2007 Milwaukee Brewers season
Encyclopedia
The 2007 Milwaukee Brewers season marked the 25th anniversary of the Milwaukee Brewers
winning the American League Championship
and the 50th anniversary of the Milwaukee Braves
winning the World Series
. During the offseason, the Brewers re-signed free agents Bill Hall and Chris Capuano
. The Brewers were also able to sign starting pitcher Jeff Suppan
, second-baseman Craig Counsell
, and third baseman Tony Graffanino
from free agency.
The Brewers finished in second place in the National League Central
with a record of 83-79.
. The Brewers announced they would celebrate the 1982 team on "Retro Fridays" by having fan give-aways relating to the pennant-winning team. Milwaukee also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves victory in the World Series.
During the offseason, the Milwaukee Brewers increased their payroll from $
54.5 million to $68 million, a significant amount for a small-market team. The Brewers re-signed arbitration-eligible pitcher
Chris Capuano
, whose salary increased from $450,000 to $3.25 million, and arbitration-eligible Bill Hall, who signed a four-year, $24 million contract, largest on the team. Both were members of the Brewers team in 2006. The Brewers were able to acquire free agent starting pitcher Jeff Suppan
from the St. Louis Cardinals
by signing him to a four-year, $42 million deal. They also signed second-baseman Craig Counsell
of the Arizona Diamondbacks
and third-baseman Tony Graffanino
of the Kansas City Royals
off of free agency.
The Brewers 2007 season began with a 7-1 victory on opening day over the Los Angeles Dodgers
behind a complete game
two-hitter by starting-pitcher Ben Sheets
, becoming the first Brewer pitcher since 1979 to throw a complete game on opening day. The Brewers would win their next game before dropping three in a row, including one to the Dodgers and the first two games of a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs
. With a record of .500 after the first homestand of the season, the Brewers went on the road to win two games of a three-game set with the Florida Marlins
. Continuing their road trip, the Brewers split games against the Cardinals after the first game of the series was postponed due to rain. After splitting games with the Cincinnati Reds
, the Brewers moved into first place in the NL Central. The Brewers returned to Miller Park to win four of their next five games, sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates
and winning twice against the Houston Astros
.
The Brewers played on the road for their next six games, winning two of three games against both the Cubs and Astros. The Brewers finished the month of April with a win against the Cardinals, in which Brewers starting pitcher Jeff Suppan pitched a complete game. During this game all players wore a special black "32" patch on their left arms to commemorate recently-deceased Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock
. Suppan's win gave him four on the season, tying him with Chris Capuano for the team lead after April. Brewers closer
Francisco Cordero
recorded a franchise record and league-leading ten saves in the month of April. Cordero finished April without allowing an earned run
in twelve appearances. The Brewers ended the month with a 3½ game lead in the NL Central.
The Brewers started May by completing a three-game sweep of the Cardinals and improved to an MLB-leading 18-9 record. The Brewers went on to win six of their next seven games; they won three of four against the Pirates and swept a three-game series with the Washington Nationals
.
and the Philadelphia Phillies
, posting a 2-5 record. The Brewers returned home to face their interleague
rivals, the Minnesota Twins
. The Brewers won the last of a three game series, a game which saw Geoff Jenkins
hit his 200th home run
. The Brewers then traveled to California for a six game road-trip. They lost two of three from the Dodgers and were swept by the San Diego Padres
. On May 24 during the San Diego Padres series, the Brewers called up Ryan Braun
from the minor league Nashville Sounds
. Braun became the Brewers starting third-baseman was placed in the third batting spot, ahead of Prince Fielder
.
The Brewers returned home to start a ten game home-stand, winning two of four games against the Atlanta Braves
. At the end of May, first baseman Prince Fielder was voted the National League's Player of the Month. Fielder lead the league in home runs with 19 and recorded a .755 on base percentage
and a .321 batting average
. The Brewers played the Florida Marlins to continue their home-stand. They won two of a three games to give the Brewers their first series victory since May 9. The win gave the Brewers a 6½ lead in the NL Central. The Brewers finished their home-stand losing two of three games to the Chicago Cubs.
