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Reviewing The Brew Reviews A Milwaukee Brewers Book

By Jordan Klimeck |
Jun 10, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers television commentator Bill Schroeder (L) talks with manager Craig Counsell (R) at the batting cage before the Brewers play the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 10, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers television commentator Bill Schroeder (L) talks with manager Craig Counsell (R) at the batting cage before the Brewers play the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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A Milwaukee Brewers Book Came Out Recently. How Good Was It? Should You Read It?

Mar 29, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Alex Presley (7) makes the running catch against the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth inning during a spring training game at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Alex Presley (7) makes the running catch against the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth inning during a spring training game at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

A website with the name Reviewing the Brew would not be doing its job if it didn’t give fans a “review” of the latest Milwaukee Brewers book out on the market. TV Broadcaster Bill Schroeder recently released a unique book which chronicles some great Milwaukee Brewer moments. He collaborated on the book with Drew Olson, who was a former Milwaukee Brewers beat writer for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

After reading the book, I was able to put together some thoughts as to how “well done” it was. The title is “If These Walls Could Talk,” but to me the book read more like “Random Observations from the Exploits of Bill Schroeder.” At one point, the section which chronicles information on the broadcast booth has ten pages of Bill Schroeder talking about his high school and college baseball playing days before it gets to anything about the broadcast booth.

I knew that this book would not be a “tell all” or “insider information” book when I randomly opened it up, and I saw at least five pages on the topic of the only Milwaukee Brewers no-hitter thrown in 1987. Any fan of the Milwaukee Brewers who knows anything about the team is already aware of this spot in history. Nothing was said in the book that was “revealing” or “insightful” about this event. Everything written is just common knowledge that someone could look up or find out on Baseball Reference or Wikipedia. When I read it, I was hoping Bill would tell me something I did not know already! If you fast forward to parts about the 2008 and 2011 Playoffs, you will see a similar trend. These chronicles are not”If These Walls Could Talk.”  Instead, it seems more like “Just Write About It To Fill Pages.”

For example, if “inside info” was offered about the 2008 and 2011 playoffs, such as why the manager picked the lineup he did or other “behind the scenes” items about what happened with the players or anything else about those playoff runs, the book could have not only been improved, but it would have actually lived up to its title.

Next: Positive Content In The Book You Won't Want To Miss

Aug 31, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence (8) scores on a wild pitch by Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Alfredo Figaro (45) during the seventh inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence (8) scores on a wild pitch by Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Alfredo Figaro (45) during the seventh inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /

Want More Info On TV Broadcast Production AND Batting Practice Routines? It’s In The Book

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Although the book did not bring to the table as many “insider” stories about various things that I hoped it would, there were some positives. I LOVED the prank stories that were featured. There are prank stories in this book that include antics in the bullpen and even pranks in the hotel rooms while the team was on the road.

Another positive was Bill’s insight as to what goes on in the “production truck.” Bill offers a neat informational read on all the cameras used in broadcasting a typical baseball game.  Even before the game takes place though, Major League Players are going through batting practice. Although I have seen the “organized chaos” that is Major League Batting Practice, Bill does a good job of explaining what hitters work on and what types of drills players go through. Bill tells you what the coaches are aiming for when they set up the Batting Practice sessions. In this section, he attempts to make up for his “less than insider info” that was offered elsewhere.

Next: A Look At Team Travel

Apr 4, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) tags out Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett (2) trying to score on a hit by right fielder Domingo Santana (not pictured) in the fourth inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) tags out Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett (2) trying to score on a hit by right fielder Domingo Santana (not pictured) in the fourth inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

What Is It Like To Be A Major League Player? What Is It Like To Be In Charge Of Those Players?

I happen to personally know a former Major League Pitcher who pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers, and one of the most intriguing things (of many) that I heard him talk about was the subject of how team travel works. In the book, Bill offered some great information about team travel too. Let’s face it, as a Brewer fan how much time do you spend thinking about what the Director of Team Travel Dan Larrea has to go through as he organizes each trip? You would not believe all the stuff that goes into planning a typical road trip! This section was a fascinating read.

In addition to the travel, Bill does divulge some info on what it is like to be a Milwaukee Brewers equipment manager. Can you imagine being in charge of a group of 25 Major Leaguers PLUS the coaches and others? Bill explains how Tony Migliaccio has been doing a whale of a job since he first started working for the Crew way back in 1978. The section on the operations of a Major League Clubhouse is well done.

Next: Final Analysis And Overview Of The Book

Aug 18, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; A general view of Miller Park during the game between the Miami Marlins and Milwaukee Brewers. Miami won 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; A general view of Miller Park during the game between the Miami Marlins and Milwaukee Brewers. Miami won 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Read About Ballparks And More In The Latest Brewers Book

Although there are good things, there are also some interesting errors in the book. The section on Bill’s Favorite Ballparks only ranks 6 ballparks, and not 10 like it said it would. While that alone was intriguing, one error that I deemed highly unacceptable was the caption which indicated the Milwaukee Brewers won the 1982 ALCS over the Baltimore Orioles. Anyone could take five seconds to go on Baseball Reference and see that the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the California Angels in the ALCS. The Orioles had already lost to the Brewers when they were fighting for the AL East crown. . I already knew this as a big Milwaukee Brewers fan, and it is amazing that a book was published with such a glaring error that could easily be verified to prove it was wrong. Other minor typos appear such as the incorrect spelling of a couple player names here and there, but I do believe that is typical of any book with hundreds of pages, so I will not hold that against them.

Overall, I feel like the book could have offered more information that was new and revealing. Too much of the content is just a simple retelling of events in Milwaukee Brewers’ history, or just simply a bio on Bill himself. I do have to say that this book is still a must for Milwaukee Brewers’ fans.  What Brewer fan would NOT want to relive some of the great moments that have happened? What Brewer fan would NOT want to find out more about the life and history of the longtime TV color analyst? There are some great stories in this book. In some cases, I feel as if I was right there while these events happened. Out of 5 Stars, I would give it a 3.5 Star Rating. Could the book have been improved? Sure, but it still is a very good addition to any collection!

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