I was a youngster growing up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and can still recite the starting lineup for the 1957 Braves when they won the World Series. My parents moved to suburban Milwaukee in 1961 and my love affair with the Braves grew even stronger. Then the Braves moved to Atlanta.

I still don't watch Major League Baseball. Haven't since 1965.

Great article Ken!

Excellent read Ken, and points directly to why I have no issue calling out players, coaches or FO when the team, brand, and standard of play is below what should be.
I've always said, and will again now, The best fan is the one who sees the truth and isn't afraid to bring it to light. It's somewhat imperative for me to counter the optimism that is used to hide truth/reality, as much as those optimists feel obligated to counter my realist views.
A perfect example of this optimism, is the lack of requiring a comment in order to dislike another comment. It's like a rigged election, no one knows who voted, but they get to.
I wonder if traffic would grow if a comment was necessary to vote up/down, or would it suffer with the loss of simple clickers who won't type.

Yep. This 100%. Well said, Ken. This is a job to these guys. I never begrudge any of them their money. The only thing that bothers me is when an individual claims "all the love" for the fans, or the place, but then does nothing but complain and be a drama queen all the time. Hypocrisy, in other words. I won't mention names, but our previous two QBs might be among them. ;)

I think you can safely root for both the players and the uniform, but the people inside the uniforms are the important thing, along with the backing organization. If you just stay true to the uniform and the team is hampered by poor stewardship that is entrenched (see my local baseball team until recently), then fans are going to be wasting a lot of time until the situation gets resolved. Now the fans of the more decorated franchises such as the Packers and Steelers always have the history they can reflect on, but most of us probably want to live in the present and see the current team succeed as well to the highest level.

The movement of players and coaches is just business, and it's up to the management to have the right succession plans in place.

Warren Spahn is one guy who I would have loved to see pitch. I always figured he had a rubber arm or something, but he was trained at young age to practice an effortless delivery and use his body weight to his advantage to minimize strain. His family wouldn't let him pitch any other way... Spahn was also awarded a Bronze Star as a result of action in the Battle of the Bulge, so in this particular case, here is another reason to champion the individual over deference to any sports organization he may belonged to at one time.

The other money issue for Counsell is that the Brewers never have the money to reach championship level, and have to keep making bargain bin deals just to sustain a competitive level. After years of effort, if you know you can't manage a championship team here, how can you blame a guy for going somewhere where he'll have the support needed for a legit chance to win it all? Maybe Attanasio should be willing to bring in some money by selling a stake in the team to someone with big pockets?

After the Braves left, I switched allegiance to the St. Louis Cardinals with Bob Gibson, Stan the Man, Ken Boyer and Lou Brock. It worked out well because my first job out of college was in St. Louis and met and married my wife there and we went to a lot of games. I also got to see a couple of football games where the Air Coryell Cardinals played the Packers. St. Louis is not a big football town so tickets were always available. I
I still hate the friggin’ Atlanta Braves and root for them to lose every game. I also root for Gen. Sherman.

Both the pack and brew are small market teams lacking big bucks. The players you mentioned left for mo money. There have been free agents that all but laughed at offers from the pack. They too want the money.
The packers gave the farm away to rodgers and Bak and the cookee jar is bare.

My compliments to this compelling column by Ken that lays out the reality of life as being filled with difficult changes, even ones that are heartbreaking.
Now in my early sixties, I've gradually grown to accept these disappointments -- and yet I'm determined to hold on to some measure of the human aspect of life, including sports.
One way I look at it is that if a player of talent and character is with the Packers for a few seasons, to appreciate his time here for what it is.
A rookie who stays with us for five years, for example, is here for a sizable portion of his career, and even a good part of his life.
If conditions are such that it makes sense for him to leave, or for the team to move on from him, that's usually an understandable and acceptable situation for an amicable parting on all sides.
***
In any case, it still seems essential for me to see beyond the fantasy football stats and inside the helmet to our players as real persons.
Just as we get more or less attached to them, they also have a relationship with us that is meaningful to them.
They're humans, and they respond to other humans.
As an example, I think the fans can give players a boost with a welcome to the community and encouragement in their performance through good times and bad.
With the ones who have a good stay with us as players for the Packers, we can invite them to stick around as neighbors long after their retirements, or to visit often.
We can embrace them as part of a family that encompasses all who care about and support the Packers.
***
I will say that I don't get Craig Counsell.
After all, how many millions can a person spend in one lifetime.
He has built up a relationship with the Brewers, the city of Milwaukee, and the state of Wisconsin since his childhood. A lot of people don't have that kind of community in their lives, and it's not to be left behind lightly.
Also, for him to be able to switch over to our biggest rival in the Cubs is bewildering to me, something that I would have trouble doing.
It's a puzzle to me, even a matter of some anger and sadness.
Of course, Counsell may have meaningful reasons we know not of.
I do sincerely wish him well, although I hope the Brewers consistently clobber the Cubs.
***
Mother Teresa said the poverty of the West -- prosperous nations such as America -- is loneliness.
Although money is really important -- another reality I've increasing realized and appreciated with age, after past impoverishment that included lunches at a soup kitchen -- it's not everything.
I would encourage players and coaches who are enjoying their careers with the Packers to not leave too easily.
Whenever a person is in a situation with good relationships -- at work and in the community -- it's something to be cherished.
It may even be worth millions of dollars, indeed priceless.

