2013 Brewers On Deck redeems itself to this fan

The winter after my Milwaukee Brewers won the National League Central title, I should have been ecstatic about getting back with my summer family and hitting up Brewers on Deck in 2012, but 15,000 people all seemingly not as big a fan as me totally turned me off.

The 2013 edition of Brewers On Deck may have saved the event in my eyes, however. The event still had longer lines than Six Flags with a ride that lasted just seconds watching a player sign a sheet of paper, but got me engulfed in the team I love and motivated me to write this.

After a tad of crazy bad luck both during the week and this morning, I actually went to the event by myself. Crazy, I know, but there were going to be friends there I could check in with and not be a complete loner the whole day, so it worked out OK.

Since I was shut out on the autograph front, I actually made a B-line to one of those long lines I was talking about. After two hours, I got a chance to greet and get an autograph from Carlos Gomez.





Waiting in line for the autograph actually made it easy on me to get in line for what could be the biggest surprise of the event, which is the success of these grab bags the team sells. Basically it's a bag of leftover bobbleheads from the year before. I know we all love bobbles, but I don't need another Randy Wolf, thank you. An Aramis Ramirez one, which I did not get last year, however, I will take! Make that one of the "rare" bobbles and it's an even bigger win. Add to that the 2011 commemorative DVD and a voucher for two free tickets Opening Week of the season, I'm I just found out why they are so successful. That's how you make $25 count!



After that, I pretty much lived at the Main Stage where the team had a Q & A with the newest Brewers, "Milwacky Squares," their play on Hollywood Squares, "Brewers Faceoff," a play on Family Feud and a media round table discussion with the beat reporters from the team (which in Milwaukee is about four guys). This was the one area I always thought the team did very well on throughout the years at their On Deck events. Well, that is if you don't count the inclusion with Dennis Haskins, who played Mr. Belding on Saved By the Bell eons ago.

There the storylines for Spring Training and the season were discussed. From Corey Hart's knee surgery and how Mat Gamel will fare at first base, to the revamped bullpen and the "Baby Brewers" starting rotation. I'll delve into all of them in the next couple of weeks as we get closer to pitchers and catchers reporting on February 12, but as the Journal-Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt said, "(GM) Doug Melvin and (owner) Mark Attanasio sat out here and are actually honest in saying they think those guys can get it done" in regards to the starting pitchers. I'm actually on board with the move, too, with the six guys vying for four spots heading to Maryvale ready to duke it out and earn their spot in the rotation. How that will fall, we have to see how it unfolds, but at least one is going to end up throwing out of the bullpen to start the season.

Things look promising for this team and there is flexibility if the team is in contention to make a move with a payroll under $80 million heading into the season. A good talk with my man +Brewer Nation motivated me to stay focused on this writing game and I'll try to focus on the Brewers, especially after the Super Bowl.

Be sure to click below for more of my photos from the day!

With Braun out T Plush should steal show at Brewers On Deck

When Brewers owner Mark Attanasio announced Wednesday National League MVP Ryan Braun would not be at this weekend's Brewers On Deck event, many fans were upset. I can see a little disappointed, but upset? Come on folks. It only makes sense.

All is not lost in the event, which I have attended for the last three years, because the fun is still coming to the Midwest Airlines Center and his name is Nyjer Morgan. Yes, T. Plush will be the shining star of the day and was the guy I had circled even with Ryan Braun on the lineup almost because of the excitement that would surround the MVP. That would leave Nyj open to getting some love from the 223. Plus, I have to go meet another one of my Twitter followers (Yessir!).

Do I really need to make a case? I mean, there will be only one guy in the house that has a postseason series winning hit on his resume. Not even Robin Yount has that on his docket. And you know he will be the most fun. Yes, I am planning a photo throwing up the "T" with Nyjer that will be one of my favorite pics for ages.

Beyond checking in with one of my Twitter followers, I have a full gameplan of guys I want to check in with on the day. Doors open at 10 and the first autograph stage I am going to look for is the new guy in town, Aramis Ramirez on Stage 3. If that doesn't work out the new first baseman, Mat Gamel is on at 11 on Stage 4 for just $10 and I hear he shaved his head. Might be worth a look!

My man T Plush is on Stage 6 at noon. How does that work, you ask? I'll have to run to one and get my ticket in line, then run to the other, then run back say hi to Maty and run off for a Plushdamentals lesson. It can happen.

The big autograph of the day could be Robin Yount on Stage 1. He'll be the one guy I enter the lottery for. I didn't like how the process worked last year, but maybe the tweaked it this year and it will be more friendly.

