A Cheesehead in the land of the Cheesesteak

When the Brewers and Phillies begin their National League wild-card showdown tonight at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Todd Zolecki will be in the press box.

Zolecki, who grew up in New Berlin and now resides in Philadelphia, grew up a Brewers fan and still follows the team closely.

But, he gets paid to follow the Phillies.

Zolecki, a graduate of Waukesha Catholic Memorial High School, is a beat reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer. We caught up with him earlier this season and asked about his job, his hometown and his favorite ballpark.

OnMilwaukee.com: Where did you grow up, go to high school, etc? How did you end up at the University of Minnesota and then in baseball writing?

Todd Zolecki: I grew up in West Allis, but my family moved to New Berlin -- just a couple miles away -- after the seventh grade. My parents still live there. I graduated from Catholic Memorial in '93 and went to the University of Minnesota after that. I picked the U for a few reasons, but I knew it had a good journalism school and that was something I always wanted to pursue. But I got to the Inquirer in October '99 and covered high schools for a few years before the Phillies job opened up. I got the job basically because we had a hiring freeze at the time and nobody else at the paper wanted the job. It worked out nicely for me. This is my sixth season covering the Phillies.

OMC: Is Philly as tough a sports market as everyone thinks?


TZ: I'd say so, but the fans really drive that more than anything. They're frustrated as hell that they haven't had a championship since '83. There's a lot of angst there and they're very demanding. It definitely affects some players. But the media definitely plays a role, too. There's a lot of coverage, and sports talk radio can make things interesting.


OMC: What are your favorite Brewers memories as a kid?


TZ: I remember the Brewers clinching the AL East in '82. I remember being at my grandparents' house when the Brewers won on Easter Sunday in '87. But I was at the games when Robin Yount got his 3,000th hit and when Paul Molitor got the last hit in his 39-game hitting streak. I still remember Rick Manning getting a hit the next night to win the game with Molitor on deck. It ended the streak. I was ticked. I also remember my brother and I waiting in line several hours for Yount's autograph at a Brewers fest many, many winters ago. At the time it made total sense. I'm not sure I'd wait in line that long again, but I'm glad I have the autograph.

OMC: You cover all of baseball, obviously, but do you still follow the Brewers more closely than, say, the Rockies? What about the Packers and Bucks?


TZ: I definitely follow the Brewers more closely than other teams. My dad has a season ticket plan, so we're always talking about the Brewers. But I really follow the Packers more than anything. That's probably the only team I'm really a fan of anymore. I don't hide that, which I'm pretty sure drives my Philly friends crazy. I was at the two playoff games at Lambeau this year. The game against Seattle was the greatest sporting event I've ever attended. Just an awesome memory. The NFC title game was the most depressing.

I actually got off the treadmill at the gym during spring training when I heard Favre had retired. I should probably keep that to myself, huh?



OMC: How do you like having former Brewers Geoff Jenkins around?


TZ: Jenkins couldn't be a nicer guy. I can see why he got a standing ovation from Brewers fans his first game back to Miller Park. He's good to interview, too. For somebody who's in the clubhouse every day, that's huge.



OMC: What places do you have to hit when you come back to town?


TZ: It's funny, but when I'm home I'm pretty much at home. I don't have too many places I have to go, other than maybe Kopp's. I always went there when I was in high school and I get my cravings for a cheeseburger when I'm home. I'll also grab a beer downtown every once in a while. But like I said, when I'm home I like to relax so I just chill.



OMC: Which park is better -- Miller Park or CBP?


TZ: I'd have to say Citizens Bank Park, but I think Miller Park is great. They definitely needed a retractable roof there with the weather, and every time I bring people in from Philly they always come away impressed. But I think CBP is one of the nicest ballparks in baseball.