Braun's comments: Latest: Braun Issues Statement, "Wasn't trying to call anybody out"

[mkm13]

Why does this have to be "our window"? Braun is locked up long term for a good price. Yovanni is young. We have a lot of good young prospects in the minors. I guess I don't see why so many people think we are 1 pitcher away from being a playoff team. Our only good pitcher didn't hardly pitch last year and can't be expected to continue to throw this many innings all year. If we do trade for a pitcher, it better for a young pitcher and not a rent-a-player. Right now I would be looking harder at trading Prince than I would be at adding a rent-a-player. I would think Prince could bring good value in return. JJ might be able to as well.

[1992casey]

It's getting pretty ridiculous how the Sewers are having to play from behind almost every game. Braun is an All-Star and is one BIG reason why the team has the record it does.

 

When Fan Forum Etiquette was revised this past spring, mods considered adding a rule about name-calling. We refrained, in part because an occasional reference like "Meltdown Bradley" can be kind of fun.

 

"Sewers" is the kind of thing we had in mind. Let's avoid stuff like that.

[giffted1]

Inappropriate.

 

He's pointing out the obvious by saying that we need to improve out pitching but does so by basically throwing Burns and McClung under the bus. Yes, our starting pitching hasn't been great, but our hitting has been inconsistent. We've scored 2 or fewer runs in 4 of our past 10 games.

 

Braun's previous comments have been focused at the team as a whole. This one seems to be targeting a select few players which can do nothing but harm, IMO. Shut up Braun, and let Doug do his job. And at this point with so many buyers, doing nothing is probably for the best.

[hawing]

By saying the Brewers should make a trade, Braun is saying the current guys aren't good enough and the Brewers need to get better. Comments like that don't sound like they are coming from a cohesive team that has each others back.

bacon06 and I have the same concern about Ryan's comments (he just made the post first). I've been wondering for probably a month now when he was going to say something, though.

[dlk9s]

We all know the "Braun call-out" means the Brewers are about to win something like 20 of the next 25 games.

 

And to be a little fair, he did say they haven't been hitting well lately, either (although they did get runners on in the Cubs series, just didn't score them).

[pebadger]

Inappropriate. It specifically divides the team. Nothing wrong with "we stink" but this is "they stink". Worse, he is basically asking for some of his teammates to be gotten rid of.

[brpost]

Make a decision Doug or make room for someone who can.

Continuing to assess the situation is a decision. The schedule after the break is CIN, PIT, ATL, WSH, SD. There will be a lot more information available (team performance, standings, who's available, etc.) after/during that stretch.

 

That said, inappropriate. You can say the team is playing bad, and needs to improve. I'd be careful about calling guys out, but that's your cross to bear in the clubhouse, both with your teammates and your manager. But don't say you'd "like to do" your boss' job. I'd bet he's noticed the pitching issue.

[PrimeTime955]

I love the comments from Braun. What, like the other 24 players in the room don't agree with him? You bet they do. They know there is no way we're making the playoffs with extended periods of time with Burns and McClung in the rotation. This is not little league, players need to be held accountable.

 

When asked about it, Braun was honest and said what he felt. I respect that. He could have been cliche but cliche is boring and tiring. Braun is a leader on this team and hes trying to rally the troops and fire people up. Who knows, maybe this lights a fire under our pitching staff to perform better.

[TheCrew07]

Why does our window close this year? how about some realism?

 

Braun doesn't have much common sense or class, he's a "look at me" type of guy and if he wasn't a Brewer he'd be right up there with Arod for me, I doubt I'll care for him once he leaves. It's not just his comments, it's also his actions on the field. I'm glad we have his production in the line-up, but he's just not my type of person.

 

His comments were over the line.

[TooLiveBrew]

Didn't Braun just sign one of the most "hometown-friendly" contracts in all of baseball last year? Ryan has done a ton for this organization...I have no problem with him speaking out.

 

He signed a deal that traded financial certainty for a couple seasons of his FA eligibility. Seems like that works for both Braun & the Brewers, and I really don't see the way in which it's team-friendly. The risk lies almost 100% with the club.

 

 

Make a decision Doug or make room for someone who can.

 

This assertion & assumption that Melvin isn't doing anything is really frustrating, whether it comes from the mouth of Ryan Braun or some of our team's fans.

[davego]

This can be one of those situations where some would be critical if he didn't say something because then he wouldn't be "showing leadership."

 

I'll grant there might be some locker-room issues over this (might be, not will be), I'll say again it's hard to argue with a guy that happens to be right. Ryan isn't saying that he wants different team mates, but team mates that simply play better. I guess I don't have a problem with that.

[Mase]

I think recently, especially after the CC trade, we (Brewer fans) have forgotten who we (The Brewers) really are. We are a team that drafts and develops younger player in our farm system and have had some success with that recently. We CAN NOT continue to trade away these players for rental half-of-a-season type players. It is a very short sighted to continue to argue for a move to be made every time we struggle. We can not afford the quick fix every time because we are a small market club. We have a much smaller margin for error.

 

I am, for one, as impatient as the next fan. But I also think that the fact that we are even in a position to argue about whether or not a player should be added is exciting. Braun is not doing the GM or future Brewer teams a favor by pushing for a mid-season pickup at the expense of his future teammates.

[TCSM]

I guess it's annoying to me that Braun thinks Doug Melvin isn't fully aware of the situation. Does Braun really think he's got a better understanding of the trade market than Melvin? Because otherwise his comments are just Captain Obvious stuff

Yeah, but I think the way he said it is much more appropriate then saying our starting pitching is crap so now we need to make a move, etc.

 

It's captain obvious stuff, yes, but how else can you say it without creating an even worse scenario?

