The Single

From the mailbag - This is probably the most recurring question I hear throughout the year.

I bought the CD and the version is different than what you play on KTI. How can I get your version?

When many artists record CD's, they may have an idea about which songs they want to release as a single (meaning a single CD, or single track to iTunes). After they have recorded the CD, they may hear something they wish they had done - or even realize the song needs a little more "punch." Before they release the single (which may be months later), they will go back into the studio and possibly edit the song - or remix it - or even add a harmony track.

The end result is sometimes called the single version ... or radio edit.

One of the biggest out-cries I remember hearing was with Creed's "With Arms Wide Open." Early versions of the song didn't have the strings that made the single so cool.

Another change they may make is to 'rub' out dirty words or even shorten the song. I have had plenty of people ask me why we clipped the bad word out of Nickelback's ROCKSTAR. We didn't clip 'em. Instead, we are playing the radio edit.

You may ask why???? The song is obviously making fun of the rock star lifestyle and I think the words are necessary to tell the story. But we are not comfortable with the derogatory term that rockstars call the women that follow them around - and it is prominent in the CD version.

It has nothing to do with Don Imus and his use of the word.

I just think the word has no class. Milwaukee has more class than that.

As far as getting the version we play - check iTunes or visit a real music store. They usually have a CD single secion. Also try Amazon and other cool music sites.

Time To Take A Stand

The next 10 games will tell all about the 2007 Milwaukee Brewers. So far, our options are:

A - They are the best of the weak teams
B - They got lucky in April
C - Both of the above




The next 10 games are against the Marlins, Cubs and Rangers (stink, stank, stunk). If we win 7 or more, we are the best of the weak teams.

If we win 5-6 games, it's probably both weak and lucky.

If we win 3 or 4, we were just lucky in April.

If we can't win at least 3, someone has gotta shake up this team. Not saying where - but there it too much talent on the 07 Crew to be pushed around by the Marlins, Cubs and Rangers. Frankly, it was bad enough taking our lumps from the Braves and Twins in OUR HOUSE.

I have a colleague who likes to quote that great 80's movie: Ferris Bueller's Day Off. In the words of Cameron, "I gotta make a stand."

Brewers - hear the great Cameron. Take a stand now. There is nothing wrong with being the best of the crappy teams.

No more baseball blogs until after the 10 games.

Old Media in Disguise

I've been swamped these past two weeks trying to make the necessary preparations for our new morning show on 'KTI. I pretty much cleared my schedule to get this done.

But there was one thing I didn't want to postpone. I had been asked to participate in a discussion with some young students studying for careers in media. What really caught my attention was that they were studying new media versus traditional media.

Okay - I was pretty sure where my media stood, and I was ready to sit on that side of the discussion. After all, my interpretation of new media was cool new gadgets and hi-tech stuff. You know - the stuff that makes you feel old.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the discussion on weblogs (blogs, like this one) and was most interested in what sites these 20-somethings were into. Sure they liked TMZ and Perez Hilton, but there were plenty of other sites all known to them (and unknown to me) that were of a more serious nature.

Spoiler alert - here comes the part where I learn something.

I mentioned the name of a (self-proclaimed) prominent local blogger.

Sure - everyone had heard of her. A few even had visited her blog. But when I asked them how she fit into their new media world - I was shocked to find out she did not.

She is an excellent writer. Makes her points well. Chooses her subjects/topics and makes a compelling argument for her own opinion.

What was the catch?

She did not allow comments.

You see, these 20-somethings didn't respect and give 'new media' status to anyone who just spews out opinion without a forum for rebuttal.

One of them put it best, saying the only thing she had over traditional media was that her voice didn't cost us trees (a reference to newspaper print).

I couldn't check our sites quick enough to make sure all of our KTI people allowed comments on their blogs. I was proud to see that they all do.

So today I have a new perspective on "new media" from the eyes of a 20-something. It's more than HTML and WI-FI. It's about the free sharing of ideas.

How can you not be excited about the future when these kids will sit in our chairs someday - unless they have invented some sort of levitation device by then ... and don't need chairs!

Training Camp Is Winding Down

The first week of work for a full-service radio show is kind of like a training camp for football. While Mathew, Erin and AJ are not starting their show until Tuesday morning, they have been here all week practicing in our studio, driving around town and meeting everyone inside Radio City.

Tuesday we had a Radio City luncheon so everyone at TMJ-4 and 620 WTMJ could meet the new team. It was kind of like a media day because most of the people in attendance were the Milwaukee media.

