"How T-Plush and Two Wallbanging MVP Candidates Are Mixing a Strange Brew in Milwaukee."

The Milwaukee Brewers get a Sports Illustrated cover story (for the first time since 1987). Excerpts:

• "He has brought silliness back to baseball." (general manager Doug Melvin on [Nyjer] Morgan)


• "In a sport populated by cardboard personalities, Morgan carries on conversations with fans both supportive and hostile, often between pitches (Fan: 'You're horses---.' Morgan: 'Thank you for supporting your local hero.')"


• "All teams have customized handshakes. . . but the Brewers have customized handshakes with their security guards."


• "The Brewers irritate some traditionalists - or as Morgan calls them 'plain-Jane wonderbreads.' "


• "Still (LaTroy) Hawkins reminds Morgan to read tweets three times before sending them. (Ron) Roenicke meets with him regularly to clarify rules. The team does have rules."