The Brewers started a nine-game interleague road trip with a series against the Texas Rangers
. The Brewers lost the first two games against the struggling Rangers. In the second game of the series, former Ranger Francisco Cordero recorded his first blown save of the year. Before the game, Cordero held a 0.36 earned run average
and an MLB-leading 22 saves. The following day, Cordero gave up his second blown save after the Rangers tied the game in the ninth inning. The Brewers would eventually win the game, snapping their seven-game losing streak after a Geoff Jenkins home run in the twelfth inning. On June 12, Justin Verlander
of the Detroit Tigers
pitched a no hitter against the Brewers. The no hitter was the first for the Tigers since 1984. The loss was the Brewers 20th in their past 30 games.
After their road-stint, the Brewers came home for their next nine games. After starting-pitcher Chris Capuano
was placed on the disabled-list, the Brewers called up Yovani Gallardo
from the minor leagues. Gallardo pitched 6⅓ innings, allowing three runs, and hit an RBI double in front of a sell-out crowd to give the Brewers their fifth win in six games against the San Francisco Giants
. The following day the Brewers clinched their third straight series victory, with Ben Sheets pitching his second complete game of the year. The Brewers would go on to sweep the Giants and win two of three games from the Kansas City Royals
. The Brewers would follow with another series sweep against the Houston Astros, winning the third game of the series in part because of an 11th inning walk-off home run by back-up catcher Damian Miller
. The Brewers were 8-1 on the home-stand.
. This would be the first time four Brewer representatives have attended since 1983, when the Brewers were in the American League and the all-star team was managed by Milwaukee skipper Harvey Kuenn
.
At the end of June Ben Sheets was named pitcher of the month and Ryan Braun the rookie of the month. Sheets was 5-0 with a 2.16 ERA in six starts, and Braun recorded a .382 average with six home runs, 21 RBI, a .716 slugging percentage.
Following their series in Chicago, the Brewers traveled to Pittsburgh to face the fourth-place Pirates. The Brewers won the first game of a four-game series. In the game Damian Miller hit a franchise tying seven RBIs and a grand slam in his first start after his walk-off home run at Miller Park. The Brewers then won one of three games against the Nationals and ended up 3-7 on the road trip.
walk-off home run. After the game, Rickie Weeks
was sent down to AAA Nashville. For the first time in over a hundred days, the division lead did not belong to the Brewers.
The Brewers frustrations continued in August, resulting in a dugout altercation during a loss to the Mets between Johnny Estrada
and manager Ned Yost
on August 2, 2007. Later, on August 8, infielder Tony Graffanino
tore his ACL in a 19-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies
, resulting in his loss for the season. The Brewers then called up Weeks to take his place on the roster.
In August Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder was suspended 3 games for arguing with the home plate umpire Wally Bell
.
On August 29, the Brewers slipped into 3rd place behind the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals and are one game below .500 for the first time since April 6.
On September 9, the Brewers became the first road team in history to open a game by hitting 3 consecutive Home runs. The win, solidified by a Cubs loss gives the Brewers a 1 game lead in the division. But the Brewers did not win the division or make the playoffs
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
winning the American League Championship
American League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
and the 50th anniversary of the Milwaukee Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
winning the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
. During the offseason, the Brewers re-signed free agents Bill Hall and Chris Capuano
Chris Capuano
Christopher "Chris" Frank Capuano is an American professional baseball player.-Early life:Capuano graduated from St. Thomas School in West Springfield in 8th grade...
. The Brewers were also able to sign starting pitcher Jeff Suppan
Jeff Suppan
Jeffrey Scot Suppan , is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-Baseball career:Suppan was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 1993 amateur draft, and rapidly ascended to the Majors making his debut at the age of 20...
, second-baseman Craig Counsell
Craig Counsell
Craig John Counsell is a Major League Baseball infielder.Counsell grew up in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, and attended Whitefish Bay High School, where he played baseball. His father worked for the Milwaukee Brewers...
, and third baseman Tony Graffanino
Tony Graffanino
Anthony Joseph Graffanino is a former American Major League Baseball second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop. Though he never officially retired, Graffanino has not played since .-Career:...
from free agency.
