First base in Milwaukee still looks like a mess

There are metrics indicating that the 2013 Brewers had the worst offensive first basemen in major league history.
They have made two moves purported to improve that situation by signing 1B Lyle Overbay and Mark Reynolds. They certainly wouldn't help the batting average dragged down by players such as Yuniesky Betancourt and Juan Francisco last season. Overbay at least can catch the ball. But he apparently has run out of teams that would allow him to suck in their batting order.
This week's big news, whenever it happens, will be the announcement of the team that will sign RHP Masahiro Tanaka.
Not far over the horizon are the days when pitchers and catchers will report, less than four weeks from now.
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Basketball. The first day of the first place vs. second place showdown went well for my team. I lead 7-1, with my opponent ahead in field goal percentage by .0048. If I were making an Oscar-acceptance speech for last night's competition, the first person I would thank would be Joakim Noah, whose double double included more than 20 rebounds. I believe he also led Team Fresh Prints in assists. Anderson Varejao also had a double double and 20-plus rebounds. My hat's off to the two big guys. Carmelo Anthony had a double double with a modest 12 boards.
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Football. I was told yesterday that I have a chance to win an NFL playoffs pick-'em pool in Pittsburgh. I'm pretty sure I picked Seattle to win big game 48.
The point spread for that game varied between Seahawks minus-2 and Broncos minus-2 1/2 during the day after the matchup was finalized. The official line for the Winston-Salem pool where I'm entered will be set Tuesday, Jan. 28. All I'll say for now is that my calculated line is within yesterday's range. Depending on where the final line falls, it could be a difficult decision. I'm figuring I have a 50-50 chance to win some money in that pool. More likely tens of dollars than hundreds.
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Hockey. Neither of my goalies whose team played was in the net Monday. That can't be good. I can't get any wins that way, though my GAA and save percentage can't be hurt much.
Glad to see Alexander Steen back, picking up two assists and filling several categories.
Bottom line: Still stuck in third place with 65 points.