ADD being Attention Deficit Disorder.

So now the Brewers top 2 non-MLB prospects are suspended for 50 games and the big team is swirling the bowl. The year started off with such promise but it looks like it will instead be one of the most devastating in franchise history.

The year started off with such promise but it looks like it will instead be one of the most devastating in franchise history.

Devastating? Where were you in 2002?

but it looks like it will instead be one of the most devastating in franchise history

This is similar to Vaux's perspective on the 2006 Tigers.

The next Doc Gooden!

The Rangers' second round pick Matt West was suspended for 50 games too.

Devastating? Where were you in 2002?

I was around, but the Brewers never had an 8 1/2 game lead that year and they didn't have any guys like Jeffress and Salome get suspended. The Brewers have never been contenders (unless you count 1992, which I don't really because they were in 3rd or below most of the year) while I've been cognizant of baseball. 2002 was just more of the same, even though they did set a franchise record for losses. 2007 was a year where they looked like contenders.

The Brewers were 2 games out behind Cleveland on Sept 1st back in 1997. Milwaukee finished with 78 wins, Cleveland 86.

Considering how the season began, I'm amazed Milwaukee is further out in 2007 than they were 10 years ago.

Sawney, I felt bad about the way it ended and I still do, but I never characterized it as a disaster for the franchise. September was a local disaster--a disaster for the season, as was the World Series. But for the franchise overall, it was great and fantastic, and I think I acknowledged that all the way through in my calmer moments. . .

Vaux,

Since I post here about a once a week, and since half my posts are ambiguous as to what I actually mean, I guess it wasn't obvious that I was joking around.

But I will say this. In the midst of last season, somewhere probably between one doom-and-gloom post and another one, you posted the most eloquent and moving thing I have read on this site, in the half decade I've poked around on here. I cannot harbor ill will toward you, because of the effect that post had on me. So I apologize that my earlier post was, essentially, gratuitous.

Sorry, I guess I was guilty of a bit of hyperbole. I stand by my use of "devastating" though. Brewers fans have been looking forward to 2007 as a breakthrough year since 2002 or so (about when Prince Fielder was drafted). It looked like it was happening, but now it's not.

Also, the Brewers 3 best prospects (that aren't in MLB) have either been traded for scrap (Inman) or suspended for drugs (Salmoe, Jeffress).

It's looking like a bad year. They could possibly still pull out a playoff spot, but that seems quite unlikely despite their relatively small deficit. They may not even break their streak of 14 straight non-winning seasons.

It's looking like a bad year. They could possibly still pull out a playoff spot, but that seems quite unlikely despite their relatively small deficit. They may not even break their streak of 14 straight non-winning seasons.

I know it's been a frustrating season to watch for a lot of it. It feels like the Brewers should be better - .500 two years ago and last year we had a lot of injuries. It seems like they should be better, especially with a couple of players developing into stars. It can't be this hard to win.

Looking at the stats I can understand why things haven't broken this year. That 2005 team had a couple of regulars in it that would need to be replaced - Miller can't start anymore and Clark's barely in the league. The 2005 pitching was better than average, and now it's regressed. Some blame the defense for that; I'm not sure. In 2005 the Brewers had Sheets, Davis, Capuano, and Ohka. They lost Davis but added Suppan and Bush to the rotation and Cordero and Linebrink to the bullpen. And yet the pitching's regressed.

And that may just be luck. Look at the Cubs. Zambrano's down, but they've definitely hit on guys this year. Lilly's having his best year, Sean Marshall has developed, Marquis had a 6 ERA last year and he's helped them. They've hit on more guys than they've missed. The Brewers haven't had that luck this year.

He needed to smoke some $hit to forget about the disaster in Milwaukee...

Whoops, I almost missed this thread.

Let me condemn Jeremy Jeffress on the record here and now, so that some idiot doesn't use my failure to do so months from now in a future discussion.

Have you ever played in the Carolina League......on weeeeed?

Whoops, I almost missed this thread.

Let me condemn Jeremy Jeffress on the record here and now, so that some idiot doesn't use my failure to do so months from now in a future discussion.

Good to see you took my advice to heart. Any time you need more help with the ethical compass, let me know. And my guess is you will need that help.

HW, you should put a Milwaukee tag on the articles you submit.

Any time you need more help with the ethical compass, let me know. And my guess is you will need that help.

Wow, this sure is rich coming from one of the biggest Barry Bonds Butt Boys on this site, and a guy who generally seems to go out of his way to defend dirtbags.

Your version of "ethics" frankly borders on being sick and twisted.

Wow, this sure is rich coming from one of the biggest Barry Bonds Butt Boys on this site, and a guy who generally seems to go out of his way to defend dirtbags.

Well, he has repeatedly gone on the record attacking Tony LaRussa.

Wow, this sure is rich coming from one of the biggest Barry Bonds Butt Boys on this site, and a guy who generally seems to go out of his way to defend dirtbags.

Your version of "ethics" frankly borders on being sick and twisted.

Geez, Joey, relax a little. I was just being a wiseass. And, my view of Bonds is a lot different than you seem to think, as I've explained.

Well, he has repeatedly gone on the record attacking Tony LaRussa.

Naw. I have said LaRussa is a smart guy and good manager. I am also a big fan of his animal shelter stuff. I have said he has a tendency to go off on players in public for not "doing it right" and to stir up controversy. OTHER people have called him a ######### and stuff like that--particularly after his driving adventures.

Joey,

We're on the same side of the steroids wars and the Bonds case in particular, but robinred isn't one of the Hear No Evil / See No Evil / Speak No Evil guys. He's put more of a priority of going after Bonds's enablers, especially Selig and the owners, but I don't remember that he's ever been in denial about Bonds or made any excuses for him.

Thanks, Andy.

I have never been a Bonds fan (well, of his playing skills--I am a fan of those) and I suspect he is a bad guy in many ways. But he is part of a larger problem, not the cause of it.

I can see how some would see Bonds as "worse" than other users, but to me that is a minor issue.

And, I am not sure I want to "go after" Selig. But I do agree with Posnanski--Selig was "in charge the whole time." Some of this has to be on him.

Jeremy Jeffress is 19 years old. 19 year old males do foolish things. He has time to learn from his mistakes.

battlekow, how is that done? A clear explanation please and not cyber shorthand. I am fairly capable on my PC but no whizerati.

Jeremy Jeffress is 19 years old. 19 year old males do foolish things. He has time to learn from his mistakes

.

I am pretty sure Joey is OK with Jeffress, HW. Joey was doing that because I pissed him off by calling him out awhile back on not commenting on Ryan Franklin's contract extension in discussing a larger point.

...if that is what you were addressing....