An A-Z visitors guide to Milwaukee Wisconsin. Sponsored by Key Magazine Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/118255
A closer-coiffed John Axford again will be called on to seal the deal in the ninth inning as the closer. Axford, known to fans as the Axe-man, hopes to regain the consistency he displayed during 2011. Ryan Braun is once again the face of the franchise and the team���s best player. The perennial All-Star left fielder hit .305 with 34 homers and 108 RBI and scored 101 runs last season. Carlos Gomez will cover the acreage in center field with the speed and deceptive power that was on display last year. Melvin���s gem of an acquisition, Norichika Aoki, is where he left off in right field and at the top of the batting order. Aoki turns each appearance at bat from a sprint into a marathon, making him one of the top leadoff men in the game. Aramis Ramirez will anchor the hot corner at third and hopes to come out of the blocks a little faster than in his debut last season. Ramirez���s power at the plate was no surprise, but his defensive prowess was a most-welcome addition. Jean Segura, acquired from the Los Angeles Angels, has secured his place at shortstop based on his play since arriving in town. Second base will be covered by Brewers veteran Rickie Weeks, who came on strong at the plate during the second half of 2012. Backstop duties are covered nicely by the steady Jonathan Lucroy with Martin Maldonado. The big question mark for the roster is at first base. Corey Hart had knee surgery and will not appear again at first until well into the 2013 season. His heir-apparent, Mat Gamel, re-tore his ACL on the first days of the Cactus League and has been lost for the year. It now appears that veteran infielder Alex Gonzalez (coming off knee surgery also) will be the morethan-adequate placeholder until Hart gets back. The omnipresent St. Louis Cardinals, rival Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds will wrestle the Brewers for supremacy in the National League Central Division again this year. At this point, it���s anybody���s game. If the young arms on the mound for the Brewers hold up for the rigors of a full campaign, there is no reason why the Brewers won���t be in contention as the calendar pages turn toward October. A full listing of all April games is on page 46 of this issue. As usual, there are a lot of early-season specials and promotions for fans at Miller Park, recognized as one of the most fan-friendly ballparks in baseball. For tickets and other information, call 414-902-4000 or go to www.brewers.com. 9