The Brewers finished in second place in the National League Central
National League Central
The National League Central Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. This division was created in 1994, by moving two teams from the Western Division and three teams from the Eastern Division of the National League...
with a record of 83-79.
Offseason
The Brewers headed into the season celebrating their 25th anniversary of their American League Championship. They prepared for the season by hosting reunions and premiering a video of the 1982 team at the Pabst TheaterPabst Theater
The Pabst Theater is an indoor concert venue and landmark of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. Colloquially known as "the Pabst", the theater hosts about 100 events per year...
. The Brewers announced they would celebrate the 1982 team on "Retro Fridays" by having fan give-aways relating to the pennant-winning team. Milwaukee also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves victory in the World Series.
During the offseason, the Milwaukee Brewers increased their payroll from $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
54.5 million to $68 million, a significant amount for a small-market team. The Brewers re-signed arbitration-eligible pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Chris Capuano
Chris Capuano
Christopher "Chris" Frank Capuano is an American professional baseball player.-Early life:Capuano graduated from St. Thomas School in West Springfield in 8th grade...
, whose salary increased from $450,000 to $3.25 million, and arbitration-eligible Bill Hall, who signed a four-year, $24 million contract, largest on the team. Both were members of the Brewers team in 2006. The Brewers were able to acquire free agent starting pitcher Jeff Suppan
Jeff Suppan
Jeffrey Scot Suppan , is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-Baseball career:Suppan was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 1993 amateur draft, and rapidly ascended to the Majors making his debut at the age of 20...
from the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
by signing him to a four-year, $42 million deal. They also signed second-baseman Craig Counsell
Craig Counsell
Craig John Counsell is a Major League Baseball infielder.Counsell grew up in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, and attended Whitefish Bay High School, where he played baseball. His father worked for the Milwaukee Brewers...
of the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
and third-baseman Tony Graffanino
Tony Graffanino
Anthony Joseph Graffanino is a former American Major League Baseball second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop. Though he never officially retired, Graffanino has not played since .-Career:...
of the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
off of free agency.
Notable offseason transactions
- March 26, 2007: Brady ClarkBrady ClarkBrady William Clark is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Brady is a class of 1991 graduate of Sunset High School in Portland, Oregon and 1996 graduate of the University of San Diego...
and cash were traded by the Brewers to the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for Elmer DessensElmer DessensElmer Dessens Jusaino [deh-SENZ] is a Mexican professional baseball player who is currently a free agent.-Personal life:...
.
Strong start of the season
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
behind a complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
two-hitter by starting-pitcher Ben Sheets
Ben Sheets
Ben M. Sheets is an American baseball starting pitcher who is currently a free agent. He is a four-time All-Star, but has been hampered with injury problems throughout his career.-Prep and college:...
, becoming the first Brewer pitcher since 1979 to throw a complete game on opening day. The Brewers would win their next game before dropping three in a row, including one to the Dodgers and the first two games of a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. With a record of .500 after the first homestand of the season, the Brewers went on the road to win two games of a three-game set with the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. Continuing their road trip, the Brewers split games against the Cardinals after the first game of the series was postponed due to rain. After splitting games with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, the Brewers moved into first place in the NL Central. The Brewers returned to Miller Park to win four of their next five games, sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
and winning twice against the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
.
The Brewers played on the road for their next six games, winning two of three games against both the Cubs and Astros. The Brewers finished the month of April with a win against the Cardinals, in which Brewers starting pitcher Jeff Suppan pitched a complete game. During this game all players wore a special black "32" patch on their left arms to commemorate recently-deceased Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock
Josh Hancock
Joshua Morgan Hancock was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. Born in Cleveland, Mississippi, he lived in St. Louis during the off-season...
. Suppan's win gave him four on the season, tying him with Chris Capuano for the team lead after April. Brewers closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
Francisco Cordero
Francisco Cordero
Francisco Javier Cordero is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds...
recorded a franchise record and league-leading ten saves in the month of April. Cordero finished April without allowing an earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
in twelve appearances. The Brewers ended the month with a 3½ game lead in the NL Central.
The Brewers started May by completing a three-game sweep of the Cardinals and improved to an MLB-leading 18-9 record. The Brewers went on to win six of their next seven games; they won three of four against the Pirates and swept a three-game series with the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
.
