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Brewers 1982

Brewers 1982

Covering the Milwaukee Brewers throughout the 1982 season, in real-time, as it would have happpened.

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Larry Hisle

Grading the Brewers: Hitters

November 28 8 Comments

Paul Molitor and Robin Yount
Robin Yount and Paul Molitor led a potent Brewers offense in 1982

It would be easy to give every Brewer a grade of A for the 1982 season because they came within one win of a World Series title. But while the team will receive an A (whoops, did I ruin the surprise?), like the Brewers season, nothing is easy, not even grading this team.

[View the Pitching Grades]

It will come as no surprise that Robin Yount received the highest grade while others such as the injured Larry Hisle bottomed out.

INFIELDERS

Cecil Cooper, 1B
Is there a better first baseman in the American League? Nope. He’s a legit Triple Crown threat each season. For the third consecutive full season, Coop hit at least .300 (.313), he slammed 32 homers and was second in the AL with 121 RBI. He added 38 doubles as a part of his 205 hits and scored a career-high 104 runs. He committed only five errors.
Grade: A

Jim Gantner, 2B
Played in 132 games, the fewest of all the regular Brewers infielders, which isn’t surprising, considering his hard-charging style and his ability to hang in when runners are bearing down on him. For a guy who hit from the nine-hole, a .295 average wasn’t too shabby. He’s not a masher (four homers), but a good bottom of the order guy.
Grade: B

Paul Molitor, 3B
The Ignitor lived up to his name as he provided the spark for the American League’s most potent offense. Led the league in AB (666), plate appearances (751) and runs scored. Hit .302 and had career highs in homers (19), RBI (71) and stolen bases (41). One of the best baserunners you’ll ever see. Adequate in the field.
Grade: A

Robin Yount, SS
Simply one of the finest seasons ever by a shortstop. His 129 runs, most ever by a shortstop. His 114 RBI, third all-time. Add to that a .331 batting average with 29 taters, 46 doubles, 12 triples and you get a .578 slugging percentage, which was .001 behind Ernie Banks for best ever. But Banks hit .285. Yount hit for power and average. Would have won the AL batting title if Willie Wilson had been man enough to play the last day of the season. He led the league in hits (210), doubles, slugging percentage and total bases with 367. And to think, he’s only 26. He was the clear MVP.
Grade: A+

Don Money, DH, INF
A damn good season for the 35-year-old Money, who platooned with Roy Howell at DH. In 275 ABs, Money slugged .891 as 33 of his 78 hits went for extra bases, including 16 home runs, the third highest total of his career.
Grade: B+

Roy Howell, DH INF
The Brewers had plenty of power, but only four taters? That’s Gantner territory (no offense, Gumby). Howell hit .260 and managed to drive in 38 runs. Other than that, the Crew may need to find another left-handed bat at DH.
Grade: C

Ed Romero, 2B
Backed up Gantner at second and played in 52 games and hit .250. He didn’t walk much, didn’t steal a base and hit one homer. He’s a typical light-hitting middle infielder.
Grade: C-

Rob Piccolo, INF
Came over from Oakland in a midseason deal, hit .286 in 21 ABs in 22 games.
Grade: Inc.

CATCHERS

Ted Simmons, C
Simba’s slower than the orbit of Pluto, but few backstops call a better game. He also’s a switch hitter and the Crew doesn’t need to sit him depending on who is pitching. His 97 RBI were the most since he drove in 100 with the Cardinals in 1975 and his 23 homers were the most since he hit 26 in 1979. His 29 doubles were fourth on the team. At 32, Simmons is what he is.
Grade: B

Ned Yost, C
His homer in Boston proved to be one of the biggest hits of the season, as it helped the Crew get a four-game lead with five to play. Other than that, he played in 40 games, hit. 276 and was OK as Simmons’ backup. He’s 27, but he’s not starter material.
Grade: C+

