Milwaukee, WI
‘We’ve seen that skit’: Brewers seem over feud with Willson Contreras
Breaking down the Brewers’ big-league extension for Cooper Pratt
On the ‘Microbrew’ podcast, Curt Hogg and JR Radcliffe discuss the surprising nature of the Cooper Pratt extension.
BOSTON – It transcends jersey color, roster construction, what year it is and whoever happens to be on the mound: When Willson Contreras plays the Milwaukee Brewers, he is going to get mad.
The latest chapter in a decades-long inevitability between player and opponent occurred April 6 at Fenway Park. Contreras, now with the Boston Red Sox, was wearing different colors from each of the previous, interdivisional spats with Milwaukee, but it looked the same as each of the prior phases.
A Brewers pitcher hit Contreras, and he did not appreciate it.
The fireworks in Fenway occurred in the third inning when a sinker from Brandon Woodruff grazed the top of Contreras’ hand – though the visiting side, including Willson’s younger brother and Brewers catcher William Contreras, thought otherwise. The pitch was up but hardly in, just off the plate to the inside by a couple of inches.
The Red Sox first baseman immediately slammed his bat in frustration and began taking steps toward the mound before redirecting his path to first base. All the while, he harped toward Woodruff.
“That’s how he plays,” said William Contreras.
This was not just a one-off; there is history there. Plenty of it.
It was the 24th time Contreras had been hit by the Brewers in 121 games and the sixth time that Woodruff had hit him, both facts that were quickly brought up after the Brewers’ 8-6 win.
Contreras, 33, has long viewed it as purposeful by the Brewers, dating back to even the days of Craig Counsell as manager when Milwaukee and the Chicago Cubs played dozens of fierce games over the years.
“It’s not just the hit by pitch, it’s the 24th pitch they’ve hit me in my career,” Contreras said. “Twenty-fourth. That’s the sixth time [Woodruff] has hit me and they always say, ‘I’m not trying to hit you.’ That gets old.”
On the other side, the Brewers insist they aren’t trying to hit Contreras, but rather it’s a byproduct of playing so often over the years and his proclivity to lean over the plate. Contreras, after all, is plunk-prone. He ranks second among active players in hit by pitches.
To relitigate all the hit-by-pitches (and, in most cases, ensuing dust-ups) would be a task too arduous for this space, but there are many. They date back to his tenure with the Cubs, which began in 2016, and up until this night in Boston the most recent dustup was last June.
There has been strife over more than just being hit by pitch, too. Last year, Rhys Hoskins got into it with Contreras over what the Brewers perceived to be a dirty play at first base involving now-Sox teammate Caleb Durbin.
Some in the Brewers clubhouse also quietly stewed about Contreras stepping out of the box and onto home plate as Jacob Misiorowski delivered a pitch to try and throw him off during his MLB debut last June.
Safe to say the Brewers are over it.
“We’ve seen that skit for the last 10 years,” Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich said. “It’s nothing new.”
Contreras, though, is not.
“Next time they hit me again, I’m going to take one of them out,” he said. “That’s the message.”
The ordeal puts the younger Contreras in a difficult spot, effectively having to choose between his brother and his team whenever the sides play. But William is also leaving no questions to where his allegiances lie when the dust flies up during play.
“He’s my brother – after we leave the stadium,” he said.
William attempted to calm Willson down once again after the Woodruff hit by pitch, but to no avail.
“I tried, but it’s impossible,” little brother said.
Willson continued barking toward the mound after getting to first, only ceasing because he had to run two pitches later to second base, where he went in with cleats high and took a chunk of shortstop David Hamilton’s pant legs with him.
“We’ve been through this – it’s, what, nine years for me? – It seems like every year,” Woodruff said. “He’s trying to play a game and he’s trying to get his side fired up. Once I knew what was going on, I wasn’t going to let it affect me on the mound. I knew I had a job to do. I knew the pitch count was still down, even though I had given up a few runs. And I knew the bullpen was short. So I knew I needed to go out there and just keep competing.”
A riled-up Contreras kept burning the Brewers with his bat as the game went on, getting a hit in each of his next three at-bats, including a mammoth solo homer in the ninth.
The Brewers, though, got the final word in the series opener.
“That was a great win,” Yelich said. “It was a ‘toughness’ win from the guys. Got down early, it was cold out there, we got a short bullpen and we found a way to win. We’re willing to grind with anybody. Just really proud of the guys for stepping up and finding a way there, just willing it.”
Now, we wait and see what’s next.
The Milwaukee Bucks season is officially over and they have a ton of work to do and a lot of questions to answer this offseason. This could be one of the most important offseason in franchise history, and everything revolves around Giannis Antetokounmpo.
If Giannis stays, this is not a rebuild. It’s a retool, but not a small one. This roster, as currently constructed, is not good enough to compete at a championship level. The Bucks have lost their identity, struggled defensively, and lacked consistent shot creation outside of their superstar.
So if Giannis commits, the front office has one job: build a real contender immediately.
This is what their offseason big board should look like.
