Fulfilling a fantasy
Sutton enjoys Brewers Fantasy Camp, posts fan e-mails
MILWAUKEE -- The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word fantasy as the
power or process of creating especially unrealistic or improbable mental
images in response to psychological need; also a mental image or a series of
mental images (as a daydream) so created.
How many times did I daydream about having a uniform with my name on the back
hanging in a Major League locker? Have you ever had that improbable mental
image?
Last week, the improbable became probable as, for the second straight year, I
was able to join more than 80 dreamers at Milwaukee Brewers Fantasy Camp. It
was a reunion of the 1982 team, which meant we were able to learn about
hitting from Cecil Cooper and Ben Oglivie, pitching from Jim Slaton and Moose
Haas, defense from Don Money and ragging from Gorman Thomas.
(I enjoyed being the primary target of the verbal darts, along with our
favorite motor-mouth camper Bill "Rat Boy" Lindeman.)
Let it be known that Gorman not only dished out the humble pie, but he had to
take a large bite himself. He was brought up in "kangaroo court" on many
charges, and the worst was riding to the diamonds on a golf cart, while
82-year-old camp legend Doc Palese walked! GUILTY!
It was a first-class experience. Bob Skube would meet you early in the cages
if you wanted to work on your swing, although his instructions couldn't help
my horrid stroke. Roger Caplinger, Dan Wright, Paul Anderson and the rest of
the Brewers training staff treated all of us as if we were preparing for a
June battle at Wrigley Field, when they could have been noting that there
were more spare tires in their training room than a Goodyear superstore. Tony
Miggliacio and Phil Rozewicz and the rest of the Brewers clubhouse staff made
sure our uniforms were cleaned every morning upon arrival and there was never
a shortage of Miller products at the day's end. Great people made it a true
Major League experience.
When those Miller products flowed and the laughs took the place of the
soreness, it was always in the company of our legendary '82 coaches. It was
easy to tell why that Brewers team fared so well. Aside from the talent, they
all really seemed to like and trust one another and they loved talking
baseball. It definitely heightened everyone's experience that our big
leaguers didn't hit the road at the day's end; they stayed and shared a bit
of 1982 with all of us.
The brushes with the big boys were not limited to former players. On two
different occasions, Ben Sheets came to the complex to work out and throw.
Both times, he came into the locker room with the campers and ate lunch, took
pictures while honoring every autograph request that came his way. As you
spend this week reading about Jose Canseco and steroid abuse, remember that
there are still athletes like Ben that you and your future ballplayers can
always look up to.
On the field, I experienced an historic drop in batting average and a
meteoric rise in ERA but still loved every minute of it. There were great
teammates like the Quinones brothers from Iowa and Madison's Matt Varney.
There were tough and memorable opponents like Greg Beaubien from Anaheim. Or
is it "Los Angeles Greg of Anaheim?"
The aches are already gone, but the memories have been permanently tattooed
in that special part of my mind. That part reserved for improbable mental
images in response to psychological need. Until next year, there are always
daydreams.
Here are a few of your recent thoughts (it would appear you are excited about
the return of a familiar face):
Although I also really enjoy watching Russell Branyan swing the bat, I think
Jeff Cirillo will give us an all-around solid defensive and offensive player
at third base, which we have been sorely missing the last few years.
-- Paul F., Oconomowoc, Wis.
I am a huge Cirillo fan and hope he will be able to win the starting job.
-- Kevin S., Mishicot, Wis.
Nice to have Jeff Cirillo back. I think he is at home in Milwaukee so he
should do better than ever.
-- Stuart R., Baraboo, Wis.
Your latest column on the Winter Tour rings true. The baseball fans around
the state are excited. We are ready for a ride back to the top. We are ready
to see some of the talent from our minor league crop blossom in the Majors.
-- Ted W., Ogdensburg, Wis.
Thanks for the e-mails. Keep them coming, I read them all. This week let me
know if you want to return to the ball/glove logo or not. If you are against
a return, step up and tell me why.
Stay tuned this week. We have some big surprises to announce concerning
Spring Training. See you next week.
--
★opengoodbook 你什麼時候設我為好友啦?!XD
To opengoodbook: 第一次丟你水球之後阿XD
★opengoodbook 我會害羞(跑)
To opengoodbook: :P
★opengoodbook 這麼主動......
--
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