In my book, a Major League Baseball team has had a successful season when that team is still in contention when the month of September rolls around.  A good part of my logic stems from all the years I’ve spent as a sportscaster in Wisconsin (1996-present).  Except in 2010 and 2011, the Brewers have always taken a back seat once Packers Training Camp kicked off.

It’s not that I disagree with general manager Doug Melvin’s strategy at this point of season.  Too many injuries crippled the Brewers’ chances of contending in the NL Central.  That, combined with some sub-par years from several regulars and a major slump in July, left Melvin with no choice but to start dealing players prior to the trade deadline.

Still, it’s kind of a sad day when a top-flite pitcher like Zach Greinke leaves Milwaukee after being traded away for three prospects.   Sad, because it’s a sign to me that the Brewers’ time as a division contender are over.  Every MLB team (not named Yankees) goes through rebuilding efforts–but with the exception of the last two seasons, the Brewers have made it a lifestyle.

Plenty of young players will get their chance to impress Milwaukee management over the remainder of the season.  Who knows, maybe a few of them will become regulars next year, and stars down the road. 

Nevertheless, if you’re going to Miller Park for a game, you better buy a program.  

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Hometown Sports

When I’m telling people about why I like living in Eau Claire, I usually cite “ease of living” in my list of reasons. It’s a rare occasion when we residents are stuck in traffic or waiting in a long line.

This past Monday, the traffic was jamming the parking lot at the Folsom Street Culver’s restaurant, and the lines

to get to the counter went out the door.   

Despite that very un-Eau Claire like inconvenience, patrons didn’t seem to mind, because it was all for a good cause.

The cause was raising money for the family of former Culver’s employee Phil Isaakson, who has been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments since being diagnosed with brain cancer in May.  Culver’s donated 100% of its sales that day to the Isaakson family, an amount that exceeded $20,000.   Besides buying food, some people made donations–that amount was estimated to be around $3,000.

It was an incredible outpouring of support for Isaakson, who’s been on both sides of the genetic lottery: fortunate to have been blessed with a left arm that helped him become the Wisconsin state H.S. baseball player of the year in 2007 and earn a baseball scholarship to the University of Minnesota, but unlucky to have been stricken with cancer at a young age.

Much like it was during an Isaakson fundraiser during May’s North-Memorial H.S. baseball game, it was heartwarming to watch the Eau Claire community come together Monday night.   Standing in line that evening for two solid hours, I was struck by how almost everyone was in a good mood despite the long wait.   Rather than grousing, people were laughing and chatting.   This wasn’t just dinner at a fast-food restaurant, this was an Eau Claire social occasion for people young and old.

Most of my evening meals on work nights are eaten at my desk in the span of minutes–I can honestly say in twenty years in the business, I’ve never spent two hours at a restaurant between shows. 

I’ve also never been more happy to do so, and more proud of the people in the community in which I live.

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Hometown Sports