In the spirit of the popular Facebook feature, here are 25 Random Things About the Brewers, inspired by a cursory reading of the team's 2009 media guide.

1. Brewers manager Ken Macha has a degree in civil engineering from the University of Pittsburgh ... and a black belt in taekwondo.

2. Brewers bench coach Willie Randolph's younger brother, Terry, played defensive back for the Packers in 1977.

3. Ryan Braun's team-leading batting average of .285 marked just the third time since 1990 that the Brewers' leading hitter didn't crack the .300 mark. Jeff Cirillo hit .288 in 1997 and Mark Loretta hit .289 in 2001.

4. Brewers reliever David Riske collects Air Jordan sneakers. He has more than 100 pair.

5. J.J. Hardy is in line to make his fifth straight opening day start for the Brewers. That will be the longest streak since Jeromy Burnitz started five in a row from 1997-2001. Second baseman Jim Gantner holds the franchise record with 11 overall opening day starts and nine in a row from 1981-89. Cecil Cooper also started nine straight openers from 1977-85.

6. Jason Kendall has been hit by a pitch 231 times in his big-league career, which ranks sixth on the all-time list.

7. All-time saves leader Trevor Hoffmann's biography occupies seven pages in the Brewers' media guide. Cover boy Ryan Braun's bio is four pages.

8. The Brewers have a coach at Class A Brevard County named Corey Hart. He played eight minor-league seasons with the Royals and Brewers.

9. Ned Yost is still in the Milwaukee organization. Ned Yost IV, the son of former manager Ned Yost, is a coach with Helena in the Pioneer Rookie League.

10. The Brewers' team earned run average of 3.85 last season was the lowest since 1992, when it was 3.43.

11. The most popular number in Brewers history is 11, which has been worn by 25 different players. The list includes: John Kennedy, Davey May, Sixto Lezcano, Kurt Bevacqua, Jim Rosario, Jim Gantner, Steve Brye, Jeff Yurak, Vic Harris, Ed Romero, Rick Cerone, Charlie O'Brien, Mike Young, LaVel Freeman, Greg Vaughn, Gary Sheffield, Dave Nilsson, Derrick May, Kelly Stinnett, Antone Williamson, Ronnie Belliard, Hideo Nomo, Richie Sexson, Lyle Overbay and the current owner, catcher Mike Rivera.

12. Tim Unroe, who played from 1995-97, is the only Brewers player whose last name started with the letter "U."

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

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by andpandatoo on March 4, 2009 at 4:43 p.m. (report)

This is amazing. Well done!

Posted by sandstorm on March 4, 2009 at 11:31 a.m. (report)

#26: Craig Counsell is cousins with Jud Counsell, original drummer for rock band The Hold Steady.

Posted by Kenneth_Macha on March 3, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. (report)

#15. The Brewers made a trade with the Yankees this year to acquire Chase Wright (LHP).

Posted by Red_5 on March 2, 2009 at 10:49 p.m. (report)

Ah... yeah Buck. But the W.B.C. games will mean "something" which will not allow him to experiment and take chances at his position. Thus retarding his growth as a player. If you want to play for a world championship do it in October and not early March.

Posted by buck on March 2, 2009 at 9:12 p.m. (report)

red, braun will be playing the outfield in the WBC, so he'll be getting plenty of practice...i don't think his body and mind will treat the reps differently because he's wearing a slightly different colored shirt.