I'm not sure Dr. Phil could even figure this one out.

Our economy is in the toilet and the Milwaukee Brewers lost their two best pitchers from last season in CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets.

What's more, Brewers management did little to improve their team.

So what happens?

Brewers tickets are selling like crazy. According to Tyler Barnes, the Brewers vice president of communications, individual tickets for six games, including opening day, are already sold out.

Barnes said ticket sales are even ahead of last season's pace, when the team drew 3,068,458 to Miller Park.

"We are trending ahead of where we were at this time last year," Barnes said. "We're very optimistic that it's going to be a good year. The response from our fans has been tremendous, especially given the economy."

Long season in store

Coming off perhaps their most compelling and entertaining season ever, the Brewers could be in for some tough times this season.

Their pitching staff is shakier than Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner's recovery plan. Milwaukee is an arm injury to Yovani Gallardo away from being an absolute joke.

Barring some unforeseen trade, I fully expect the Brewers to take a free fall in the standings, one where they'll end up in fourth place in the National League Central behind the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros.

All for one, and one for one

It's always good to see the inmates running the asylum.

Case in point: J.J. Hardy and the Brewers.

Hardy said he wouldn't switch positions to accommodate Alcides Escobar, the team's young, hot shot shortstop.

If I'm Brewers GM Doug Melvin, I'd tell Hardy in no uncertain terms that there have been far better players in the game than him who have switched positions for the betterment of the team.

And, if Hardy still balked at moving to another position, I'd still switch him … to another team.

A touch of class

There was some awfully good basketball played during the recent WIAA boys state basketball tournament - as Division 3 state champion St. Catherine's and Division 1 state runner-up Horlick proved.

There was also some impressive displays of sportsmanship:

Exhibit A: After Horlick won its sectional semifinal game against Whitnall, members of the Park team stood at the edge of the court and congratulated the Rebels as they headed to the locker room. In turn, the Rebels wished the Panthers good luck in their game against Milwaukee Hamilton.

Exhibit B: After St. Catherine's won the Division 3 state title game, a horde of Angels players and fans relocated to the north end of the Kohl Center in Madison and sat in the Horlick section to root on the Rebels in the Division 1 championship game against Madison Memorial.

More goodwill

The Portsmouth Invitational Tournament will be held in a couple of weeks in Portsmouth, Va.

The tournament is for college seniors to showcase their basketball skills before a flock of NBA officials and pro officials from overseas.

Wesley Matthews of Marquette will attend this year, and so will Wisconsin's Carl Landry.

There also is a reasonably good chance Marquette's Dominic James will play in it as well.

James had been invited to Portsmouth, but after breaking a bone in his foot late in the season, PIT officials filled his spot.

But James has made a stunningly fast recovery and now wants to compete in the PIT.

Mahlon Parker, the PIT's director, told me he is trying his best to accommodate James and will likely make a decision early this week.

"We wanted him two months ago, so I don't know why we wouldn't want him now," Parker said.

Bucks miss their stars

The Bucks' late-season swoon was inevitable. After all, no NBA team can afford to lose its two best players and survive - much less thrive.

Without shooting guard Michael Redd (torn ACL and MCL), the Bucks are 14-27 (.340) this season.

Without center Andrew Bogut (incomplete stress fracture in the lower back), the Bucks are 12-26 (.320).

Without Redd and Bogut, the Bucks are a pathetic 7-22 (.240).

Rodgers loves the attention

If you thought Brett Favre was a prima donna, look out for Aaron Rodgers.

While Rodgers hasn't done anything remotely close to what Favre accomplished, it's amply apparent he craves the limelight.

At the Super Bowl, which most quarterbacks won't go near because of all the hassles, Rodgers hung out at media row.

Then, at a recent Bucks' game at the Bradley Center, Rodgers, instead of inconspicuously sitting in a luxury suite, sat courtside near center court.

Around the horn

David Catoe, a key contributor on Horlick's highly-successful volleyball team, is taking his talents to UW-Oshkosh and will play for the Titans. … Former NFL GM Charley Casserly, now working for the NFL Network, said the Packers may pick a running back in the second round in the upcoming draft. I find that hard to believe, especially when that noted draft genius Ted Thompson expended a precious second-round pick just two years ago on Brandon Jackson. … North Carolina over Villanova, UConn over Michigan State, North Carolina over UConn. … Bucks point guard Luke Ridnour, who played at the University of Oregon, on the Ducks receiving a verbal commitment from Horlick standout Jamil Wilson. "I know they (Oregon coaches) are really excited to get him. I can't believe we got him."

Gery Woelfel is a sports reporter for the Journal Times. Gery can be reached by calling (262) 634-3322, Ext. 322, or by e-mail at gery.woelfel@lee.net Gery's "Woelfel World of Sports" blogs can be read at www.journaltimes.com