July 7th, 2008 Milwaukee stepped out from its small market, winning big will never happen stereotype.  The city stepped into the limelight.  The big time.  The possibility of America focusing its attention on the city Schlitz made famous come October.   Milwaukee has left Chicago in a huff, Philadelphia in the rough, and New York in, well, New York probably yawned and said have your moment in the sun, CC Sabathia will be starting Opening Day for us next year anyway.

The Brewers pulled off a move that seemed like a pipe dream just four years ago.  The Brewers are officially big time with this move.  Downtown, another big time happening was going on.  The Bucks introduced Richard Jefferson to the city and it turns out he finds Milwaukee to not be so bad after all.  Although, check back with Jefferson in mid-January after six days of sub-zero temperatures and see how he feels about Milwaukee.  These type of sports days do not happen in Milwaukee.  They happen in New York, Chicago, or L.A.  Not little old Milwaukee, the city too small enough to support a pro franchise. 

Well, Mark Attanasio is proving the Seligs wrong that top talent can come to town even if its a rental.  That the Milwaukee Brewers can go for broke, give up a piece of its future, and dare the thought, compete for a playoff spot.  Bud Selig would probably attribute the Brewers playing with the big boys as the new baseball economic system working.  I would say some of that is true but mostly these moves have been made on the fact that Mark Attanasio realizes he has probably more money than he will ever spend so why not pursue your passion like winning a World Series.  It is Doug Melvin knowing that if you draft smart, you do not have to really worry about the future and just focus on winning now.  It is running things the complete opposite of the way things were run from 1983-2004. 

The Brewers may not make the playoffs with the Sabathia trade.  The trade is important because it caps off a complete turn around of this ball club on all facets.  When I first got an internship as a scoreboard intern in 2003, the Brewers were lucky to draw more fans than flies to the ballpark.  Sellouts only happened if the Cubs or Barry Bonds came to town.  The in-between innings entertainment were filled with unsponsored fan cams.  I remember if you showed up to a game, your chances of making the video board twice were even money and three times was 2-1.  Fans thought the tailgating was better than the ballgame.

Now, tailgating is still better than the game but it means you come into park on time, not in the third.  Fans do not leave after the sausage race.  Miller Park is jammed packed.  Sponsors fill the video board, heck, the pre-game video open is sponsored!  Brewers baseball has become more than Bob Uecker and racing sausages.