2008 Silver Lining Thread

[Playmaker13]

Personally, I was a little offended when the 2008 Vent thread went up! Jeez guys, it's 2 months before the season starts!!!

 

But no that the dust has settled from the Super Bowl, I suppose it is time to get ready for baseball, it might even be 40 degrees by the weekend! That said, I know that I, as well as many of you, can't wait for this season. This season holds as much anticipation, excitement, and any other big, long, important word in the dictionary as any in my lifetime (post 1982). I am a long time lurker, but now plan to post more and contribute my knowledge.

 

So let's look at the silver lining for this year right away. If all goes well, we should have this thread much longer than the vent thread by the end of the year!

 

-Going into this year, we have so much starting pitching that we don't even have enough spots for all of them! No more Ricky Bones, Everett Stull, or Rafael Roque *shudders*...we have a solid staff that could match up with any in the NL. We have a certified ace at the top in Sheets, a young stud, Gallardo, a crafty veteran, Suppan, and a couple of very capable back end pitchers which give us a chance to win every night in Capuano, Bush, and Vargas.

 

-We now have a bullpen that should be able to give the fans confidence. Gagne is one of the more intimidating figures around who can be down right nasty. We also have a deeper supporting cast than I can recall since the Dan Plaesac days. Salomon Torres, Derrick Turnbow, Guillermo Mota and David Riske are strong arms that can be called on to get things done. Sprinkle in a couple of specialists like Shouse, Parra, Choate, or whoever they decide to keep and there is a bullpen that can get outs in any situation.

 

-Our lineup may be the fiercest in the NL. An explosive leadoff guy like Weeks can make things happen. Contact man Jason Kendall gets on base and can put the ball in play. Big boppers such as Prince Fielder, Corey Hart, and Ryan Braun will be responsible for 100 HR and fear in the hearts of many opponents. Best part is, even our "not so good" hitters like Billy Hall, JJ Hardy, and Mike Cameron are solid sticks. No more punting the 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 holes with names like Blanco, Mouton, Mieske, Brunansky, Matheny, Barker etc. This lineup is fierce and like nothing Brewers fans have seen in a quarter century!

 

-Our owner is willing to go out to spend dough on players and has the best interest of this franchise at heart. He is improving our already beautiful ball park and has put a positive spin on this team.

 

-Depending on our financial situation and other factors this could be the best team the Brewers have had in over a decade and maybe will have for a long time. These could be what we refer to in 20 years as "the glory years" Let's just enjoy the ride and fun that we will have this season as fans of a fun and competitive team that could go all the way!

 

Here's to 2008! The year of when dreams become reality!!

[Playmaker13]

I also realize that some of you may have positive feelings toward some of the former guys I mentioned, they were used just as a reference to compare how it used to be, but you get the idea, ha!

[razzzorsharp]

That was me that got that thread up but to be fair the "vents" were not really directed at the team.

[Tbadder]

Today is always the happiest day of the year for me. NO MORE STUPID FOOTBALL! I celebrate by buying all my friends and family small presents. I take everyone out to dinner, and light a candle in the chapel giving thanks.

[Playmaker13]

I understand that razor, just making sure we get the silver lining thread going before the vent thread gets out of hand! Go Brewers!

[lukevan]

Good post playmaker. I think a lot of us get caught up in the negativity of the last two seasons and don't look forward to having a legitimate contender for not only the NL Central, but the National League.

 

11 days until pitchers and catchers report.

[1992casey]

This thread has now replaced the old Silver Lining thread in the Designated Threads List.

[trwi7]

Wow when was the last time we opened the season on national TV? I think it was a while ago against the Dodgers. Well this year we open up on ESPN2, that will be fun. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Patrick425]

I purchased a fantasy baseball magazine today. They had a "mock draft" in it. Fielder was picked 6th and Braun was picked 11th. This sure is different that a few years back when you had to go to the 30's to see the first Brewer on the list.

[pete]

Jason Kendall hits right handers better than leftys unlike most of our lineup - sort of like having a quasi-lefty in the lineup.

