Milwaukee gets no respect, no respect at all!
Jay Mariotti, from the Chicago Sun-Times, writes:
This used to be nothing but a bratwurst convention, a chance for Cubdom to launch a 90-mile caravan, pass the kitschy ``CHEESE HERE'' signs, tailgate in the lots, mix some Secret Sauce with Leinenkugel Red and occupy more than half of Miller Park's seats in a blue takeover of the little town up north.
Not anymore. Now, the Brewers are acting like the brats, ready to exact civic revenge upon the big-city phenomenon with the global following, nine-digit payroll, sporadic offense, lagging body language, Notre Dame-produced bullpen leprechaun and jittery fans conditioned to fear the worst -- though never the wurst.
Who knew that Milwaukee, which just got its first Starbucks last week but had the progressive vision to acquire CC Sabathia, could be a dateline for the next possible chapter in the Cubbie Horror Picture Show? Who knew that the Brewers, not the Diamondbacks or Mets or Phillies or Cardinals, could be the bouncers who turn 100 years of waiting into 101?
``The pressure is on them this year,'' slugging sensation Ryan Braun said of the Cubs. ``All the expectations are on them.''
``Our focus was to be within striking distance of the Cubs when they come to town, somehow find a way to get within a couple games,'' manager Ned Yost said. ``We've accomplished that.''
How's that for a little sausage grease in the wound, some unprecedented noise from a ballclub that hasn't made the postseason since 1982 but senses familiar paranoia from the forlorn franchise that hasn't won a World Series since 1908? Only 10 days ago, the Cubs had a five-game edge over the Brew Crew in the National League Central. Tonight, they'll venture into a radically different Wisconsin vibe, with only a one-game lead and their heads spinning in a culture-shock bubble. Not only does Cubdom have no hope of finding a face-value ticket for the four-game series -- would you believe the Brewers will have 11 consecutive sellouts by week's end? -- but the Cubs conceivably could fall behind in the race and trigger a Wrigleyville panic if they don't start hitting consistently and stop the rampaging, trade-fortified Brewers.
Starbucks. Bratwurst convention. Kitchsy "CHEESE HERE'' signs. Hilarious. Hahaha.
How does it feel Cubdom?
My guess is not good, not good at all.
Things have changed in the "little town up north."
Deal with it.
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