 

To jump in a different direction, I like how someone has the guts to say something. Sure Melvin is "looking" but I agree with Braun, it needs to happen sooner rather then later.

[TooLiveBrew]

But my beef is that 'sooner is better than later' is also Captain Obvious territory. And no one has even pointed to the fact that the Brewers were rumored to have 3 pitchers targeted to seriously improve this club via trade... the same week Jake Peavy, Roy Halladay, & Eric Bedard went down with injuries.

 

What were you doing Melvin! Get out there & prevent those kinds of injuries or make way for someone who can!

 

 

This can be one of those situations where some would be critical if he didn't say something because then he wouldn't be "showing leadership."

 

I guess I would argue that at this point, showing leadership would be keeping your mouth shut.

[BrewCrewRising]

This can be one of those situations where some would be critical if he didn't say something because then he wouldn't be "showing leadership."

 

I'll grant there might be some locker-room issues over this (might be, not will be), I'll say again it's hard to argue with a guy that happens to be right. Ryan isn't saying that he wants different team mates, but team mates that simply play better. I guess I don't have a problem with that.

When you say, "We need to make a move" twice in the same interivew, I think it's taken as you want different team mates.

 

True, the starting pitching was bad today, but is that the only reason they lost? The Crew scored 2 runs! So, yes, the pitching stinks right now, and yes, the SP should not have to be told that they stink, but it's not like Burns alone lost this game for the Crew.

[logan82]

I can appreciate that people like non-cliched comments, but these are over the line and totally unnecessary. As for showing leadership, well I think it would have shown better leadership to just stick with his "we are fine" comment from earlier in the week. Every time I start to come around on Braun a little, he says something stupid like this.

[saxyman1004]

Have you paid attention to any Cubs fans at all this year

Let me stop you there: no.

 

I really like Braun's candor and his unwillingness to dance around questions like this, but I do think he could have been a little more tactful. Even if he worded it a little less harshly, the message would have come through loud and clear.

[brewerfan82]

To be fair, the JSOnline article left out some quotes Braun had about the offense not getting the job done as well. This is from Adam McCalvy's article which seems to be quoting the same Braun conversation as the original post:

 

"Their starting pitching is a lot better than ours," Braun said. "They threw the ball a lot better than our starters did, and they swung the bats better than we did as well. Clearly, they were the better team. It's nice to get one win, but they clearly outperformed us in this series."

Braun, named along with Prince Fielder (and Lilly) to the National League All-Star team earlier in the day, wasn't finished.

"We're at the point right now where it would be important for us to go out there and acquire somebody," Braun said. "I think [brewers officials] would be more inclined to do that if we're winning."

 

I for one love Braun's candidness.

 

[Marc Newfield of Dreams]

Gotta be honest, I love that someone is showing some sense of urgency. Can't rely on the "We're in first place" argument anymore.

 

The ship, with the hands they have on deck right now, is taking on water.

 

They're 20-25 since Weeks went down, the offense has maddeningly inconsistent. The starting pitching has had few starts longer than 6 innings. The bullpen is really the only thing outside of Braun and Fielder that have kept them afloat.

 

Hate to say it, but the Cubs are gonna get a lot better as they get healthier this week. The Brewers squandered their chances at separation while in first, and are in danger of sliding into the break.

[Oldcity]

I didn't like it because it called out pitching. He complained about the pitching, then sort of backpedaled and said, "Well the hitting needs to get better too." His comments last year called out the team as a whole, and that's completely different. This is pointing fingers and I think it's uncalled for.

[SeriesFinale]

Well, I guess I'm one of those who doesn't find his candor or "honesty" all that impressive, regardless of whether it's "correct" or not. I love his passion, but I get a little disappointed whenever he does this.

 

Yes, these guys are pros, and wins are the name of the game, of course, but call me crazy: I still think the character displayed by good teamwork and sportsmanship counts for something. And throwing your teammates under the bus (or making complaints), on multiple occasion, doesn't strike me as good teamwork or sportsmanship.

 

McClung knows he's scuffled in the role he was thrust in, certainly. And I'm sure he'll have no problem going back to the bullpen once Parra and/or Bush or whoever come back, since he's always done whatever this team asks of him--whether it's plunking Pujols or throwing four scoreless on the last weekend of the season to help the Brewers snag a playoff spot--without complaint to the press. Anybody who watches him on-field and off knows he cares as much and has as much passion and drive as Braunie--just because he doesn't have the same level of talent doesn't make it OK for Braunie to call him out in my opinion. You don't do that to a teammate, whether you're in Pony League or MLB.

[Mr QL]

I don't have a problem with what he said. He's just saying what everybody else is thinking. I prefer that to the company man who'll insist everything is okay always.

[craigharmann]

As has been said before the idea of the game is execution. The pitchers have to pitch well, the hitters have to stop laying off the sliders away, and quit windmilling at every pitch thrown up there! In watching the game yesterday, yes, there were some pitching mistakes, but there were defensive mistakes, and some awful swings brought to the plate. While Braun may have said what everyone was thinking, he stopped short of saying the complete truth. They have to play solid, fundamental defense, and take good approaches at the plate. When he calls out the entire team for not executing, then I'll give him credit. Until then, shut up, get your butt out there, and play ball!

[bobskube]

This is something that gets thrown way out of proportion. It is not a big deal at all, but is one of those things that fans and media will look back on to say either Braun turned the season around in a good way by his comments or that Braun killed this team because of the comments---depending on the results.

 

Ho hum to me. Make a deal Doug.

[BrewCrewForever]

I will say I love his fire, honesty and willingness to speak what he really feels. Is it appropriate? Maybe, maybe not. But I admire the fact he tells it like it is. That is why he is the franchise.