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Ah, Nyjer Morgan. Here we go again.
That the Nationals' former center fielder should end up driving in the winning run in the Brewers' 3-2 10-inning National League Division Series-clinching win over Arizona tonight is no great shock. He hit over .300 for the season and was a key contributor to several Milwaukee victories this year.
That Morgan should end up using the f-word on live TV shouldn't be a big shock either, but the blame for that goes to sideline reporter Sam Ryan, who made the mistake of chasing Nyjer with the open microphone and sticking it in his face when he was gesturing to the crowd at Miller Park. He didn't intend to say that to the nation, but darned if he didn't.
It's not the first time a variation of that word was used in a similar situation. When the Detroit Tigers clinched the 1972 American League East title, the game was on NBC's "Game of the Week." In the postgame clubhouse, the Tigers' (and former Senators') shortstop, the late Ed Brinkman, was shoved toward the microphone, and dropped an f-bomb on live TV. Those of us who either knew him then or later will tell you there was nothing malicious about it. It was pure adrenaline.
The Brewers advance to the National League Championship Series, and Morgan's walk-off hit becomes a career highlight. Whether he's ever in the national spotlight again is up to his ballclub's performance over the next week.
Never underestimate Tony Plush.
