email:  ckoplien@todaystmj4.com

I went to 2 of the first 3 Brewers game at Miller Park this weekend...and all again seems right with the world.

Okay, a bit of an overstatement, but it sure was nice to get back out to the ballpark.

I took the oldest Koplien daughter, Courtney (14), to Opening Day on Friday...and the youngest, Katie (9), to the game on Sunday.  We had a ball each day.

(Middlest daughter, Amanda (12)...she's up next.  Oh, and my bride as well.)

I'll spare you the breakdown of each game except to say that the good guys dominated.  Before the season began, many figured the Giants to be one of the worst teams in baseball.  They're right on target.

A couple things around the ballpark caught my eye:

1)  The vendors were all wearing neon green T-shirts.  Great idea.  You can glance around the stadium and see where just about every one of them is.

2)  The new Kids Zone on the Field Level in the right field corner is very cool.  Much better than the old in terms of stuff for the kids to do...and where it's located.

3)  The scoreboard seemed to have some "dead spots" on it on Opening Day.  In other words, it looked like some light bulbs were burned out (although I don't think they are technically "light bulbs".)  Not sure how checking that slipped through the cracks before Game 1...but I'm happy to say it was fixed when I returned on Sunday.

4)  Not sure if the video board is new, or upgraded, or if it just was the newly designed graphics...but it looked great.

5)  Speaking of the video board...just prior to the game on Sunday, it showed the old "Two-Fisted Slopper" announcement.  I mean the old, old one...the black and white one they used to play at County Stadium.  In fact, the taped announcement even makes reference to "...here at County Stadium...".  That was awesome.  Maybe they have played it before at Miller Park, although I went to about 25 games last year and don't remember seeing it.

6)  Did the P.A. announcer call new Brewers outfielder Gabe Kapler Gabe KAPLAN on Opening Day?  Not once, but twice?!?  I think so.  Welcome Back, Mr. Kotter.

I have plugged all of the data into the Doppler, churned out all of our computer projections, and determined that the Brewers will finish this season in 1st Place with a record of 88-74.  The Cubs will finish 87-75.  The difference will be the final game of the season when the Brewers play the Cubs at Miller Park on Sunday, September 28th at 1:05pm.  Note to NFL schedule makers...that would be a good weekend to put the Packers game Sunday or Monday Night.  Thanks.