Welcome to Saturday Scorecard. Since attention is divided during these busy weeks packed with Summerfest and general summer fun, we're going to give much of today's submission the "Larry King Lounge" treatment. You've got to hand it to Larry, who was doling out nuggets way ahead of the Twitter movement.
On to the the jottings, so you can enjoy a beautiful Wisconsin weekend:
Up in smoke? Brewers pitching prospect Jeremy Jeffress, a first-round draft pick in 2006, was demoted from Class AA Huntsville to Class A Brevard County this season because he couldn't control his fastball.
Unfortunately for Jeffress and the Brewers, his control problems don't end on the field.
The Journal Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt reported that Jeffress, a first-round draft pick in 2006, will face a 100-game suspension for failing a second test for "a drug of abuse."
Jeffress, 21, was suspended 50 games at the end of the 2007 season, reportedly for smoking marijuana. He's now one failed test away from a lifetime ban.
Like most clubs, the Brewers are worried about a lack of pitching depth throughout their organization. Jeffress' situation isn't going to help. It's one thing to see top pitching prospects get hurt like Mark Rogers, Mike Jones, Nick Neugebauer, J.M. Gold... the list is painful for Brewers fans and it shows how hard it is to develop high-school pitchers.
The Brewers invested a $1.55 million signing bonus in Jeffress, who was the 16th overall pick. Now, you have to wonder if he'll ever pitch for them in the big leagues.
Taking a chance: A lot of NBA experts think the Bucks took a gamble by picking 19-year-old Brandon Jennings with the 10th pick in the draft.
They did. They're gambling that he'll be the best point guard in a talented crop.
Jennings seemed quite mature while making the media rounds. College is a great way to prepare for adulthood, but Jennings left his home in California for prep school in Virginia and then spent a year in Italy. That's got to impart some life experience. As daunting as it may seem to hear the words "project" and "point guard" in the same sentence, Bucks fans don't have much choice but to be optimistic about the pick.
Three-dot city: We haven't heard anything official, but word on the street is that the idea that Marquette point guard Maurice Acker left the team to pursue an early graduation was, how can we say this, a smokescreen.... Only a couple more shopping days to prepare for Brett Favre's signing with the Vikings. Are you ready?... I wonder who got the table at Sanford now that Barry Bonds isn't with the Giants.... Is anybody else shocked that Lou Piniella screamed at Milton Bradley? Maybe the Cubs are trying to recreate the mojo from the Michael Barrett blowup of 2007. Or, maybe Bradley is just a tool.... If you aren't going to the ballpark or Summerfest, the Downer Avenue bike race is a pretty good bet.... Donald Fehr was hugely successful during his tenure as head of the Players Association, but his legacy will carry a black mark because of the steroid era.... Bud Selig shares some of the blame for steroids, obviously, but he can proudly point to the successes of interleague play, the wild-card and revenue sharing. Here we are in late June and 17 teams are within four games of first place... Now that the Bucks have drafted Jennings, it's easy to envision some cross-promotional opportunities with Packers wideout Greg Jennings.... How could the entire NBA take a pass on Jerel McNeal?... Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun bought a new house in Malibu for $4.85 million, according to the Los Angeles Times. The five-bedroom, seven-bathroom gated Mediterranean has ocean views, a swimming pool, spa and built-in barbecue, three fireplaces, a guest house and movie theater... Packers draft picks B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews threw out first pitches Friday night at Miller Park.... Look for Normal, Ill., band The Run Around to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" tonight at the park. The group won a national battle of the bands sponsored by Briggs & Stratton.... The Iron lost its matchup with Green Bay Friday night, 86-42. Obviously it was a defensive battle.... The Brewers' game on Monday against the Mets wills tart at 6 p.m. because of an ESPN broadcast.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
