Crew adds broadcaster Grindle to booth

Rule 5 Draft pick Jones feeling better; former Minor Leaguer Green joins scouting staff

February 26th, 2016

PHOENIX -- The Brewers filled out their radio team Friday by adding former University of Nebraska broadcaster Lane Grindle to the booth.
Grindle will serve as the Brewers' No. 3 radio man alongside Bob Uecker and Jeff Levering, calling games with Levering when Uecker does not travel and contributing online content when it's a three-man team. Levering was promoted to the No. 2 spot last month after Joe Block departed for a job with the Pirates.
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"My family and I were only willing to leave such a tremendous place like Nebraska for a truly special opportunity and culture," Grindle said in the Brewers' statement announcing the hire. "It was very apparent to us from early on in the process that the Milwaukee Brewers provided both of those things. I am very honored to be joining such a rich broadcasting history."

Brewers broadcasters who have moved on to larger markets over the years include the Cubs' Pat Hughes, the Braves' Jim Powell, the Twins' Cory Provus and Block. All worked alongside Uecker, 82, who is entering his 46th season calling games for his hometown team.
Per tradition, Grindle's final job interview in the process came over a meal in Arizona with Uecker.
"We had a deep pool of candidates for this position, but Lane was very impressive throughout this process on many levels," said Brewers COO Rick Schlesinger. "Lane's play-by-play skills are very strong, and he has deep family roots in the Midwest."
Grindle worked at Nebraska for the past 10 years, calling baseball, foorball and basketball games. He had been the baseball team's play-by-play man since 2008, and he also served as a pregame host and sideline reporter on football broadcasts.
He graduated from the University of South Dakota in 2004 with a degree in contemporary media and journalism and a minor in history. He and his wife, Ali, have three daughters and a son.
Jones feeling better
The timing of his sore right shoulder is not great, considering Rule 5 Draft pick Zack Jones is at the front end of what amounts to a six-week tryout with the Brewers. But the right-hander said Friday he was already feeling better and expects to be back on the mound soon.
"It didn't have anything to do with my offseason preparation," Jones said. "I came ready for this camp. Things just happen."
Jones is taking a few days off from throwing. The former Twins prospect is one of two Rule 5 picks in Brewers camp. Milwaukee must keep Jones and former A's infielder Colin Walsh on the active roster all season or offer the player back to his former team.
Green joins scouting staff
Taylor Green, a former Brewers Minor League Player of the Year who enjoyed occasional stints in the Majors, has joined the team's professional scouting staff. He'll cover Arizona and the Pacific Northwest, scouting the Minor Leagues at the start but eventually working some Major League games as well.

Green, now 29, played at Double-A Biloxi last season. He began the job Friday by poring over pro scouting director Zack Minasian's report from 2010 on Green himself. Minasian and Brewers special assistant Dick Groch will get Green up to speed on the job over the course of Spring Training.
"It was the right time," said Green, who splits time between Arizona and Vancouver during the offseaosn. "I'm in a great situation now."
What adjustments will he have to make to see baseball through a scout's eyes?
"I don't know," Green said with a smile. "This is my first day."