Early-season slump
The Brewers hit a slump when they went on an east coast trip to face the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
and the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, posting a 2-5 record. The Brewers returned home to face their interleague
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...
rivals, the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. The Brewers won the last of a three game series, a game which saw Geoff Jenkins
Geoff Jenkins
Geoff Jenkins is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball. He previously played for the Milwaukee Brewers from until and the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008...
hit his 200th home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
. The Brewers then traveled to California for a six game road-trip. They lost two of three from the Dodgers and were swept by the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. On May 24 during the San Diego Padres series, the Brewers called up Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun
Ryan Joseph Braun is an American right-handed Major League Baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. A perennial standout, he was ranked No...
from the minor league Nashville Sounds
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
. Braun became the Brewers starting third-baseman was placed in the third batting spot, ahead of Prince Fielder
Prince Fielder
Prince Semien Fielder is a Major League Baseball free agent who plays first base. He is currently listed at 5' 11" and . He was selected by the Brewers in the first round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft out of Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida.He is the son of former Detroit...
.
The Brewers returned home to start a ten game home-stand, winning two of four games against the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. At the end of May, first baseman Prince Fielder was voted the National League's Player of the Month. Fielder lead the league in home runs with 19 and recorded a .755 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
and a .321 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
. The Brewers played the Florida Marlins to continue their home-stand. They won two of a three games to give the Brewers their first series victory since May 9. The win gave the Brewers a 6½ lead in the NL Central. The Brewers finished their home-stand losing two of three games to the Chicago Cubs.
The Brewers started a nine-game interleague road trip with a series against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. The Brewers lost the first two games against the struggling Rangers. In the second game of the series, former Ranger Francisco Cordero recorded his first blown save of the year. Before the game, Cordero held a 0.36 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and an MLB-leading 22 saves. The following day, Cordero gave up his second blown save after the Rangers tied the game in the ninth inning. The Brewers would eventually win the game, snapping their seven-game losing streak after a Geoff Jenkins home run in the twelfth inning. On June 12, Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander
Justin Brooks Verlander is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball....
of the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
pitched a no hitter against the Brewers. The no hitter was the first for the Tigers since 1984. The loss was the Brewers 20th in their past 30 games.
June turn-around
Following the no hitter, the Brewers recorded eleven hits and defeated the Tigers in a come-back win. The following day, the Brewers defeated the Tigers to win the series. The Brewers traveled to Minnesota to face the rival Twins. In the first game, the Brewers recorded fifteen hits with a 11-3 win. In the three games following the no hitter, the Brewers recorded 39 hits and 20 runs. The Brewers were victorious in two of three games against the Twins.After their road-stint, the Brewers came home for their next nine games. After starting-pitcher Chris Capuano
Chris Capuano
Christopher "Chris" Frank Capuano is an American professional baseball player.-Early life:Capuano graduated from St. Thomas School in West Springfield in 8th grade...
was placed on the disabled-list, the Brewers called up Yovani Gallardo
Yovani Gallardo
Yovani Gallardo is a Mexican-American right-handed starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. He was selected in the second round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft out of Trimble Technical High School in Fort Worth, Texas....
from the minor leagues. Gallardo pitched 6⅓ innings, allowing three runs, and hit an RBI double in front of a sell-out crowd to give the Brewers their fifth win in six games against the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. The following day the Brewers clinched their third straight series victory, with Ben Sheets pitching his second complete game of the year. The Brewers would go on to sweep the Giants and win two of three games from the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. The Brewers would follow with another series sweep against the Houston Astros, winning the third game of the series in part because of an 11th inning walk-off home run by back-up catcher Damian Miller
Damian Miller
Damian Donald Miller is a former Major League Baseball catcher who last played for the Milwaukee Brewers.-High school years:...
. The Brewers were 8-1 on the home-stand.
Pre-break road trip
After their successful home stand, the Brewers went on the road for three series before the All-Star break. The Brewers defeated the second place Cubs in one of three games. During the series it was announced that Prince Fielder, Ben Sheets, J.J. Hardy and Francisco Cordero would be attending the 2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 78th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 10, 2007, at AT&T Park, the home of the NL's San Francisco Giants...
