Perspectives
Don't worry, it's just the title, we won't be doing another Saturday Night Live inspired interview.
During a Facebook conversation that took place shortly after the conclusion of the 2012 MLB regular season, a friend suggested that, given the Brewers failed to make the playoffs, I must consider the season a disappointment. My initial reaction was to point out that our season wasn't nearly as disappointing as his, as he roots for the last-place, 69-win Boston Red Sox. In the end I replied that, in all sincerity, 2012 was far from disappointing.
Of course it would have been nice if the Crew had made the playoffs and extended the season, but most fans understand that a postseason appearance never is a given and, in fact, the opposite generally holds true. I also understand why some of the younger fans (as well as the casual fans) may declare their "disappointment" about a season in which the defending NL Central champs didn’t even win enough to garner the second wild-card slot. Not me, though; I keep things in perspective.
The Milwaukee Brewers and their fans can boast of two playoff appearances in the past five years, which is equal to or better than 25 of the 30 MLB teams. It's also one more playoff appearance than the Crew had in the first 37 years of their existence. I don’t remember all of those 37 seasons, but I saw enough to provide perspective. I remember 106 losses in 2002. I remember the lack of hope year after year after year. I remember enough to shape my perspective.
Two things about the 2012 season stick out to me, and both helped make it a memorable one. First, it was nothing short of amazing to watch the Crew rip off 24 wins over a 30-game stretch after even yours truly had written them off. That run was the best 30-game stretch of any MLB team this year that, moving forward, says something about the character of the team's foundation.
The most amazing thing about this season, however, was the continued domination of left fielder Ryan Braun. I’ve professed enough admiration on this blog for Mr. Braun, so I won’t waste anymore of your time repeating his annual MVP-caliber numbers, the B.S. leak to ESPN about his test, the obvious break in chain of command or the fact that arbitrator Shyam Das was fired after he ruled in Mr. Braun's favor. I don’t need to rhetorically ask why MLB and the players union both agreed not to release the report. I simply am going to trust Mr. Braun when he says he will not reveal the true story “in the best interest of the game, ahead of the best interest of himself”. Or, that there was a 'second spitter'.
As I sat down to write this blog, I gave some thought to adding something of a political undertone by talking about how everyone has their perspective on the direction this country should go, and how we should keep various historical and personal situations in perspective when casting our vote Tuesday. Before I went too far I read some comments on other GazetteXtra threads and realized (remembered) that as long as people are allowed to post behind a faceless/nameless online I.D., the conversations always will remind me of Stephen Stills, Neil Young and Buffalo Springfield in the sense that "nobody’s right, if everybody’s wrong".
So let’s stick with baseball. Do Brewers fans consider 2012 a disappointment? For those "Peace & Glove" readers who cheer for another team, what's your take on where your favorite club finished?
Tim Thompson is a carsalesman, farmer, and huge fan of the Milwaukee Brewers. He lives in Milton area with his wife and two kids. Tim is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Nov 6, 2012 at 8:21 p.m.
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Geeze, this is no place for class warfare, but thanks for reading freddy!!
Nov 6, 2012 at 2:24 p.m.
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You guys/gals are part of the logical percentage of fan base. You know there is an illogical percentage as well. baseball=life:)
Nov 6, 2012 at 1:59 p.m.
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GoodAmerican. I agree with you. Unfortunately a majority of other Cub fans do not agree with you. As evidence by all the sell outs even when they are pathetic!
Nov 6, 2012 at 12:45 p.m.
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KP: So you're saying I attract the miserable?? Excellent...in an evil sort of way:)
rtabb: I'm with you. It's no different than a lot of other aspects of Americans lives. All part of that 'instant gratification generation' and its just never good enough for some people!!
Nov 6, 2012 at 11:30 a.m.
