Sad day in M'waukee and B'more -- George Bamberger passed away yesterday. While he may go down in history books as the terrific pitching coach for the Orioles (tons of 20 games winners and Cy Young awards), Brewers fans such as myself will have a special place in our hearts for Bambi. He afterall, led the team to their first winning season in 1978 and helped build the team that would later win the pennant.

Best of all a blue-collar ethic and honesty that fit the city like a glove:

Jan. 1978, Selig to Bamberger, "It's nice to meet you. I hope you're coming to Milwaukee."

Bamberger, "You know, you guys are a bunch of losers."

And then he turned them into winners. Gotta love him!

The Bambi Era as Mets' manager is something I'd like to forget. They finished last under him in '82, and he quit mid-'83. In the obit I saw yesterday, he said "I would've stayed if they told me they were gonna get Hernandez and Carter."

He apparently taught several of his mound charges the Staten Island Sinker, i.e. spitter. But he was an old white guy, so I'm sure the Bonds Haters will chuckle appreciatively.