ESPN La Crosse 105.5

Brewers Make Jackie Bradley Jr. Signing Official

By Adam Roberts – 3/8/2021

Perhaps the timing was just a coincidence, but on the same day the Brewers made the signing of new outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. official, centerfielder Lorenzo Cain was candid about his quad health.

Cain said today his quad issue is slowing his spring training progress, but that he plans on being ready to go on Opening Day April 1st against the Twins. Bradley arrived to Brewers’ camp today to take a physical and could be seen at the Maryvale facility ahead of Milwaukee’s game today against the Angels. Last week, Bradley Jr’s 2-year, 24-million-dollar deal was announced by media outlets.

Cain’s work this spring has been hampered by both his quad issue and also, according to GM David Stearns, by his recovery from wisdom teeth removal done before the start of camp. In any case, Stearns and manager Craig Counsell believe there will be a lot of at-bats for all members of a stacked Brewers outfield.

McGrath, Desmond, Kick Named To WBCA All-State Teams

By Adam Roberts – 3/8/2021

While the end result at the Division Two WIAA State Basketball Tournament wasn’t what the Onalaska boys had hoped for, three Hilltoppers are being recognized for their outstanding performances.

6’11” senior Gavin McGrath was named to the WBCA All-State team; the North Dakota-bound forward took a huge leap forward from his junior season and averaged nearly 13 a game along with leading the team in rebounds at 6.8 per game. Meanwhile, senior teammates Victor Desmond and Sam Kick were also named All-Staters; both received an honorable mention.

The Hilltoppers came a win away from an undefeated 2020-21 season, falling to Pewaukee in the D2 title game on Saturday.

Giannis Shines in NBA All Star Game; Wins Game MVP

By Adam Roberts – 3/8/2021

We all know what a difference make Giannis Antetokounmpo can be when he’s on the floor for the Bucks. But nationally, the Greek Freak has taken some criticism for not being able to take the next step in the postseason. Last night in Atlanta, Giannis at least made sure those people knew that he is here to stay on the national stage.

The Bucks superstar was named the 2021 NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP. Giannis netted 35 points on 16-of-16 shooting, including a 3-3 night from three, to lead Team LeBron to their 170-150 victory over Team Durant. The Greek Freak’s perfect game sets the NBA record for the most shots made without a miss. Giannis is also the first Bucks player to receive All-Star Game MVP honors.

The Bucks’ next game will be March 11th against the surprising New York Knicks, who currently hold the five seed in the East.

P Corbin Burnes Looks Solid Today For Brewers

By Adam Roberts – 3/5/2021

The hype from Brewers’ fans for pitcher Corbin Burnes has been quite audible since pitchers and catchers reported last month. His work today will only inspire more optimism.

Burnes started for the Crew against Colorado today and secured five strikeouts in two innings of work, including striking out the side in the second inning. While that would be it for him today, Burnes now has seven strikeouts this spring, and has looked about as dominant as anyone could have hoped for.

Milwaukee plays again tomorrow against the Cubs in Maryvale.

Luther BBB Falls 61-46 to Prairie School

By Adam Roberts – 3/5/2021

The storylines coming into today’s Luther-Prairie School Division Four state semifinal wrote themselves, and we’ve spent the better part of a week hyping up the match up. Unfortunately, the result of the game didn’t go the way the Knights or their fan base would have hoped.

Senior Gavin Proudfoot would be the lone scorer in double figures for Luther, who shot 17-48 from the field and were pressed hard on their three point attempts (3-10) in the 61-46 loss to the Hawks. While Proudfoot was able to assert some dominance underneath with 12 boards, his teammate Isaiah Loersch was unable to do the same, finishing with four and four.

Still, don’t let this loss take away from what was a spectacular 2020-21 season for the Knights. This was just their second loss of the year, and people will be talking about the nail-biter against Blair-Taylor in the sectional final for a long time. Head coach Brad Schaper will still have plenty of weapons next season including Proudfoot, and he and the five other juniors who will likely form the senior core now have state experience to use to their advantage. Congratulations on an amazing season Luther!

