YouTube Classic: Braun in 2011 Nike Swingman Commercial

Ryan Braun featured in the new Nike Swingman commercial for Dick's Sporting Goods along with Ken Griffey Jr, Torii Hunter, Adam Jones, Orlando Hudson and Andrew McCutchen. This is the second Nike commercial Braun has done for the Swingman collection.

What A Way To Kick Off Camp: Brewers, Weeks Agree On 4 Year Extension

On the day that the Cardinals were unable to come to terms on a contract extension with Albert Pujols at his "deadline" and the Brewers pitchers and catchers reported to camp, the Brewers were able to sign 2B Rickie Weeks to a contract extension. A nice club friendly 4 year extension worth $38.5 mill with a club option for a 5th year and escalators that could make it worth $50 mill for Rickie.

I personally love this deal. The Brewers buy out Weeks last arbitration season and at least his first 3 free agents seasons and maybe a 4th. I have been a big fan of Rickie's for some time now so I had hoped they would be able to get this extension done. He's a very fun player to watch, always plays at 110% and plays with more intensity than maybe anybody in baseball. To me he is a poor man's Rickey Henderson from the leadoff spot (minus all the stolen bases, but he should run more with Roenicke at the helm). I no doubt understand the concern from some people about Rickie's issues with staying healthy. He has only played more than 140 games twice in his career.

But to me, he is worth the risk on this deal and will be much more of a reward for the Brewers. When he was healthy last season he showed how good and productive he can be. He has also drastically improved his defense at 2B from where he was a few years ago. He is a player who continues to work hard to improve and is just hitting his prime. I think he is already a top five 2B in all of MLB, only trailing Cano, Utley, Pedroia and maybe Uggla. With Prince Fielder all but gone after the 2011 season it is nice to know that the Brewers have three fantastic hitters locked up for the long term; Braun, Hart and now Weeks.

Alex, Brad and Myself will have more thoughts on this when we record episode 1 of the VFBC podcast this coming Monday night the 21st.

YouTube Classic: Greinke, Marcum and Brewers Brass at "On Deck" 2011

Here is a little raw footage I shot at the Brewers "On Deck" event last month. Nothing special, but I put it on YouTube so I thought I would share. Enjoy!

First Podcast All Set (UPDATE!)

The first episode of the new and improved VFBC podcast with Alex, Brad and myself will be recorded on Monday night, February 7th. It will then be up on the site and available for your listening enjoyment sometime on Tuesday, February 8th. We hope you visit that day and listen to the first episode. Very excited to start recording this weekly podcast with two friends who share the same passion for the Brewers and baseball that I have. The plan going forward is to record each and every Monday night with it being available for listen on Tuesday.

UPDATE: For reasons beyound our control, we were not able to record episode 1 Monday the 7th. The new date for episode 1 to be recorded is Monday February 21st, with it up on the site Tuesday February 22nd. Sorry for the delay. We promise though it won't suck.

Coming Soon....

A brand new and improved VFBC podcast will be out either the first or second week in February. Working on getting it all together and figured out but I will be doing a weekly podcast with two of my good friends from college days, who like me are A) Gateway Tech grads with a Radio/TV Broadcasting degree going to waste and B) big Brewers fans! The plan is to record a show at least once per week that runs around an hour to two hours long. Going to decide on a night to record the show and then plan on having it up on the site the following day. Tentatively it will be recorded every Monday night and up each Tuesday for your listening enjoyment, or so I hope you enjoy it. Once we get going I am hoping to also get some guests on the show from around the Brewers blogosphere. Stay tuned.

Reader Poll Results

"Who should be the Brewers starting SS in 2011?"

Yuniesky Betancourt: 41%

Luis Cruz: 17%

Craig Counsell: 11%

Player Not On Roster Yet: 29%

Reader Poll Results

"Best starting pitching staff in the NL Central?"

Brewers: 93%

Cardinals: 6%

Reds: 0%

Cubs: 0%

Holy Greinke!

Wow, just wow. Thank you Doug Melvin. Greinke, Gallardo, Marcum, Wolf, 5th starter. That is a playoff bound rotation ladies and gentlemen. Oh yeah, to go along with a lineup featuring Braun, Fielder, Weeks, Hart and McGehee. On behalf of Brewers fans everywhere I would just like to say, suck it Cardinals and Cubs!