{image1}Although the Brewers tumbled into last place for a day, another big Cubs series, and the induction of Paul Molitor into the Hall of Fame, are creating buzz about the team this week.
It's fortunate that both events happened because the Brewers have done their best to dampen the enthusiasm that built while they played winning baseball until the All Star break.
The Crew lost eight of nine games to fall three games under .500 for the first time this season. They averaged just over two runs per game in doing so.
Despite this woeful performance, crowds of more than 40,000 have jammed Miller Park, which sounds like Wrigley Field North again. The Brewers' fans who turned out for a series earlier in the month either haven't turned out in the same numbers or just haven't found much to cheer about until Wednesday night.
The Cubs, who were swept in that earlier series, have given their faithful reasons to cheer this week. They overcame another good performance by Victor Santos to post a 3-1 win on Monday. On Tuesday, they knocked Ben Sheets around early and ended up with a 7-1 win. Greg Maddux won the 299th game of his great career on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the Brewers found enough offense to beat Kerry Wood and the Cubs, 6-3, and climb out of the cellar. Pitcher Chris Capuano held the Cubs to four hits and two runs in 6 1/3 innings and had a big RBI double. Bill Hall and Ben Grieve homered. The teams wrap up their series Thursday.
The Brewers' already anemic offense had virtually no red blood cells until Wednesday night. "Guys just aren't seeing the ball very well," lamented manager Ned Yost. "Their timing and rhythm at the plate are off."
GM Doug Melvin did pick up Russell Branyan, who hit the longest homer in Miller Park history Tuesday with a 480-foot shot. He could play more at third base than the struggling Wes Helms.
Many fans would like to see Melvin make another move before the waivers deadline over the weekend, but don't expect any blockbusters.
To make matters worse, the Brewers found out this week that second baseman Junior Spivey likely will need season-ending surgery to repair an injured shoulder. He was to be examined in Los Angeles Thursday and could have the surgery Friday.
"I always kind of knew this could happen," Yost said of Spivey's injury. "We'll just have to fill with (Bill) Hall and (Keith) Ginter. Matchups will determine who plays day to day."
The Brewers still have a chance to play .500 baseball, which most people would have considered a good season when things started this spring. Their month-long streak against fellow National League Central foes will end next week. That's good, since the division has become the best in the league.
In order to do so, however, they have to start hitting more like they did Wednesday night. Otherwise, with the Cubs and Molitor behind them, the Brewers' buzz will fade way, as fans turn to the Packers and other upcoming fall sports, just like they have for the last 11 seasons.
Molly into Hall
Kudos to Molitor for his induction into Cooperstown last weekend. As I am fond of saying, Molly and I broke into the big leagues in the same year, 1978. He had a bigger impact, but I enjoyed covering him for his 15 years in Milwaukee.
His induction speech was typical Molitor - articulate, thoughtful, straight-forward. Molitor is now the hitting coach in Seattle and the Mariners have struggled this season, but he still could make a great manager some day.
Molly was one of those rare athletes who could both perform and then explain how he did it. He and I collaborated on some how-to columns for kids in his last year in Milwaukee.
We had another thing in common. His mother and mine were terminally ill at the same time. We talked about dealing with that more than once around the batting cage. His family, a large one in St. Paul, Minnesota, meant a great deal to him. He tearfully mentioned his folks in his speech at Cooperstown.
Molitor's departure from Milwaukee was not the way it should have been. He left for Toronto in 1992 after then GM Sal Bando made only a half-hearted attempt to re-sign him. But, Brewers' fans should be proud that Paul Molitor went into the Hall wearing a MB on his cap.
Hot Tix
The Packers have started training camp, which means thousands of fans will show up outside the Don Hutson practice facility to catch a glimpse of Brett Favre and the others.
Time is running out for the Packers. They have to make another run at the Super Bowl before Favre retires.
The Packers are holding "Summer Traditions at Lambeau Field" from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. this Saturday outside the practice facility. This family event hot tix have the right price. They're free.
Remember OMC will bring Packers coverage to you after every regular season game in On the Pack.
In other sports Beyond Milwaukee, Gus Macker, the world's largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, tips off Saturday along Sheboygan's Lakefront. Action starts at 8 a.m. Saturday and continues through Sunday until 5 pm. Registration is open Friday from 4:to 7 p.m.. Courts will be open for practice, concessions will be sold, and raffle tickets can be purchased Friday evening.
If you don't want to drive to Green Bay or Sheboygan, you can go to Miller Park, where the Brewers wrap up their series with the Cubs in a 1:05 p.m. game Thursday and then entertain the Pirates at 7:05 p.m. Friday, 6:05 p.m. Saturday and 1:05 p.m. Sunday. Pittsburgh is vying with Milwaukee to avoid the cellar.
Wave United hosts Portland at 7:35 p.m. Saturday at Uihlein Soccer Park. WU remains in a battle for the playoffs.
Several Wisconsin athletes have qualified for the U.S. Olympic team in Athens next month. Check some of them out in next Thursday's State Sports Buzz.