Everyone was nervous when Courtney Gerrish took a peek at the food bar (we passed!).

On Wednesday we spent the day learning the equipment in the WKTI studio and they even practiced over-night a few times hosting a midnight - 3am shift (thanks for all of the calls - what great callers even in the middle of the night). They also had to organize all of their CD's and music beds that will be part of the show.

Tomorrow morning, they plan on getting up and out by 5:30 so they can drive around the area - experiencing the morning commute like you would. By the way - I think we are going to make that standard practice with all of our talent: what a great way to understand your world while using the radio in the car.

We also have to begin building the new morning show web-page. They have committed to building one of the most interactive sites on a radio station - anywhere. Hopefully, we can wrap it up by early tomorrow evening.

The has been a long week of practicing, meeting new colleagues, and planning out the show. A few days of R&R will be a good thing. Oh - wait: they are hosting the A-Z weekend: so they will be busy.

So we move from training camp this week, to the exhibition season this weekend.

But the big morning will be Tuesday morning. Opening day. We can't wait.

Their First Day

Do you remember your first day at your job? I bet Mathew, Erin and AJ will remember today.

Frankly - we got very little "work-like" stuff done. Today was a chance for the new guys to meet Lips, Dan and everyone else who works at WKTI. It's an odd situation because people here know a lot about them - but Mathew, Erin and AJ know very little about everyone at 'KTI. Today, that all changed.

So we handled all the HR stuff, took thier ID badge photos, met with everyone on staff - and that was pretty much the day. We have a big staff, and people really wanted to sit and talk with them. Thus, we didn't get a whole lot done other than introductions.

Tomorrow - media day for Mathew, Erin and AJ inside Radio City.

Links

One more thing, I told someone on the phone a few days ago that if Gene's blog is not yet up on the WTMJ website, just google it. Same for Gino's.

They acted like HOW DARE YOU suggest I google. It's not a naughty word - honest! So here, I did it for you:

http://genemueller.blogspot.com

http://ginosalomone.blogspot.com

Neither of these blogs is hosted by our site, so I do not know if they are going to be updated.

Why Longevity Is So Rare

There really is nothing harder in show-biz than keeping a group of individuals together: whether it is in music, an ensemble TV cast, or on the radio. When you think of it, the words group and individual are quite opposite. Yet that’s what we have: a group of individuals.

Whether you were into the Beatles or the Bangles, their breakup was inevitable. Sometimes it is creative differences. Most of the time it is just their individual needs and desires taking over. It is also why longevity in the biz is so rare.

We create successful radio shows when we find different individuals, with different points of view and different desires in life and let them com bust (ala “The View”). There is more to it than that: but that is the foundation. It sure is whole lot more entertaining than listening to a panel of people agreeing with each other.

We were spoiled at KTI in having the Reitman and Mueller clan stay together for so long. The reason we called our celebration of Bob's career "The Reitman Era" was because of a one line e-mail we got from a listener. Right after Bob said he was leaving, she wrote simply: "It's the end of an era in Milwaukee." And as is typical with most ensemble groups, once a piece is removed others soon follow. It just happens: in bands, in TV casts and in radio. In our case, Bob retired. Amy followed by deciding to be home with her triplets while they are still of pre-school age. Gene's dream job opened up at WTMJ where he can talk news and sports (his passions) instead of American Idol. So in 6 months, our foursome was down to one. We made the decision that instead of trying to continue to patch together the old show pairing Gino with new people it was probably time to start over. So that is what we will do after Memorial Day.

While Gino is no longer with 'KTI, he still works with our sister station TMJ-4 and I'm sure will continue to do the movie junkets. Those are the trips the movie studio's provide for him to Hollywood whenever they want to promote a movie. He gets to hang with the stars, attend Hollywood functions and stay at the 4-Seasons hotel. I hope he gets to do it for a long time to come. Gino is a very resourceful person and is about as well connected as anyone can be. We wish him nothing but the best and will do whatever we can to help him.

It's a unique situation for me in that these people are all still in my life. Reitman was in the office today to say 'hi' and record some commercials. Gene was in to go on Charlie's show on 'TMJ - and starts on Moday. Amy is on vacation but sent me an e-mail checking-in. And Gino will be back next week to do the TV cut-ins. For that matter, Gordon Hinckley still visits us on a regular basis (for those who don't listen to 'TMJ, he has Reitman status over there).

