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Legendary Hank Aaron passes away

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Henry Aaron posing for a photo with WRN Brewers reporter Jeff Miller.

Wisconsin lost another one of its all-time great sports legends when Hank Aaron passed away in Atlanta at the age of 86.

Aaron debuted with the Milwaukee Braves in 1954 at the age of 20.  He played 21 seasons for the Braves in Milwaukee and Atlanta.  He returned to Milwaukee ton finish out his career with the Brewers in 1975-76.

In 1957, Aaron was named the National League’s MVP.  His two-run home run off of St. Louis’ Billy Moffett in the bottom of the 11th clinched the pennant and sent the Braves to the World Series, where they beat the New York Yankees in seven games.

Aaron passed Babe Ruth’s home run mark of 714 in 1974.  Number 715 came off of Dodgers lefty Al Downing, during a game in Atlanta.  That would be Aaron’s final season with the Braves.

His return to Milwaukee helped the Brewers set a club record for attendance.  He finished out his career with 755 home runs.

Aaron made 21 all-star appearances and won three Gold Gloves for his play in right field.  His home run record was eventually topped in 2007 by San Francisco’s Barry Bonds, who finished with 762 for his career.

Aaron is the only player to hit at least 30 home runs in 15 seasons.  He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, having received 97.8% of the votes cast by baseball writers in 1982.

The Atlanta Braves made Aaron a vice president and director of player development.

 

Brewers avoid arbitration hearings with Hader, Woodruff

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The Milwaukee Brewers avoided salary arbitration hearings by agreeing to one-year deals with reliever Josh Hader and top starter Brandon Woodruff on Friday.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Hader’s deal will pay him $6.675 million for the 2021 season after the left handed closer earned $4.1 million last season.

The Brewers also avoided an arbitration hearing with starter Brandon Woodruff.  As a “Super 2” player, Woodruff goes from $633,100 last season to $3.275 million this season.

Hader led the National League with 13 saves in the pandemic shortened 2020 season.  He started the season with a major league record 12 hitless outings.

Woodruff was the opening day starter for the Brewers and went just 3-5 in 13 starts.  But he compiled a 3.05 ERA with a 0.991 WHIP and 91 strikeouts in 73 2/3 innings.

The Brewers now have 14 players under contract for the upcoming season.

Former Golden Guernsey Dairy will pay fired workers as part of bankruptcy

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Workers that were unexpectedly fired when Golden Guernsey Dairy closed in 2013 are going to be getting checks.

Attorney General Josh Kaul says that any worker who puts in their time ought to be paid for it, even after the company no longer exists. 

“That can have an enormous impact on a family and recovering those funds is a huge deal for the families that are impacted.”)

Golden Guernsey closed unexpectedly in 2013, and didn’t notify the state or pay their workers.  “Unfortunately the bankruptcy process can take a while and that’s what happened in this case.”

Each employee will be eligible for over 11-thousand dollars in wages, and more if there’s money left while the proceedings continue.

Brewers, Dodgers Complete Knebel Trade

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The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired left-handed pitcher Leo Crawford from the Los Angeles Dodgers as the player to be named to complete the December 2 trade for right-handed reliever Corey Knebel.

The Nicaraguan native has gone 33-26 with a 3.22 ERA in 107 games (88 starts) over five Minor League seasons (2015-19), all with the Dodgers.  He was a MiLB.com Organization All-Star in 2018 and 2019.

The 23-year-old Crawford spent the 2019 season between Class-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Tulsa, where he combined to go 7-4 with a 2.81 ERA in 25 games (21 starts).  He issued just 27 walks with 134 strikeouts in 121.2 innings pitched.

Crawford was signed by the Dodgers as an international free agent in 2014.  He is scheduled to be in Minor League camp with the Brewers in Spring Training.

Williams Voted To 2020 All-MLB Second Team

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Devin Williams

Milwaukee Brewers right-handed reliever Devin Williams has been voted to the 2020 All-MLB Second Team.

The 26-year-old Williams, who previously won National League Reliever of the Year and National League Rookie of the Year, turned in a dominant season as he went 4-1 with a 0.33 ERA in 22 appearances.

Williams was first or tied for first among Major League relievers (min. 20ip) in ERA (1st), opponent batting average (1st, .090), WHIP (1st, 0.63), strikeouts (T1st, 53 – led NL) and K/9 IP (T1st, 17.67 – led NL).  He surrendered just a single earned run the entire season, which came in his second appearance on July 27 at Pittsburgh.

Williams was selected in the second round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.

The inaugural All-MLB teams debuted following the 2019 season.  Outfielder Christian Yelich and left-handed reliever Josh Hader represented the Brewers in 2019, each earning first-team honors.

Brewers Extend Invites To 2021 Minor League Affiliates

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The Milwaukee Brewers have extended invitations to four Minor League teams to become affiliates in Major League Baseball’s new player development structure.  Receiving invitations are the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A), Biloxi Shuckers (Double-A), Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (High-A) and Carolina Mudcats (Low-A).

