So, we all hoped the Milwaukee Brewers would never lose another game until the World Series was over. But the realists know that the incredible July/August hot streak for this team wasn't going to last forever.

Can you say, "Hello St. Louee?"

But having said all that, I still think, and I guess most people think, that the Brewers are still the best team in their division. And having them involved in this race is incredibly exciting. So exciting that they have, I believe, knocked the Green Bay Packers season, back into second place, at least temporarily.

After watching this team sail through the end of summer, I've found some things I really love, and at least one thing I could really do without.

The biggest thing I love is their manager, Ron Roenicke. I've talked with him a couple of times and have watched him in action. And this guy, much like Mike McCarthy in Green Bay, is the real deal.

Now, it's easy to lavish praise when you seemingly never lose. They say the real test of a coach or manager is when things are going bad. But there are inklings of a steady and skilled hand in Roenicke.

Recently I asked him whether he thought the players on his team respected him.

"I don't know about respect," he said. "You can't always tell. But if you used the word trust, then I'd say yes. I think they trust that I've got their backs and want what's best for them."

A few minutes after we talked about respect versus trust in the dugout, I saw Roenicke talking to a player on the field before the game. Now, I've seen lots of coaches talk to lots of players in lots of sports, and almost always, the player stands in front of the coach, his head on a swivel, looking everywhere except at his coach.

Whoever Roenicke was talking to had his gaze fixed on his manager. Listening and paying close attention, obviously. That says loads about the kind of manager he is.

Another thing I love is how Casey McGehee has responded to the stretch run. When Rickie Weeks went down with an ankle injury, the Brewers were heading into a stretch run and the pressure was mounting. I wrote a column at the time rating the pressure level on various players. McGehee was at the top of the list.

He had a great season last year and kind of a dog this season. If there was a time for him to step his game up, this was it. Well, take a look.

Through July 27 (when Weeks got hurt), Casey was hitting .230 (85-369) with 5 home runs and 40 RBI. After the July 27, McGehee is hitting .275 (28-102) with 6 HR and 23 RBI. In those games, he has seven multi-hit games including three games with three hits. This is the kind of thing that happens on teams that make deep playoff runs.

Now on to something that bugs me about the team. Since I don't go to all that many games, I am very dependent on the telecasts of the Brewers games, and I'm left with a schizophrenic reaction to Fox.

The actual broadcasts of the game, with Brian Anderson and Bill Schroeder are almost perfect. The production is non-intrusive and professional. Anderson defines what a play-by-play guy should be; smart, succinct and accurate with an understated sense of humor. Schroeder is an absolute gem in the box, providing insight, telling the viewers things they don't know and showing a sense of humor that has a Midwestern charm. They make as good a team as you will ever hear.

But after the game, when I am in the mood for some extended analysis or to hear what the manager or coach or players have to say, I get something far from it. Suddenly, it's amateur hour.

They have guys who mangle the English language. They guys who are the master of the obvious.

We are treated to this absurd on field instructional thing, the same thing that we get on Bucks' broadcasts. Making Bill Schroeder, complete with shirt and tie, show me how to hold a runner on first base does an immense disservice to us and to Schroeder. I will never get the image of Jim Paschke wearing a Bucks jersey over his shirt and tie, showing me how a pick-and-roll is supposed to be run with Jon McGlocklin, also with a jersey over his shirt and tie. Give me a lot more of Roenicke or Scott Skiles or other interviews with players or coaches, rather than this joke instructional stuff.

For some reason, Fox sports seems to be trying to get by on the cheap with pregame and postgame stuff. Watching or listening to most of these people gives me a headache.

Over on Channel 7, which might or might not be WMLW, the few times they run this thing called Sports Fanatics, you've got a confederacy of dunces, telling us the obvious, looking at the wrong camera and thinking they are funny. I can't imagine how a television station in 2011 can actually put crap like this on the air. Nobodies telling us nothing.

A note to all local television talk shows, sports and otherwise: If you are on the show, make sure you talk to somebody else. Forget about the camera. Let the director find you. Don't look at the camera unless it's a break. In local TV, most of those glances are to the wrong camera 75 percent of the time.

My complaints about the broadcasts, though, are minor irritants in the joys and excruciating fun of this race to the playoffs. It's almost too much for this old heart to bear.