Milwaukee Brewers Microbrew

Brewers beat reporter Tom Haudricourt and host JR Radcliffe discuss a quiet offseason. Is a Josh Hader trade still likely based on how little action we've seen across MLB? Is there any idea when we might know things like DH rules for the national league, or even a season start date? Lorenzo Cain is coming back, but who's going to play at the corner infield spots? Could Keston Hiura be moved to first? We expect this team to hit better in 2021, but should we?

Then, JR chats with John Thorn (34:00), a Beloit College graduate and official MLB historian, about his role in getting the Negro Leagues re-categorized as "major league," and getting the stats from those leagues integrated with those of the American and National Leagues. How does that determination get made and implemented?

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music.

Brewers reliever Devin Williams became the third Brewers player to win the Jackie Robinson NL Rookie of the Year Award, becoming the first pitcher to win without recording a win or save. Brewers beat reporter Tom Haudricourt joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the fascinating circumstances of the vote, including Tom's own decision to rank someone else atop his ballot. Is Williams' huge season sustainable? Could this have happened in a normal-length season? Also, how it compares with Pat Listach's win in 1992.

Brewers beat reporter Tom Haudricourt joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss Milwaukee's changes on the coaching staff, including changes for two longstanding staples Ed Sedar and Marcus Hanel. The club also declined a ton of options, including Ryan Braun's. What are the circumstances under which Braun returns to the Brewers? Once the 2021 season timeline takes shape, will the Brewers be signing ... anyone? What are Devin Williams' chances at Rookie of the Year? Plus a look back at the World Series and Tampa Bay hero Brett Phillips. 

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music.

Brewers beat reporters Todd Rosiak and Tom Haudricourt join host JR Radcliffe to analyze what comes next for the Milwaukee Brewers. Do we consider the 2020 playoff season a success? How are we feeling about Christian Yelich? How will this team add offense, especially if payroll is reduced? Have we seen the last of Josh Hader in a Brewers uniform? Could Devin Williams win Rookie of the Year? What do we make of the 2021 position battles at catcher and shortstop?

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music. 

Brewers beat reporter Tom Haudricourt and host JR Radcliffe discuss the improbability of Milwaukee's playoff berth, then look ahead to the looming series with the Dodgers. How can the club overcome injuries to Corbin Burnes and Brett Anderson? Are we underestimating the greatness of Brandon Woodruff this year? Is there any chance Ryan Braun is back next year? Tom discusses David Stearns addressing his rocky offseason and tries to figure out how player evaluation will work heading into the offseason.

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music.

The Milwaukee Brewers enter the final week of the 2020 regular season alive for a playoff spot. Journal Sentinel Brewers reporter Tom Haudricourt and host JR Radcliffe discuss the eccentricities of the chase, plus a very real Cy Young case for pitcher Corbin Burnes. Plus: Ryan Braun's complicated legacy, the surge of Dan Vogelbach, the absurdity of the Brewers bullpen and Jacob Nottingham's arrival.

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music. 

Host JR Radcliffe and guest host Curt Hogg chat briefly about the star turn of Corbin Burnes but focus most of their attention on no-hitters. When so many traditional baseball concepts have lost their shine (pitcher wins, Triple Crown, batting titles), why are no-hitters still so special? Can they still be fun if they happen against the local team, like Alec Mills on Sunday against the Brewers? They discuss the randomness of this particular no-hitter, the value a combined no-hitter would provide for a franchise that hasn't had one since 1987 and discuss the ones JR has seen in person. 

Then, JR sits down with Jonathan Stiever (34:00), a product of greater Milwaukee from Cedarburg High School who just made his Major League debut with the Chicago White Sox. They discuss his rapid ascent, the pivot point of his first outing and what comes next. 

Brewers beat reporter Todd Rosiak joins host JR Radcliffe to ponder if there's anything to suggest this Brewers team can still make a run to the playoffs. They discuss the DFA of Justin Smoak and his replacement, a potential fan favorite in Dan Vogelbach. Corbin Burnes has emerged; what about the other starters? Could Devin Williams get some Rookie of the Year votes? What's the 2021 outlook for the shortstop battle between Orlando Arcia and Luis Urias? Jacob Nottingham gets his opportunity.

Brewers beat reporter Tom Haudricourt tries to diagnose what's ailing the Milwaukee Brewers offense as the calendar turns to September. He looks at the club's decision to trade David Phelps and hold onto top relief pitcher Josh Hader. How real is Devin Williams? What's the fallout from the Manny Pina injury? What's next for Corey Knebel and Ryan Braun?

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Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music. 

Brewers beat reporter Todd Rosiak joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the suddenly skidding Brewers following a rough sweep over the weekend at the hands of the last-place Pirates. Is the Brock Holt DFA a harbinger of more moves to come? Is there any possible way to gauge what this team might do in the upcoming trade deadline? How would the squad have been built differently if Milwaukee knew it would only have 60 games to work with? Plus: Josh Hader being used as a traditional closer, Christian Yelich's continued struggles and debuts by Drew Rasmussen and Angel Perdomo. 

Plus, JR sits down with Brewers top pitching prospect Ethan Small (30:30), discussing how his approach changed following Tommy John surgery, pitching at the College World Series and life in Appleton at the alternate training site. 

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music.