It's summer, and everyone has Brewers on the mind.

But, when you throw back a cold one at the corner sports bar, you'll notice baseball talk has changed.

Years of, "How bad can they get?" have turned into a season of "Does it get any better than this?"

Sure, the team has had its slip-ups. Who hasn't?

With Prince Fielder dominating the All-Star Game voting -- which, if he holds on to his lead over Albert Pujols today would make him the first Brewer since 1988 voted to start an All-Star Game -- and a roster of heavy hitters and consistent pitchers, what do we really have to complain about right now?

Should Ned Yost have pulled Derrick Turnbow a little earlier during last week's game against the Royals? Probably. But, you have to give some credit to the guy for having faith in his players.

In the spirit of our winning season -- 46-32 as of today -- I decided to ask one of my athletic-minded friends, Sheboygan Press sports guru Adam Thompson, to create the perfect Brewer for an article in M Magazine.

There was one major stipulation: All attributes of the player had to be drawn from actual Brewers who played for the team for at least five seasons. Here's what he came up with:

SMARTS -- Mark Loretta ('95-'02) did everything the Brewers asked of him and more. The Northwestern University grad and ultimate utility performer batted .279 or better six straight seasons and defensively played every spot in the infield, played outfield and even pitched one inning in 2001.

VISION -- Jeff Cirillo ('94-'99, '05-'06) wasn't flashy, but he found a way to get on base — better than anyone else in Brewers history. The infielder has three of the top 10 single-season batting averages (.326 in '99, .325 in '96, .321 in '98), the top career batting average (.307) and a better on-base percentage (.383) than anybody else who ever wore a Brewers uniform.

SASS -- Phil Garner (manager, '92-'98) managed the team through prosperity and turbulence, but his nickname of "Scrap Iron" was well-earned. The no-nonsense skipper once challenged White Sox media members to a fight after they bad-mouthed his Brew Crew on TV.

RIGHTY -- Rollie Fingers ('81-'85) saved games before saving games was cool, developing into one of the first relief superstars in baseball. In 1981, Fingers not only earned the American League Cy Young Award, but he was the league's Most Valuable Player, a rarity for a pitcher — and unheard of for a reliever.

LEFTY -- Teddy Higuera ('85-'94) was as successful as he was popular as the team's staff ace. A 20-game winner in 1986, Higuera retired No. 1 in team annals in strikeouts (1,081), including three seasons of more than 190 K's, No. 2 in winning percentage (.595) and No. 3 in wins.

POWER (LEFT) -- Barring injury, by the end of this season Geoff Jenkins ('98-present) should rank No. 2 all-time in home runs and No. 4 in runs batted in. He's second to Jeromy Burnitz in slugging (at .499) and continues his ascension into the top five in total hits, extra-base hits, doubles and on-base percentage.

POWER (RIGHT) -- Gorman Thomas ('73-'76, '78-'83, '86) is the team's only two-time league home run king, hitting 36 in '75 and 45 in '82, back in the day when 40 homers was a magic number. The brash outfielder ranks second in Brewers round-trippers and, because of his rep as a powerhouse, third in walks (501).

SPEED -- The revered Paul Molitor ('78-'92) was known for his all-around game, but his work on the base paths is unrivaled in Brewers' history. He led the team 10 times in stolen bases; his 412 steals is 141 more than anyone else; and he even had 16 triples in '79 and 13 in '91.

GLOVE -- George Scott ('72-'76) was only in town for five seasons, but his glove at first base was true. He won the Gold Glove award (given to the league's best fielder at each position), each of his summers in Milwaukee, earning more than half of the franchise's nine total Gold Glove honors.

HEART -- The best and most tenured of the Brewers, Robin Yount ('74-'93) was both the heart and the soul of the team for two decades. His 2,856 games played in a Brewers uniform is 1,000 more than anybody else, and he's the runaway all-time leader in hits, runs, singles, doubles, triples, home runs, runs batted in, extra-base hits, total bases and walks. Talk about wearing your heart on your sleeve.

Did Adam strike out or hit one out of the park with his suggestions? Who would you have chosen?

For more, check out the July issue of the City Edition of M Magazine, available on newsstands throughout the city.