Brian Anderson's House of Blogs

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The first week of the season has passed and I have enjoyed every minute of it in the booth. I could not have dreamed up a more perfect Opening Day scenario than the Ben Sheets masterpiece versus the Dodgers. The energy in Miller Park was off the charts. Opening Day was by far the busiest day I have ever experienced in my career. From TV and radio interviews, personal appearances and preparing for my own call of the game, most of my MLB debut anxiety had no chance to creep in. The game was over before I knew it and I can barely remember a thing outside the final inning.

The highlight of the opening series for me was to share the press box with three Hall of Fame broadcasters. Bob Uecker, Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrin. Combined, these three legends have spent 142 years in the booth...and all with one team. Vin Scully recommended I keep this gig, reminding me that, "the job pays well and noooo heavy lifting..." as only Vin Scully can say it. He is such a gracious man.

Brian Anderson's House of Blogs: Brew and Green

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Well, well, well...the baseball gods have smiled upon Milwaukee. Due to the lovely weather in Cleveland which, by the way, I think would have been hysterical to watch a baseball game in that snow. Just think of the fun of starting your slide 20 feet from the base or homeplate and then sliding right on in to the backstop or into outfield. I think that we are missing a real opportunity here. Although I would not want to foul tip a ball or take one inside on the small part of the bat. Yeeesh! It brings back memories of being a kid in the freezing cold and some dork would flick your ear. The vendors could sell for that one week Cleveland Indian ear muffs and scarves and parkas.

Brian Anderson's House of Blogs: Guest Blogger: Bill Engvall

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Brewers, Bill, Braun, Brennaman, Bro, BA, and Buddy...welcome to the alliteration station.

The first road trip is in the books and the Brewers made it a success. It's always good to win more than you lose away from your home ballpark.

The mailbox is filling up with Bill Hall and Ryan Braun thoughts/comments/suggestions. It's too early to panic on Hall in center. He's going to make some mistakes but as I said on the air, he's a great athlete, a great character-guy, and he has high expectations of his outfield defense...I'm not betting against him. Let's revisit the center field saga in June. Hopefully, Hall will have made it a non-issue by then. As for Ryan Braun, he is "raking" in Triple-A. But, we knew he'd hit. I'm told his third base play has been solid. His time is coming but he needs more reps in the minor leagues. It's too risky to bring him up before he's ready. His bat is special but the Brewers can win without him. How bout we hope for the Brewers to run away with the division, call up Braun in September, get him acclimated to Big League life and watch him win Rookie of the Year in 2008? I know you like the sound of that. Ryan Braun hears about such expectations every day. That's a big burden to bear for a young player, so be patient.

Brian Anderson's House of Blogs: Blogga B's

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Many have asked where I've been hanging out before and after games. Mostly, I've been grinding in my apartment but on the occasions I've been out on the town, there have been a few spots worth mentioning...for your approval, of course.

The 4th Base was great. Loved the food, service and atmosphere. The smoke chokes a little but it's my kind of place and I was impressed that the wait staff remembers your name. It's close to the ballpark and offers a solid education on all things Milwaukee.

I've spent quite a bit of time at the Champps in Brookfield. It's big, it's new, the food is good and the flat screen, hi-def TV's make me want to move in. Easy to follow multiple games and have some chow. One day, I was there so long I ate lunch and dinner without leaving. I watched games and golf between meals while reading the sports pages. That was a good day.

Brian Anderson's House of Blogs: The Hang

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Way to go Brew Crew!!! Stay hot!

Wanted to tell a story that happened at a ballgame the other night. I took my family to an Angels game. We were playing the Seattle Mariners. Normally we have a good group that sits around us in our seats. When I say good group, I mean people that are baseball savvy. You know, the kind of people who understand the way the game is supposed to be played. Well, apparently someone in our group gave his tickets to a mo-ron.