OUTFIELDERS

Ben Oglivie, LF
Benji, with Coop, provided the left-handed pop in the lineup smashing 34 homers and driving in 102 runs. He won’t hit for average, but his .244 followed the 1981 season where he hit .243. This from a guy who hit .282 or better in his first three seasons with the Crew.
Grade: B

Gorman Thomas, CF
Stormin’s 39 homers and 112 RBI were beautiful. His .245 average and 143 strikeouts were not. Gorman’s not gonna hit for average, ever, but his 29 doubles were third on the team, even ahead of Molly, who had 26 doubles. With Gorman, what you see is what you get: a gritty dude who’ll swing for the fences.
Grade: B

Charlie Moore, RF
A converted catcher, Moore’s hose accounted for 23 outfield assists. And who can forget the throw that nailed Reggie Jackson in Game 5 of the ALCS? Like the rest of the Crew outfield, Moore didn’t hit for average (.254), but he had 22 doubles. Other than that, he hit like a catcher.
Grade: B-

Mark Brouhard, RF
Brouhard saved the Crew’s bacon in Game 4 of the ALCS, his finest moment of the season. His worst moment, losing the job in right field to Moore after being injured. Brouhard played in 40 games and had four homers and 10 RBI.
Grade: C

Marshall Edwards, OF
The only outfielder on the Brewers with any speed, but he suffered from the same affliction of the other Crew outfielders: low batting average. Edwards hit .247 and worse yet, walked only four times. For a team that drove in runs by the bunches, Edwards didn’t distinguish himself in any fashion.
Grade: C-

Larry Hisle, OF-DH
It was sad to see the man who helped the Crew’s renaissance in ’78 succumb to injury. He hit .129 in what will likely be his last season.
Grade: D

Bob Skube, OF, UTL
Never saw enough time to make an impact, compiling 12 ABs between them.
Grade: Inc.

OVERALL

Stats don’t lie: They hit a major-league leading 216 home runs, drove in an MLB-high 843 RBI, led the majors in total bases (2606), runs (891), slugging percentage (.455) and at bats (5733). Wait, we’re not done yet. The Crew was second in hits (1599, four behind the Royals), doubles (277, also behind the Royals), batting average (.279, six points behind the Royals) and second-last in strikeouts (714). They didn’t walk much (484, 14th in the majors) and they don’t steal bases (84), but when you pound the ball like the Crew did this season, you don’t need to go station-to-station.

There is no other grade for this team. It was second to none at the plate.

GRADE: A

Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: Ben Oglivie, Bob Skube, Cecil Cooper, Charlie Moore, Don Money, Ed Romero, Gorman Thomas, Jim Gantner, Larry Hisle, Mark Brouhard, Marshall Edwards, Ned Yost, Paul Molitor, Rob Picciolo, Robin Yount, Roy Howell, Ted Simmons

Brewers Battered and Humiliated in Loss

May 11 Leave a Comment

Royals 17, Brewers 3
Brewers now 16-12 (3rd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

Jerry Augustine
This was a game that Augustine would like to forget.

KANSAS CITY — What the hell was that??

This game was a disaster before it started. Brewers ace Pete Vuckovich, who was scheduled to start today’s game, sprained his ankle when he slipped down a rain-soaked hill behind Royals Stadium on his way to the game.

Let’s think about this for a moment. Pete Vuckovich should have started. He has a 2.62 ERA and three wins covering his last three starts. The bonehead is climbing down a hill in the rain behind the stadium. He can’t get a ride to the game? What is the guy doing?

So instead of Vuke, the Brewers get Jerry Augustine. Jerry Augustine. Yeah, that Jerry Augustine. The mop-up guy to the mop-up guy. He of only two appearances this season before today’s game. Sure, he did surprisingly well in those two appearances, but his luck was bound to change.

It changed in a hurry. Augustine allowed four runs on four hits and a walk in the first inning. In the second, he allowed three more runs on three more hits. If this were a typical game, Augustine never would have lasted the second inning. But he stayed out there.

