No matter what the respective records of the Brewers and Cubs are, their I-94 rivalry always sparks interest. After playing three games at Wrigley Field this week, the teams move to Miller Park for four more next week.

The Brewers have had good luck against the Cubs. Last season, they won 10 of the 17 games between the teams. This week, they played very well at Wrigley.

Ben Sheets, who is 6-0 lifetime against the Cubs, beat them again on Monday night. On Tuesday, catcher Eddie Perez, who had five RBI until that night, matched the total in one game to lead the Crew to a 9-6 win.

The Cubs' Shawn Estes beat Glendon Rusch in a 2-1 pitchers' duel to end the series Wednesday. Estes gave up on three hits in seven innings. Rusch went the distance.

Despite the Brewers' success against them, the Cubs figure to be in the NL Central hunt most of the season. They hired Dusty Baker, who has to be one of the top five managers in baseball.

Former Milwaukee product Mark Grudzielanek and Eric Karros were acquired from the Dodgers and have added a steadiness to the infield. Karros has shared time with young slugger Hee Seop Choi, who has shown great potential at first base.

Cubs' fans are a little concerned about Sammy Sosa, who has not been himself at the plate since he was beaned early in the season. Sosa's average fell below .300 earlier this week and the superstar has not been hitting for his usual power.

The Cubs have used pitching to stay near the top of the division so far. Kerry Wood, Mark Prior and Matt Clement lead the starting rotation. The Chicago bullpen had been phenomenal before the first two games of the series with the Brewers.

Since inter-league play started and the Brewers joined the National League, the Brewers lead the series 41-35. They have always managed to hit better against the Cubs. Sheets also has been unbeatable against Chicago.

If the Cubs aren't enough, the Brewers plan some additional promotions during the series. On Monday night, the newest inductees to the Walls of Honor will be cited. Former major league pitcher Ryne Duren and Cubs catcher Damian Miller, both Wisconsin born, will be honored as state players to play in the big leagues. Negro League players Carl Long and Jim Robinson and Women's League players Mary Froning-O'Meara and Betty "Moe" Moczynski also will be inducted.

On Wednesday night, the first 10,000 fans 18 and older will receive a portable Brewers tailgate chair, courtesy of American Family Insurance.

Special Brew Crew Review summaries of each game next week will be posted on the OMC BCR message board.

In the wishful thinking category, now that the Wizards cut Michael Jordan loose as an executive, could he be part of a group that buys the Bucks? Again, it's probably only wishful thinking. Jordan has reportedly talked to the new Charlotte franchise about a front office job.

Elm Grove's Tim Kent is resting after finishing the Around Alone sailing competition a little before noon Eastern Time last Monday in Newport. Kent truly became the underdog of the around the world race because he did not have a major corporate sponsor like other sailors.

Observers said Kent was surrounded by a flotilla of media boats and well-wishers as he sailed into his final port. Kent was keeping this columnist up on his journey via email.

In one of his last emails from sea, he included a poem and admitted to being almost emotionally overwhelmed by the effort it took to circumnavigate the globe.

Kent's trip also served an educational service. Scholastic Magazine served as an educational partner to Kent and documented his journey for students all over the country. Part of an email from Newport follows:

"The welcome that we have received here in Newport has been genuine and emotional.  The Around Alone family is gathered here once more for our last weeks together.  I plan to stay here until the weekend to attend some functions and get work done on the boat.  I hope to return home to Milwaukee for a few days early next week before returning to Newport for some school visits and the prize giving next week. We are deep into our planning for the Milwaukee EVEREST HORIZONTAL Party. Mark your calendars for May 30th.  More details to follow."

The UW-La Crosse men's track team won its 13th straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Outdoor title recently, nosing out UW-Oshkosh. UWL's Andrew Rock was named the meet's track athlete, after winning the 200- and 400-meter dashes and anchoring the Eagles' 1,600 relay team. The UWL women also won the WIAC title ... The UW-Whitewater baseball team won the WIAC championship with a sweep of Platteville and will host the conference tournament this weekend. The winner of the tourney will represent WIAC in the NCAA Division III tournament at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute May 23-27 ... The Home Talent League opened its 75th season of amateur baseball last weekend. The league includes teams in four divisions, ranging from Cambridge and Whitewater to Poynette.

Forward Greg Howes signed a three-year combined contract with the Wave and Wave United teams to play indoor and outdoor soccer. Howes played for the Wave indoor team for the past three seasons, but had played his outdoor soccer in Seattle and Portland. Defender Matt Bobo also signed with WU this week ... Wisconsin golfers Mark Wilson finished fourth and Jerry Kelly tied for fifth in last weekend's HP Classic of New Orleans ... Former Brewer Jose Hernandez was hitting over .300 for Colorado, but also had struck out 35 times in his first 30 games ... Wide receiver Javon Walker and defensive back Marques Anderson will be honored at the Packers' rookies of the year at a July 19 Packer Hall of Fame banquet ... Bradley Tech baseball coach Tom Konowalski earned the 400th win of his career this week with a 15-0 win over Pulaski.

The Milwaukee Bombers host the Chicago Swans in an Australian Rules Football game at Kletzsch Park Saturday. The Bombers won their first footy game of the season, 86-33, over Kansas City on April 27.

Wave United played the Bavarians, two-time defending U.S. Amateur champs, Thursday night in an exhibition game. WU opens the regular season next Friday night against the Minnesota Thunder at home.