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By Bobby Tanzilo Managing Editor E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Bobby Tanzilo

Published Aug. 12, 2009 at 8:30 a.m.

Tags: brewers, mets, yankees, manchester united, dave begel

As a sports fan, I've become accustomed to mediocrity. So, as I read your talkbacks to Dave Begel's column this week about the Brewers' chances of turning things around this season, I'm reminded of why I like the teams I do. Sadly, I've had to write a version of this blog before, too.

You know by now that I grew up a Mets fan. I started noticing baseball when the game's worst-ever team (in its first year, 1962) had just turned it around and won the 1969 World Series. A few up and down years led to another World Series in 1973, when I was in the thick of my youthful baseball jones. But then began the slide and the eventual return to the top 13 years later.

Because I was a regular visitor to Milwaukee as a kid, I was also interested in the Brewers (I had my Barrel Man T-shirt back in the day) and have become a fan over the years. I need not remind you of the vicissitudes of this team.

This season -- the year in which my soccer team was again relegated to the second division -- has been a tough one and, like you, each loss by my teams makes me wince and frustrates me.

However, as long as I've been a sports fan, I've had to live with great peaks and deep, deep troughs and I've come to realize that it's a hyper-reality. And that's why I like my teams. They are like life, which is rarely a straight road to the top.

Therefore, the rich teams like the Yankees and Man U, that can buy their way to success year after year (although money doesn't always equal success, we Mets fans are forced to admit), don't speak to me. I can't relate to it. Some days I win, some days I lose and I never have enough money to buy myself constant -- or near constant -- success.

So, if I become a fan of Australian rules football or something, I'll select a team that has had ups and downs and has a tradition of devoted fans despite it.

Because that's the true measure of a fan. The 64-98 Mets of 1977 meant as much to me as did the 100-game winners of 1988. The .500 1989 Brewers (Molitor, Yount, Gantner, Surhoff, Sveum, Plesac, Higuera, etc.) were as fun for me to watch as the heroes of '82, despite the fact that the highs were not nearly as high.

It's easy to glom onto a dynasty team and act like your fandom is from the heart; hey, you've got the numbers to back you up, right?

But show me 40 years rooting for a motley bunch that sometimes rips it up and I'll show what a real fan is made of.

So, this year, like most, I predict ups and downs, some bouts of greatness, some days of futility. Whether or not it's enough to get the Brewers into the playoffs, despite the best predictions, no one really knows until it either happens or doesn't, although time is certainly running out. But you and I can't control it either way. So, enjoy the ride and stay the course devoted Brewers fans.

9 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by WestSideWillie on Aug. 13, 2009 at 2:16 p.m. (report)

Leadership? We have three good ones, I think in Braun, Counsell, and to a point Fielder are the team leaders on the field. That is not a problem. Problem is talent and depth this year. BTW, with JJ's drop off offensively and Hall's non-existent bat, Kendall's weak hitting, why no-one questions the hitting coach? Take away the two monsters, it gets weak, Cameron started off All Star Strong now tailed off, Counsell have a career year, Hart was beginning to struggle, McG is a plus. Lopez, new guy hitting and we sent to minors our 4th leading HR hitter with 11. After the top two, no one else can knock in runs, but I believe McG will get better with experience. Brewers up 4-0. Must be Parra batting 8th, I like it. BTW, I do not question Doug's moves, only when the owner gets involved, like $10 mil for Gagne, let Doug do it, he gets Trevor for $5mil. There is just AAAA and AAA players out there, that is a fact.

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Posted by jk1522 on Aug. 13, 2009 at 12:59 p.m. (report)

WestSideWillie-We get it...you own a 9 pack...congrats...no need to mention it once, sometimes twice, in every post. The Brewers are going to draw near 3 mill again, if you dont want to reup on your tickets, dont! All you have done is complain about the moves Doug has made. Any ideas for solutions? So you would have traded our top prospects for a top notch pitcher that wouldnt have been enough to get us in the post season? If so, i cant jump on board with that! TosaJim, I understand what you are saying, but in my eyes we have a leader in Braun, but when he plays that role people arent ready for it. He called out the team a few weeks ago, told us what we were all thinking, and got his head ripped off for it. After that, he is now probably saying it isnt worth speaking up and that is why you are getting this impression of not caring from these guys. This is a common complaint from Brewer fans, but again, when someone does show some spunk the fans are all over the. Lastly, Castro was the token hire this year so its just as fair if he was the scapegoat. The pitching staff sucks, but he wasnt the right guy for the job. Reinds me of Terry Stotts from the Bucks, good assistant, or bullpen coach in this case, but not an actual coach.

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Posted by TosaJim on Aug. 12, 2009 at 3:17 p.m. (report)

This team has NO leader and NO personality.....they all look bored and anxious to get the game over. I sat right behind the Brewers Dugout a couple weeks ago and not once did any of the players acknowlege the fans after batting or coming off the field....they are as boring as their play....Trade Fielder while we can and get rid of Hart....let some "hungry" minor leaguers get some playing time...this season is OVER!

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Posted by Broner on Aug. 12, 2009 at 12:16 p.m. (report)

Castro getting fired was unfair. Even the greatest horse trainer can't change donkeys into racehorses. The biggest concern with this team in the pre-season was the pitching and that's what has turned out to haunt them. What was Castro supposed to do about that? I don't think any pitching coach could coach the suck out of Suppan.

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Posted by WestSideWillie on Aug. 12, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. (report)

Bill Hall Designated for Assignment and some career minor leaguer is brought up----I am upgrading my 9 pack to 20 gamers so I can get my 2009 post season tickets at Miller Park. Print the post-season tickets now! Wait, is that a white flag I see flying over Miller Park on the Harley Davison-Toyota Tundra-Potawatomi Bingo and Casino (no gambling allowed, Pete Rose), Kohl's family flag pole?

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Show me the other 4 Talkbacks

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