Geoff Jenkins is looking forward to playing in Miller Park with the rest of the Milwaukee Brewers this season and beyond. The leftfielder is becoming one of the stars of the club and made a commitment to the Brewers and Milwaukee by signing a four-year contract extension. OMC caught up with him in spring training for another Milwaukee Talks feature.

OMC: Geoff, you've become one of the key guys on the team. Are you ready for the role?

Jenkins: I've always been the player who was expected to be a go-to guy. In high school, college, the minors, I think I always expected that for myself. Now, it's in the major leagues. I think I'm ready for the role. I am looking forward to it.

OMC: Signing the extension created a lot of buzz. Why did you agree to it rather than wait for arbitration and free agency?

Jenkins: This is the organization that gave me a chance to play in the big leagues. I want to do what I can do to build something in the new park.

OMC: What about signing the extension at the same time Richie Sexson signed one?

Jenkins: I think Richie feels the same way. We've been told we're needed here. We understand the situation in Milwaukee, and the hopes for the next few years. We wanted to be part of it.

OMC: The Brewers have a tradition of longevity. Robin Yount, Paul Molitor and Jim Gantner played together longer than any trio in baseball history. But, that doesn't happen very often today, does it?

Jenkins: That's unusual today. Guys don't stick with one team that long. But, if you are treated fairly, and given the opportunity to accomplish something, why not show a commitment?

OMC: The Brewers have showed a commitment in several ways, haven't they?

Jenkins: I think so. We brought in Jeffrey Hammonds, who was an All Star last season. Burnie (Jeromy Burnitz) is signed for a couple more years. You know Burnie is Burnie. He'll put up his numbers. I think we can put up our outfield with any in baseball, if we all stay healthy. We have Richie for a whole season and have brought in some veterans to give us depth.

OMC: The one negative has been the loss of shortstop Mark Loretta for up to two months with a thumb injury. What does that do to the team?

Jenkins: Losing Lo is a big blow. He brings a lot of intangibles that you really can't replace. Hopefully, we do have the guys who can fill the holes at shortstop and in the No. 2 spot in the order until Lo gets back.

OMC: Even though things look great now, you've paid your dues to get here, haven't you?

Jenkins: There have been some tough times. I was slowed by injuries early in my career. I could have given up, but didn't. It hasn't always been easy, but I hope these are the best times coming up.

OMC: Baseball Weekly picked you one of the Unsung Stars in baseball this winter and cited your work ethic in overcoming those injuries. How did that make you feel?

Jenkins: Getting a story like that is nice, but you can't worry about what people write or say about you. I just try to go out there and play hard.

OMC: Where did you get that work ethic?

Jenkins: My father was a football and baseball coach. He was always supportive. He never pushed me into sports, but emphasized that if I was going to play them I should always play hard. That was a valuable lesson.

OMC: When did you first think you could play big time baseball?

Jenkins: Probably around my sophomore year in high school. I started to fill out. I stopped playing football and basketball and concentrated on baseball. Even then, I didn't think about pro ball unless I was drafted real high. I was thinking more of playing college ball.

OMC: Did you get drafted?

Jenkins: I was drafted in the 21st round out of high school. I thought it would be better to go to college and went to USC. I think it was the right thing to do. I could mature there, as a person and a player. I think it's important. You could learn, and still mess up once in a while, and not be in the spotlight like you are in pro ball.

OMC: You were All American at USC and a first round pick. It worked out, didn't it?

Jenkins: It did work out pretty well. Even, when I was picked that high, I knew it was a long way from playing up here. I knew I had a lot of work to do.

OMC: So, now you're here. You're single, make a lot of money. What do you do in your free time?

Jenkins: I love to play video games. I go to movies. I like to try good restaurants when we travel around.

OMC: Milwaukee is a good restaurant town. Have you tried many?

Jenkins: We've gotten around to quite a few. There are some real good ones.

OMC: Have you explored Milwaukee otherwise?

Jenkins: Not really, at least not to the degree I'd like to. We travel so much. Then, when we are at home, we're playing all the time. I lived in the New Berlin area last year. Now, with the contract, maybe I'll be able to get around more. I have learned that Milwaukee is a great town. People are very down-to-earth and friendly. There are a lot of Brewers' fans out there. They want a reason to come to the ballpark. We hope to give them a lot of reasons.

OMC: Are you still mistaken for Brett Favre, or has that died down?

Jenkins: I still have people think I'm Brett Favre at times, but not as often. It's never bothered me. He's a great football player.

Gregg Hoffmann has covered Milwaukee pro sports since the late 1970s, published The Brew Crew Review at brewers.rivals.com and is the author of "Down in the Valley: The History of Milwaukee County Stadium."