Players They Should Keep: The Foundation Pieces
Myles turner
Turner is one of the most interesting decisions. He has three years left on his deal and provides two key things: rim protection and spacing. That combination is rare, and it fits extremely well next to Giannis. While his age (29) could make him expendable in a bigger deal, Milwaukee should lean toward keeping him unless they’re getting a clear upgrade.
Ryan Rollins
Rollins is an easy decision. He’s young, improving, and on one of the best contracts on the roster, just $4 million annually over the next two seasons. He’s exactly the type of player you keep around a star like Giannis.
Ousmane Dieng
Dieng has quietly become one of the most intriguing young players on this roster. Over the past couple of months, he’s shown real growth, averaging around 17.8 points, nearly five assists, and six rebounds when given opportunities. At just 22 years old, he offers upside, versatility, and a potential long-term role.
AJ Green
Every contender needs shooting, and Green provides it. He spaces the floor, plays within his role, and doesn’t need touches to be effective.
Players They Should Move: Clearing the Deck
Kyle Kuzma
Kuzma stands out as the most obvious trade candidate. He’s on a $20 million expiring contract and hasn’t delivered consistent production. That contract becomes a valuable trade chip for Milwaukee to upgrade elsewhere.
Myles Turner
I know I had him as a player they should keep but based on his salary he will be a contract that must be included if the Bucks are looking to trade for star this summer. Again, Turner fits, but if a star becomes available, he could be included in a larger package.
Trade Targets:
If Giannis stays, the Bucks cannot be conservative. They need to take real swings and take real risks.
Ja Morant
Morant’s value is at an all-time low, which is exactly why Milwaukee should explore it. He’s still only 26 years old and has already proven he can be a superstar in this league. Ja Morant can bring elite shot creation and explosiveness. He is an underrated playmaker in my opinion, so he should help facilitate.
The Bucks have struggled to generate offense in half-court situations. Morant fixes that immediately. Of course, the risk is obvious: injuries and off-court concerns. If Milwaukee is serious about maximizing Giannis’ prime, this is the type of move that could change everything.
Michael Porter Jr.
Michael Porter Jr. had a breakout season with the Brooklyn Nets averaging 24 points 7.1 rebounds and 3 assists per game. This could be one of the cleanest fits next to Giannis. Michael Porter Jr. provides elite shooting, size on the wing and scoring without needing the ball in his hands.
Giannis thrives when surrounded by spacing, and Porter would open the floor in a way this team desperately needs. The concerns are defense and durability, but offensively, the fit is undeniable.
Trey Murphy III
If Milwaukee wants a lower-risk, high-impact move, Murphy is the perfect choice Trey Murphy III is 25 years old and has had really good back to back seasons. Murphy averaged 21.5 points 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. He’s the type of two-way player that every teams wants. Murphy is a great 3 and D player whose athletic and efficient.
Murphy doesn’t need touches, defends multiple positions, and fits seamlessly next to Giannis. He also helps restore a defensive identity.
Free Agent Targets: Contingent on Creating Cap Flexibility
Here’s the reality for the Milwaukee Bucks: They’re projected to be roughly $43 million over the cap, which means free agency won’t be straightforward.
Any move they make is going to be tied directly to what happens before free agency even begins. If Milwaukee wants to be active, it’ll need to create flexibility through trades or internal decisions. One of the biggest factors here will be their players with player options, including names like Gary Trent Jr., Gary Harris, Taurean Prince, and Jericho Sims. If some of those players decide to decline their options and test the market, the Bucks could open up some breathing room. If they opt in, that makes things tighter and forces Milwaukee to look elsewhere to clear salary.
So this isn’t a situation where the Bucks can just go out and spend. Every potential signing is contingent on what they’re able to do with their current roster first .
With that in mind, here are the types of free agents they should prioritize if they’re able to create even a little flexibility.
Norman Powell
If Milwaukee can open up enough room, Norman Powell should be one of their top targets. He gives them something they’ve clearly been missing all season, reliable scoring outside of Giannis. Powell is coming off a breakout year where he averaged around 23 points per game, and he’s capable of creating his own shot while still fitting into a team offense.
The challenge is that Powell will have a strong market, and Milwaukee likely wouldn’t be able to afford him without making a real move to clear salary. But in terms of fit, he checks every box.
Rui Hachimura
Rui Hachimura is a more realistic option depending on how the market plays out. He brings size, physicality, and improved shooting, and he’s the type of forward who can slot into multiple lineups without needing touches to be effective.
For a Bucks team that has lacked versatility, Hachimura would help balance the roster and give them another playable option in bigger lineups next to Giannis.
Coby White
If Milwaukee isn’t able to land a big-name guard through a trade, Coby White becomes an intriguing alternative. He’s taken a step forward as both a scorer and playmaker, and he can operate both on and off the ball.
White wouldn’t be the headline move, but he would raise the offensive floor of this team, which is something they’ve struggled with throughout the season.
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is the type of signing that makes sense for a team operating over the cap. He likely wouldn’t command a massive deal, and he brings energy, athleticism, and scoring off the wing.