Why? Because the team is short-handed. Or short-armed. Bob McClure has an elbow injury. You know about Vuke’s run-in with a hill. Jim Slaton, whose arm has to be turning to Jell-O from overuse, will be starting in McClure’s place. So the options were limited.

Augustine stayed through the third, which he managed to escape without allowing a run. And the fourth. Then, he allowed five more runs on five hits and a walk in the fifth.

Augustine may have kept pitching, but he was saved by a 54-minute rain delay. His final line after Jamie Easterly finally put him out of his misery: five innings pitched, 12 earned runs, 15 hits, two walks.

“I wondered if he missed curfew last night or something,” said Royals catcher John Wathan, who feasted on Augustine and Brewers pitching for three hits. “A lot of us on the bench were wondering what he’d done.”

Augustine was surely wondering the same thing. “This is probably the most humiliating day I’ve ever had,” he said.

Of course, when it rains it pours. Larry Hisle‘s right rotator cuff is torn again. You know, that bastard shoulder of his. It’s bothered him for three seasons now and undergone two operations. He’s out for a minimum of two months. If we’re going to be honest with ourselves, his career is likely over.

Hisle’s spring started with such promise. He was one of the team’s top performers. When the season got underway, he dealt with nagging injuries to his wrist and eye. But they were just annoyances. His shoulder was fine. Then this.

Things were looking so good for this team after a four-game sweep of the Twins. Now? Battered, bruised and humiliated.

Game Notes: X-rays on Vuckovich’s ankle were negative … Bob McClure threw prior to the game and his injured elbow did not respond well. Jim Slaton will start in his place on May 14 … Brewers general manager Harry Dalton says the team will explore acquiring shortstop Rob Picciolo or infielder/outfielder Rodney Scott. Picciolo was designated for assignment by the A’s and Scott was put on waivers by the Expos last weekend.

Filed Under: Game Recap Tagged With: Bob McClure, Jamie Easterly, Jerry Augustine, Jim Slaton, John Wathan, Larry Hisle, Pete Vuckovich, Rob Picciolo, Rodney Scott, Royals

Brewers Torch Twins 12-1

May 8 Leave a Comment

Brewers 12, Twins 1
Brewers now 15-10 (2nd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

Mike Caldwell
Mike Caldwell is pitching like the Brewers' ace.

MILWAUKEE — What happens when your starting pitcher allows six baserunners in a complete game and your offense is 6-for-15 with runners in scoring position?

You win, son. You win.

Is Mike Caldwell the ace of this staff? It’s been looking like it. In five of his six starts this season, Caldwell has allowed three or fewer runs. He’s allowed one or nothing three times. Caldwell’s ERA is now ace-worthy at 2.72.

Granted, the Brewers didn’t need an ace on the hill on this night. In five of their eight turns at bat, the Brewers took a pass on scoring runs. Not necessary. But they scored four in the third, three in the sixth and five in the seventh. Twelve runs on 12 hits for the efficient Crew.

You know it’s been a good game when in the eighth inning your starting pitcher is still on the mound, and back-ups Don Money, Ed Romero, Roy Howell and Kevin Bass have taken temporary residency in the field.

Remember when we were worried about Gorman Thomas? That was before he was able to face the Twins. No home runs in April. Four home runs already in May. Including his third inning three-run shot today, all four of those monstrous bombs have been off of the Twins.

Which makes a guy wonder… Since Gorman is torching the Twins, they should respect his ability, correct? So why, with two outs in the third and runners at second and third, did the Twins intentionally walk Ben Oglivie to get to Thomas? He promptly made them pay.

Or maybe the Brewers are just messing with the Twins’ heads now. In the series opener on May 6, it was the Twins’ decision to have starter Brad Havens pitch to Oglivie with the bases loaded in the eighth instead of going to the bullpen that lost the game. Maybe the lesson learned there was not to pitch to Oglivie. Well, then you’ve gotta deal with Gorman.

