Here's what's routine about the Milwaukee Brewers: their latest season comes to an unceremonious end this weekend without a berth in the post-season.
Any other year preceding this one, for as far back as recollection goes, would be a matter of custom for this team's loyal following.
Here's what wasn't routine, though: the ethos of the organization and the fans was distinctly different at the outset of this year. Milwaukee was the fashionable pick for the Wild Card, even the division in some instances.
Optimism for the Crew was brewing ever since the conclusion of last year, when the indignity of 12 consecutive losing campaigns came to an end under the direction of first-year owner Mark Attanasio, who gave the general manager his impromtu to increase payroll and find more pieces through trade and free agency in the off-season.
Speaking of Doug Melvin—the general manager—I had a chance encounter with him on the concourse of Miller Park on opening day in April. As a fan, I thanked him for putting together a roster that was respectable and, by all accounts, workman-like.
That day, the Brewers won their opener. In fact, they won the next four games and seemed poised to make this their year.
Nearly six months later, as the season mercifully comes to a close, the standings show Milwaukee out of contention, and more notably, as taking a step back from last season's progress.
So what happened?
To make a long season a short story, a devastating string of injuries and the lossof their best player to trade did this team in. The organization's best pitcher, Ben Sheets, again missed time with recurring pain in his throwing shoulder. Sure, he usually gives the team a quality start when he's on the mound, but over the first two years of a franchise player's contract, he can't stay healthy.
Then, when 3/4 of your starting infield goes down, trouble is guaranteed. The Brewers lost J.J. Hardy (ankle), Corey Koskie (concussion) and Rickie Weeks (wrist), and have spent the last two months filling those positions with players best-served coming off the bench.
Making matters worse was the question of what to do with the most consistent hitter on the team, Carlos Lee. The main run-producer and sole power hitter, in the last year of his contract, consistently said he wanted to remain in Milwaukee. But when his contract demands exceeded the Brewers' limits, there was no choice but to deal him.
These events left no room for error, yet there were players this year mired in terrible slumps. Outfielder Geoff Jenkins, a mainstay over the years, will likely play his last game in a Brewer uniform this weekend. And Derrick Turnbow has lost whatever it is that made him an all-star this year.
Apart from personnel, where the Crew really faltered this season was on the road. It's one of those things that no one can really figure out. What it comes down to is a level of confidence that this team mightily lacked.
The general manager has given his manager, Ned Yost, a vote of confidence and the owner has graded himself a ""B."" And their tone is again one of optimism for next year, because players will get healthy, certain problems—the Miller Park roof notwithstanding—can be addressed, and the future is certainly better for this team.
—Jon is a junior majring in journalism. He can be reached at bortin@wisc.edu.