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I don't envy anyone trying to build or rebuild a team in todays baseball. It seems to me it's a damned if you do damned if you don't situation. If spend big money on free agents every year and win your labeled "The Evil Empire", if your free agent signings don't work out you wasted money, if you trade ageing players for "prospects" and those prospects do not pan out your a bad at evaluating talent, if you build via "money ball" your window of actually competeing and winning is very little. Just my two cents.
Nov 6, 2012 at 11:24 a.m.
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Tim, I think the reason you mostly Cubs fans posting on here is that we are open to, and used to, being miserable all year long. Most Brewers fan move onto Badger and Packer football so that they can avoid dwelling on a disappointing season.
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I was disappointed in the 2012 Brewers season. I expected them to at least make the playoffs (even without Fielder). Injuries and an imploding bullpen cost the Crew a playoff birth this year. They definitely had the talent to make a run in the playoffs. Unfortunately they dug themselves too big of hole to dig out of.
Nov 6, 2012 at 10:14 a.m.
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Good posts. Also, I wonder why it seems like I have more readers who are Cubs fans than Brewers fans??:)
Nov 6, 2012 at 9:56 a.m.
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As a Cub fan i realize they are rebuilding. With that said anytime you lose 100 games or more it is a huge disappointment. Hopefully Theo and the guys can get us back closer to .500 sooner then later. As for the Brewers, it has to be a disappointing season. You were the defending central champs and really didn't even enter the race until what late August or so? I believe the Brewers have more needs then just the bullpen (as so many of my Brewer fan friends seem to think). All i can say for sure is, next year will be interesting.
Nov 6, 2012 at 9:52 a.m.
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The only disappointing part of this season for me was that was I wasn't able to attend a game.
Nov 6, 2012 at 9:36 a.m.
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I think 2012 was a bit of letdown for Brewers fans, but the way they finished the season was encouraging. A few key pieces, such as another power bat to complement Braun and some better relief pitchers, and they'll be in the discussion next year for the Central.
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As a diehard Cubs fan, I wasn't expecting much with such a big change at the top. I'm not expecting much again in 2013, other than them picking up pieces to fill out a better roster than this year. They need starting pitching badly, and a third baseman who can hit. Unfortunately, I think 2013 will just be another typical year in the storied history of baseball's loveable losers.
Nov 6, 2012 at 12:26 a.m.
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It has to be considered a disappointmnet. Anytime you are defending NL central champs, and return a team that lost some key players yes, but over all most all of the core players in tact, and you don't make the playoffs, it must be considered a disappointment.
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That said; the team really did show many good signs of life to me, and had many good excuses. For starters they had a TON of injuries early in the season both in the field, and in the pen. I really give Reneke a lot of credit for holding it all together, and not totally imploding as it appeared they might do when falling well below 500. It was an over all disappointment in my mind, but I personally loved the teams effort down the stretch. A TON of guys stepped in and battled hard, and they had a real shot to rally from WAY back in the standings to a wild card, with players not many even knew at season beginning!! It was great to see the hard play, and see some real promising players for next seasons team. I really feel Reneke and Melvin (backed by Antonozio) are doing a great job with the personnel, and with the resources ($$$) they have. Good teams always start at the top. If you have good ownership, and management, you will get the right mix of quality players, and players who fit your organization and community. I am excited for the 2013 season knowing Melvin and Reneke will assembly a good TEAM in the off season.
Nov 5, 2012 at 4:57 p.m.
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Definitely a wicked collapse by the Sox. And don't fret kind sir, I believe the Cubs will be competetive again soon. Soon of course being relative to their 100+ year thing:)
Nov 5, 2012 at 3:43 p.m.
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Being a chicago fan, the cubs are almost always a disappointment. I can't figure out how certain teams can be so poor year after year. I'd actually like to see them draw about 10,000 per game, and stop making the gazillions they do. perhaps then they would feel the need for a quality product. As for the south siders,(yes I root for both) I had an ache in my gut the whole year, fearing failure, and the finish justified it. It was a good year, but I always thought that the standings were an indication that the Tigers and Indians were underachieving. There's always next year.
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