That really happened?

Yep. The papers and blogs say so...

The Prodigal Beat Writer's Grand Return....

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers rally with two-run eighth to beat Quad Cities River Bandits in front of sell-out crowd

Key was the performance of a Rattlers pitching staff that tallied 14 strikeouts and limited the River Bandits to just three hits.

But Efrain Nieves — one of those charged with tossing strikes — felt compelled to salute the performance of the large crowd, which he said was the biggest he had ever played in front of and served as a catalyst in helping his club seize the victory.

"We talked, not only just to win, but to play hard and to give something back to the fans," said the 19-year-old left-hander, who struck out six and didn't yield a hit in three scoreless innings. "Because I know they're really, really excited that we're here, especially being in the Brewers minor league system.

Mike Woods column: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers draw fans to see Milwaukee Brewers players-to-be

They didn't come for the fireworks because, ah, there weren't any. They didn't come because the weather was perfect because it wasn't, and they didn't rush over because the golden goodness was featured on the dollar menu.

Oh, and they didn't show up because Brett Favre and his band of softball sluggers were on hand again for, although he has yet to file his papers, reports are he retired from that sport as well.

But come they did, 5,487 strong, filling every seat and every patch of grass that was available Thursday at Fox Cities Stadium. And they came for reasons that were heretofore foreign.

They came to see the Timber Rattlers, all of the Timber Rattlers and nothing but the Timber Rattlers.

That picture up top was taken by Kirk Wagner and is part of a Post-Crescent 40 picture Slideshow.

Brew Crew Ball poster Josh was at the game and has a look at the players. Just head over for the scouting...But, the most memorable thing for him?

The highlight of the game for me was watching a guy with four beers in a tray, walking back to his seat, dive for a foul ball in some seats and spill half of the beer on a kid who was also fighting for the ball. The kid got the ball, but also got drenched. Such is the price of glory.

Great start, people. Let's keep it going.