You could almost feel the collective shudder coming from Miller Park this week, as rumors of a players' boycott of the All Star Game started to circulate.

The New York Times reported Tuesday that some players have talked about boycotting the July 9 game, scheduled for Miller Park, as a power play in their negotiations with the team owners.

Such a boycott could be disastrous for the Brewers, the community and the game in general. The Brewers already have spent months planning and preparing for the game, and have months of work yet ahead of them.

Milwaukee expects an economic impact of up to $75 million from the game, and the other festivities that surround it. For a couple days, the focus of the baseball world will be on Miller Park and the city. To lose the financial gain and publicity would be a major blow to the community.

Fans also are fed up with power plays and breakdowns in contract negotiations for players who they feel already are spoiled rich brats, and we aren't referring to our favorite sausage in the last reference.

Each time the players and owners fail to negotiate a reasonable settlement a few more fans are permanently lost forever. In Milwaukee, where memories are long, some fans still have not come back to the game because of resentment over the 1994-95 work stoppage, or previous stoppages, or for that matter the Braves leaving town in the 1960s.

At least some reports hint that the players are considering the boycott because they would like to stick it to Bud Selig for the contraction proposal and for his expressed goals of changing the economic structure of the game.

Selig told the Times: "I was with some players over the weekend. They couldn't have been nicer. I suppose it's because of contraction, things that have gone on, whatever. I understand they're unhappy about X and about Y. I have a lot of owners that are angry too. But what does that do? It doesn't do anything."

What "it" would do is show just how self-centered and insulated from the fans the players have become. Too many care only about themselves.

Now, before panicking, understand that several Brewers and other players have said they have not heard any concrete proposals for a boycott. Also, the reports have come from New York media sources, who have never recovered from the fact that Selig is commissioner and had the audacity to establish his office in Milwaukee rather than in NYC.

We are in the hinterlands, in the eyes of these people, who frankly are some of the most parochial people you ever want to meet. The world stops at the Hudson River for many of these people.

So, you might want to consider the source when reading any information about a boycott. But, if there is any truth to it, all efforts should start ASAP to nip it now. Any boycott would only harm the Brewers, Milwaukee and the game of baseball in general. It would not earn the players one extra dime, or one additional concession, in negotiations.

Jamey Wright already has been shut down for a start because of an oblique muscle problem in his left side. Wright missed the first couple months of the season two years ago because of a similar injury in his right side.

If Wright's injury lingers, Francisco Campos, the righthander signed from the Mexican League, might be moved into the Brewers' starting rotation. GM Dean Taylor also might want to become more aggressive in trading one of the team's three third basemen for additional pitching depth.

First, Nick Neugebauer's progress in camp was hampered by some shoulder tenderness, for which he received a cortisone shot. Now, the prize prospect has been sent home with the flu for a few days.

It's starting to look doubtful that Neugie will be ready by the start of the regular season. Maybe he can be ready to become a regular part of the rotation by the end of April, if he faces no other setbacks.

Alex Ochoa has been one of the hottest hitters in the Cactus League so far. Ochoa has not made it a secret that he would like to win the right field job completely, rather than platoon with Matt Stairs, whose work so far this spring has been limited because of sore legs.

Ochoa has more overall tools than Stairs. If he would win the job outright, Stairs still could be very valuable as a lefthanded bat and fill-in in the outfield and at first base.

Look for the regular Brew Crew Review column next Thursday. Then, starting March 18, look for a week of daily BCR columns direct from Maryvale, Arizona, and regular news updates on the news and message board. The Brew Crew Review on OMC is getting you ready for the regular season.