Again, I will be happy to answer any questions about 'KTI or our new direction in the morning. If you're serious, you can call me at (414) 967-4094. I will call anyone back who I miss as long as you leave your number clearly and maybe twice. If you just want to comment, feel free to zap me at morningshowfeedback@wkti.com.

Have a great weekend!

Pet Friendly Living

What great listeners we have at 'KTI.

I was talking on the air this morning about how our new morning show host, Erin, needs to find a pet friendly place to live.

I cannot keep up with the e-mails from people with suggestions. Thanks so much!

One link I got over and over again was absolutely perfect. It was the Humane Society's page of pet friendly places to rent.

I wish I had known about this when I moved here:

http://www.wihumane.org/services/housing.aspx

Thanks again - Erin is also amazed with the response.

Miles To Go Before They Sleep

Mathew, Erin and AJ have started fresh new blogs as they begin their journey to Milwaukee and a fresh new start at 'KTI.

Someone recently told me that the three most stressful things in an average person's life: Moving, Starting A New Job, Having a First Kid.

Our new morning show is tackling two of them at once. They will most likely have to pack up their computers in the next day or two - so the posts may be spotty. But only until they start at 'KTI on Tuesday 5/29.

Mathew:

http://mathewblades.blogspot.com/

Erin:

http://erinaustin.blogspot.com/

AJ:

http://ajsmusings.blogspot.com/

Gene Mueller

As Gene Mueller crosses the great divide at radio city ... from the 'home of the hits' to the 'biggest stick in the state,' I wanted to share some thoughts on Gene and my time with him at WKTI. I wrote this right as Gene was making his announcement, but held it until today.

In my 7 years as the program director for WKTI, I do not think I have ever met anyone like Gene Mueller. First of all – everyone likes Gene. Can you think of anyone in your life that has no detractors? Second of all, Gene is about a dedicated a co-worker as you would ever find. At the first hint of anything happening that is news, Gene is right back at the station – no matter the day or time. It is also not uncommon to see Gene working at his computer or in a production studio long after the show is over – taking that extra step to deliver a great product.

I'll never forget how quickly Gene moved on 9/11 from goofy morning show stuff, to serious news coverage. He was adamant that we not report anything that was coming across as "unconfirmed." Being that there was no play-book for that day, I turned the station over to him.

But you have to admit, Gene Mueller’s sense of humor is his most endearing quality. Gene has the ability to deliver a punch-line that may be biting – but with such a sense of innocence that you find yourself drawn to him. Remember when Reitman had to go make piece with Jimmy the Clown before the Circus Parade (Reitman had inadvertently insulted Jimmy and he would not go on stage)? When it was over, Gene asked Reitman if he had to kiss Jimmy “where there ain’t no grease-paint?” Funny – and to the point. That’s Gene Mueller.

The biggest thing that surprised me about Gene when I got to 'KTI was his aversion to the spotlight. I just figured a guy with his credentials and long illustrious career would want the bright light on him. The truth is the exact opposite. He never wants to be the the story. When we were discussing his last days at 'KTI, I jokingly said I couldn't get the Riverside - so I booked the Pabst. He gave me the most serious look of pain I have ever seen from him. Just kidding - I said.

Now that I am no longer Gene's supervisor/boss/program director - whatever you want to call it - I was trying to figure out where we stand. Colleagues - sure. Friends: absolutely.

Are you sure we landed on the moon?

What a day at 'KTI. Gene Mueller made his announcement this morning that he is moving to Newsradio 620 WTMJ (conveniently located just feet from Gene's current desk) as co-host of Wisconsin's Morning News. Gene starts on Monday but we had to hurry the announcement as Gene needs a few days off to take care of a personal issue.

For all of the conspiracy theorists who commented on my last post - that's it. Sorry to disappoint you. Gene Mueller is passionate about news. When the position at 'TMJ opened up, he was a natural.

As for the person who called it a demotion? It humbles me to remind you that WTMJ is the biggest radio station in the state of Wisconsin - and the only one in Milwaukee that plays on a national scale (excuse me as I eat my slice of humble pie). You can put that into your own perspective.

What's different about our station is that some people really never leave. You may not know that because you only hear who is on our airwaves. Reitman still works for us in an off-air capacity. Mueller is across the hall at WTMJ. Gino is still doing his TV work for TMJ-4 (again, right down the hall) and Amy has an open invitation to call us if she ever changes her mind about staying home with the triplets.

