Why does Brett Favre retire only to come back every year? Is it fair to the Packers? the fans? Aaron Rodgers?

Wisconsin was this week’s hotbed of news in the world of sports…Huh.  I know.  It’s true but let’s be honest, Brett Favre needs to shut his pie hole.  He should stop text messaging everyone he knows, which includes the general manager Ted Thompson of the Packers.   Also, give the carrier pigeon a rest too.  I can picture the man kicking his feet up on the front stoop as he drinks lemonade down on the farm in Mississippi.

Get real Brett, if you want to play, just say so and save everybody a few keystrokes as we continue to write about this nonsense every year. 

Why does he give the run around to the Packers every year? Like Pamela Anderson crossing the street at a stoplight, this has to be a distraction. Ok fellas, don’t crash your car looking at this mess, but I for one am tired of it, and Green Bay isn’t even my team.  Protect your legacy Farve.  There is a reason why the GM and coach Mike McCarthy wanted to retire Favre’s No. 4 at the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, September 8.

Favre’s No. 4 will become the sixth number retired by the storied franchise. Other retired Packers numbers include the No. 14 of wide receiver Don Hutson (1951), No. 3 of fullback Tony Canadeo(1952), No. 15 of quarterback Bart Starr (1973), No. 66 of linebacker Ray Nitschke (1983) and No. 92 of defensive end Reggie White (2005). All five bearers of the previously retired numbers are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Packers are honoring Favre with a ceremony during a primetime game, but they really want to put the ongoing story behind them early in the season and have Favre’s psyche prepared to actually retire and stop bothering them.  On top of everything else Favre, you’re making it tough for the team to groom the next QB waiting in the wings. Either Aaron Rodgers will continue to waiver in the confidence department or he will become one of the greats due to finally getting a shot to play and not letting go.

Honestly, if they win a Super Bowl with Rodgers, he will be tied with Brett Favre.  Brett is one of the greatest, but I evaluate talent on whether they led their team to the Lombardi Trophy.  The rumor is if Green Bay waives Favre, the Vikings are ready to sign him.  That would be an awkward season opener to say the least. 

Welcome Richard Jefferson, you are now a Milwaukee Buck!  You were the 8^th leading scorer in the league this year and you’ll be a sight for sore eyes to Michael Redd.  Jefferson will take some of the scoring pressure off of Redd, along with playing above average defense when he’s focused.  Jefferson is good for 20 and 10 on any given night.  I’m also high on rookie Joe Alexander, who was the 8^th pick this year.  They have some good talent returning next year in Charlie Villanueva, Charlie Bell and Andrew Bogut in the middle.  I’m not saying they’re a playoff team but they will surprise some teams next year when round ball gets underway.   Scott Skiles is a hard-nosed coach, and the Bucks have potential so there’s another thing that will give you a buzz in the city besides those ice-cold brews. 

Another rumor became truth this week.  The Milwaukee Brewers traded for C.C. Sabathia, 6-8 3.83 ERA in 18 starts this season with the Cleveland Indians.  The team nearly sold out Tuesday’s game with only 2,000 tickets remaining.  I’m sure these will be sold by the time I finish this piece.  If they make the post season they will have a formidable one-two punch tandem with Ben Sheets, who is 10-2 2.77 ERA in 17 starts.  Corey Hart is having an all-star caliber year.  He’s hitting .299 with a decent .329 OBP.  Prince Fielder, the smaller fella now since Sabathia arrived, is hitting .269 with 17 homers.  Jason Kendall has been a pleasant surprise behind the plate hitting a modest .272 and .355 OBP which is similar to his production back in the AL with the Oakland A’s.  If the Brewers continue to hit and the pitching comes around, they will be a hard out in the NL. 

However, I’m sure you’re wondering if one pitcher will make that big a difference.  Milwaukee is four games back in the Central and .5 behind the Cardinals in the wild card race.  I think they will contend for the wild card because Sabathia will make a smooth adjustment to the NL.  He will be pitching to weaker line-ups and he will bask in the glow of hitting the ball.  Sabathia is big but he’s an athlete too.  They are still trying to find the moon shot he hit in Dodger stadium a few weeks back. 

Other players rumored to be on the trading block include pitcher Rich Harden of the Athletics, and Atlanta slugger Mark Teixeira, along with Matt Holliday of the Rockies.  As we all know pitching is premium in the game so A.J. Burnett for one of those sluggers would be somewhat of an even exchange.  However, Burnett has an opt out clause, so he may not get many suitors because of it. I’m sure the Red Sox can find a spot for a half-season DH if David Ortiz doesn’t come back 100% healthy.  They could plug Holliday into the mix, but I’m disturbed by his Coors Field syndrome splits.  He hits a Hulk-like 80 points higher at home but on the road he is more like David Banner.  If Barry Bonds weren’t so hated in Boston, I would sign him too.  It would provide great theatre in Boston, but the Ringling Brother’s circus came to town already.  Besides, we have Manny being Manny so we’re already entertained on a daily basis.

Add these Hitting Goons to your line-up this week and you’ll be happy:

J.J. Hardy, Brewers – Coming off some shoulder irritation last week but you couldn’t tell by the way he’s hitting of late.

Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs – He remains playing solid baseball in his debut in the Second City.

Cristian Guzman, Nationals – Guzman is a hitting machine and he’s on pace to surpass 200 hits for the season.