brewers at some point this season.
Big Sexy Caballo: Mariners first baseman Richie Sexson hit his 300th big-league homer this week, but he's hitting about .228. After following Sexson's results the past few years and watching Houston's $100 million man Carlos Lee throw to the wrong base (and hit the occasional homer), we're wondering if there are any fans out there who think the Brewers erred by letting either player go.
Help wanted: Will all Milwaukee women who had an affair with Roger Clemens during his playing career please contact the OnMilwaukee.com editorial office for an upcoming story?
On second thought, drop us a note if you didn't have an affair with the Rocket. That will be easier.
Clemens' epic unraveling is like a suspense novel that keeps getting better with every page.
Hello, my name is: Speaking of the Packers, the rookie orientation takes place this weekend at Lambeau Field. A total of 39 players -- nine draft picks, 11 non-drafted free agents and 19 tryout players -- take part. The main goals this weekend include finding the way around the facility, grasping the pace of practice and beginning to memorize the playbook.
"It's just Day 1 install, but it's still a pretty thick book," rookie quarterback Brian Brohm told Packers.com. "It's a lot of stuff you have to learn, which at this level, everyone is going to have to realize it's a lot of stuff coming at you fast. We're going to have to pick it up as fast as we can."
A new ballgame: Congratulations to John Barnes, the Brewers' former director of ticket services, who recently began a job as group sales executive for the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Barnes is one of the nicest people in town and customers at the Marcus Center are winners now that he's on board.
Beer crisis: The San Diego Union-Tribune broke a big story last week when it revealed that beer served in Petco Park has a lower alcohol content than the suds fans buy in bars, restaurants and grocery stores.
The beer at Petco is 3.2 percent alcohol, rather than the regular 3.7 to 4 percent. The Padres claim it's part of the alcohol management program, but the "near" bear also costs close to $25 less per keg than the regular stuff. A 20-oz. beer at Petco costs $8.50.
Imagine a scandal like this in Milwaukee.
Candyland: Yankees manager Joe Girardi, looking out for players' nutrition, banned candy and ice cream from the clubhouse and stocked the snack shelf with dried fruits, nuts and granola. Players have taken to smuggling sweets in on their own.
Staying put: Continuity is critical in pro sports. Brewers owner Mark Attanasio took a step in that direction when he extended the contracts of Bob Quinn (vice president of finance and administration) and Rick Schlesinger (VP of business operations) for five years.
"I believe our executive management team is among the best in baseball, and Rick and Bob have led us to significant achievements on the business side," Attanasio said.
"We have set franchise records for attendance and reached new heights in virtually every measurable category. Both Rick and Bob have also been instrumental in annual improvements to Miller Park, which have earned the organization the highest marks in fan and media surveys.
"As we continue to grow the business, we are very fortunate to be in a position to retain two of the most capable executives in baseball."
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