Nashville previously served as the team’s Triple-A affiliate from 2005-14, winning the Pacific Coast League championship in 2005.  The Sounds play their home games at First Horizon Park in downtown Nashville, which opened in 2015.

Biloxi has served as Milwaukee’s Double-A affiliate since 2015, while Wisconsin has been the organization’s Low-A club since 2009.  The Brewers purchased the Carolina Mudcats in 2017. [Read more…]

Brewers promote Matt Arnold

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Matt Arnold

The Milwaukee Brewers have promoted Matt Arnold to senior vice president and general manager on Thursday afternoon.

“For the past five years, Matt has served an invaluable role in helping to guide our baseball operations group,” said President of Baseball Operations David Stearns.  “He has contributed to every significant decision we have made and has offered indispensable advice and support throughout his time with the Brewers.  Today’s announcement formalizes how we have operated over the last few years.  This move provides Matt with the deserved recognition of his tireless work and ensures that our baseball operations leadership group remains intact.”

The 41-year-old Arnold joined the Brewers on Oct. 14, 2015 as vice president and assistant general manager.  He was then promoted to senior vice president and assistant general manager in June 2019.  Since the addition of Stearns and Arnold, the Brewers have the fifth-best record in the National League, going 373-336 (.526) since 2016.  The team ranks third in the National League in winning percentage since 2017, going 300-247 (.548).  Under the leadership of Stearns and Arnold, the Brewers have qualified for the postseason in each of the last three years, a feat previously never accomplished in franchise history. [Read more…]

Brewers reliever Devin Williams named NL Rookie of the Year (AUDIO)

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Devin Williams

Milwaukee Brewers right-handed reliever Devin Williams has been voted 2020 National League Rookie of the Year, edging Philadelphia Phillies infielder Alec Bohm and San Diego Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth.

Wlliams becomes the third player in franchise history to earn Rookie of the Year honors, joining shortstop Pat Listach (1992) and third baseman Ryan Braun (2007).

The 26-year-old Williams, who previously won 2020 National League Reliever of the Year, turned in a dominant season as he went 4-1 with a 0.33 ERA in 22 appearances.  Williams ranked first or tied for first among Major League relievers (minimum 20ip) in ERA (1st), opponent battling average (1st, .090), WHIP (1st, 0.63), strikeouts (T1st, 53 – led NL) and K/9 IP (T1st, 17.67 – led NL).  He surrendered just a single earned run the entire season, which came in his second appearance on July 27 at Pittsburgh.

Williams was selected in the second round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.  The graduate of Hazelwood West (MO) High School committed to the University of Missouri before signing with the Brewers.

Williams is the first pitcher to not make a start or register a save and win Rookie of the Year honors.

AUDIO: Devin Williams told MLB Network that he’d gone through some struggles in his career :13

AUDIO: Devin Williams says he has family to thank :21

 

Brewers announce 2021 coaching staff

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The Milwaukee Brewers announced their 2021 coaching staff on Wednesday and it includes a base coaching change.

Ed Sedar, who has been with the Brewers for 14 seasons and the teams third base coach for 10 seasons, was reassigned to advisor to the major league coaching staff, a new role with the team.

Quinten Berry, who served as the Brewers’ minor-league outfield and base running coordinator, is joined by returning first base coach Jason Lane as the teams base coaches for next season.

Brewers President of Baseball Operations and General Manager David Stearns is brining back hitting coach Andy Haines and assistant hitting coach Jacob Cruz, despite the teams struggles during the shortened 60-game season.

The Brewers hit .223 and scored 247 runs, which ranked 26th in both categories this past season.  They also struck out 582 times, which ranked second-highest in the majors.

Pitching coach Chris Hook, bullpen coach Steve Karsay and bench coach Pat Murphy all return to Craig Counsell’s staff.

The Brewers added a pair of new bullpen catchers for the 2021 season, hiring Nestor Corredor and Adam Weisenburger.  The Brewers decided not to renew the contracts of bullpen catchers Marcus Hanel and Robinzon Diaz.

Brewers reliever Williams is finalist for NL Rookie of the Year

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Devin Williams

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Devin Williams has already captured National League reliever of the year for the past 2020 season.  Monday, he was named Monday as one of three finalists for National League Rookie of the Year as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Williams is joined by Philadelphia third baseman/first baseman Alec Bohm and San Diego infielder Jake Cronenworth on the ballot.

Rookie of the Year honors will be announced next Monday.

The Brewers have had two Rookie of the Year winners in franchise history, shortstop Pat Listach in 1992 and third baseman Ryan Braun in 2007.

No relief pitcher has won rookie of the year honors in either league since Atlanta’s Craig Kimbrel in 2011.  No pitcher not used as a starter or a closer, has ever captured the honor in either league.

Williams went 4-1 with a 0.33 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 27 innings.  He also led Major League relievers with a 0.63 WHIP and .090 opponents batting average.  He captured NL reliever of the year  honors after teammate Josh Hader took home the award each of the two previous seasons.