{image1} Lyle Overbay said from the start of spring training he couldn't be like Richie Sexson. But, Brewers' fans didn't expect the first baseman to be better.

You could make a strong argument that Overbay alone has made the off-season deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks worthwhile. At the time of this writing, the lefthanded batter was hitting .368, led the league in doubles and had just complete a 18-game hitting streak, the longest by a Brewer since the team joined the National League.

Sexson, meanwhile, went on the disabled list on April 29 with a partially torn labrum in his shoulder. Sexson, who was an iron man when he played for the Brewers, was hitting .241 with 9 homers and 22 RBI when he was injured.

When you also add catcher Chad Moeller, who has hit for the cycle in one game, shortstop Craig Counsell and second baseman Junior Spivey into the mix, the trade looks like a steal. If two young pitchers also included in the trade come through, it's highway robbery.

Overbay won't make comparisons. "I can't be Richie Sexson," Overbay has said from the day the deal was struck. "I can only go out there and play my game."

His game includes hitting to all fields, finding the gaps in both left and right center and coming through in clutch situations for RBIs. Driving in runs always has been a forte of Overbay.

"I'm not sure why that is," he said in a recent interview. "I guess I've been lucky to have guys in front of me getting on base. I also try to concentrate even more on just making contact and hitting the ball hard somewhere."

When asked why he hits so many doubles, Overbay said, "Maybe because I don't have enough power to hit homers." Teammate Geoff Jenkins jumped in to quip, "Or maybe he doesn't have enough speed to hit triples."

That's just an indication of how Overbay has fit into the Brewers' chemistry. He looks a little bit like Andy Griffith's Opy pushing 30. He is very unassuming and easy going.

"There are a great bunch of guys here. Ned Yost sets a good tone from the top," Overbay said. "The transition also was easier because I came here with three or four guys I had already played with."

Overbay said the main difference between Milwaukee and Arizona is playing time. "They decided they wanted to go in a different direction in Arizona, so here I am. All I wanted was a chance to play every day," Overbay said.

One good thing that came out of the D-Backs for Overbay was his relationship with now retired Mark Grace, his favorite player as he came up. "He helped me a great deal even though at the time I was supposed to be his successor," Overbay said. "People have compared us as hitters. I'm flattered."

Yost said Overbay's performance has not surprised him. "He hit .340 and .350, and drive in runs, all through the minors," Yost said. "We expected him to hit to the gap and drive in runs. I just wanted him to be Lyle Overbay and not get caught up in the comparison game."

By comparing Overbay and Sexson in this column, the intent is not to put pressure on him, or denigrate what Sexson did for the Brewers in any way. But, Overbay's type of production can help a ballclub more than 45 homers, including many with nobody on base.

If Overbay continues to produce like he has, it also will prompt some interesting decisions when Prince Fielder, considered a "can't miss" prospect, is ready for the big leagues in a season or two. Fielder is not quite as big as his father was, but still is likely to play only first base.

Maybe Overbay can switch to left field, and Jenkins to right, with Fielder taking over at first base. Nobody is really thinking that far ahead right now. They're just enjoying watch Lyle Overbay be himself.

Hot Tix

The Admirals beat Rochester in the first game of the American Hockey League championship series and will play again Thursday at the Bradley Center. The series will then go to Buffalo because of a scheduling conflict with the Rochester arena. If necessary, the series will return to the BC on May 28-29.

Coach Claude Noel's team's performance has been nothing short of remarkable this season when you take into account that the future of the entire franchise is questionable.

Officials of the foundation of the late Jane Bradley Pettit has said it will bring the team back next season, but also has made it clear it no longer wants to be in the hockey business.

Craig Leipold, the owner of the Nashville Predators, who is the NHL team affiliated with the Admirals, has been rumored to be ready to buy the team for months, but nothing has happened. Read more about the Admirals in the lead section of next Thursday's Weekend Sports Buzz.

The Brewers are on the road until next Tuesday, when they return to Miller Park to play the Dodgers. They were scheduled to wrap up a series against the Expos in Puerto Rico with a day game on Thursday and then go to Pittsburgh.

Wave United plays the Minnesota Thunder this Saturday at Uihlein Soccer Park. WU's opener last weekend was postponed because of rain and wet grounds. The team was scheduled to open at Minnesota this Friday and then return home for Saturday's game.

The U.S. Futsal team, coached by the Wave's Keith Tozer, beat Honduras Tuesday night and will play the same team again Thursday at the U.S. Cellular Arena in the CONCACAF tournament qualifier.

In sports Beyond Milwaukee, regional action in prep track and field starts Monday around the state. Other spring prep sports will be holding season-ending tournaments soon.

Whitewater, which won the WIAC tournament last weekend, was scheduled to host the NCAA Division II regional, starting Thursday. Concordia (20-16), Ripon (23-12) and St. Thomas of Minnesota (36-6) will play with the Warhawks, who are 34-7.

Look for Sports Buzz Updates on several of these events at the end of this column over the next week.