A couple K bye's

If anybody was wondering if Michael Jackson was picked in my celebrity death pool...here's the update: I picked him in the 4th round. I'm like the Jack Z. of Death Drafts, I know where to find the best sleepers.

Related to that, here's a true story of an event that happened to me last night. No exaggeration. I'm pulling through the Taco Bell drive through after work when the following exchange happens between me and the girl working the window (not attractive by any reasonable measure):
Girl - "That'll be $7.45...HEY! Oh my God did you hear Michael Jackson died?
Me - "Oh yeah...he's out. It's all over the internet and radio."
Girl - "Wait...I heard it could only be a heart attack and he might be alive!"
Me - "He's gone. Deal with it."
Girl - "It's just crazy...you know?!"
Me - "You know what else is crazy? I picked him in the 4th round of my celebrity death pool. I get a point for that."
Girl - "Ummm...that's kind of weird."
Me - "You know what else is weird? Starting a conversation with a customer in the drive thru lane at Taco Bell about Michael Jackson's death."

And finally, on a Chuckie Hacks personal note...I'll basically be ending my run of posting here on the old site. Job promotion and studies for the CPA exam will do that to a blogger. It's been a good run and I can retire knowing I'm the 2nd best Brewer blogger in the business (nobody tops KLSnow...even I'll admit that). I'll still comment from time to time and maybe throw up a post if I get real worked up about something...but that's basically it. I hope if I left a lasting mark on anyone its that the word "billups" has made it's way into their everyday vocabulary.

Prince For Putz?

ESPN donkey Steve Phillips mentions rumblings of a Prince Fielder to Seattle (Jack Z connection) for JJ Putz and others. Re-read the first five words of this post and draw your own conclusions of the validity of this rumor.

Ned Yost Earns a Bye?

Jack Z. will interview 7 candidates for the vacant Mariners managerial position.

However, Ned Yost is not one of the 7 initial candidates.

Cryptically, the story says that Yost could be added to the list later. I guess he might have earned a bye on the first round of interviews?

Fail

I'd like to pwn approximately 98% of the people who comment in the JSOnline Blog.

Fools. Just fools.

Check out some of the crap written in the post today about the Yankee's interest in Mike Cameron.

It's totally anti-Cameron...but that is not the point of this post. The point of this post is to make fun of this comment.

What about trading hall and weeks to seattle for ichiro? I mean Jack Z drafted those guys and has to still have faith in them that they can turn things around and become good players. Then that takes care of a left handed on base type guy. Just throwing the idea out there.

Ladies and Gentlemen...your Billups of the Week...JSONLINE poster Mattyo80!

YES! YES! It's gonna happen! Ichiro is going to be a Brewer next year! Doug Melvin is going to call up Jack Z in a week and here is going to be the exchange:
Doug- What up Z?
Jack Z- Chilling. It's raining again out here.
Doug- Told you man...should have stayed.
Jack Z- F you Doug...I made you. What do you want?
Doug-You always liked Rickie Weeks right?
Jack Z-I liked his potential sure. Uhh...why?
Doug-Let's think about a trade.
Jack Z-Ummm...ok. I've got a couple A ball players available.
Doug-Well...I was thinking more along the lines of the Japanese guy who runs all around the batter's box when he swings.
Jack Z-Ichiro. You want to me to give you Ichiro for Dick Weeks? Dude...I've got him locked up through 2012. He gets like...20M a year. You guys can't pay that. Plus, it's freaking Ichiro. I'll get fired within a week if I trade Ichiro for Weeks. Why are we even talking about this? This doesn't make any sense.
Doug-I know. That's why we're going to give you Bill Hall too. It'll make the numbers work.
Jack Z-Make. The. Numbers. Work. I don't want Bill Hall! I'm hanging up!
Doug-Wait Jack! I need you! (hears dial tone).

Sleepless in Seattle?

A nice story from the Seattle paper reacting to the Jack Z. signing.

Lots of nice things said about Jack. However, that's not the purpose of this post. Buried in there is this little nugget that I thought might be of some interest, regarding Seattle's opening at manager:

I would think the hiring of Zduriencik improves Riggleman's chances of being kept on -- maybe only slightly, but more so than under a different GM. Others whose names will crop up could include former Milwaukee manager Ned Yost. But it's premature to even guess at this stage. We'll know more when Zduriencik starts granting interviews.

