Even with their recent hot streak building Brewers buzz, the last thing Jim Powell needed to hear after a long season calling games on the Brewers Radio Network was that his workload was about to double.

Though it wasn't a surprise to Powell that the deadline was fast approaching for his broadcast partner, Hall of Fame announcer Bob Uecker, to have double knee replacement surgery, both hoped Uecke could hold out until the end of the season.

"Bob and I have been talking about it since the off-season, and he warned me very early on that he didn't know if he could make it through the season," says Powell.

"Watching him go up and down steps, it was hurting me."

Though no one outside the booth knew the full extent of Uecker's pain, Powell saw his partner spending a lot of time at the doctor, undergoing therapy and having his knees drained constantly.

Finally, the surgery was performed in early August, and Powell was on his own.

But when he sat in the booth for the first time -- alone -- Powell says it was a different feeling.

"Well, it was more than a little strange," says Powell. "This is Bob's booth, not because he's been here a long time. It's because of his personality. When Bob's around, it's a party."

To keep things fresh on the air, Powell has brought a myriad of guests into his booth, from Brewers President and CEO Ulice Payne, to other broadcasters, to even injured Brewers players. Powell says some of the more amusing personalities have been John Kruk, Harry Kalas, Glendon Rusch and Wes Helms.

"It's been good, because it gives me someone to talk to during the middle innings."

So was Powell nervous broadcasting his first Brewers game on his own? Not at all, he says. Before he got the Brewers job in 1996, Powell was used to working alone.

"Everyone was treating me like a cancer patient, but I worked in the minor leagues and college ball from 1984 to 1993, where I did (producer and engineer) Kent Sommerfield's job, Bob's job and my job. I set the equipment up and did the pre- and post-game shows by myself."

There are some benefits to working alone, too, says Powell.

"It does allow me some freedom. I can actually begin and end a thought in the same broadcast."

Though Powell will be the last to complain, he says pulling double-duty is more mentally draining that sharing his responsibilities with Mr. Baseball.

"That's really the challenge, to concentrate every second for three straight hours without letting your attention waiver at all. I think every day I've done it, I've gotten a little better at it."

Powell also says he breaks up the monotony by taking e-mails from listeners and by letting visiting announcers actually call an inning of Brewers baseball.

"Most fans don't realize that people who have been wildly successful in their own markets couldn't be more different."

Even though Powell is flying solo, he says Uecker has been listening to every game he misses. Now, as he recovers, Uecke is rejoining Powell for Milwaukee games, but Powell still hears his partner chiming in by phone when the team is on the road.

"He'll call sometimes to complain because one of our guys didn't get a runner from second to third. But I say, 'Bob, rehab. Just leave us alone.'"

"One day he called in to try to make me laugh on the air," adds Powell.

But off the air, Uecker has been tremendously supportive of his partner of eight seasons.

"He keeps telling me that the broadcasts have been very good, and I've talked to him virtually every day since the surgery. Even though he's going through a great personal challenge on his own, he's gone out of his way to lend his support to me, which I really appreciate."

Despite the increased workload, Powell says he's actually less excited about his upcoming off-season than he normally is as the season draws to a close.

"I've never worked for a team that has been over .500 in the Major Leagues," says Powell. "(The Brewers) had their first winning month in 14 'baseball months.' That's why I'm doing this; I'm a competitive guy, and I love sports and competition, and I want to see the good guys win. And their winning has greatly improved everybody's disposition around here."

So with this extra work, is Powell being rewarded with a hefty bonus?

"Actually, it's just part of my deal. I'm just doing it for the love of the game."

Has this, plus the exposure as the partner of an announcer now inducted in Cooperstown, raised his visibility and attracted interest from other markets?

"I doubt it," says Powell. "I've made it pretty clear to everybody, both in Milwaukee and outside of Milwaukee, that I'm a family-oriented guy, and this is a great place to raise a family. We're very happy to be here."

"I didn't get into this business for recognition. I did it because I get in free to watch baseball. And calling the games is a lot of fun. A lot of people will think it sounds disingenuous to say I'm not thinking about any attention that's on me, but I'm really not."

Some Brewers fans have speculated hoped that when Uecker finally retires, Powell will continue to broadcast in Milwaukee.

"It's not something I really think about. One of the reasons I like being in Milwaukee is because I get to be Bob Uecker's partner. That's like being paired with Johnny Carson. I'm sure Ed McMahon had some other opportunities along the way, but this is a unique opportunity in life to be paired with one of the all-time greats."