Notes: Fans set single-day ticket record

02/25/2006
PHOENIX -- Thousands of Brewers fans braved the elements and helped set a single-day ticket sales record Saturday.
The Brewers sold a franchise-best 94,000 tickets in the first eight hours of single-game sales, beating last year's record by 4,000. Thousands of fans braved the cold elements at Miller Park to buy in person, and thousands more purchased via the Internet, telephone or at Tickets.com outlets.
"That's why I was so interested in this job," said Brewers manager Ned Yost, who was rewarded Saturday morning with a contract extension. "That's the reason right there."
Fans began lining up at the box office at 5:30 p.m. CT on Friday, and by 9 a.m. Saturday the line snaked nearly halfway around the ballpark. The Brewers had encouraged local fans all week to "Take Back Miller Park" from Cubs and Cardinals fans, who traditionally invade the ballpark in large numbers.
The total announced Saturday night does not include 22,000 tickets that were sold in new "4-Pack" packages over the last nine days.
Two games were near sellouts by 5 p.m. CT: Opening Day against the Pirates and July 8 against the Cubs. Some standing room and obstructed view seats remained available, and tickets to those games can also be secured by fans purchasing nine-, 20- and full-season ticket packages.
Tickets remain on sale via MilwaukeeBrewers.com, at the Miller Park box office, by phone at (414)902-4000) and at all tickets.com outlets. Normal box office hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. CT Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
State of the Crew: Last year, a film crew captured Yost's preseason pep talk to players and a portion was worked into the pregame entertainment at Miller Park. This year the team went back behind closed doors, and Yost delivered a message of increased expectations and opportunities.
"For the first time, they actually can come into camp and live the dream of playing into October," Yost said, paraphrasing his off-the-cuff speech. "There are a lot of things that have to go right, but for the first time we can dream about that in a realistic sense."
Yost has set a lofty goal of improving by two games per month, which would give the Brewers a 93-win season.
"This year, I think there is more of a determination and a setting of the bar," Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said. "[Yost] clearly set a bar for the players. I have only been here one day, but I sense a different atmosphere this year."
"The Horse" rides in: Carlos Lee reported to Maryvale Baseball Park on Saturday in time for the team's first full-squad workout. Lee is entering a contract year after setting career bests with 32 home runs and 114 RBIs in 2005.
"He came into camp in great shape," Yost said. "He really looks good."
Afterward, Lee iced a sore groin but called it minor and attributed it to eight hours on airplanes Friday, traveling from his ranch in Aguadulce, Panama.
He will get on another plane after the team's March 1 workout for a trip to Viera, Fla., where Team Panama will prepare for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Lee said he expects to play full games during the Classic.
The Brewers acquired Lee from the Chicago White Sox during the 2004 Winter Meetings and this winter exercised his $8.5 million option for 2006. He is eligible for free agency after the season.
"I don't worry about that," Lee said. "I like it here, and if it works out that I stay here, I would be happy."
Last call: Attanasio said that a contract extension for closer Derrick Turnbow is "on the radar." Turnbow already signed for 2006 and reportedly will earn $488,000, but by extending him now the Brewers could gain some cost-certainty and avoid at least one season of salary arbitration with the big right-hander. ... With all of the position players on hand, Yost scheduled the first live batting practice of the spring. As usual, the pitchers are ahead of hitters at this stage. "Everything looks so fast," said Brad Nelson, who has a headstart because he stood in earlier this month during right-hander Mike Jones' throwing sessions. ... Left-hander Doug Davis has received some treatment for a sore back in recent days, but threw successful bullpen and mound sessions Saturday.

Source: http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/