----- Original Message -----
From: "bar15arb" <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
To: <milwaukeebrewersbaseball@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2004 2:00 PM
Subject: [Milwaukee Brewers Baseball] Notes, quotes


> Notes: The Brewers assigned RHP Brian Bowles and C Craig Coste to
> Triple-A Indianapolis. ... Milwaukee SS Craig Counsell was held out
> of workouts Monday due to stiffness in his neck. The problem is not
> considered to be serious.



For those who have seen Counsell's batting stance the question that comes to
mind might be: Does he bat that way because of his neck injury or is his neck
sore because of that stance? He looks like a guy who is having a seizure with a
baseball bat in his hand.





>
>
> --The Brewers got very little in return for the $21.75 million they
> paid injury-prone outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds over the previous
> three seasons. Hammonds, now with the Giants, thought the Brewers
> were seeking retribution in an exhibition game on March 9.



What? That would be like bombing a guy in a wheelchair.



>
> In the top of the first inning, lefty Chris Capuano came up and in
> with a 1-2 pitch. When Hammonds ducked out of the way, he threw his
> hands up near his helmet and the fastball struck his right thumb,
> breaking it.




Is anybody surprised by this? JH could hurt himself tying his spikes in the
locker room. Dude is fragile, plain and simple.



>
> The Brewers certainly need Kolb to be ready when the season begins.
> After joining the team midway through last season, he emerged as one
> of the most reliable closers in the league, converting 21 of 23 save
> situations.
>
> With many other bullpen spots up for grabs, the Brewers don't want
> to have to worry about who will close games. They're keeping their
> fingers crossed because there is no solid Plan B for that vital role.



Kolb is a critical piece of the puzzle if MKE is going to be competitive at all.
They need a guy would can close out tight games because they won't be able to
bludgedon the opposition offensively. If they are to win 70+ games, they need
Kolb to post at least 35 saves, and he won't do that from the DL.