The Swagger of Ryan Braun

Cocky or Confident? A question that has been asked before when it came to Ryan Braun, ever since he came up in 2007. He just had a swagger about him that many Brewer fans weren't used to seeing. Braun quickly backed up his "cockiness" and has been referred to as a "confident" ever since. However, this year Braun made a statement after getting beaned by the Pirates that got the sports pundits all up in arms, but the pot seemed to boil over this past weekend against the Cubs and the debate seems to once again be in the air.

Of course the first incident earlier this year most people were able to overlook as Braun was obviously intentionally hit with a fast ball directly to the upper back thrown by Jeff Karstens of the Pirates. After the game, still in obvious rage, Braun basically threatened Karstens that he would be hit later this year. Probably not exactly a wise thing to say, especially if the Brewer pitchers were planning on doing so anyways, because now an ejection could easily loom over anyone who might do so. Plus, threatening pitchers....eh, just hit a jack off of him instead. Let the pitching staff retaliate on their star player instead if they so want to. As it turned out Karstens was fined by the league for the pitch, but Braun, who probably could have been fined for his comments, just raised some eyebrows.

Then last Friday against the Cubs Braun hit a go ahead homer in the 8th, which ultimately gave the Brewers the win. Obviously an emotional player, Braun was fired up stuck his tongue out in joy and proceed to make an airplane motion rounding 1st, similar to his now iconic image of his game winning homer against the Cubs to help send the Brewers into the postseason. The difference is this is May, that was September. I found no problem with it but the message boards blew up about Braun's cockiness and his unsportsmanlike conduct.

What really has Cubs fans steaming though, and Cubs TV announcer Bob Brenly, was Saturday night's game. Ryan Dempster buzzed the tower with a fastball. Ruled on the field that Braun was hit in the helmet, replay showed what appeared to actual be the bat that was hit. Regardless, it was a scary moment for Brewers fans, players, and of course Braun. Braun showed obvious anger in regards to this pitch. His next at bat he let the bat do the talking, hitting an obvious homerun off of the bat, but then stares Dempster down as he is trotting to first base. Once again the message boards light up and as I mentioned, rejected Brewer manager prospect Bob Brenly had some unkind words for Braun after the stare down implying Braun will be taking some pitches to the ribs.

A nice video of comcast network and story on brewcrewball.com

ESPN has made some comments, Yahoo! briefly mentioned it in an article, both looking down on Braun for his actions, but what makes this different than what other big time players do? Albert Pujols, well respected in the league will admire a well hit homer more than most and no one seems to mind. Braun doesn't make showing up a pitcher a habit and I hope he keeps it that way. However, I love to see him playing with that level of passion, turning his emotions into performance. Getting beaned is no fun, it hurt me in little league with a ball thrown 40 mph, I can't imagine a 90 mph fastball.

Cubs fans have no room to talk, one of the biggest "passionate" players, Carlos Zambrano, shows up batters on a consistent basis. Whenever he gets out of a tough inning unscathed he acts as if he just threw a no hitter to win the World Series. It is something that annoys me, but Cubs fans call him passionate. I get why they would like to see emotion out of a player, so they should keep their mouths quiet when an opposing player celebrates a big moment.

Keep doing what your doing Braunie!

This was the HR that propelled the Crew into the playoffs

Things I learned last night at the Cubs/Brewers game

Ahhhh yes. Can you smell that in the air? 'That' is the FIB stink of another Cubs/Brewers series at Milwaukee's own Miller Park. Unless you've lived under a boulder most of your life, you know that the series is a heated one. Brewers fans hate Cubs fans and vice versa. I was rather subdued last night, as I attended the game with 2 older females. Seats were section 237, loge outfield directly under Bernie's slide. A few of the things running through my (to some degree) sober head after I got home around bar time included:

• Not all Cubs fans are douchebags. This was surprising to me. I've been to about 10 in my lifetime, and almost every time, someone I'm with gets into a fight with one of 'them'. The 2 gentlemen behind me were actually cordial to me. This was most likely due to the fact that they were not drinking.
• No matter what section you're sitting in, there will be one Cubs fan who has had waaaay too much to drink, that even his fellow fans will shake their heads in dismay at. Who picks fights with a 60 year old Brewers fan just watching the game in silence? Terrible.
  
• Brewers fans are not as vocal when the Cubs are in town. It's sad, really.
• If you see a really hot girl not wearing any team colors at all - she's from Chicago.
• If you overhear someone complain about the price of beer, they are probably Cubs fans.
• At least 50% of the people from Chicago came on a coach/charter bus or limousine. Most of these busses have bathrooms on them. This also explains why most of the Cubbie lovers are wasted by the time they get to Milwaukee.
• Aramis Ramirez is apparently made of glass.
• Ryan Braun literally has crushed ice running through his veins.
• Cubs fans would not like Jason Kendall back on their roster. I'm ok with this.
• Some, not all, from North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa are Cubs fans. Why? Because they get WGN. Laaaaame.
• There is no greater feeling than leaving the ballpark with thousands of screaming, chanting, drunk Brewers fans. Comeradery is cool.

Pics of the game, including Ramirez squirming on the ground, can be found here at BrewCrewBall

Favre Watch Update #206

Surprise, surprise our beloved former QB Brett Favre will be meeting with Brett Childress about playing sometime this week (via ESPN).

Pete Prisco asks why the Vikings would even want to do this. (via CBSSports.com)

As a resident of Wisconsin, I ask Brett Favre to retire. Seriously, do you really want to alienate the true Green Bay Packer fans by playing with a hated rival? Or, do you just love those "Brett Favre Worshipers" that never seem to keep quiet? Brett's a drama queen, so I'm going with the latter. He'll end up in Minnesota in less than two weeks, and the hatred toward Favre will grow or at least I'll try and forget that he ever existed.

Former Badger Luke Swan: Reality Star & Possible Dallas Cowboy

Luke Swan, former Wisconsin Badger and, for those familiar with my home area of southwest WI, Fennimore Golden Eagle wide receiver, was selected as a finalist for a new reality TV show on Spike TV. Twelve athletes will compete for a spot on the Dallas Cowboys training camp roster.

A walk on player who made a name for himself while at Madison, had is collegiate career cut short by a hamstring injury. He then went undrafted in 2008, but signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs. That stint didn't last long as he re-aggravated his injury. Now he once again as a chance to try and make a NFL team. While the odds are probably low, it would be fun to watch Swan catching passes from a fellow southern Wisconsinite, Tony Romo.

The show called, "4th and Long", will air on May 18 at 9pm on Spike TV.

Article on uwbadgers.com

T-Rats Fan's Choice bobblehead day

Vote early and often for a Brewers farmhand - Brett Lawrie or Cutter Dykstra - to be immortalized with a bobblehead on Thursday, September 3rd during the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game. The key that the press release is failing to mention is that it's "Thirsty Thursdays", which means beers are a buck! Can't beat that with a stick!

LaPorta gets call

We'll find out soon what the Indians gained in the CC Sabathia trade last summer. With former Brewer, Tony Graffanino designated for assignment, Cleveland has made space for the highly rated prospect. Matt LaPorta who is currently tearing up the pitching with Triple-A affiliate Columbus Clippers. In 19 games this season he is batting .368/.436/.706, generating a lot of offense for his current club.

Bob Uecker on Twittering

The good folks at rightfieldbleachers.com have a hilarious clip of Bob Uecker talking about Twittering and other hilarious topics, such as eating Frosted Flakes with Miller Lite in the morning.

Right Field Bleachers - Bob Uecker & Twitter