May 24, 2004

Wisconsin Sporting Potpourri

By: Marty Coultas

Milwaukeeworld.com
MartyCoultas@yahoo.com

Welcome back Milwaukeeworlders. What a dreary week in good ole Milwaukee. The weather this week has been just about as exciting as the sporting news over the last seven days.

However, my fellow sports fans, there were a few bright, sunny points from the past week that my brighten your thoughts and make you smile. Take Ben "the baller" Sheet's outing last Sunday at Miller Park. Kudos to good ole Bennie for 18 strikeout, not only a personal best but a franchise record. Not an easy task you Milwaukeeworlders, not an easy task.

After his outstanding performance on Sunday, Ben was named the National League Player of the week. A nice award to receive. But, what makes it even nicer that the week before our new superstar Lyle " the hottie" Overbay received the same honor by the Sports writers of America. A first for the Milwaukee Brewer franchise!

Great going boys, keep it up!!!!

In other hodgepodge, around the Cheese State this week, great news finally came to Packers coach Ray Sherman. For you Milwaukeeworlders not aware of the devastating tragedy that the Sherman family experienced one year ago this month, let me fill you in.

Sherman's son, Ray Jr. was playing in the garage at their home in Green Bay when he picked up a rifle that was stored in their garage. Sherman, who was not aware there were bullets in the gun, accidentally pulled the trigger, and tragically lost his life.

Ray Jr's death was ruled a suicide by Brown County last year and his father knew it was an accident. No questions about it Mr. Sherman knew his son would never take his own life. And after nearly one year of pleading with the Court Systems in Brown County and two days of testimony by Sherman and his wife, the Court finally reversed it's initial cause of death and changed it accidental.

Although a sorrowful event in itself and the sadness and pain the Sherman family will endure throughout the rest of their lives, it was a verdict that may make them sleep a little sounder each night as they lay to rest.

In other Green Bay Packer news, a pretty well known quarterback had a visit to GB this week. A guy by the name of Kerry Collins flew into Austin Strauble Airport and was greeted by coaches from the Pack to ponder the thought of Collins becoming the permanent back up to our beloved Brett. Collins, who was toured through the Packer facilities was in town on an "unofficial" visit, but seemed very impressed by the Green Bay Packers and their staff.

No word yet if this will pan out, remember that the Pack was courting Heisman Trophy winner and current Cleveland Brown, Tim Couch for Brett's backup, but after talking with agent for several weeks it seems that talks have cooled after negotiations between the two could not be reached. Although, not completely out as a candidate it seems that Couch may think he is worth more than the Packers do.

In other Tim Couch news, sort of a funny tidbit for your football fans to contemplate. After returning to Cleveland from his off- season home in Florida last week, Tim Couch arrived at the Cleveland Browns workout facility to get prepared for the approaching season. After being told by a member of the Browns staff that he was no longer permitted to work out in the Browns building, he went to the locker room to find his locker had been completely cleaned out and his nameplate had been removed.

Uh, not something Mr. Couch thought was coming. Considering that technically he is still a member of the Cleveland Browns team, Couch was needless to say a bit perturbed by the circumstance. He is however still in a contract with the team even though they have been trying all off-season to trade him away.

So, after a little rationalization and probably a lot of curse words later, Couch decided to file a grievance with the Player's Association. Couch believes that not only should he be allowed to work out in the team's gym, but says that it is in his contract to mandatorally do so! Sure NFL, one would think that you need your players staying in shape in the off-season.

Sometimes, the world of professional sports can be absolutely ridiculous. But I guess that it why we all keep coming back for more, don't you agree?

That's it Milwaukeeworlders. As I said, not too much to report on this week. Let's hope the coming week will bring us some exciting sporting news for me to write about next week! Remember the Brewers open a home stand Tuesday night and with their play of late, it might be a good time for you baseball fans to check out a game!! Remember, they say they fixed the roof in the off-season, so even if it closed you should still stay dry!

Until we meet again, keep your ears open and your noses clean!

Marty the Sports Chick
Milwaukeeworld.com
MartyCoultas@yahoo.com

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