Prince Fielder

After a memorable 2008 season that saw the Milwaukee Brewers make the Playoffs for the first time since 1982, expectations for the 2009 season were mixed.

Many people thought the Brewers wouldn't have enough pitching to make a return trip, while others thought their bats would carry them to the promised land for a second straight year.

The Brewers are about to begin a nine-game home stand that will see them try and regain first place after being overtaken by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Prince Fielder has looked downright kingly this year.

The 25-year old is hitting for average and power while playing top-notch defense at first base. Without a question, he is in the midst of a great season and makes a lethal one-two punch alongside slugging outfielder, Ryan Braun.

Before the 2009 season started, there were three teams that were widely viewed as possible contenders for the National League Central crown: the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Cincinnati Reds.

The Cubs were the defending NL Central champs, had the best record in the National League in 2008, and were easily the most talented team in the division.

The Cardinals had the best player in baseball, Albert Pujols, several talented role players, and expected to see a return to dominance of Chris Carpenter.

Alright everyone, get your payroll jokes and your “Where’s your World Series Championship trophy?” jokes out of your system before you start reading.

Yes, since the Milwaukee Brewers came to be in 1969, they have not won a World Series and have won just a single pennant in that span. And, of course, living north of Chicago, we all know the Cubs are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Nothing the Brewers do to the Phillies this, or any other year, could quite make up for the four-game beat down last September or the ousting from the playoffs in four games. But seeing Braden Looper and Dave Bush pitch gems while Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder finally get a clue at the plate sure does leave a warm feeling in the heart. 

The Brewers finally won a series and put together back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Dave Bush flirted with a no-hitter and continued to look rock solid in the Brewers rotation.

In the MLB you need starting pitchers to go deep into the game so you don't have to use the bullpen that much. Also you need a good offensive attack. Well the Brewers have the offense, just not the starting pitching.

If you look at last year's pitching we had Ben Sheets and a late trade to acquire stud CC Sabathia. 

I hoped I would never have to come to this conclusion, especially after their playoff berth in 2008, but the Brewers stink.

At 3-8, Milwaukee is already in the divisional cellar and searching for the light to get out but are not finding it.

I usually never admit that my team stinks, and I haven't said it about the Brewers since they really did stink, back in the early 2000's. But now I am left with no choice but to say it and not get my 2009 hopes up.

Dave Bush showed Saturday night against the Cubs that his performance in the second half of 2008 was no fluke.

Bush went out and held the Cubs in check. He picked up a quality start but unfortunately, the Brewers bullpen let him down and the Brewers took the loss 6-5 at Miller Park. Bush went 6 1/3 innings and gave up only three runs to a powerful Cubs offense. He allowed six hits, struck out five and allowed a home run to Fukudome.

I recently wrote an article on "25 Ways to Tell if You're a Cardinals Fan." I enjoyed coming up with the list so much, I decided to stay in the division and turn it into a series of articles.

So, Milwaukee, here is your list of ways to tell if you're a Brewers fan!

2009 marks the 40th Anniversary of the Milwaukee Brewers in the MLB, as they moved from Seattle to the Brew City in prior to the 1970 season.

So I thought that I would share what I consider the top 10 moments in Brewers' history.

Now, I haven't been around since 1970, so I haven't seen (but I know about) every single thing about Brewers baseball, but I think all fans remember these moments vividly.

Here's to the 40 years of Brewers baseball, and hopefully 40 more.