The Sports Nut

The ship was sinking Sunday, and I was curious about its passengers. Were they heading for the U.S.S. Brewers’ lifeboats, flooding the escape routes at Miller Park? Or would they stick with their Crew, even as they slipped beneath the waves during Game 4 of the NLDS, loyal to the bitter end?

 

So as the sellout crowd digested Milwaukee’s early 5-0 deficit, I sought out answers at the farthest reaches of the stadium. As in the top of Section 442, where fans look down on Bernie’s Dugout. Any higher and you’d need a Sherpa.

 

There, set against the constant background beat of all those ThunderStix, I found the sibling duo of Alyssa and Derrick Bordeleau. They paid $25 each for their tickets, binoculars not included. And I asked if it was all worth it?

 

“Oh yeah,” said Alyssa, who shrugged off the 5-0 score. Her favorite part? “That,” she said, pointing down – way down – to the single J.J. Hardy had just stroked to left.

 

So this just in: Women still like J.J.

Onward to the legendary Uecker Seats, just a quick stroll through the Terrace Level concourse. One thing about the Terrace Level: Your chances of seeing beer helmets increase dramatically. Saw two in full use before reaching Uecker territory. And in Section 422, row 20, seat 2, I found 17-year-old Ben Abbott. It was practically the tippy-top of the stadium. A blimp floated by.

 

Ben said he paid $35 for an obstructed-view seat that normally goes for $1, and he drove from Stevens Point to get here. Why? “A playoff game at Miller Park,” he said, certain it was explanation enough. And yes, it was worth all the trouble, even if the Brewers lost. “The atmosphere, it’s electric,” Ben said, even as Craig Counsell played circus act with a ball that hit Miller Park’s roof.

 

Which Ben didn’t see, because a giant pole blocked his view.

 

But he cheered anyway, and that was pretty much the story of the day. Brewers fans cheered anyway.

 

Even when Philadelphia led 1-0 after one batter. Even when the Phillies led 6-2 after the final out.

 

It’s true. Yes, when the Phillies finally won, there was the briefest of stunned silence, the realization that it was officially over. But it didn’t last.

 

Before the Brewers could start filing from the dugout, the cheers started up again. Then came the “Let’s Go Brewers” chant. And of course, the ubiquitous ThunderStix.

 

It was Milwaukee’s version of the final scene from “M*A*S*H,” one final chance to say thank you, and goodbye.

 

Nobody was abandoning ship.

 

This was, after all, the Love Boat.

 

 

 

“For me, it was probably the first night I’ve every really understood home-field advantage is pretty important because those fans were awesome for us.”

 

– J.J. Hardy, after Milwaukee’s 4-1 win over Philadelphia in Saturday’s Game 3 of the NLDS.
 

 

“Go Dodgers! Go Dodgers!”

– The unnamed Brewers fan behind me on Saturday, immediately after Milwaukee’s victory. Several hours later, the Los Angeles Dodgers finished off their three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs. Which gives fresh meaning to this for Cubs fans.

 

 

What’s the real reason Milwaukee won Game 3? Dave Bush’s clutch pitching? Milwaukee’s newfound patience at the plate?

 

Please.

 

It was obviously Ryan Braun. Specifically, his decision to stop blogging during the playoffs.

Now everything makes sense.

 

Well, everything except why this would sell Remington razors.

But Braun’s influence doesn’t stop there. Now the man’s inspiring musicians, like those over at Banshee, to immortalize him in song.

 

Someone notify Simon Cowell.

 

 

 

OK, it’s officially time to worry. Not panic, mind you, but definitely worry.

 

This is not the script Green Bay signed off on. There’s no shame in losing to Dallas, which has more talent than David Hasselhoff. And Tampa’s tough too, especially at home.

But losing to the Atlanta Falcons? At Lambeau? That’s what you call a red flag.

 

Green Bay’s run defense couldn’t stop Tina Turner, much less Michael Turner. Not the best news when there are a lot of good rushing teams on tap.

 

“Our house is messy right now,” coach Mike McCarthy told the Journal Sentinel. “And nobody’s happy about it.”

 

So apparently he listens to sports-talk radio.

 

The best thing the Pack had going for them in recent weeks was this: The Brewers kept them and their troubles off the front page.

 

But now the spotlight is squarely back on Green Bay. Things are only getting hotter.

 

 

 

Apparently Misty May-Treanor will have to settle for just having those Olympic gold medals.

 

Because her days of “Dancing with the Stars” are done.

           

 

 

 

 

Tune in every Tuesday morning during the 6 o’clock hour when I join Doug Russell and Mike Wickett on SportsRadio 1250 AM for Tuesdays with Howie. Or catch it online in the station's Audio Vault. And don’t forget to check out our new fitness column, Training with Tim.