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Counting Down

Now that the New York Giants have defeated the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl 46, the NFL football season is officially over. I have one word for that ... good! Now it's time to focus on the countdown to spring training (as well as opening day) for the 2012 MLB season, during which the Milwaukee Brewers will attempt to defend their 2011 NL Central title.

There are a few MLB teams whose pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report Feb. 18 -- 12 days from now. According to springtrainingonline.com the Brewers' pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report on Feb. 19, or 13 days from now. Once pitchers and catchers report I will incorporate a countdown to opening day somewhere in each blog post.

The Brewers will open the season with a three-game series at home beginning April 6 against last year's National League Wild Card winner, the St. Louis Cardinals. Oh yeah, I guess they won something after the wild card, but I forget the details. I have my Opening Day tickets already secured and will be attending my 10th opener at Miller Park! That countdown stands at 60 days.

Another important number to look for is seven. That is the number of days left before the people who heard 2011 National League MVP (music to my ears=the finest Paul Simon jam) Ryan Braun's case have to rule on what they heard. Other than the Dan Patrick report stating sources inside MLB who said Braun would be exonerated, there has been no new info reported on that situation. I hope we don't need to implement a 50-game countdown once that verdict is rendered, but we will if we must.

Here is a good video from MLB regarding the possibility of the "agent-less" Zack Greinke signing a contract extension with the Brewers, and another in which Tony Plush becomes Tony Pucks.

The Brewers avoided an arbitration hearing with pitcher Shaun Marcum at the last minute by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $7.725 million. The Brewers had submitted a number of $6.7 million and Marcum was looking for $8.7 million, so they ultimately met in the middle. At least I haven't heard any of the "why would they bring him back after game 6" garble.

Tick ... tock ... tick ... tock ...

Tim Thompson is a car salesman and huge fan of the Milwaukee Brewers. He lives in the Newville area with his fiance and two children. Tim is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.