He’s not a star, but he’s the type of player contenders add to round out their rotation and bring consistency over the course of a long season.
A Tight Window With Big Decisions
For the Milwaukee Bucks, this isn’t a typical offseason, it’s a pressure-filled one.
They don’t have the luxury of cap space, and they don’t have time to slowly figure things out. Every move is going to require strategy, timing, and a clear vision of what this team is supposed to be around Giannis. If Milwaukee can find a way to navigate the cap, make the right decisions on player options, and clear just enough room to be active, they have a chance to reshape this roster in a meaningful way.
If they can’t, they risk running it back with a team that already showed it isn’t good enough.
Milwaukee, WI
‘He loved his family’: Loved ones remember Milwaukee man killed days before birthday in double shooting
MILWAUKEE — A family is mourning the loss of a 38-year-old man who was shot and killed Friday night on the city’s north side.
Milwaukee police said the shooting happened around 11:50 p.m. on the 1000 block of W. Atkinson Avenue. A 35-year-old was taken to the hospital with nonfatal injuries.
Watch: Family of Christopher White left wondering why he was killed in a double shooting Friday night in Milwaukee.
‘He loved his family’: Loved ones remember Milwaukee man killed days before birthday in double shooting
A 38-year-old, who family identified as Christopher White, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
Family of Christopher White.
On Saturday, loved ones gathered for a vigil, holding photos and praying together.
“He had a really big family. He was a good person,” Erica White, his mother, said.
Family members said White was one of six siblings and loved spending time with his family. The gathering came just days before what would have been his 39th birthday.
“For them to do him like that? He was in a wheelchair, he had one leg,” White’s girlfriend, Dawana Brown, cried.
Loved ones said White was paralyzed after a shooting more than a decade ago near N. 7th Street and W. North Avenue. Brown said he relied on others for care.
“He is helpless. He can’t do anything. He had no leg,” Brown said. “For them to do him like that… y’all didn’t have to kill him.”
Family of Christopher White
Family members said White survived that earlier shooting, only to be killed in another act of gun violence.
As the investigation continues, Brown asked for prayers.
“Pray for my family, his family… everything to be alright,” Brown said.
The family has also created a GoFundMe as they seek justice.
Police have not said what led up to the shooting and are still seeking suspects. Anyone with information is asked to contact Milwaukee police or Crime Stoppers.
Let’s talk:
Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip
David Vannucchi is the first finisher in 2026 Milwaukee Marathon
David Vannucchi crosses the finish line at Humboldt Park in 2:30:24 to finish first in the 2026 Milwaukee Marathon.
The 2026 Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon started on April 11 near the Summerfest grounds at 7 a.m. in chilly temperatures.
By the time that David Vannucchi crossed the finish line at Humboldt Park in 2 hours, 30 minutes and 24 seconds, the sun was shining and the thermometer was pushing toward 50 degrees.
The 24-year-old Vannucchi, an Onalaska native who ran cross country at the University of Wisconsin, was running in the race for the first time.
“I’m from Milwaukee, I knew it was going to be good weather and a good day, so I figured I’d give it a shot,” he said.
Vannucchi finished nearly 7 minutes ahead of Sam Janssen (2:37:19) among the men’s competitors.
Carly Schrom, a 26-year-old endurance athlete from Oconomowoc, was the top women’s finisher in 2:52:41.
“Perfect weather,” Schrom said. “Could you ask for a better day?”
In the half-marathon, Trevor Wenzel was the first male at 1:08:32 and Madeleine Davison was the top female at 1:19:29.
Swanton honors WWI soldier with new historic marker
Gas prices dip slightly in Virginia, but relief may not last
Miami RedHawks sign guard Stevie Elam, Wisconsin-Milwaukee transfer
This week in West Virginia history: April 12 to 18
Wyoming man sentenced for making violent threats against Denver Anti-Defamation League office
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
NYC mayor cites $180K racial wealth gap to justify taxes, police cuts
Abuse allegations against lead Democrat shake race for California governor
Fellow Democrats urge Swalwell to quit California governor’s race and resign from Congress
Carney casts himself as NATO defender amid Trump beef, despite Canada missing key benchmark for decades
‘Enough of war!’ says Pope Leo XIV who grows increasingly frustrated
-
Atlanta, GA1 week ago1 teenage girl killed, another injured in shooting at Piedmont Park, police say
-
Georgia5 days agoGeorgia House Special Runoff Election 2026 Live Results
-
Pennsylvania6 days agoParents charged after toddler injured by wolf at Pennsylvania zoo
-
Arkansas2 days agoArkansas TV meteorologist Melinda Mayo retires after nearly four decades on air
-
Milwaukee, WI6 days agoPotawatomi Casino Hotel evacuated after fire breaks out in rooftop HVAC system
-
Indianapolis, IN1 week agoFighting Illini begin Final Four preparations in Indianapolis
-
Technology1 week agoAnthropic essentially bans OpenClaw from Claude by making subscribers pay extra
-
Austin, TX5 days agoABC Kite Fest Returns to Austin for Annual Celebration – Austin Today