{image1} The Brewers open their spring training camp this week with perhaps the most optimism in years.
It starts at the top where a new ownership group, headed by Los Angeles investor Mark Attanasio, has brought an upbeat outlook, and needed additional bucks, to the table.
The acquisition of outfielder Carlos Lee and catcher Damian Miller add proven veteran production and leadership to the team. Ben Sheets, who signed a one-year deal earlier in the week, heads a rotation that has potential. Some of the "kids" are getting close to ready. In fact, J.J. Hardy will get a chance to earn the starting shortstop position.
Manager Ned Yost and his staff still have a lot of questions to address in camp. After Sheets and Doug Davis, who will follow in the rotation? Victor Santos, Chris Capuano, West Obermueller, Jorge De LaRosa, Ben Hendrickson, Gary Glover and perhaps newly acquired Jose Capellan are all candidates.
The bullpen was depleted by some of the off-season moves. Can Justin Lehr, acquired from Oakland, fill a hole? Will Mike Adams step up to the closer role? How about veteran Rick Bottalico?
Wes Helms and Russell Branyan will share third base, but could youngster Corey Hart, who played some third earlier in his minor league career, beat both of them out eventually? Or could Hart stick as a spare outfielder?
What will Bill Hall's role be? Will he be a utility infielder again, or could he end up at short if Hardy isn't ready? Will Jeff Cirillo have enough left to become a factor at third or as a utility guy?
Brady Clark will get a long deserved shot at becoming a starter in center, but will David Krynzel end up there before the end of the season? How will Geoff Jenkins make the move to right field, and will he hit earlier in the season than he did last year?
Will Lyle Overbay pre-All Star break, or Lyle Overbay post-All Star break, show up? Can Junior Spivey hold up at second base, and if not could Hall, Cirillo or perhaps even highly-heralded Rickey Weeks end up there?
Questions are part of what makes spring training fun. The attempt to answer them will start in seriousness very soon.
TV Show
Did you see the first airing of "Go Brewers! 2005 All Access Ticket" on Channel 58? It's a behind-the-scenes look at the ball club in spring training.
Additional shows will air on Feb. 26, March 5 and 19 and April 3. Profiles of Lee, Miller and other players are included. So is an interview with Attanasio.
Hot Tix
Back where winter sports still rule, the Bucks are on the road until Feb. 23 when they host the Nets at the Bradley Center.
In college basketball, Marquette will host highly-ranked Louisville at 6 p.m. Thursday at the B.C. ESPN will carry that game. The Golden Eagles then host rival DePaul at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. ABC has that game.
UWM travels to Hawaii for an ESPN Bracket Buster tourney game at 7 p.m. Saturday. ESPN2 will have that game. The UW Badgers are off until they play at Michigan State on Feb. 24.
The Wave plays at St. Louis on Friday and then hosts Interstate-94 rival, the Chicago Storm, at 1:05 p.m. Sunday at the U.S. Cellular Arena.
What a busy weekend for the Admirals! The Ads start at Grand Rapids Friday, return home for a 7:30 p.m. game against Philadelphia Saturday at the B.C. and then play Cincinnati at 5 p.m. at the B.C. on Sunday.
In tiny Westby, near La Crosse, ski jumpers from around the world will compete in the 82nd annual international ski jump tournament.
You don't have to go to Arizona to catch plenty of sports action.