Ahhh...Ned Yost. Yes, please let this happen.

Jack Z Off to Seattle

Everybody is now reporting that Jack Z. has been named Seattle's new GM.

I am expecting an announcement from Bud Selig shortly, in which he invalidates this move and awards Jack Z. back to the Brewers, on account of the fact that teams are not supposed to announce personnel moves during the World Series.

In all seriousness, this sucks for the Brewers but I'm happy for Jack Z. He'll have many high draft picks next year since Seattle blows.

More valuable: Jack Z or Doug Melvin?

As I was just reading the paper over lunch an interesting idea/thought/possibility popped into my head that I thought might make a good discussion topic regarding both Doug M. and Jack Z.

Who is currently more valuable to the Milwaukee Brewers organization: Jack Z or Doug Melvin?

Both are highly valuable...no doubt. Both are legitimate general managers (Doug has proved that by experience...one would have to assume Jack Z would be no slouch in the role). The "more valuable" question popped into my brain when I read and realized that Doug Melvin is only signed through 2009. Theories trickled next: "Is this part of Mark. A's long-term plan? Is he hoping Jack Z doesn't bolt for some chump team in the next year so he can let Melvin go and hand the reins to Jack?"

Here are some other thoughts/comments to consider as we open this up to forum:

-If Jack Z bolts for Seattle or some other team, we not only lose him...but I would imagine we'll lose at least half his staff as well. Not good for the crew.
-Being a general manager is well...an exclusive club. There's only 32 of them. This is a highly speculative topic that is hard to quantify...but if Melvin goes, there goes his "connections" to with the other GM's. Don't forget...Doug's been the top man for like...13 years now (First with the Rangers). How much is politics a factor in this game?
-Both men are the same age (close enough). The chances of a heart attack are the same (relatively speaking). Let's put it this way. They would go 1 after each other if they were to be picked in my Celebrity Death League.
-The Brewers have finally come to grips with current baseball economics (them being a mid-market team) and realized that solid draft selection year by year is the way to maintain overall decency in the sport. That...along with occasional plug ins by veterans either by late-season acquisitions or free agent pickups is the key to long-term success. This type of style favors Jack Z.
-Doug Melvin is Canadian. I can't find anything to say he is...so I'm guessing Jack Z is not. It's always good to have a few Canadians around.

What do you guys think? No doubt both guys are valuable. But as I write this and think about it more and more...perhaps the question becomes: Who is more expendable? If that is the question...I would have to say that Doug Melvin is more expendable of the two.

Don't Do It Seattle

Rumors out of Seattle say that our own Jack Zdrueincciasdfevencik is a finalist for the Mariners' GM post.

As a Brewers fan that would make me a sad panda, although I guess I'd be happy for Jack Z.

Milwaukee Brewers: All Grown Up

You've herd of "The Day the Music Died," and "A date which will live in infamy." Well, here at Chuckie Hacks I am calling July 6th, 2008 as "The Day the Milwaukee Brewers Grew Up."

Yes, after decades of mostly AAAA baseball the Brewers are now big boys...capable of picking out their own clothes, and staying out past dusk. Oh, there has been progress. Progress indeed. But lets be honest, an 81 and 83 win season sandwiched around a 75-87 campaign doesn't get anyone excited. Unless you are, well, Brewers fans.

Have the Brewers ever been buyers before the trade deadline? Not only buyers, but they're throwing out the American Express Gold card and ponying up for the biggest horse on the auction block. How refreshing is this? It's like when the Selig's would shell out $5 million for Sean Berry, only like 1,000 times better.

Practically every trade I can remember (Pods for Carlos the exception) has been the opposite: Brewers trade one 450 horsepower engines for a bunch of dead spark plugs, some windshield washer fluid and an oil pan. See: Greg Vaughn for Marc Newfield, Bryce Florie, and Ron Villone.

Not only do they get CC, but they get him for studs in AA highlighting the organizational strength...which we already knew. How Jack Z isn't a GM by now is beyond me.

