When Mike Cameron finally joined the Milwaukee Brewers 26 games into the season, he was given the red-carpet treatment.

Cameron, a 35-year-old outfielder signed as a free agent in January, was billed as a panacea for whatever ailed the Brewers during the first month of the season.

His proven bat, ability to work the count and base-running expertise were trumpeted as a catalyst for a high-octane offense that has underachieved so far.

His presence in the No. 2 spot in the batting order was supposed to make slumping Rickie Weeks a more effective leadoff hitter and provide more RBI opportunties for Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder.

Lost in all of the hype over Cameron's return is the fact that he is only a .251 hitter in 13 big league seasons.

Sure, he's already the best defensive centerfielder in team history and he goes from first to third faster than anyone in a Milwaukee uniform since Robin Yount. But he's not the dynamic offensive player some thought the Brewers' lineup needed.

That doesn't mean, however, that Cameron won't be vitally important to the Brewers during the next five months. In fact, his leadership might make him the team's MVP should Milwaukee make the playoffs.

By virtue of his experience and personality, Cameron already made his mark in the Brewers clubhouse during spring training.

Just as veteran catcher Jason Kendall has become a Pied Piper for the pitching staff, Cameron has become the go-to guy for the Brewers' young position players. He's the voice of reason, the fatherly been-there, done-that guy who's always available for advice or a pep talk.

One month into the season, the lines have been drawn in the infield dirt in the National League Central Division. The Brewers, Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals are the class of the division and three of the stronger teams in the league.

But as the Brewers learned a year ago when the Cubs ran them down in the final two months, a million things can happen during a six-month season. In baseball bad things happen to good teams. How a team reacts to devastating losses, lengthy losing streaks, significant injuries and the every-day pressure of a pennant race can determine whether it will be there in the end.

Last week was a perfect example. After getting Cameron back in uniform and thinking all was right with the world Tuesday, the Brewers were rocked by developments over the next three days.

First they were forced to release former bullpen ace and current lightning rod Derrick Turnbow after another in a series of awful performances. Then they lost starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo, probably for the season, with a knee injury.

The Brewers' mantra is that their many young players learned last season what it took to succeed over a long season. They went through just about everything — including a late-season meltdown that included manager Ned Yost — and would profit from the experience.

Already this season there are signs that the Brewers are a tougher, more resilient team.

They've been in many close games and have won more than their share. They've been more competitive on the road than they were the last two years. They've rebounded from particularly tough losses as if they never happened. More than anything, they've compiled a winning record even though only two regulars — Kendall and Corey Hart — have hit the ball like they are expected to.

What's impressive is that the Brewers have found ways to win even when they're not scoring runs like they can. Credit that to improved defense and a tough-minded approach that wasn't apparent last season.

Clearly, this is a different Brewers team than last year's. But while the young guys have been through it once, they're still young. There are no guarantees that they emerged from 2007 as seasoned veterans able to handle every curveball thrown their way.

That's where proven experience becomes important. In Cameron, the Brewers have a veteran presence who can help them ride it out when setbacks occur.

So while Cameron's effect on the offense has been hit-and-miss so far, be patient. We won't find out if he is worth his $6.25 million salary until the pennant race heats up in August and September.