Finally at 3:45 Taylor Green is on a free stage. Yes, free. The perfect price to see the minor league player of the year from last season. Interesting to see if he makes the team this year or if they'll have him play everyday in Nashville.

There are other things I'm looking forward to on the day. The main stage usually has some great things to check out throughout the day. One of the biggest things is Joe Block. He'll be hosting a couple events on the stage and will be the No. 2 guy next to Uecker in the radio booth this year. I listen to more games on radio than I see, so I'll have to put up with him a lot this season. I have heard nothing but good things, but have still yet to hear the guy's voice at length. I'll hear him for 162 days over a 180 day span this summer, so let's hope the first impression is a good one. I'm sure he'll do fine.

Second, the Meet the New Brewers segment on the main stage should be fun with Aramis Ramirez and Alex Gonzalez joining Craig Counsel and the Brewers front office on stage. I have to come around to A-Ram this season. This is the first time I'll see him in person wearing Brewers colors, so after this I should come around.

The final event on the main stage is the media roundtable. It's basically the talking heads that cover the team getting their time in the sun. They usually do a pretty good job and Mr. Sports writer of the Year Tom Haudricourt is one of my faves. Can't go wrong.

So yes, without Ryan Braun the star power will be a bit short, but the day should still be great. Can't wait to have a great day with RJ and April amongst our favorite boys of summer!

Baseball in January? It happens with Brewers On Deck!

You know what it's like to see a kid in a candy store and you tell him or her to just go crazy and they can have whatever they want? Well, send a big kid (i.e. Me!) into my equivalent (i.e. something to do with sports) and you're bound to see a similar look on my face.
That's what to expect Sunday when I get a chance to hit up Brewers On Deck, the Brewers annual fan fest. Mapping out which players I go see, what events to take part in and how much money I'll spend (likely too much). Yes it is January, but I've become a baseball nerd and I'm thinking Sunday will be one of those days where I'm in hog heaven, rolling around in my proverbial mud.
Everything looks to be finalized as far as festivities and I'm thinking I NEED to get two things while I'm there. First is an autograph and a photo with Casey McGehee. If you've followed this blog during its first almost seven months of existence, he has become my favorite player on the team not named Ryan or Prince. So that is a must. And, of course, on the other side of the spectrum is Jody (Fucking) Gerut. Yeah, get ready to get fucked with asshole (sorry kids). But I didn't think it was possible to hate one of your team's players. That was until this worthless tool came to town. I can't really say many good things about him. So I'm going to take my mother's advice and not say anything at all.
Of course the Ryan Brauns, Prince Fielders and Robin Younts are on my "hopefuls" for autograph signings, they are the faces of the franchise. And I'm a smart enough fan to also have Mitch Stetter and John Axford on the list. Heck, I need party plans for Sunday night. The last time I saw Axford sign his name, it was in about 14 inch letters on some girls back. Hahahahaha. Highlight of the night. Oh, and I can't forget a shoutout to the Co-President of the Casey McGehee fan club, yes El Rog will be in attendance, as well! Can't wait!


Sunday's other big sporting event is the NFL Pro Bowl and to be honest I couldn't care less. The Bears had one player voted in to start the game in Lance Briggs, but he pulled out. I think every other player that matters pulled out, too. That's probably why Johnny Knox made it into the game.
The cool thing about the game is that the Super Bowl teams will be making their appearance at the game in some capacity. That should be cool to have that aspect of the game and the buildup to the big game.
I'd make a prediction, but I really don't care. I guess I'm a Bears fan so I'll root for the NFC. Do what you like with that. Just don't gamble with it...


Word came out today that Dustin Diamond, yes Screech from Saved by the Bell, put out his book "Behind the Bell" and has some pretty start accusations. I'll let you read the 11 biggest o them, here. But I'm still more excited at the possibility of the Saved by the Bell reunion. Does anyone know if this is still happening? It would be so funny and good with everyone but Screech there. MAKE IT HAPPEN!


I'm not a real big American Idol fan, but when one of my favorites that I've made sure to publicize here on "The Way" is on as a guest judge and is actually A) Hot and B) Awesome, it's worth a watch. Katy Perry herself was on and almost kick started a cat fight. Yeah, it would have been good. Check the short video.

Keeping on the awesome ways tangent, Chelsea Handler is the focus of today's Nussie Hunter. Is there another female comedian more funny? Maybe Sarah Silverman, but even she's fallen off lately. I think Chelsea is super hot and very funny. If you haven't seen her show, you need to! There is more than what's below, here. Enjoy!