NFL To Consider Revolutionary Overtime Change

By Adam Roberts – 3/5/2021

In an era of apparently ever-decreasing attention spans, sports leagues have been experimenting with a number of different ways to attract viewers and new fans. Some proposals, like those instituted in baseball last season have drawn eye-rolls from many. As for the NFL, it seems every season brings some slight tweak to the way the game is played, be it penalty changes, instant replay fixes, or other less-visible things. With this latest proposal, it would be hard to miss.

The NFL is looking at a number of possible changes to overtime, including one that would be truly revolutionary. The Baltimore Ravens have proposed a spot-and-choose approach with one team choosing the yard line where overtime would begin and the other team deciding to play offense or defense. The Ravens also propose teams playing a full seven minute and 30-second overtime period, rather than a sudden-death format.

Another proposal would restore overtime to its original sudden-death format, with the team that scores first winning, showing that there’s at least mild interest for a return to the old way.

Study Shows Few Pro Athletes With COVID Developed Rare Heart Issue

By Adam Roberts – 3/4/2021

A new study shows just five of 789 professional athletes that came down with COVID-19 were later diagnosed with an inflammatory heart disease.

The research from JAMA Cardiology had doctors affiliated with six U.S. based leagues follow the infected players between May and October of last year. Before returning to play, the athletes went through three non-invasive tests that track heart rhythms where the cases were discovered. Also in the research, the five athletes that were discovered to have the heart disease all had beyond mild cases of COVID-19.

Concern about the heart disease fueled debate on whether to play sports during the pandemic. One of the diseases discovered, myocarditis, can be deadly if left undiagnosed and untreated.

American Family Field To Open At 25% Capacity; No Tailgating

By Adam Roberts – 3/4/2021

More Brewers news today, and it’s a mixed bag for those wanting a traditional Miller Pa…erm, excuse me, American Family Field experience.

Today, the team announced they have reached an agreement with City of Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson to allow 25% fan capacity at home games for the 2021 regular season. Previously, the team had hoped for 35% capacity, but in the official statement said the 25% could increase as pandemic conditions in Milwaukee County dictate.

25% capacity at AmFam looks like roughly 11,000 to 12,000 fans in the stadium pending re-mapping of seating, and for those worried it’ll look like a ghost town, I would point to how the Packers were able to make 9,000 in the Lambeau bowl look somewhat normal. A date for individual ticket sales still hasn’t been determined, but should be unveiled ahead of Opening Day on April 1st against Minnesota.

There is one VERY big downside to the announcement though. As mentioned in the title, there will be NO tailgating before Brewer games to begin the season. The wording leaves this likely subject to change as well, but understanding the tailgating culture at Brewer games makes this news tough to swallow.

President of Business Operations will speak to the media later this morning to likely go a little more in-depth on the team’s plans.

Brewers To Sign Former Boston CF Jackie Bradley Jr.

By Adam Roberts – 3/4/2021

Honestly, who breaks news of a signing at 3:25 in the morning? Apparently Boston Globe beat writer Julian McWilliams, that’s who!

McWilliams broke the news very early this morning that the Red Sox would not pay center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and that he would instead sign a deal to join the Brewers. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the deal will be for two years, valued at 24 million dollars with an opt-out option after year one.

Looking at his stats, Bradley Jr. is a batter who strikes out very rarely with a career-low 22.1% K rate in 2020. He hit .283 with seven home runs, 22 RBIs, and five stolen bases last year, but is more known for his fielding abilities; the 30-year-old won a Gold Glove in 2018.

As for depth, the Brewers’ outfield now features names like Bradley Jr, Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain, and Avisail Garcia. How GM David Stearns and manager Craig Counsell want to doll out starts and position assignments will be interesting to watch.

Winona State P Jordyn Kleman Pitches 8th Career No-Hitter

By Adam Roberts – 3/3/2021

The name on our logo reads ESPN La Crosse 105.5, but every so often we’ll peer over at what’s going on in the community about 25 minutes north of here and witness greatness.

Today, greatness, thy name is Jordyn Kleman.

The senior from La Crosse once again lived up to the laundry list of accolades she has earned with the Warriors over her collegiate career today, pitching five innings of no-hit softball in Winona State’s 10-0 win over Bemidji State in St. Paul’s domed softball facility. Kleman had seven strikeouts while earning her second win of the season and was a hit batter away from a perfect game.

The 12th-ranked Warrior women are 3-0 to start the year and play the Beavers again this afternoon before switching to Springfield, Illinois tomorrow.