Slump City: Rookie third baseman Ryan Braun went 1 for 4 with a RBI double, sacrifice fly, and no fielding errors during his debut last night in San Diego. With two RBI, Braun doubled the combined total posted over the previous 21 games by veterans Tony Graffanino and Craig Counsell.
But, the Brewers still lost the game, 8-6, to continue a tailspin that has seen them drop 10 of 14 games.
Although many fans have been obsessing about the lack of production from the third-base platoon, starting pitching has been a major problem for the Brewers during their skid. In the first six weeks of the season, it seemed like the Brewers were getting a quality start every night. In the last 14 games, they have four, three by Ben Sheets.
Dave Bush, who put the team in a seven-run hole by the fifth inning Friday, could soon be replaced in the rotation by Carlos Villanueva. The Brewers are 3-7 in Bush's 10 starts. Yovani Gallardo is pitching very well at Class AAA Nashville, but the Brewers might want to have him serve a bit of an apprenticeship in a long relief role like the one that Villanueva is filling now.
Promising prospect: Braun didn't seem particularly nervous in his debut. Batting in the No. 2 hole between Rickie Weeks and J.J. Hardy, he hammered the first pitch he saw from future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux to the warning track in center field. He didn't seem overeager or overmatched the rest of the game.
If Braun plays 24 more games, he will surpass the career total of another defensively-challenged former No. 1 pick of the Brewers. Remember Antone Williamson? The third baseman from Arizona State was the fourth player chosen in 1994 and was one of the bigger flops in recent draft history. He hit .204 in 24 games for the Brewers in 1997 and was later released.
With the draft approaching, it's fun to play the "what-if" game. Would Jeff Cirillo's career have changed if Williamson had not been a bust? If David Krynzel had been productive, would the Brewers have passed on Tony Gwynn, Jr., in the second round in 2003? Would the Padres, who chose next, have felt compelled to draft the son of a franchise icon? If Chad Green had not been a bust, would the Brewers have taken Krynzel?
Pick six: Fan reaction ran the gamut from shock to anger to disbelief when the Bucks were awarded the sixth pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. Here is hoping that general manager Larry Harris will get a decent player like Mike Conley, Jr., or Al Horford.
In the meantime, here is a look at the No. 6 picks since 1984. The undistinguished list includes Robert "Tractor" Traylor, who was a bust for the Bucks:
2006 -- Brandon Roy (Rookie of the Year); 2005 -- Martell Webster; 2004 - Josh Childress; 2003 -- Chris Kaman; 2002 -- Dajuan Wagner; 2001 -- Shane Battier; 2000 -- DeMarr Johnson; 1999 -- Wally Szcerbiak; 1998 -- Robert Traylor; 1997 -- Ron Mercer; 1996 -- Antoine Walker; 1995 -- Bryant Reeves; 1994 -- Donyell Marshall;
1993 -- Calbert Cheaney; 1992 -- Tom Gugliotta; 1991 -- Doug Smith; 1990 -- Felton Spencer; 1989 -- Stacey King; 1988 -- Hersey Hawkins; 1987 -- Kenny Smith; 1986 -- William Bedford; 1985 -- Joe Kleine; 1984 -- Mel Turpin.
Friendly advice: ESPN college basketball Dick Vitale has a blog (doesn't everyone?) and used it this week to urge Marquette point guard Dominic James to return to school for his junior season.
Writes Vitale: "A message to Marquette's Dominic James ... please pull out of the NBA draft and go back to school. You can learn so much under the tutelage of Tom Crean. If it was meant to be you will be drafted after next season. Right now, the best bet is to return to Marquette where you can improve and be a difference-maker."
We're hearing mixed reports about James these days. The fact that he wasn't invited to the pre-draft showcase doesn't bode well for his selection, but there is some thought that he may test the draft market anyway. Though he didn't live up to expectations last season, James is both talented and confident that he can play at the next level.
Throwing strikes: The United States Bowling Congress Masters returns to Miller Park on Oct. 28, but there could be a slight scheduling conflict:
That date coincides with Game 4 of the World Series.
If the Brewers are in the Series and home that day, the bowling tourney will be held at AMF Bowlero in Wauwatosa. Ticket prices range from $10 to $75 and are available through the Brewers offices and Web site.
The Masters was a big hit at Miller Park in October, 2004, with 4,000 people on hand to watch action on lanes set up on the first-base line. The turnout could be heavy this year, because the Packers are off that Sunday and will play the following evening on "Monday Night Football" in Denver.
This will mark the fourth consecutive year and fifth time overall that the Masters has been held in Milwaukee. The finals were held in the U.S. Cellular Arena in 2004 and '05, and last year's finals were held at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park. The U.S. Cellular Arena (then Milwaukee Arena) also was the site of the Masters in 1952.