Now, by mo-ron I mean a guy that brings his kids to the game to teach them the way NOT to behave at a baseball game. This guy is screaming and yelling and telling the umpire which pitches were balls and strikes. Just for reference we sit in the second level, which are great seats for someone who wants to get a
full perspective on the game but not close enough to have any idea about whether a 95 mph fast ball cut the corner or not. I always figured the man standing right behind home plate has the best vantage point on a call like that. Anyway. this yahoooo is swilling beer and booing everything. Everyone around this guy is getting irritated and the ushers aren't doing anything. But lets face it, the ushers are a lot like the UN...they are there but they really can't do anything. Well, if you have ever wondered if there are baseball gods, worry no more.

Brian Anderson's House of Blogs: Guest Blogger: Bill Engvall

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Well, we're six weeks into the season and the "building" process continues for me in the booth. I'd say that I'm in the framing portion of construction. I wanted to come in and get a solid foundation first. Get to know the crew (the people I work with) and the Crew (the Brewers). With each game, I get more and more comfortable.

I realize it might seem like it's just Bill and me and all of the pretty pictures but in reality, there are ton of people behind the scenes who bring you Brewers TV. Producer John Walsh and director Mitch Riggin are the leaders in the truck. Both are super-talented and our crew at Miller Park is outstanding. I have a soft spot for camera operators since I started in this business toting an Ikegami 79 on my shoulder. Our "eyes" behind the lenses are superb. As you watch, be mindful of the skill and effort it takes to capture and deliver the most important images and sounds of the ever-evolving story on the field. When you see the fire in Prince Fielder's eyes, there is an operator behind that lens understanding that reaction is part of the story. When you hear a ball "thud" off the outfield wall, think about the individual who planted the microphone there. The sights and sounds of Brewers baseball all come together in the truck and with split second decisions, delivered to your television. Our crew deserves big props.

Brian Anderson's House of Blogs: Frame It Up

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All is good in the neighborhood. Literally! I finally have a neighborhood. We moved into our house and are currently in the process of unpacking and getting settled. It's great to finally have a place to call home. We have been blown away by the warm reception given to us by our new neighbors. The people here are great! What a blessing. It was no fun going home to an empty apartment. But, we are all here together, finally. The family and I have been living out of a suitcase since December 28th. Now Milwaukee really feels like home and we couldn't be happier.

As for the Brew Crew...what a roller coaster ride this year has been, eh? One of the great things about working for Golf Channel was the fact that I was able to broadcast a "winning" performance every week. Think about it...every Sunday, I signed off for the week calling the golfer who finished in first place. No losing streaks, no o-fer's! It's a different deal now. I've spent pretty much every single day with this team since February 17th. I like these guys. I'm emotionally involved. Broadcasting Brewer wins is easy. The losses are tough because I want to be fair and "report" the game but I feel the disappointment of a loss just like the players and all of you. I remember that feeling when I did minor league baseball but not to the extent that you feel it at this level. So there is a balance to achieve on the air.

The stakes are certainly higher for this ballclub. They expect, and are expected, to make it to the post season this season. Whether they fulfill such expectations remains to be seen but, there is no doubt with so many young, talented players, this New Brew Crew has a chance to be very good for a very long time. The core of this team is 25 years of age or younger. Which is why this franchise is the envy of many inside the game of baseball.

So, let's enjoy the ride as we hit the summer.

Brian Anderson's House of Blogs: The Hood

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Hey everyone...Here's a guest blog from my talented bud Willy Braun (no relation to Ryan). Willy is the lead singer/guitar man of the band Reckless Kelly. Check out RK in action: Click here ...and at ::Reckless Kelly - Official Site::. Enjoy! -BA

Brian Anderson's House of Blogs: Guest Blogger: Reckless Kelly

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Hello Brewer fans! Well, once again the great people of Milwaukee have proven to me that it is truly America's city. I had one of the best times that I have ever had in a town. Not only did it start with visiting Miller Park, where I met some of your Brewers, but had the honor to meet Ned Yost and the one and only Mr. Bob Uecker.

What a beautiful park you people have there, my goodness. Even if for some unknown reason you happen to not be a fan of baseball, you should go to that park just to see it. Your own Brian Anderson set it all up for me and the Brewers and Tyler Barnes could not have been more hospitable.