I was going to post about Gene Mueller today because he is one person for whom I have tremendous admiration and have learned a lot. I will do that tomorrow.

Any information you need about the morning show change, will be posted in real time on our web-site:

http://www.wkti.com/Article.asp?id=218455

And if you STILL don't want to believe anything I'm saying: here is some entertaining reading:

http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/tv/foxapollo.html

Philadelphia Freedom ...

I know - it happens. But excuse me for being a Brewers fatalist fan - and hitting the panic button.

Plus - I can't stand Philadelphia. But my wife was born in Phlly - so I need to keep my Philadelpha bashing in check. She is the only good thing to ever come out of Philly.

So back to baseball:


We've lost 4 of the last 5 - giving fuel to the "Brewers are best of the worst (NL Central)" national fire. The Mets are the best in the NL - and the Phillies were my pick for Wild Card - so I stand by my prediction that if the Brewers prevail in the NL central - the road to the WS will go through Gotham and/or the "City of Brotherly Love."

First of all - everyone who wondered why Coco wasn't in for the 9th tonight, you can't do that on the road. Even if you hold 'em: you still have to pitch another inning (no running down the clock in baseball). Did it have to be Turnbow in the 9th - not necessarily - but understandable.

Okay - so I'm not actually hitting the panic button yet: but it is obvious that our offense is to streaky to carry us through the post-season. When you're done reading this post, Ned:

• Tony Gwynn becomes the everyday right fielder - LEADING OFF.


• Ricky Weeks moves to #8 until he gets the K's under control (how about his defense this year - amazingly good)


• Gabe Gross is only a pinch hitter (the best - let him do it)


• When facing a rightly, Jenkins bats 4th (and Prince gets all fastballs)


• Bill Hall moves up and down the line-up - depending on the pitcher (play the numbers)


• When Suppon or Cappy are pitching - they bat 8th (ahead of Counsell or Grafffy).

Ned needs to institute the "Kangaroo Court."

When Ricky pops up with a runner on 3rd and less than two outs - he puts $50 in the coffer.

When Kevin Mench swings at the first pitch after the previous guy was walked - $50.00

When Craig Counsell makes the 1st or 3rd out on the bases - $1000.00 (that has cost us two of these games in my estimate).

At the end of the year, give the coffer to Lynn Sprangers and Brewers Charities.

Ask Any Coaster Enthusiast ...

Lots of chatter around the office on this week's episode of "The Sopranos."

Most of the negative is around Tony's trip to Vegas and his peyote trip with Christopher's friend. That didn't bug me. If anything, it was Tony's twisted way of eulogizing Christoper (whom he suffocated) by indulging in all that he did.

I guess I had the same problem with last night's episode as I do with all of 24 this season. I can believe almost anything a person does - but I draw the line with physics. The laws are absolute - and even Tony in his GOD like stage of deciding who is worthy of living - can't change that.

Here's what I am getting at: Have you ever been on one of those super roller coasters at Great America? You know - the ones that loop you around a few times. You can't help but get off one of those things feeling little discombobulated.

Don't you think rolling as SUV 10+ times would cause a similar effect? Unless the director forgot to show the passage of time, Tony rolled out of the car and walked around to the driver's side and smashed out the window.

When I come off the big coaster - I can barely walk to the exit rail.

Tony Soprano is hardly a healthy man - and the stress's of a major roll like that should have killed him. So on this rare occasion - I was disappointed with the writers.

Looking beyond that - the look of satisfaction in Tony's eyes when he is suffocating Christoper is frightening - a tribute to some amazing acting. Any Carmela's insistence on bringing in "Aid" into every Christopher conversation is just well done.

If We Can Make It There ...

My casual baseball friends (those who jumped on the wagon this month for the first time) don't understand the big deal over this weekend's series with the NY Mets.

As one put it - it's not like we're playing the Yankees ... (too bad, their pitching sucks)

It doesn't matter: New York is the media capitol of the world (with all due respect to Hollywood).

NY has more newspaper reporters than Milwaukee has media. Radio stations, TV stations, newspaper, etc: all competing for the attention of the 10 million potential fans.

NY is reality TV (case in point - that train wreck of a reality show on VH1: I Love NY).

In Milwaukee, when Jenkins' career took a dump last year - the paper reported it, but with the respect and dignity you would respect from a mid-west paper.

