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by Mark_Concannon from FOX 6 Milwaukee

Last Post 2 days, 14 hours Ago


Wanted: New Skipper
May 16, 2008 | 5:53 AM
Category: Sports
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Ned Yost continues to push the wrong buttons. Just look at the last two games of this homestand. Wednesday night, the Brewers took a 4-3 lead into the 9th inning. On Tuesday, Eric Gagne returned from a brief exile to get the final outs and appeared born again; brimming with closer confidence. So who does Yost summon on Wednesday? Guillermo Mota who promptly surrenders three runs and the ballgame. If Gagne had been able to string two saves together against his former team, this could have marked a turning point for him psychologically. But Gagne watched helplessly along with thousands of irate home fans as the contest slipped away.

On Thursday, Ben Sheets was brilliant in pitching 6 scoreless innings. In the 7th, Sheets gave up a leadoff homerun to Andruw Jones, then a second homer to Jeff Kent, followed by a triple and two singles. At this point it was obvious that Sheets had not only hit the wall, but had slammed into it at full speed. Obvious to everyone except Yost. The Dodgers lead was still just a salvageable 3-0 with men at first and third. Did Yost pull Sheets as every fan in the park was pleading with him to do? No. Moments later, Gary Bennett hit a three run homer and it was game over. Perhaps Yost was hoping Sheets could hang on so he could be replaced by a pinch hitter in the bottom of the 7th. But when rain is pouring through a leaky roof the first thing you do is fix the roof: You worry about the furniture later.

Brewer owner Mark Attanasio made a major commitment to Milwaukee baseball fans Thursday by signing Ryan Braun to a long term contract. Attanasio now needs to take the next step and give Brewer fans and players the manager they deserve.

 
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Member Comments Total Comments: 7
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ifilus read my blog view my photos
May 16, 2008 | 11:46 PM

"Don't blame Ned" - Tom Pipines
skeptical1 read my blog
May 18, 2008 | 6:30 AM

I noted a real questionable decision during the first game of the doubleheader vs. Boston on Saturday. Prince Fielder on 2nd and no one out. Second innning - Sox 1 Brewers 0. Cory Hart at the plate and Yost has him BUNT. Hart is the #5 hitter - paid to drive in runs. Late in the game, maybe - but in the 2nd inning? That's really showing confidence in your #5 hitter. The results were predictable - two easy outs follow Hart's give-up out and Prince is still at third. Nice strategy, Ned.
Wiscoman1968 read my blog
May 18, 2008 | 11:15 AM

I've been calling for Ned's head for over a year now.....Time for Ned to hit the trail. Let's hope that the Brewers give AAA Nashville Manager Frank Kremblas a shot.
JAGuse read my blog
May 18, 2008 | 6:50 PM

I agree with you to a certain extent. However, the starting staff as it is right now is a M.A.S.H. unit. Last year, the bullpen faded down the stretch because it was overworked. To avoid this, when Yost makes his decisions, he not only has May in mind, but he also has August and September as well. If 4/5 of the starters can only last four to five innings, this puts a tremendous strain on his bullpen and limits the options Yost has. Starting pitchers like Sheets have to "suck up extra innings" even though they may not have their best stuff.

In addition, there are other variables involved too. Yost has to maximize matchups and at the same time, take into account the freshness of his staff. Again injuries and the ineptness of the starting rotation have limited the options available to Yost in maximizing matchups. The injuries to Gallardo and Capuano have been absolutely devastating. Just imagine a rotation of Sheets, Gallardo, Capuano, Suppan, and perhaps Parra. I believe we would not be having this discussion if the rotation looked like that.

The ripple effects have been felt throughout middle relief as is the case last year. In short, what this team needs is a group of starters that can consistently get into the sixth inning. If this cannot be accomplished, I will not be surprised if the team ends up losing more than 90 games this year.
bum76 read my blog view my photos
May 18, 2008 | 11:24 PM

You are totally wrong.
Ned is a good coach he sticks by his players given to him by upper management ( Doug Melvin) and he plays the game of Baseball the way it is supposed to be played He has faith in his team and their abilities and the fans need to do the same. It is easy to blame the coach but Ned is doing all he can do with what he has to work with.
ifilus read my blog view my photos
May 18, 2008 | 11:50 PM

Ned Yost: 394 - 459.

Good manager, indeed.

JAGuse wrote: "The injuries to Gallardo and Capuano have been absolutely devastating."

Gallardo's injury, yes, a major blow. But to term the loss of Capuano as "absolutely devastating" is laughable.

He lost 22 games in row last year!
Mark_Concannon read my blog view my photos
May 19, 2008 | 5:50 AM

A post script to the original Ned Blog: Sunday, he puts Mark DiFelice into the game in the 5th inning. This is the 31-year-old DiFelice's first major league appearance. Yost brings him into a still winnable game(Brewers trailing 6-4) and for his first major league experience, all DiFelice has to do is face Dustin Pedroia(the '07 rookie of the year) David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. Moments later, it's 8-4. Yost decision meant DiFelice was set up to fail.
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Mark_Concannon

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