Filed Under » Milwaukee Brewers

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin told reporters today that he hopes to see burly first basemen Prince Fielder take more walks this coming season.

"We would obviously like Prince to raise his on-base percentage, but more than that we really just feel he could use the cardiovascular exercise," said Melvin. "I mean look at him. Christ. He's a young man."

Fielder led the majors in home runs in 2007 with 50, but has struggled with his weight since getting called up to the big leagues at age 21. He's presently listed at 5'10", 270 pounds, but is assumed to weigh considerably more. With the Brewers expected to contend in the NL Central, they need a big season from the two-time All-Star.

"With the way our offense relies on Prince, we need him to work the count and get on base," said Melvin. "He's at a really elevated risk for heart attack or stroke otherwise. I imagine he's already diabetic."

Milwaukee Brewers manager Ken Macha repeatedly tried to reach someone in the Milwaukee bullpen last night to get some pitchers warmed up, but the bullpen coach and relievers let the calls go to voice mail each time.

“He kept calling and bothering us all the time at all innings – the third inning, fourth inning, fifth inning. So we got caller ID,” said reliever Claudio Vargas. “Now when he calls we usually let it go to voice mail. It’s let us just relax, hang out with each other and watch the game like the fans.”

Macha's first call came last night in the fifth inning after starter Doug Davis walked his fourth batter of the night.

“Um, hello? Is anyone there? Pick up, pick up, pick up, pick up,” he said. “Well, hmm … maybe you guys stepped out for a minute. I’ll try back a little later. Oh, this is Ken Macha.”

The manager’s next call came three batters later when Davis gave up an RBI single.

“Yeah, you guys there? Anyone? Anyone? I had called earlier. It’s Ken. Your manager. Pick up the phone if you’re there, please,” Macha said. “I had called earlier and I really need someone to warm up for Doug. So if you get this message, please get warmed up. Okay, thanks. Have a good one.”

Four pitches later, after Chipper Jones hit a ball to the warning track, there was another call.

“Okay, really. Please pick up if you are there. I’m starting to get worried,” said Macha. “Doug is getting rocked and I need to talk to you guys. Is this the right number?”

Middle reliever Todd Coffey says the bullpen made the right decision in getting voice mail.

“Really, who calls before the sixth inning? That’s just rude. We’re all just sitting down, getting situated and the phone is ringing off the hook,” said Coffey. “We work so hard supporting our crappy starting rotation, sometimes we just need a little rest, you know? If there’s a big emergency or they really, really need us, I’m sure someone will come out and get us. But until then, we’re going to see how many messages our voice mail memory can hold.”

SportsPickle is previewing each MLB team in the lead up to Opening Day 2010. Today:Milwaukee Brewers(2009: 80-82, 3rd in NL Central)

The benches cleared during last night's Pirates-Brewers game after several Pirates saw a tiny, white mouse scurry along the back wall of the dugout, sending the team screaming and yelping to the center of the field.

"Aaaaaah! Ohmigod! A mouse! A mouse! Eeek! A mouse!" yelled Pittsburgh first baseman Adam LaRoche, pushing several teammates out of the way as he ran out of the dugout. "I hate mice! They're so … so … little. And gross!"

LaRoche was the first to spot the critter, but when his other teammates saw it, they, too, fled for the safety of the field.

"Ohhhh … I'm so freaked out right now," said catcher Ryan Doumit, hopping up and down and waving his arms. "I can't use any of my stuff anymore! What the mice has been all over my catcher's gear? Those things carry diseases, you know?"

After the Pirates fled onto the field, the visiting Brewers ran out of their dugout, too.

"Mouse! Mouse! Mouse!" shrieked Prince Fielder. "Get out of here! If they have mice, then they're definitely in our dugout! Mouse! Run!"

Fielder was soon joined out on the field with the rest of his teammates, were they clutched the Pirates players for comfort, waiting for the all-clear.

But it never came.

"Get back in the dugouts, you pansies," said umpire John Hirshbeck. "It's only a mouse. We're not delaying the game for a freaking mouse."

"Sure, easy for you to say," said LaRoche, beginning to weep. "You don't have to be in the dugout with those … those … terrors!"