Ryan Braun saw enough. Matt Garza too. The Milwaukee Brewers leaders felt that a change was needed within the roster's ranks. So they decided to follow the classic blueprint and call a players-only meeting on Thursday. The meeting was an opportunity for the team to clear the air over recent struggles and try to move forward in their quest to take the NL Central. It may not be enough for the team to improve it's plateauing play, though.
Brewers talk behind closed doors
The MLB's Adam McCalvy first reported on the players meeting, which was led by Braun and Garza.
During the meeting, the team reportedly tried to recapture some of the camaraderie that helped set them on such a positive path at the start of a season with little expectations. They also tried to boost the energy level of the team, which has been lacking in accord with the on-field product. The Brewers have won just nine games since the All-Star break.
Matt Garza and Ryan Braun called a players meeting after the game. Talked about increasing the energy level and getting back to having fun.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) August 11, 2017
For the first half of the season, the Brewers defied the odds. Nobody thought they had much of a chance to make the playoffs. But for the first three months, they set the pace in the NL Central while the St.
Louis Cardinals defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs sputtered. Suddenly, the playoffs were in reach. They still are, as Milwaukee trails Chicago by just two games with 43 left to go. Momentum, however, is no longer on their side, a fact Braun and Garza must be pressingly aware of at this point.
Where Braun and Garza come from
Braun's authority with the team should be unquestioned. Despite a questionable past with performance enhancing drugs, he has been the team's best player for all but the last few seasons. He's also the longest-tenured player in Milwaukee, in the midst of his 11th season with the team. He has been an NL Rookie of the Year, six-time All-Star, and NL MVP with the only franchise he's ever known; when he talks, teammates will listen.
Garza has a tenure record with the team too, although it's much less impressive. He is the most seasoned member of the pitching staff, even though he was only acquired from the Texas Rangers three years ago. Just like Braun, this hasn't been the finest season for Garza. He's 5-6 with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP this season. It's all well and good for the veterans to try to inspire the Milwaukee troops as the season heads towards the stretch run, but they need to also motivate by going out on the field and doing their jobs more often.
