Remember when it was emotionally safe to be a Brewers fan again?
You know, like three days ago?
Such a peacefully exhilarating state of mind when the Crew was eating lightning and crapping thunder. Seven straight wins coming out of the All-Star break, and they were all on the road. This from baseball’s answer to the Yugo when it comes to road reliability. Hey, you surely thought, if these guys can win away from Miller Park, then anything’s possible…
And it was. They erased Chicago’s five-game divisional lead in a week, a lead that was 8 ½ games as recently as June 16. They were poised to enter this week’s battle royale with the reeling Cubs – a series that had the national media outlets drooling in anticipation – tied for first place.
Then came Sunday’s fifth inning, and with it one terribly painful reminder.
Ned Yost still manages in Milwaukee.
So much for feeling safe. Especially when Yost’s die-hard supporters double as arsonists.
For all the success this Brewers team has enjoyed, from the latest hot streak to the brilliant CC Sabathia acquisition, Yost remains the elephant in the room. Can you honestly feel comfortable with him calling the shots, never knowing when one of those shots will be aimed at his own foot?
Yes, he’s managed better this year. Gone were most of the head-scratching, throw-your-beer-at-the-TV decisions that inspired Web sites like firenedyost.com. But when a talking baseball encyclopedia like Ted Simmons is your new bench coach, you should manage better.
What you shouldn’t do is let your starting pitcher give up seven runs in the fifth inning. There’s no excuse to stand idly by while a 4-1 lead become an 8-4 deficit, not when everybody in the state saw that your starting pitcher was done. That’s not management, it’s simple neglect.
Among the many criticisms of Yost, from his general surliness to bullheaded stubbornness to an inability to admit mistakes, his biggest criticism has always centered on handling a pitching staff. Or, rather, not handling it properly. Leaving guys in too long, failing to anticipate that a reliever should be warming up, etc., etc.
Judging by Sunday, old habits die hard.
Look, maybe the Yost we don’t see, the one who interacts with players in the clubhouse and builds team chemistry, is the best manager in the league.
But as long as the Yost we do see makes on-field gaffes like Sunday’s, Brewers Nation will stay at Defcon 1. Always on edge, hoping for the best, but unable to shake the nagging feeling that something’s not quite right.
In other news…
And now, back to “As the Favre Turns…”
If Sports Illustrated’s Peter King got any closer to Brett Favre, Deanna might file for divorce.
King’s latest on the Favre Front originates from Brett’s humble Mississippi abode. And if you’re like me, you’re thinking the interview started something like this.
PK: Really, Brett… Greta Van Susteren? I thought we had something special.
BF: It’s not what you think, Peter. She meant nothing to me…
Still, with apologies to the state’s fine and frenzied media contingent, few people are as insightful on Brett as King. Even if they are starting couple’s counseling next week.
Other recent takes on the Packers Passion Play come from ESPN.com’s Gene Wojciechowski, who takes Ted Thompson to task, and Page 2’s D.J. Gallo, who obtained Favre’s reinstatement request to the NFL Commish.
Now you bring this up?
Best quote from the Favre saga comes courtesy of Chris Mortensen, who wrote about Favre delaying his appearance at training camp and his conversation with general manager Ted Thompson.
“I asked Ted [Saturday], ‘Am I welcome in the building if I report?’ And Ted was just about shattered,” Favre said in a telephone interview. “He said, ‘Brett, you can’t do that – you’ll get me fired.’
That’s what Thompson thinks is going to get him fired? Maybe Ted hasn’t quite thought this through enough.
And finally…
We laugh about this now, but wait two years and lawn-mower shooting will be an X-Games event.
Tune in every Tuesday morning during the 6 o’clock hour when I join Doug Russell and Mike Wickett on SportsRadio 1250 AM. And don’t forget to check out our Bar Time column.