Had Geoff been a member of the Mets - he would gave been on the back page of one paper - daily with outrageous headlines and articles calling for his head. When he showed disappointment at being benched last year ... something like "Sit Down, Crybaby!"

People who do well in NY - are ones with an ego so big, they can handle it (Reggie Jackson, Roger Clemens, Tug McGraw, etc.).

Back to our weekend series: winning 2 of 3 validates us to the media in their own backyard.

If you saw ESPN last night, Jenkins, Cappy and Rickie Weeks were at the ESPN zone yukking it up with teh BBTN crew. They even had a good laugh over the 450 people who had pledged on-line to pee their pants if the Crew makes the post season.

But being invited to the ESPN Zone and on The Young And The Restless is a fine appetizer: showing the NY media we can play baseball is the main course.

GOOD NEWS:

• We have Suppon starting tonight - remember his last start at Shea ... back in October?
• Coco was forced to take a day off and could pitch tonight.
• JJ's streak is over - so he can concentrate on moving along runners.
• Prince Fielder will absorb the spot-light very well.
• The chance of rain has been dropped to 30% in NYC.
• Jorge Sosa (tonight's starter) is tough ... but a righty, so Jenkins and Fielder can do some damage.
• The real pressure is on the Mets. They are tight with the Braves atop the NL east.

THE BAD NEWS

• It's a road game
• It's the NY Mets (my pre-season pick as WS champ)
• Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran are in the line-up.
• The game is not in HD.

BTW: I had to make a quick trip to my local Walgreens last night and they had Brewers stuff right there in the front of the store.

First time this decade.

20 Miles From The Best In The Land

It hit me on the way home from the yard: I live 20 miles from the best team in baseball ...

See ... I never lived in Atlanta or Chicago (the Sox ... duh).

I lived across the river from St. Louis once - but it was a good 30 miles to Busch Stadium.

As the Crew takes a well earned day off - they have a .700+ winning percentage and are 14 games over five-hundred.

Holy Crap!

Things are going great - but I know there are those of you who rely on me for superior analysis (you know who you are!). So here we go with the day-off May 10th baseball version of:

Nobody Asked Me But ...

• Prince Fielder must be a Cylon (dorky Battlestar Galactica reference - I know: but it sure would explain a few things ...)
• Seeing how things turned out for Suppan ... can I use Mark Antanosio's dining room to interview for Amy Taylor's replacement?
• Ricky Weeks has done a 180 on defense. Did you see the snag yesterday against the Nats?
• I hope Ned isn't using Coco too much. That day he worked when we had a big lead - I heard that Ned wanted him to get some work? Fine - get him a paper route. We need that arm for after the All Star Game.
• John Jaggler from WTMJ told me that even if the Brewers play .500 baseball the rest of the year - they would not finish 14 games above .500. I don't get it. They win one ... they go to 15 over. The lose one, they go back to 14 over ... and so on and so on. Right?
• Not to question the best team in the biz ... but why is Gabe Gross starting over Tony Gwinn? Gabe is a solid bench guy and one of the best pinch-hitters. But if there is one small thing I could ask for this year ... it's MORE GWINN - MORE OFTEN. That guy is Mr. Excitement.
• True the NY - PHI series will tell a lot about this team - but so will the Braves series starting on Memorial Day. The Braves have womped on their former city's team in the past - and they look good this year.
• Do we have to take an All-Star break in Milwaukee? Seems like the really bad things have happened after the break for this team. Let's call the Marlins and Cardinals and see if they want to make-up those games we lost in the rain.
• Speaking of the All-Star Game: I heard the 'Big Unit' chastising his disciples over not voting in the All-Star process. As one of the biggest baseball fans in the hemisphere, I can say that the only thing more laughable than the All Star election process is a general election in Florida. Bill - we don't need guys in the game. Nobody wants to be there anyway and our guys might as well rest. Seems like our last couple of All-Stars (Turnbow and Carlos Lee) faded quickly after their appearances.
  

The DH was bad enough ...

I grew up an American League fan (as you might have) and always thought the DH was cool. Who wanted to see an automatic out in the 9 position?

But after a decade of living National League baseball, I have lost my love of the DH. I am not here to debate the strategy of the sacrifice ... double switch ... swinging bunt: all of the cool things that happen more in the NL.

I'm here to complain about people well past their prime still in the game - which up until now has always been due to the DH.

Now it's half year pitching.

