The Ueck

A few weeks ago I learned I can just barely get Brewers radio from where I am. A bit static-y, occasionally fading in and out with a powerful Chicago station a few ticks away on the dial (yet WSM in Nashville is closer on the dial and comes in more clearly), but audible. I guess I could get their broadcasts all along, but this is the first year there was any point.

It's kind of neat to hear Bob Uecker call a game. I like Ueck. When he sings at Wrigley, he changes the words - "I'll root, root, root for the Brewers, you can root for the Cubs" - respectful of the hosts while not betraying his ballclub. Clever fella. And unlike a lot of funny guys with microphones, he calls it straight. While after several batters another voice chimed in, it's about 95% Uecker on the broadcast.

Tonight I caught the game with two Brewers on base in the eighth, one out, and the tying run at the plate. As Milwaukee typically chokes when I'm following the game - when I was on the press list, Sammy Sosa hit the Brewers like they were throwing batting practice - they made two quick outs. Three batters into the top 9th, Adam Dunn hit one into the third deck for a two-run homer to give the Reds a five-run lead and put the Cubs three outs away from sole possession of first place.

Of course, the real purpose of this post was the last fragment of the previous paragraph. With 6-7-8 due up against former Cub David Weathers in the 9th, a Johnny Estrada one-hopper to second, a fly ball to center by .224-hitting pinch hitter Craig Counsell and a J.J. Hardy line-out to Ken Griffey Jr. did the deed.

No ties this time, no by-percentage-points, the Cubs are all alone atop the Central. And not that we need a cherry on top, but if two scores hold up tonight, the White Sox will be tied with the Royals for last place.