Sure, it’s just the Twins. But playing this team has a way of making the Brewers seem like a pennant contender. And I appreciate it. Luckily, the Brewers have one more game against them tomorrow. Have no mercy!

Game Notes: Larry Hisle has been placed on the 15-day DL after injury his shoulder in batting practice. Hisle has a significant history with the injury, and the fear is that he has torn it.

Filed Under: Game Recap Tagged With: Ben Oglivie, Brad Havens, Don Money, Ed Romero, Gorman Thomas, Kevin Bass, Larry Hisle, Mike Caldwell, Roy Howell, Twins

Moore, Slaton Save the Day

May 4 Leave a Comment

Brewers 9, Royals 5
Brewers now 12-9 (3rd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

Charlie Moore
Charlie Moore hit his first homer of the season to take the lead for good.

MILWAUKEE — You know what’s great about this team? You never know who is going to be the hero. It could be Robin. It could be Molly. It could be Coop, Gantner, Gorman or Oglivie. Lately, it’s even been Simmons.

Today? Today it was Charlie Moore.

Down 5-4 in the 6th, Larry Hisle took off on the first pitch from Royals’ reliever Grant Jackson. Moore promptly planted it into the first row of the left field seats, his first homer of the season.

The Brewers would never again trail. Moore would knock in another for good measure, finishing with two hits, three runs scored and three runs batted in.

[Read more…] about Moore, Slaton Save the Day

Filed Under: Game Recap Tagged With: Ben Oglivie, Bob McClure, Charlie Moore, Eddie Murray, Grant Jackson, Jerry Martin, Jim Slaton, Larry Hisle, Royals, Vida Blue

Brewers Hesitate, Royals Win

May 3 Leave a Comment

Royals 3, Brewers 2
Brewers now 11-9 (3rd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

Jim Gantner
Gantner's hesitation at second proved costly.

MILWAUKEE — Not the best way to start this series.

The Royals are without Amos Otis (hamstring), Willie Wilson (hamstring), Willie Aikens (hand), UL Washington (back) and Lee May (groin). Other than George Brett, that’s pretty much the Royals’ lineup.

So the Brewers knew they were playing a team that was short-handed offensively. Quite the advantage. All they’d need to do is, I don’t know, score three or four runs. Right?

Right. Problem is, they only scored two. Brewers only had seven hits in nine innings, but they didn’t have many opportunities to score. The only true blown shot was in the first when Paul Molitor reached third in the first with one down. Ben Oglivie (strikeout) and Ted Simmons (pop-up) failed to bring him home. The only had a runner in scoring position one other time during the game.

[Read more…] about Brewers Hesitate, Royals Win

Filed Under: Game Recap Tagged With: Amos Otis, Ben Oglivie, Buck Rodgers, Dan Quisenberry, George Brett, Greg Pryor, Hal McRae, Jim Gantner, John Wathan, Larry Hisle, Lee May, Mike Caldwell, Paul Molitor, Royals, Ted Simmons, UL Washington, Willie Aikens, Willie Wilson

Caldwell, Fingers Ice White Sox

April 28 Leave a Comment

Brewers 2, White Sox 1
Brewers now 9-7 (3rd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

Jim Gantner
Jim Gantner reached on two hits and knocked in the winning run.

For the second game in a row, the Brewers’ offense managed only four hits. Today, those four hits were just enough to win.

Mike Caldwell picked up where he left off. Coming off of a complete game shutout of the Toronto Blue Jays on April 22, Caldwell allowed only a run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings of work today. Though the one fifth inning run he allowed would prevent him from earning the win, he and Rollie Fingers kept the lid on Chicago’s offense long enough to allow the Brewers’ lineup to score one more run.

[Read more…] about Caldwell, Fingers Ice White Sox

Filed Under: Game Recap Tagged With: Ben Oglivie, Britt Burns, Don Money, Gorman Thomas, Jim Gantner, Larry Hisle, Mark Brouhard, Mike Caldwell, Rollie Fingers, White Sox

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