Let’s get a few things straightened out before I get to the nuts and bolts of this column.

First of all, the Brewers are on pace, once again, to finish below the .500 mark, marking the team’s 11th straight losing season. The team is hugging fifth place in the National League Central and a finish any higher than fourth place is highly unlikely.

Despite these results, the Brewers have done something that has taken them nearly a decade to do – win ball games consecutively.

Admit it; it’s not every day that teams in baseball win 10 games in a row. It is even more surprising that a small-market team was able to accomplish such a feat. The last time the Brewers were able to win so many games in a row was back during the 1987 season, when they opened the year by winning 13 straight.

All good things have to come to an end eventually.ÿ Just ask the Chicago Cubs, who broke the team’s streak at Wrigley Field 4-2. The magic, though, hasn’t died.

The streak may be gone, but the Brewers are starting to win series and are contending against some of the top teams in the National League, like the Cubs.ÿ

I can’t lie. I have been watching in agony as my team has suffered through season after season, but the way it is finishing 2003 has given me something I haven’t felt for this team since ’92 – optimism.

For once, the Brewers are starting to solve the problems that have nagged them for years. They are developing their young players and tossing away their troublesome ones. For once, the Brewers are building for the future successfully.

In seasons past, Milwaukee’s major problem came by trading away productive players during the pennant race. Because the Brewers never had to think about the race, they would give up former All-Stars for minor league pitchers who never seemed to amount to anything. Also, the replacements of the traded stars were unable to hold their own.

Now the Brewers seem to be making some wiser moves.

After trading away second baseman Eric Young to the Giants, the Brewers obtained future prospects and found an amazing backup in Bill Hall. After dumping pitcher Mike DeJean on St. Louis, the team has been able to hold onto games with the help of rising star Danny Kolb.

So far, the Brewers have given what manager Ned Yost has promised since the start of the season – production.ÿ

Granted, I’m a bit excited about the team’s current success, but I have to keep in mind this is baseball and the Brewers are still a small-market team trying to survive the 162-game season. However, the Brewers are giving Milwaukee fans reasons to have faith. By making strides with small-name players, this team could be two years away from making a postseason appearance.

Maybe I’m completely wrong in my assumptions, but the team has given me reason to smile at its accomplishments – and that is something I have been unable to do for the past 10 seasons.