Preach Clint! Preach! If Ron Roenicke isn't playing this on a loop in the clubhouse as players get out of town for the all-star break today it's a shame. Just this ad over and over and over. Maybe mix in a little John Waite 'Change' from Vision Quest but that should about do it.

So one half into 2012 how are we feeling Brewer Nation? 40-45 record and 8 games out during an injury plagued, uneven first half. Like am I crazy to think this could be worse? You lost your #5 starter, starting shortstop, and starting first baseman for the season. The bullpen was about as trustworthy as an internet site ending in '.net' and our closer was summoning Derrick Turnbow references. Oh and our former all star starting 2nd baseman looked so lost for the majority of the first half that I think I'd have rather had present day Bernie Mac's Stan Ross getting every day at bats (too soon?). So with all of that said, 8 games out and 5 games under might not be the worst situation we've ever seen. Not to mention it's the frieking Pirates in first place! The Pirates! There's no way that lasts. If ever a meltdown was predictable that is it. Or Mel Gibson in front of a synagogue. Either one.

Also if you're a gambling man and you really believe this team can turn in around, NOW is the time to lay it down. Vegas has the Crew at +2000 to win the Central. Put down a hundred bucks and you make 2 grand. What's the old saying? When the going gets tough the tough get gambling? Bingo. I'm a degenerate not a quitter.*

*The Journal Sentinel ruined my Sunday morning yesterday. The over/under on season wins going into the season was 85. I figure they won 96 last season, the pitching staff in in tact, you lose Prince but was he worth 11 wins? Even a 10 win drop off means I'm making it rain Pacman Jones style! So a put a wager down. We won't get into amounts. Will I be able to pay my mortgage, will I not be able to pay my mortgage, who knows. It's all semantics. But I open the paper yesterday a legit headline is 'If you bet the under on 85 Brewers wins you're looking good.' Reason #324323 I spend my Sunday morning crying.

PS: That Greinke ejection on Saturday was, in the words of Jackie Chiles, lewd, lascivious, salacious, outrageous! And the fact that Sam Holbrook won't be held accountable is both infuriating and predictable. Like I will never understand how umpires just get a pass on that kind of stuff. Why aren't they held accountable when they make egregious ejections or calls? Does Bud Selig even call them to figure out what happened? It's like frieking Free Mason's with that activity. No one knows. I'll tell you who I felt awful for though were the scouts there to see Zack Greinke. Get all geared up for a potential Cy Young winner and in a blink you get to spend the afternoon with Livan Hernandez and the Brewer bullpen. Some baseball Guantanamo Bay stuff right there.

Double PS: Cue the music!