Greg Brock Hopes to Find Happiness in Milwaukee

From sunny beaches to frozen lakefronts and from the National League to the American, Greg Brock has changed his life with a new start as the first baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers.

“I was glad to get out of the situation that had more or less formed in L.A.,” said Brock, whom the Brewers acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitchers Tim Leary and Tim Crews during the off-season.

“It’s good to be going to a club that traded for you and obviously wanted you. That’s a boost in confidence, just for that.”

The 29-year-old Brock, who hit 44 homers with Albuquerque of the Pacific Coast League in 1982, fell short of Dodger expectations as he never hit higher than .251 and never fared well against left-handed pitching.

Brock did have a pair of 20-homer seasons, though, hitting 20 homeruns in 1983 and 21 in 1985. He had 66 RBIs in both of those seasons.

He was cast in the unenviable position of trying to replace the popular Steve Garvey at first base.

“There are no bad or hard feelings,” said Brock, who batted .234 with 16 homers and 52 RBI last season.

“The last couple of years I had a couple of injuries combined with a bad year. Things built up and I never got back on track. We (the Dodgers) weren’t on the same track. I think it should be good for both of us.

“They obviously thought they should get more. I think that comes with replacing someone like Garvey or like Ray Knight had with Pete Rose (at Cincinnati in 1979). I don’t think it matters what you do, it’s not going to be exactly what they want.”

Brock’s role with the Brewers is already well-defined.

“Greg Brock is our first baseman,” said Brewers’ manager Tom Trebelhorn, indicating that Cecil Cooper will be the team’s designated hitter.

“We’re hoping both of them can play about 145 games.”

Brock will be expected to supply power to the Brewers lineup, something lacking last season with the exception of Rob Deer’s 33-homer, 86-RBI season. The Brewers were 77-84 in 1986.