I'm not crabbing out Clemens going to the Yanks - I actually like the idea of some excitement in the Bronx (We need the Yankees ... like football needs a return of the Dallas Cowboys).

I'm crabbing about pitchers now extending their careers by skipping the first half of the season - then jumping on a team with the arm of an opening day pitcher. Why not Gregg Maddox? or John Smoltz? Randy Johnson? There ought to be some sort of rule that only allows pitchers to play in the post-season if they played pro-ball (sanctioned minor or major league team) for the entire year (obviously the DL would count).

Again - I'm not surprised Clemens went to NY. Face it: NY baseball is fed by big names. NY baseball has to compete with Broadway and everything else NY.

I just don't like the precedent this has set. I'm not rooting for an injury - just that he is ineffective.

Of course next year he'll just wait until August to play ...

A Return To The Dark Ages

All right youngin's ... I want to tell you a story about the olden days ... about a primitive time of real-time conversations ... face-to-face contact with co-workers ... a time when we left the office early enough to have dinner with the family.

I am talking about the time before we had e-mail.

Yesterday I was thrust back to that time along with everyone inside Radio City as for some reason we lost the server that hosts our e-mail, voice-mail, and MS Outlook stuff.

I had no e-calendar.

I had no e-rolodex.

I had no e-notes.

I had no company phone directory.

I had no voice message service.

What I had was a fresh appreciation for technology and how it has changed my life.

I spent a good portion of the morning roaming the halls of Radio City - hunting down those to whom I needed to speak. I had actual conversations with some people I had never met - yet spoke to weekly through e-mail ... People who work in my building.

For most of the day it was very refreshing and sort of fun. But I gotta tell you, by early afternoon it was a drag. While I loved talking with people in person, it was taking FOREVER. By 3pm I realized I was barely going to talk with half of my intended co-workers during the day.

Why?

• E-mail is direct and too the point. I rarely spend time on e-mail small talk - a necessity when relating in person.
• Everyone else was walking around trying to have real conversations too. Some of the more popular destinations had lines that went 5-6 deep. There's no waiting in line via e-mail.
• I can instantly prioritize e-mail. When people stopped by my office, I could not tell them to wait outside as I was expecting someone with more pressing business at any moment.
• E-mail is easy to reference. When communicating through e-mail, I can easily refer to a past message - even include it in the reply. With face to face communication, there is a lot of time spent re-capping and bringing everyone up to speed.

One of the biggest surprises of the day was getting a testy call or two late in the day:

"What do you not check e-mail anymore?"

Only to get more agitated when I reply that our server is down.

This is the first time in my adult life that I have had no access to my pertinent business information. It was hard. I could not do my job without it. I give up.

I am 100% reliant upon technology.

Politicans Take Note

Where did he come from?

Seriously.

In an age where baseball batters charge the mound on a inside strike ... where NFL players celebrate after every tackle ... where NBA stars 'high-five' each other after making a free throw in an exhibition game ...

From this generation of self promotion and ego - comes someone so different that he is getting the attention of people everywhere.

After getting knocked down on Saturday night in an obvious attempt by the Pirates to send a message to the Brewers - Prince responded with yet another 'career' day blasting two homers and just missing a third.

What was different was that Prince didn't charge the mound after getting plunked. The rest of the team was ready - all at the top of the dugout waiting for Fielder to take even one step toward the mound.

But he didn't.

Instead, he single-handedly beat the Pirates on Sunday in one of the most exciting games I have ever seen at the yard.

There's just something about this guy that is different. Yesterday after sliding home with a big run for the crew, he jumped up and finlly showed some emothion - looking toward the Pirates dugout and at the pitcher that had plunked him last night. The home-plate UMP thought there might be trouble and stood in front of him.

But there was no trouble. Even Jim Tracy the opposing manager saw it Prince's way:

"Obviously, he wasn't very pleased with getting hit last night, but can you blame him?"

To use an old cliche, Prince walks softly and carries a big stick ... and his team-mates are noticing. Here is Bill Hall:

"There is no better way to pay somebody back than to get some game-winning hits. We retaliated in the right way."

If you hang around baseball, you'll hear that what the Pirates did to Prince was necessary to send a message that they will not be pushed around.

But rather than charge the mound or engage in smak-talk through the media: Prince got the job done and sent an even bigger message.

Now - show me someone - ANYONE - running for office - ANYWHERE - with that kind of leadership quality.

I'm waiting ...

