The Brewers created the top news in 2003 state sports in a way they would not have prefered.
After improving by 12 games on the field during the season, the Brewers fell into a debacle off the field when CEO Ulice Payne went public with plans to cut the team's payroll to $30 million.
Payne's disclosure led to his departure from the team, after only 14 months, and an examination of the Brewers' books by a special MMAC-arranged task force, and probably eventually by a state auditor.
Once again, controversy over funding of Miller Park surfaced. Fans once again expressed anger and disappointment.
Optimists hope GM Doug Melvin still puts together a competitive team, and manager Ned Yost earns his contract extension by leading the club to another season of improvement in 2004. There also is reason for optimism for the future, as the Brewers' minor league system earned the TOPPS 2003 Organization of the Year award.
But, the off-field problems earn the Brewers the dubious distinction of creating the most state sports buzz in 2003.
2. Shakeup with Bucks -- Off-court moves with the Bucks deserve selection as the No. 2 story of the year. Gone are highly-paid GM Ernie Grunfeld and coach George Karl, and several of their highly-paid players. Enter Milwaukee native Terry Porter in his first NBA head coaching job and a bunch of young, enthusiastic (and lower paid) players.
While the shakeup was going on, Michael Jordan also made a run at buying the franchise, but Senator Herb Kohl decided to keep it, probably because His Airness would not guarantee he would not fly away with it to a better market.
The final results of the shakeup are yet to play out on the court.
3. NCAA Tourney -- Three of the Division I teams in the state -- Marquette, UW and UWM -- made it to the Big Dance in men's college basketball. The Golden Eagles went all the way to the Final Four.
This is the kind of story that actually is more about sports than Numbers 1 and 2. All three teams also look poised to create more buzz in 2004.
4. Renovated Lambeau Opens -- The Packers opened the season in a completed Lambeau Field and promptly lost to the Vikings. In fact, the Pack has not been as dominant since all the amenities have been added to the shrine of pro football.
But, the "new" Lambeau is spectacular and gives the state a facility that matches any in the NFL.
5. Auto Racing -- You don't read about auto racing much in this column, but when you combine a couple stories it deserves mention as No. 5. First, state native Matt Kenseth won the points title, becoming only the second state racer in history to do so. Second, history was made with racing under the lights at State Fair Park. There will be more action under the lights in 2004.
There certainly were other big stories -- the advent of the Wave United outdoor soccer team, the Richie Sexson trade, UW football to the Music City bowl, etc. Add your own stories to the list.
The Name Game
Tom Crean of Marquette, Bo Ryan of UW and Bruce Pearl of UWM receive The Name Game "Names of the Year" award for getting their teams to the NCAA tournament.
Beyond Milwaukee Sports
UW-Oshkosh made a good showing in the NCAA Division III baseball tournament. UW-La Crosse, St. Norbert and Concordia qualified for the Division III football playoffs. St. Norbert also won its record fifth straight Midwest Conference title.
Hot Tix
The Bucks host Indiana at the Bradley Center Friday, December 26. The Admirals host Cleveland on December 27 and Utah on December 30. Both games start at 7 p.m.
The Wave hosts the Monterrey Fury at 1 p.m. on New Year's Eve day, December 31.
In college hoops, Wisconsin plays in the Rock and Roll tournament in Cleveland, facing Ohio in the first game on December 27. UWM is at Santa Clara for a tourney December 29-30. Marquette hosts Sacred Heart December 29 at the Bradley Center.
The UW football team plays Auburn in the Music City Bowl at 11 a.m. on December 31. The Packers wrap up the regular season against Denver at Lambeau on December 28. You can read about that game in On The Pack on Monday.
(Editor's note: Gregg Hoffmann wrote this story before Brett Favre's inspiring performance during Monday night's game.)
Gregg Hoffmann writes The State Sports Buzz on Thursdays for OMC and wrote this special Christmas edition on the top sports stories of 2003. Next week, he will look ahead at 2004.
