In the News (4/3)

Brewers fan saves sun-bathing beauty

Thursday’s Game: Brewers 2, White Sox 1
Record: 20-10-3

Thursday’s Game

- The Brewers won their final Cactus League game of ‘09 2-1.

- The Brewers finished their Cactus League schedule an impressive 20-10-3. Spring Training records mean little, but I’d rather see a nice record like that than a losing record.

- Milwaukee finished 14-3-1 in their final 18 Cactus League games and won 20 Spring Training games for the first time since 1995.

- Suppan continued his string of quality spring innings holding the White Sox to one run on three hits in five innings. He surrendered only one hit after the first inning

- Prince Fielder hit another home run.

Brewers News

- Suppan was officially named the opening-day starter. More HERE.

- Jeff Sackmann at Brew Crew Ball says this Suppan pitching the first game idea might not be so crazy afterall.

- Dave Bush is primed for a nice season. I thought last season was going to be his breakout year (and really it was if you take out his slow start), but I think this is the season that Bush takes a step forward and becomes one of the more reliable options the Brewers have (again, even though he already really is).

- Corey Hart is #4 on Two Fisted Slopper’s “Too Big to Fail” list.

- True Blue Brew Blog discusses what we can expect from Suppan and Looper.

- Casey McGehee made the team and his dad is proud. In related news, Tyler is not happy with this development and will be reminded by each RFB poster and reader of his foolhardy pre-season column in which he trashed the god-like utility infielder/outfielder/catcher every time McGehee contributes this magical season.

- The Tony Gwynn Jr. era in Milwaukee might be coming to an end. We’ll know more later today, but it appears the Brewers have designated Gwynn for assignment. His future with the organization is certainly in question. More HERE.

- Chris Capuano had a setback in his recovery from his second Tommy John surgery. It looks like Cappy won’t be able to start pitching until May, meaning he probably wouldn’t be able to join the Brewers until June at the earliest.

- The Brewers might be interested in former Ranger utility man Frank Catalanotto.

- Could the Brewers pursue a Chad Cordero trade mid-season?

- Way Back and Gone picks the Brewers to finish third in the NL Central with 86 wins.

- I think we missed this the other day… Fox Sports Wisconsin will televise 95 of its 136 Brewers telecasts in HD this season.

- 1250 WSSP has some new Brewer interviews up on the site: Third-Base Coach Brad Fischer, Brewers TV voice Brian Anderson and Scouting Director Bruce Seid.

- Tom Haudricourt had a chat.

- Itching for the regular season to start? These won’t help…

Minor Leagues

- Alcides Escobar is a heck of a prospect, but he has some work to do before he’s ready to join the Brewers.

- The Brewers signed outfielder Jason Tyner for some AAA depth.

- The new Sounds ownership group has stepped up and renovated Greer Stadium, but all signs point to a push for a new downtown stadium at some point. If I might suggest, I’d prefer it be within walking distance of Pirahna’s so the next time we visit Nashville and nearly make ourselves sick on the incredible sandwiches there, we can stumble to the stadium for a ball game.

- Thirsty Thursdays at Greer Stadium eliminated?!? Oh, the humanity! Thank God we still still have the Timber Rattlers for that promotion.

- Bernie’s Crew goes over some minor-league roster moves.

NL Central

- Chris Carpenter is dealing with a minor injury… Then again is any injury minor when we’re talking about Chris Carpenter?

- Roy Oswalt felt woozy and was dehydrated after his last start, but it should not affect his status to open the ‘09 season.

- The Cubs have the third highest ticket prices in MLB.

- Chicago might evetually have interest in recently cut Brewer Mike Lamb.

- The Cubs have released Ken Kadokura.

- A collection of the Pirates top prospects lost to a community college. Ouch…

Other News

- MLB Network is preparing to launch “MLB Tonight” and fans, including me, anxiously await. The bar is set pretty low with ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” so hopefully they easily outshine that.