 

Mike Cameron hit four home runs against Rich Hill in four consecutive at bats (over two games) on four different pitches including one that was his high fastball.

 

Do those qualify as "silver linings"?

[Playmaker13]

Jason Kendall is optimistic that his lasik eye surgery will help him this year and at least he will put the ball in play and move runners over.

 

We have Prince Fielder

 

Ben Sheets isn't hurt (yet)

[Leinie Lodge]

More Silvers:

Sheets contract year motivator

Full year of Yo

Healthy Rickie

Mike Cameron in NL Central stadiums

Lasik >>> Estrada

When Gallardo starts, our #1-#9 exceeds many AL lineups

[Tbadder]

Tons of draft choices in Jack's capable hands

Sheets and Gagne could net us even more next year

[bucks2281]

The Brewers open their season against the Cubs. The past few years, the Brewers have performed very well in their first series of the season. Here's hoping the trend continues and we can get a jump start.

[razzzorsharp]

Milwaukee IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA

Sheets 2.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00

 

Yep.

[logan82]

I would have been much happier if he had some K's so that we knew his curveball was working as it didn't seem like he had it last year. Still it is a pretty minor complaint for a very efficient outing.

[Scooter1027]

I would have been much happier if he had some K's so that we knew his curveball was working as it didn't seem like he had it last year. Still it is a pretty minor complaint for a very efficient outing.

I didn't see nor listen to the game, but I have a feeling that he didn't uncork too many curveballs in his first live action of the year. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm betting he threw largely fastballs.

[Gopher74]

I would have been much happier if he had some K's so that we knew his curveball was working as it didn't seem like he had it last year. Still it is a pretty minor complaint for a very efficient outing.

Yea, as Scooter said, I would guess it's largely a result of not going to the curve as often as he will in the future. He's always kinda worked the curve into his repertoire slowly, choosing to first get his fastball down, mechanics, and his velocity/location.

 

I don't know if I agree however that he didn't throw or have a good curve last year. I thought his curve last year was a little less consistent, but I still thought it ranked as one of the better ones in the league for the time he did pitch.

 

What I think is as important, if not more important frankly than his curveball is his changeup. He seemed as though he's trying to develop one the last 2 years a little bit more, and when he had that going last year like he did vs the Dodgers to start the season, he can get outs with fewer pitches, and REALLY keep hitters off balance. It doesn't need to be a Johan Santana type pitch, simply one that keeps the hitters off balance.

[logan82]

In the past his changeup has been a "show me" pitch used only 2-3 times a game. The only time he used it more was when he didn't have his curve working right. Much like most of last year. He even stated last year that he didn't have a good feel for his curve until just before he got hurt for the final time. I think you are right that he works his curve in slowly in the spring. When Sheets has been right in the past, he is basically a 2 pitch pitcher. I am not going to get to excited about Sheets until I start seeing K's and a nasty curve.

[BrewCrewForever]

Although Gagne gave up some runs in his first spring outing it was only a spring outing and Yost said his fastball was very sharp.

[heresrobin]

A little bit of a bump here.

 

It's obviously early, but my first impression of Riske was very positive. Also, I thought that TGJ and Hart both played extremely well in the outfield today despite the conditions.

 

Finally, I don't think that Yost really did anything grossly wrong today.

[trwi7]

I really liked what I saw from Riske and Mota today. Gwynn and Sheets were pretty awesome too but it was the bullpen I was most worried about (and still am.) Other than Gagne the bullpen was outstanding today.

[PKBadger]

Sheets had a very nice start as well. 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K. Can't really ask for much more than that.

 

Edit: tr beat me to it by a split-second.

[pitchleague]

Ryan Braun has played flawless perfect defense during the 2008 season.

 

Aside from the definite sarcastic slant of the above statement, hard to believe that not one ball was hit out to him the entire game, unless I missed something. The most running in the field that he had was probably "backing up" Gwynn in the 4th inning in case he missed the catch and it took some screwy bounce off the ivy.

[logan82]

Well Sheets has his curve back. All I can say is wow, nasty.