Paul Soglin: Waxing America: Milwaukee Brewers Defeat Pirates at Miller Park

Milwaukee Brewers Defeat Pirates at Miller Park

Last night Bill and I got to the Brewers' game when we unexpectedly had access to some club box seats. As the years go by, I am more comfortable supporting the Brewers. This season, having Ryan Braun and Corey Hart on my fantasy league team does not hurt. Hart needs to lose the beard. Or grow a real one.

I am getting old. My views on certain aspects of the game have not changed:

Three and one half hours is too long for a nine inning game even if a total of 15 runs were scored.
With the thousands of square feet of electronic signage, the Brewers cannot maintain a viewable display of all other games, the scores and who is pitching.
We entered through the club box entrance, a mistake and made our way to our seats without once crossing the path of a hawker peddling scorecards. I suppose with everything else the fan needs to buy, scorecards are an outdated waste of trees.
The game was competitive and enjoyable since the two teams play on a comparable level.
Watching Prince Fielder leg out a triple was fun. His agility around first base shows substantial improvement.
When Ryan Braun was hit by a pitch in the at bat following the home run, I wondered how often that happens:
- What percentage of batters are hit by a pitch each season in the modern era?
- What percentage of batters are hit by a pitch in their next appearance following a home run?
- What percentage of batters are hit by a pitch who follow a batter who just homered. These are important questions.
Artificial stadium noise sucks.
The brat was great.
Watching Trevor Hoffman was worth the price of admission. He owns the ball park. He stands on the mound and he is all business. He does not use trash talk or stares to intimidate. His confidence is enough.