Prince Fielder is restrained by teammates after an altercation with Manny Parra on Aug. 4. (AP)
Cover Story
August 15, 2008
Brewers get what they fight for
The Brewers fought in their dugout and then won their next eight games to take control of the NL Wild Card race. They visit La-La Land this weekend to take on the Dodgers, while Randy Johnson goes for career win No. 295 in Houston. Watch >
• Fantasy: Who to watch for this weekend
Bernie Mac was Good For Ball. His work in "Ocean's Eleven" was much like the rest of his career -- smart, cool, fresh and rewind-that-again funny. More >
How often does a big trade's aftermath go from sizzle to fizzle within a week or so? We don't have any Bill Jamesian evidence, but it seems like it happens a lot. So congratulations, CC Sabathia, you're Our Man Friday. The big fella has more than lived up to the hype since arriving in Milwaukee, going 7-0 in eight starts with the Brew Crew, who may make it to October.
There's a long drive ... and it's off-the-wall! At MLB.com/Entertainment, baseball sights and sounds are served with a dash of irreverence.
Still the darkest day: On Aug. 16, 1920, Indians shortstop Ray Chapman is beaned by Carl Mays. The next day, he dies from the skull fracture, MLB's only on-field fatality.
SOME CHOICE MATCHUPS:
Cubs at Marlins Definitely a potential playoff preview here, and Zambrano vs. Johnson in Friday's opener in Miami should be a gas. PREVIEWS:CHC | FLA
Rays at Rangers Good test for the suddenly vulnerable Rays in Arlington, where the Rangers' "O" makes opponents earn each and every "W." PREVIEWS:TB | TEX
Brewers at Dodgers Manny being Manny is one thing. How about Manny (Parra) facing Manny (Ramirez)? Freaky Friday in Tinsel Town.
PREVIEWS:MIL | LAD
HITTING David Ortiz, Red Sox Aug. 12 vs. TEX: The line you see here would be sweet for anyone, in any game. Sweeter still that it came from Big Papi, who is under more pressure than ever without Manny in the mix, and because it was all done in the first inning. 2 AB, 2 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 R
PITCHING Ben Sheets, Brewers Aug. 9 vs. WAS: The NL's All-Star starter hadn't won in more than a month before breaking out with this gem, which gave him three career shutouts and four complete games in 2008 while putting Milwaukee's minds at ease. 9 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 6 K, 0 BB, 113 pitches
SPOKEN Hank Steinbrenner, Yanks
"They're trying hard to win. There's only so much you can do. They're not supermen."
OK, where did the aliens put the real Hank? After four months of bombast that made it all too apparent that he was reading straight from his father's "How To Make Headlines, Not Friends" manual, Boss Junior finally said something that made him seem like something more than a junior tyrant. He was talking about the Yankees' injury woes, and he was spot-on. Compassionate, even. Whoa.
News
Bernie Mac was Good For Ball. His work in "Ocean's Eleven" was much like the rest of his career -- smart, cool, fresh and rewind-that-again funny. 
How often does a big trade's aftermath go from sizzle to fizzle within a week or so? We don't have any Bill Jamesian evidence, but it seems like it happens a lot. So congratulations, CC Sabathia, you're Our Man Friday. The big fella has more than lived up to the hype since arriving in Milwaukee, going 7-0 in eight starts with the Brew Crew, who may make it to October.