Brian Anderson's House of Blogs: Engvall Says Thanks

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What a home stand...two sweeps and a two-out-of-three.

I'm playing my "Chad Pennington" card and stating for the record that it is an absolute privilege to watch these Brewers play every day. Not just because of the current success, but because of the potential returns as well.

Brewer fans, you should be pumped up about where this team is headed. I look out from the booth and see these young faces perform the way they do, I am amazed. When Geoff Jenkins starts in left and Ben Sheets is on the mound, every face looking back at me is of Brewer cloth. Only the catcher (Estrada or Miller) in that scenario is not produced by the Brewers farm system.

Brian Anderson's House of Blogs: Kid Crew

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Monday was a sad day for my family and me. Mike Coolbaughs tragic death hit very close to home. I got the news of Mike's death early Monday morning in my hotel room in Cincinnati.

I knew Mike only a little. We are connected mostly through our families. The Coolbaugh's are from San Antonio and I've known them for over fifteen years. Mike's sister, Lisa, and my wife, Michele, taught school together and are still very close friends. Mike's brother, Scott, also a former Major Leaguer, is a coach in the Texas Rangers organization with my brother. Scott and my brother have been friends for years, even playing together in Korea.

For a few years, when I lived in San Antonio, I spent a lot of time with Mike Coolbaugh. He was part of a group of pro ballplayers I used to throw batting practice to and hang out with in the winter.

Most of Mike's 17 years in baseball were spent in the minor leagues. He stuck it out for twelve years before he finally got his big league chance as a twenty-nine- year-old in 2001. The Brewers gave him that chance. His stay didn't last long. But, he made it. Even if you don't remember Mike in Milwaukee, it doesn't change the fact that his greatest baseball moment came as a Brewer. Mike belted his first career Major League home run in Miller Park in 2001. On July 17, with two outs in the 9th inning, Mike went deep against John Garland and the White Sox. It went down as another Brewers loss but for Mike and his family, the realization of a lifelong dream. When he hit that homerun, his entire family cried (even his Dad and brother, though they don't admit it) . Mike had officially joined his big bro as Major Leaguer.

Brian Anderson's House of Blogs: Mike Coolbaugh

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There is an old saying that goes, "A stable without an ox is always clean." Do you know what that means? It's a perfect parable for this 2007 Brewers team. It's actually perfect for just about everything you do in your life.

Back in the day, a farmer needed a big ox to plow the field. No animal pulls a load better than an ox. The bigger the ox, the more the farmer could plow. The more the farmer could plow, the more productive and successful his farm could be.

Ahh, but an ox has to eat...and we all know that the "load" an ox pulls is in direct proportion to the "load" an ox leaves! Make sense?

Brewer fans haven't had an ox in the stable for a long, long time. Empty stable's come with no mess, no clean up. Empty stable's also produce no bonus, no spoils. Where's the fun in that? If you can handle a little "poop" along the way, hopefully there is a great harvest to enjoy very soon.

Brian Anderson's House of Blogs: Brew Poo

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The season is over and I'm re-introducing myself to my family as I ease into full Wisconsin hibernation. We have settled into a great neighborhood. We love it here. We're nervous about winter but the summer was big fun and we are now experiencing fall colors for the first time in our lives. Beautiful. I'm trying to play as much golf as I can until the chill comes. If you didn't know, there are more outstanding courses in this area than just about anywhere else in the country. Being a golf destination can be big for a city. Our region is definitely a major golf destination, in my opinion. My three favs: Whistling Straits, Erin Hills, and Bristlecone Pines. Unfortunately, my game is in shambles. Plenty of "hozzle rockets" to go around.

This past season was the most enjoyable of my career and I want to thank you for welcoming me to Milwaukee. The season offered some memorable moments despite a disappointing finish. I believe the franchise can be a playoff contender for years to come. I'm anxious to see how the off season moves improve the ballclub.

Brian Anderson's House of Blogs: Fall Crew Call