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EVENTS AD PARTNERS
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1999 Recap: Jeromy Burnitz had a career-best season (33 HR, 103 RBI) and only an injury prevented him from breaking the 40 home-run plateau. Jeff Cirillo and Dave Nilsson also played All-Star caliber ball, but the supporting case around those three stars was one of the weakest in baseball. Milwaukee got a steal when it claimed Hideo Nomo off waivers -- and then watched him record a team-high 12 wins -- but his success also meant that his asking price for 2000 was too high, and he won't be back in Milwaukee this season. Phil Garner was fired in August with and Jim Lefebvre stepped in and managed the team for the last eight weeks with no noticeable improvement. 1999 Highlight: A wild 19-12 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 1 featured four home runs by the Brewers, who tagged Cubs starter Steve Trachsel for nine earned runs in 3.2 IP. 1999 Lowlight: The tragic July 14 crane accident at Miller Park that killed three construction workers, delaying the debut of the new ballpark until April, 2001. Manager: Davey Lopes (1st season as major league manager) Coaches: Rod Carew (hitting), Bob Apodaca (pitching), Gary Allenson (first base), Chris Speier (third base), Bill Castro (bullpen), Jerry Royster (bench) Camp Site: Maryvale Baseball Park, Maryvale, Ariz. Reporting Dates: Pitchers and catchers on Feb. 17; full squad on Feb. 22. Additions RHP Juan Acevedo, C Henry Blanco, RHP Jimmy Haynes, 3B Jose Hernandez, C Tyler Houston, RHP Curtis Leskanic, IF Luis Lopez, RHP Jaime Navarro, RHP John Snyder, OF Mark Sweeney, RHP Jamey Wright Subtractions: 3B Jeff Cirillo, Cal Eldred, LHP Scott Karl, LHP Mike Myers, C David Nilsson, RHP Hideo Nomo, RHP OF Alex Ochoa, LHP Bill Pulsipher, SS Jose Valentin, 2B Fernando Vina Spring Cleaning: Stop me if you've heard this one before. A roster of has-beens, never-will-bes and what-ifs will take the field at County Stadium knowing that it has no chance to compete for the division title, let alone a World Series crown. Welcome to the NL Central's veersion of "Groundhog Day." No one named McGwire, Sosa, Griffey or Bagwell will be hanging their sanitary socks in This NL Central clubhouse. Second-tier free agents like Jose Hernandez have been added -- along with trade acquisitions Jamey Wright, Jimmy Haynes and Juan Acevedo on the pitching staff -- while popular and productive Jeff Cirillo was traded away, and free agent Dave Nilsson was allowed to sign in Japan. Small-market Milwaukee will basically be playing out its schedule for the second-straight year, waiting for Miller Park to open and generate much-needed revenue. Davey Lopes should bring some discipline to the team. The Brewers will play the fundamentally sound baseball that Lopes preached while coaching with the Padres the last several years, but Milwaukee will likely lose lots of close game due to the lack of experience in the rotation, and the lack of depth in the bullpen. Lopes has assembled an impressive coaching staff in Milwaukee, but the talent they have to work with is limited. The organization has been saying for three years that the team will again be competitive once Miller Park is open for business, but after another season that resembles the past decade of futility, fans in Milwaukee will be skeptical until it happens. Key Acquisition: Jamey Wright was the apple of the Rockies organization for six years, since being drafted by Colorado in the first round in 1993. But the tall righty never learned to pitch in Coors Field, and new Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd didn't think twice about dealing him away when he found out he could acquire Jeff Cirillo. Now that he's back pitching at sea level again, Wright should be able to work hitters well with his two-seam fastball, sinker and hard slider, and his strikeout totals could rise. The Future is Now: Ron Belliard had an impressive rookie campaign (.295 average, 29 doubles, .379 OBP) and would have been considered for Rookie of the Year honors in most other seasons. Like his big brother Rafael, Ron is a fine fielder and has good baserunning instincts despite only four stolen bases in 1999. Belliard is poised for a big season in Milwaukee, although it will go largely unnoticed. Opportunity Knocks: Continuing the "Groundhog Day" theme for the Brewers is the return of starter Jeff D'Amico after two years of arm problems. The 6-foot-7 right-hander once looked to be a top-of-the-rotation power pitcher, but shoulder problems have cost him valuable developmental time. D'Amico at the end of last season to throw one inning, but that was his first action since late in the 1997 season. Lopes hopes that D'Amico's return to health can bolster the staff, but with clones Jamey Wright and Jimmy Haynes already penciled into the rotation, D'Amico may have to wait his turn in the bullpen. Prospects to Watch: RHP Nick Neugebauer, OF Chad Green, RHP Ben Sheets, RHP Allen Levrault, OF Cristian Guerrero, RHP J.M. Gold
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