Finally, the most important example of why today is "The day the Brewers Grew Up" is the collective groan herd from Chicago and St. Louis. You know those front office guys are thinking "we just got trumped by the fucking Brewers?? Guys of that caliber are supposed to go to New York, Boston, or Atlanta...not Milwaukee!!!"

Will this move push the Brewers into the playoffs? I have no idea. But as long as Sheets doesn't strain his ovaries and Prince and CC don't eat the Harley-Davidson factory, I can't see why not. That said, no chance I buy in...see this post for explanation.

Kudos All Around

Jon Heyman's latest SI.com column has an item about the Brewers and their depth at AA:

• One team in excellent position to trade for a starting pitcher should be the Brewers, who are stacked with prospects. Scouts have converged on their Double-A team at Huntsville, Ala., where several big-time prospects, including first baseman Matt LaPorta, catcher Salome Angel, third baseman Mat Gamel and shortstop Alcides Escobar, play. Kudos to scouting director Jack Zduriencik, whose picks also include Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and many others who have made the Brewers a hot young contender.

Indeed.

Kudos also go out to Jon Heyman's editor for screwing up Angel Salome's name. And LaPorta is an outfielder. But hey - whatever, they're big-time prospects!

Brewers Supplemental Pick Close to Signing

According to a local newspaper in Illinois, Brewers supplemental draft pick Jake Odorizzi, a pitcher from Highland High School in Illinois, is close to signing a contract with the Brewers.

Odorizzi has a scholarship to go to Louisville.

Odorizzi's team also won the state title this year in baseball. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch:

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound righthander was 14-0 and ended his career with a 25-game winning streak. He had a 0.08 earned-run average, allowing just one earned run, and three runs all season, in 89 2/3 innings. Odorizzi gave up just 33 hits and six walks with 146 strikeouts while throwing fastballs that touched 97 mph.

We've got Dykstra!

Ladies & Gentlemen...the Cutter Dykstra era has begun!

Hilarious. The Brewers just can't seem to not draft sons of former all-stars. Here's a good article in the NY Times about Cutter and the Dykstra family in general. In case you were wondering...he definitely fits the "stereotype" of his father.

“Everything is baseball to me,” he said. “Even when I’m in school, if I’m taking too many notes, I worry about my eyes and my arm.”

Priorities Cutter! Atta boy! Tell that History teacher not to talk too fast!

Just for shits & giggles...here are a couple links about his ridiculous father. I can't find the link to the funniest tv segment of all time (His HBO REAL SPORTS segment), so I was able to find this old commercial. Enjoy!

Besides Dykstra and the Canadian that were drafted...the rest of the Brewer picks in the first 62 went to pitchers (2 high school...2 college). Hopefully they work out better than AP's boy J.M. Gold.

For a full list of the Brewers draft picks they picked yesterday, click here.

Brewers First Round Pick

Here's some video on the Brewers #1 pick, Brett Lawrie, who might be a catcher.

It's an interesting clip.

Shows him fielding grounders at third, then one throw to second from catcher, then a bunch of swings in the batting cage (has a little bit of a Jenkins finish to his swing, from the right side - but thankfully no high leg kick), then shows him playing in some game where he keeps fouling pitches off, popping them up or grounding out.

Well, we shouldn't be surprised that the Canadian contingent of Doug Melvin and Gord Ash would go Canadian in round 1. Brad predicted this at 9 am today.

Keith Law called this a "risky pick" because he isn't sure if he's a catcher or a 2B. Whatever, Keith.

Another Draft Post

For those of you who don't read the JS, here's a solid article written a few days ago about our boy Jack.

We'll do a breakdown of the early picks later. The Brewers need to be looking for pitchers/catchers/middle infielders for organizational depth. The majors are currently stocked right now with 1b/RF/LF types...and with Gamel & LaPorta probably up sometime in 2009 this is a major draft for the Brewers to solidify their pitching ranks the next few years.

Draft Starts Today

The major league baseball draft is today.

Nice story on ESPN.com about the Brewers, who have a ton of picks early in the draft.

In Jack Z. we trust.