Nice article, Ken. I empathize and sympathize as a person born and raised in Wisconsin. It's difficult not to get attached to players, and I do love the sport of football, or at least the concept of teams playing tackle football. I have and always will be a fan of the Green Bay Packers. I'm not sure I'll watch the NFL much longer.

What fans are being offered now is reality TV focused on key famous players on each team, and the ability to bet on everything related to the players and games. Sports betting and the broadcast services drive the bus. The NFL cares about one thing; money. That's it. Screw the slogans in the end zones, on the helmets, and the "Salute to ______" of the week apparel line. What's matters is the ability of millionaires and billionaires to continue to separate us from our cash.

Ray Ratto has a great piece in today's Defector about, in part, how the NFL should just get all the way in bed with sports betting and make a team's record against the spread as the first playoff tiebreaker, and a team's record against the total as the second tiebreaker. Why not? There's really no honor left in this shitshow, is there? The NFL and fantasy leagues have made it possible to not care about a specific team, but always have $kin in the game. Win-win for greed.

I'd like to watch the Green Bay Packers play football sans an "enhanced fan experience" at Lambeau, and without the many tricks, bells, whistles, and absurdities included in a televised episode of NFL Football. That's not going to happen. It reminds me of an observation from the late, great Mitch Hedberg: "I had a box of Ritz crackers, and on the back of the box, they had all these suggestions for what to put on top of the Ritz. Try it with cheese. Try it with turkey. Try it with peanut butter. Come on, man, they're crackers, that's why I bought them. I like crackers!

Might be some kids on my lawn. Gotta go.

As long as the Packers play in Green Bay I am happy and grateful. Go Pack!

After the game is over, fans of the losing team are heartbroken and depressed.

Meanwhile, the players, both winners and losers, meet at midfield and laugh and high five each other.

Kind of looks like winning or losing isn't that big of a deal. They get paid either way.

Excellent article Ken. And so true. Thank you, I really enjoyed the read with my own Braves memories.....

Great point. Fans want to think they are a part of the team. They're not. Sports, including the Packers, is just entertainment. What do you think the letters ESPN represent? The very first letter, E, stands for Entertainment --- Entertainment SPorts Network -- they're even owned by an entertainment company, Disney, the same company that owns Mickey Mouse.

Fans throw billions of dollars every year on their beloved team and make a choice to ride an emotional roller coaster. Why? Many fans have their day ruined when their team loses, and they become ecstatic when their team wins. To have your emotions manipulated by millionaire athletes who don't even know you is silly and even problematic to the point of needing therapy. Sports losses have triggered domestic violence and binge drinking. Granted, some begin binge drinking even before the game starts, so the disease of alcoholism is their problem.

A team's win or loss should not ruin your day or even affect your mood for more than 10-15 minutes once the emotional drama of the game passes. You don't get a paycheck for watching the game. You don't get a paycheck for cheering for your team. And, you don't get the glory of hoisting the trophy. Think of games as just another episode of your favorite TV series because that's exactly what it is -- entertainment.

Ken;
Thank you for the article. It brought back memories of my dad. He was a big fan of the 50's Braves and would light up when he talked about the players on that team. Especially Warren Spahn
I never fully knew what that meant to him until the 82 Brewers

Good article Ken! It’s the players that make the team, and yes even in today’s here now gone tomorrow league, Green Bay has managed to field competitive teams and compete for the SB. As mentioned above by many root for the team and don’t fall in love with any players that may be traded or have career ending injuries. It’s still a business.
Just MHO

"Davante Adams left because the Packers weren’t quick enough to offer him the mega-contract. "

Re-writing history. The Packers had a LARGER offer than Adams took in Las Vegas. Adams left because the money was comparable and he would be with his college QB. He also saw more lucrative endorsement deals. Taco Bell anyone?

Notice this year there aren't a bunch of belly-achers wanting things? What changed? Perhaps the QB now on the injured list in New York?

I still haven't recovered from Herb Adderley ending his career with Dallas, still the greatest cornerback ever.

An interesting take here from Tom Silverstein (JSOnline) on Gute as a GM...

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/dougherty/2023/11/10/p...

FWIW, TJ Lang went to Detroit in large because he's from that area and his family lives there.

It's too bad when 5.5 million dollars a year isn't enough. I understand it is a business, but someday Council will learn that money alone does not buy happiness. The Chicago Cubs? The Brewers arch rival! To think he is a Wisconsin and Milwaukee native! And, the Chicago fans are some of the most nauseous in the league! Then there are others like Packer Aaron Jones who took a cut in pay to help the team. This proves loyalty and integrity still exist. Personally, I hope Council and the Cub's have a horrible season. Let's be honest. He stabbed Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin in the back. Furthermore, we don't need any more apologists defending him.

The Brewers stadium is 1/3 owned by the Brewers, but they refuse to pay their share (or any amount) towards upkeep. I don't know why the State wanted to own the stadium in the first place, but when they owned it 100% it made sense for them to foot 100% of the bill.

The Brewers are financially irresponsible.

Besides, baseball is boring. Even to play.

Ken, you make valid points about the professional football game of today and most all of us will certainly agree that players go to the highest bidder. However, I don't think your premise is true regarding one Packer player of years back. I do believe that Bart Starr would pass on the advances of other owners who would pay him more to leave the Packers and play elsewhere. My dad knew Bart and I got to meet him. Bart had just won another world championship and he must have spent around 10 minutes talking to me as if I was someone important and he was interested in doing so. Well, without a doubt Bart Starr had made himself into a bigger than life hero to that little snot nosed kid and had a fan for life.