Heading (farther) south: Former Marquette strength and conditioning coach Scott Holsopple is leaving the University of Kentucky after one season to take a job with the University of Florida football program. Holsopple, who spent six seasons at Marquette, had been in charge of the Wildcats basketball and golf programs.
Dry ice: After 10 years of trying to sell hockey in Music City, Racine businessman Craig Leipold is selling the Nashville Predators. That immediately fueled speculation that he would try to buy the Bucks from Sen. Herb Kohl.
While nothing seems imminent on that front and Kohl has maintained that the team is not for sale, Leipold and some of his close friends top the list of potential buyers.
As for the hockey team, Leipold said he got tired of losing money and trying to get local investors.
Click to the next page to see a copy of the letter that Leipold sent to season ticket holders and sponsors to announce the decision:
LETTER FROM CRAIG LEIPOLD TO NASHVILLE PREDATORS SEASON TICKET HOLDERS, SPONSORS, SUITE HOLDERS
June 25, 2007 will mark the 10-year anniversary of the awarding of the NHL franchise to Nashville that became your Nashville Predators. It's been an incredible 10-year journey for me. I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate your strong emotional and financial support of the Nashville Predators. You are a big part of the team's on-ice success. On behalf of the entire franchise, I thank you.
Ten years ago, I couldn't call myself a hockey expert. Today, my family and I are as passionate and competitive about the game as the most hardcore fans.
When the franchise began, I said we would run it as a business in order to be successful. We developed a game plan both on and off the ice. We became an integral part of the community, especially downtown Nashville. We made sure we had some fun. And, we indicated that making a huge profit was not a top priority - but we certainly didn't make plans to lose a significant amount either.
As part of those plans we developed a loyal fan base - every team should be fortunate enough to have a Cell Block 303 and the loudest arena in the league. We built a team that the community could be proud of on and off the ice. We grew our hockey skills exactly as general manager David Poile outlined, using the draft as a foundation and then supplementing at the appropriate times with trades and free agents. We gave back to the community - well over $2 million in grants and in-kind donations through the Nashville Predators Foundation. We created an entertaining in-arena atmosphere for every game night. And, we did it all while keeping our ticket prices near the bottom of the league.
Unfortunately, the success on the ice has not translated to success for me as business owner.
Here are just a few facts as to why:
• The Nashville Predators tallied up 216 points in the last two seasons, fifth most in the NHL, yet because of below-average attendance, the team will still have a real cash loss of $27 million during that time. Additionally, that loss is despite receiving the most money in the league from revenue sharing. Over the last five years, the team has lost over $60 million.
• We've invested heavily in sales and marketing efforts, spending over $50 million in 10 years, most of that with locally-based businesses.
• Our average regular season attendance this past season was 13,589, up from the year before, but still 2,000 below the NHL average. A low turnout, combined with a low ticket price results in a poor financial situation.
• The new NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement with revenue sharing is not a cure-all. Each local market must still support its local team. In addition, this attendance does not qualify us for our full revenue sharing allocation under the collective bargaining agreement.
• While individual fan support has always been strong, we've worked aggressively to increase our local business support since Season Four. We've tried a variety of approaches with minimal success. Our records show today that corporate support for the Nashville Predators makes up about 35% of our season ticket base. The average in other markets is around 60%. During our first two years, approximately 4,000 businesses owned season tickets. Today, only 1,800 businesses have season tickets.
While my heart and my love of the game tell me we can still be successful, the facts outlined above suggest otherwise. I've reached the only possible conclusion and it's one of the most difficult decisions of my personal and professional life.
Later today, I am announcing an agreement to sell the Nashville Predators franchise and Powers Management to Jim Balsillie. We plan for the sale to be final in early July after a short period of due diligence and approval from the NHL Board of Governors.
I've carried the franchise as far as it can go from a business standpoint. It has been well-reported that we have attempted to attract local ownership since 2002. The truth is, we had only one serious inquiry in that time from someone who was interested in a small minority share of the team. Jim Balsillie is interested in full ownership.
It's time to give someone else a chance to take the Nashville Predators to the next level in terms of local business support. Last week's announcement that the Sommet Group has signed on as a naming rights partner for the arena is a strong first step in the right direction. The new energy and leadership of Jim Balsillie will be another.
Jim Balsillie is co-CEO of Research in Motion, the company which developed the Blackberry device. He is an avid hockey fan who still plays recreationally. I know he is dedicated to putting a great team on the ice.
The past 10 years have laid a foundation, but there's still much to be done to both build corporate support and to win a Stanley Cup. I know Jim shares my passion for the game and my commitment to a strong franchise to pursue the greatest trophy in sports.
Despite the financial challenges we faced, owning this franchise has been the thrill of a lifetime. I've made many friendships here in Nashville. It's been an exciting 10 years, and as I move on from the ranks of team ownership, I'll always remain a fan.
Sincerely,
CLL
In closing: That wraps it up for Saturday Scorecard. Enjoy the holiday.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