. This would be the first time four Brewer representatives have attended since 1983, when the Brewers were in the American League and the all-star team was managed by Milwaukee skipper Harvey Kuenn
Harvey Kuenn
Harvey Edward Kuenn was an American player, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. As a shortstop and outfielder, he played with the Detroit Tigers , Cleveland Indians , San Francisco Giants , Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies . He batted and threw right-handed...
.
At the end of June Ben Sheets was named pitcher of the month and Ryan Braun the rookie of the month. Sheets was 5-0 with a 2.16 ERA in six starts, and Braun recorded a .382 average with six home runs, 21 RBI, a .716 slugging percentage.
Following their series in Chicago, the Brewers traveled to Pittsburgh to face the fourth-place Pirates. The Brewers won the first game of a four-game series. In the game Damian Miller hit a franchise tying seven RBIs and a grand slam in his first start after his walk-off home run at Miller Park. The Brewers then won one of three games against the Nationals and ended up 3-7 on the road trip.
Dog days of summer
The Brewers went into the All-Star break 10 games above .500, and a 4½ game lead on the Cubs. The Brewers then had 18 games scheduled in a 17 day period. The Brewers started the stretch with a 6-4 homestand, but then went on to lose 6 of 8 on the road. With their first off day in 2½ weeks, the Brewers record stood at 57-48, but the Cubs had moved to within a game and a half of the division lead. Then, on the final day of July, the Brewers were able to defeat the Mets in a 13 inning game, due to a Geoff JenkinsGeoff Jenkins
Geoff Jenkins is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball. He previously played for the Milwaukee Brewers from until and the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008...
walk-off home run. After the game, Rickie Weeks
Rickie Weeks
Rickie Darnell Weeks is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers....
was sent down to AAA Nashville. For the first time in over a hundred days, the division lead did not belong to the Brewers.
The Brewers frustrations continued in August, resulting in a dugout altercation during a loss to the Mets between Johnny Estrada
Johnny Estrada
Johnny Pulado Estrada III is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers and the Washington Nationals.Estrada was selected in the 17th round of the 1997 Major...
and manager Ned Yost
Ned Yost
Edgar Frederick "Ned" Yost III is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the Kansas City Royals. He is the former manager of the Milwaukee Brewers.-Playing career:...
on August 2, 2007. Later, on August 8, infielder Tony Graffanino
Tony Graffanino
Anthony Joseph Graffanino is a former American Major League Baseball second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop. Though he never officially retired, Graffanino has not played since .-Career:...
tore his ACL in a 19-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, resulting in his loss for the season. The Brewers then called up Weeks to take his place on the roster.
In August Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder was suspended 3 games for arguing with the home plate umpire Wally Bell
Wally Bell
Wallace Robert Bell is an umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the National League from 1992 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He wears the number 35 on his uniform...
.
On August 29, the Brewers slipped into 3rd place behind the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals and are one game below .500 for the first time since April 6.
The race to October
Despite tumbling in August the Brewers started September on a high note to be tied with the Chicago cubs for first place in the division. For the first time in over 15 years in Brewers history a coin toss was held to decide homefield advantage should the Cardinals, Cubs and Brewers tie for the division. One coin toss decided that the Brewers would host St. Louis, while the other decided that the Brewers would travel to Chicago for any one game playoff that may be needed.On September 9, the Brewers became the first road team in history to open a game by hitting 3 consecutive Home runs. The win, solidified by a Cubs loss gives the Brewers a 1 game lead in the division. But the Brewers did not win the division or make the playoffs
Roster
| 2007 Milwaukee Brewers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches (Bullpen) (third base) (pitching) (first base) (hitting) (bench) |
||||||
Game log
| Legend | ||
|---|---|---|
| Brewers Win | Brewers Loss | Game Postponed |
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|
Starting pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|
Other pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|
Relief pitchers
| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elmer Dessens Elmer Dessens Elmer Dessens Jusaino [deh-SENZ] is a Mexican professional baseball player who is currently a free agent.-Personal life:... |
12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6.60 | 12 |