The Hey its 2021 now guys MLB thread

[The Sultan]

Ryan Braun retired today.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Brewers/status/1437808373781696517?s=20

Third best Brewer of all time?  (Accounting for just the work they did as a Brewer of course...)

[MU82]

Ryan Braun retired today.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Brewers/status/1437808373781696517?s=20

Used to really like him, but his antics kinda "bum-i-fied" himself in my eyes.

Not the juicing so much as being so desperate to protect his lie that he willingly hurt others.

I haven't followed him closely enough since he became a mediocre ballplayer many years ago to know if he has atoned by apologizing to those he hurt and doing charitable acts. If so, I'm glad about that.

[The Sultan]

He was really only a mediocre ballplayer when he had injury issues and last year.  He didn't live up to his salary, but he was solid in 2018 and 2019 - I would give him a grade of B those years.

[cheebs09]

He was really only a mediocre ballplayer when he had injury issues and last year.  He didn't live up to his salary, but he was solid in 2018 and 2019 - I would give him a grade of B those years.

I would think over the life of the contract, he outperformed it. I think everyone kind of knew the last few years could be a little ugly.

[jsglow]

He was really only a mediocre ballplayer when he had injury issues and last year.  He didn't live up to his salary, but he was solid in 2018 and 2019 - I would give him a grade of B those years.

Actually Fluff, it's been pretty well documented (I'm not going to look for it) that Braun actually ended up being a good signing over the entire life of his contract where he significantly over performed during the first handful of years.  They've studied his WAR v. contract and written extensively about it.

As to his PED situation, folks would have quickly gotten over his juicing especially if the explanation had been 'getting healthy for the playoff run'.  What folks (like me) won't forgive was that he threw an innocent man under the bus to cover his own backside.  In my eyes, that means he never becomes the next 'retired ambassador' for the Crew a la Yount.  That seat is reserved for Yeli some day.

[MU82]

He was really only a mediocre ballplayer when he had injury issues and last year.  He didn't live up to his salary, but he was solid in 2018 and 2019 - I would give him a grade of B those years.

OK. As I said I didn't follow him the last many years. Just looked at his stats showing he averaged 17 HR, 54 RBI, 2.67/.327/.488 from 2017-20 ... but if you say he was better than mediocre, I'm not gonna argue.

As to his PED situation, folks would have quickly gotten over his juicing especially if the explanation had been 'getting healthy for the playoff run'.  What folks (like me) won't forgive was that he threw an innocent man under the bus to cover his own backside.

This. As Daffy Duck used to say, "That's despicable."

[The Sultan]

Actually Fluff, it's been pretty well documented (I'm not going to look for it) that Braun actually ended up being a good signing over the entire life of his contract where he significantly over performed during the first handful of years.  They've studied his WAR v. contract and written extensively about it.

As to his PED situation, folks would have quickly gotten over his juicing especially if the explanation had been 'getting healthy for the playoff run'.  What folks (like me) won't forgive was that he threw an innocent man under the bus to cover his own backside.  In my eyes, that means he never becomes the next 'retired ambassador' for the Crew a la Yount.  That seat is reserved for Yeli some day.

Won't disagree with any of that. 

[The Lens]

He was a real POS during and immediately following the PED stuff but he came around and IMO changed.  I have friends in admin at the Brewers, in Milwaukee media and in Milwaukee charity scene.  Braun was a completely different person from 2015 on.  That scandal changed him for the better.  He gained a perspective he never would have had before.  What he did was despicable, how he grew afterwards was admirable. 

[jsglow]

He was a real POS during and immediately following the PED stuff but he came around and IMO changed.  I have friends in admin at the Brewers, in Milwaukee media and in Milwaukee charity scene.  Braun was a completely different person from 2015 on.  That scandal changed him for the better.  He gained a perspective he never would have had before.  What he did was despicable, how he grew afterwards was admirable.

Fair enough.  And he can continue to build on that with continuing charity work in Milwaukee every year.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

OK. As I said I didn't follow him the last many years. Just looked at his stats showing he averaged 17 HR, 54 RBI, 2.67/.327/.488 from 2017-20 ... but if you say he was better than mediocre, I'm not gonna argue.