Free Speech - No Matter How Painful

Again - I am forced to remind myself that I support free speech - though I find the content deplorable. How many times is this so far this year?

Michael McGee a radio talk show host on WNOV said something that could arguably be even more hurtful that that idot Don Imus. Yesterday morning he began his talk show with a bit about WTMJ's Charlie Sykes and the death of his mother in a house fire this week.

Here is a transcript:

"Mother Sykes, she dead. To me it's the vengeance of God. I ain't got no tears. Matter of fact a woman that would have a fool like that deserve whatever is coming her. She raised a sure enough idiot, my instincts say Charlie Sykes killed his momma, cuz she live out in this big palace in Mequon all isolated. He got tired of waiting for her money."

(reprinted exactly from YAHOO)

I should note that Charlie is a colleague of mine inside Radio City. But honestly - other than the obligatory 'hi' or quick Brewers talk in the hall, I do not really know Charlie.

Regardless - How can any reasonable person not compare McGee's rant with Imus'? I read Al Sharpton's critique of Imus' bit and it applies to McGee 100%.

McGee doesn't have the national platform of Imus so I do not expect Al Sharpton to fly into Mitchell anytime soon. But I sure hope everyone in Wisconsin who was asking for Imus' head is up in arms about this. I will be checking the JS in a minute to see if that is the case.

It's so tough to support offensive free speech from McGee or anyone else. Be assured: I would also support WNOV's right to can McGee if they don't want that kind of editorial spewing from their frequency.

Oddly enough - McGee's comments were slanderous. Even Imus didn't go there. I say let the lawyers go after him. Then he'll know the meaning of vengeance.

Please be assured this is not a 'radio thing.' It is McGee's thing. I'm saddened that a medium I love so much is again the vehicle to deliver such crap. But it does prove the power of the spoken word. Much more powerful than print (in the paper or this blog).

I guess I'm glad I do not recognize the same God as McGee. Any God that would strike down an innocent old lady because of her son's editorial content is not for me.

If that is your God Michael - I pray for your family.

Perspective

At this point, I'm used to $40-$50 bucks to fill up the mini-van and a little less for the CR-V.

But $16.45 to fill my red gas container? That's about $5.00 a mow. That hurts.

What A Month

Oh ... hey there.

You caught me typing my message for the time machine. It's set to land on April 2, 2007 - one month ago - which just happened to be Brewers Opening Day.

Here is what I have so far.

Dear Bob,

You're never going to believe it but:

• The Brewers won 16 of their first 25 games and have a 3+ game lead.
• The crew ended April tied with Atlanta for the best record in the NL.
• Kevin Mench may be the most exciting player to grab a bat.
• Kevin Mench will have a triple that was fielded cleanly.
• Sheets is now our #5 starter ... behind Bush and Vargus.
• Turnbow is back.
• Jenkins had a career month.
• Milwaukee fans love the Cleveland Indians (or a bargain?)
• JJ Hardy looks like an ALL-STAR as the lead the club in homers (6).

Even the casual fan is excited about Milwaukee baseball and the national boys are starting to throw some props our way - when they're not busy slobbering over A-Rod (who is finally earning his salary)

Enjoy the great month and don't miss a minute of it. It's been a while since we looked like we belong on the field with LA, The Cardinals, et al.

Oh and the best part: That giant sucking sound coming up I-94 is the high-priced Cubs. Remarkably, Pinella's only blown his cork once.

And finally, one night someone will offer you extra spicy sauce on your burrito: just say no.

Regards,

Bob

Seacrest Out

I'm done.

Today was the first Tuesday that I have walked into the office with no knowledge of what happened last night on 24

And guess what ...

Nobody is talking about it.

I guess I just came to the point where if our government was run that poorly - I would have to join Alec Baldwin and Barbara Streisand and move to Canada (didn't they promise to do that before the '04 election?)

I could handle Jack's annoying daughter Kimberly.

I could handle them killing of Edgar.

I could even handle bending the time-space continuum in getting across LA in one 3 minute commercial break.

But this year's whole thing with the President and VP and MORE MOLES inside the top brass is just to much.

Anyone who enjoyed Star Wars is willing to put aside physics ... but if Chewbaca had turned out to be a mole who was really phoning Darth Vader out the the hall on his cell phone from the most secure building in the world ... you might walk away.

So Jack ... good luck. May you can Chloe finally do the deed and for Chloe's sake, may it take longer than it does to get across LA in the land of 24.