This. As Daffy Duck used to say, "That's despicable."

The counting numbers are a little skewed if you include the very abbreviated 2020 season

[The Lens]

Braun's other impact besides on field production was an MVP deciding to stay in Milwaukee and twice signing team friendly deals rather than go to market like Prince did.  That changed the perception of the Brewers and probably helped sign Lorenzo Cain and helped Yelich sign earlier than he needed to.   Braun, Yelich & Giannis are the Reggie White for Milwaukee.  I think all three have reshaped how we view Brewers & Bucks prospects, not just in W's and L's but also how player view playing in this city.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Fair enough.  And he can continue to build on that with continuing charity work in Milwaukee every year.

Plus him and Yeli's work for the CA wildfire victims too.

[CTWarrior]

Why is Ted Simmons in the Hall of Fame?  When he was first eligible, he got less than 5% of the vote and never appeared on another ballot.  He was what....the fourth best catcher of the 1970s?

Well he was fourth best to 3 of the top 10 catchers ever in Bench, Fisk and Carter.  He's better than a good chunk of catchers who are there.  People who remember him from the end of his career with Milwaukee would probably wonder how he was a HOFer.

[MU82]

He was a real POS during and immediately following the PED stuff but he came around and IMO changed.  I have friends in admin at the Brewers, in Milwaukee media and in Milwaukee charity scene.  Braun was a completely different person from 2015 on.  That scandal changed him for the better.  He gained a perspective he never would have had before.  What he did was despicable, how he grew afterwards was admirable.

I am glad to hear this, Lens. Thanks for posting.

[PGsHeroes32]

OK. As I said I didn't follow him the last many years. Just looked at his stats showing he averaged 17 HR, 54 RBI, 2.67/.327/.488 from 2017-20 ... but if you say he was better than mediocre, I'm not gonna argue.

This. As Daffy Duck used to say, "That's despicable."

An .815 OPS is definitely better than medicore

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

At the Brewers @ Tigers game.  Plenty of Brewers fans made the trip and they all want to say hello to me when they see my Marquette t-shirt.

But the one guy behind me in line for a brat with his Marquette "MU Madness" t-shirt... wtf?  He bought his ticket from someone and he was yelling at the concession stand worker for not giving him the $0.75 discount for season ticket holders with the stipulation "he probably bought from a season ticket holder ".

[4everwarriors]

Reely klassy how he threw da Kenosha schmuck under da bus, aina?

[Uncle Rico]

Reely klassy how he threw da Kenosha schmuck under da bus, aina?

Hers he voteds four 45 aina?

[MU82]

An .815 OPS is definitely better than medicore

OK. I said I wouldn't argue it. If you think he was fine, good, very good or, great, you're entitled to that opinion.

[PGsHeroes32]

OK. I said I wouldn't argue it. If you think he was fine, good, very good or, great, you're entitled to that opinion.

I didn't give an opinion.

Simply stated what the stats(if accurate) you provided say.

[jficke13]

At the Brewers @ Tigers game.  Plenty of Brewers fans made the trip and they all want to say hello to me when they see my Marquette t-shirt.

But the one guy behind me in line for a brat with his Marquette "MU Madness" t-shirt... wtf?  He bought his ticket from someone and he was yelling at the concession stand worker for not giving him the $0.75 discount for season ticket holders with the stipulation "he probably bought from a season ticket holder ".

No population is perfectly devoid of asshats.

[jsglow]

Yeli is giving away 10,000 tickets in 5 minutes.  See you there!

https://www.mlb.com/brewers/tickets/specials/yelich

#ThisIsMyCrew

[MU82]

I didn't give an opinion.

Simply stated what the stats(if accurate) you provided say.

OK.

[Spotcheck Billy]

Yeli is giving away 10,000 tickets in 5 minutes.  See you there!

https://www.mlb.com/brewers/tickets/specials/yelich

#ThisIsMyCrew

Thanks!

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

No population is perfectly devoid of asshats.

I was just very disappointed he wasn't representing our university well.