Milwaukee Brewers Baseball
The Milwaukee Brewers were part of the American League from their creation as an expansion club in 1969 through the 1997 season, after which they switched to the National League. The franchise began its existence in 1969 as the Seattle Pilots, created as part of that year's MLB expansion along with Kansas City, Montréal, and San Diego. The team was renamed the Brewers to honor Milwaukee 's beer-brewing traditions.
Milwaukee made its first trip to the World Series in 1982, but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Brewers started out strong, taking the first game of the series 10-0. Unfortunately, Hall-of-Famer Rollie Fingers had been injured prior to the postseason, and relief pitching became a problem for the Brewers. St. Louis eventually triumphed in the series, winning 4 games to 3.
Manager Davey Lopes was fired in 2002 as the Brewers get off to a terrible 3-12 start. They continued their struggle to achieve glory but they ended the season with franchise's worst 56-106 score. On January 16, 2004, Selig announced his ownership group was putting the team up for sale. Mark Attanasio bought the team and has worked hard to build bridges with Milwaukee baseball fans. He has done such things as giving away every seat to the final home game of 2005 free of charge and bringing back the classic "ball and glove" logo of the club's glory days on "Retro Sunday" home games, during which they also wear versions of the team's old pinstriped uniforms.
Miller Park
Construction of Miller Park began on October 22, 1996, followed by a ceremonial groundbreaking on November 9. Work appeared to be proceeding on schedule until a crane accident in July 1999 killed three construction workers and spread tons of debris on the site. Opening day was moved back to April 6, 2001.
The $50 million, 7-panel retractable roof opens and closes like a fan in about 10 minutes. The seating is a split-bowl concept where seating levels hang over slightly which brings fans closer to the action on the field.
Miller Park has lots of great attractions. Open year-round, the left field "Hot Corner" is anchored by Friday's Front Row Sports Grill, featuring a great view of the field, the Brewers Fan Zone souvenir shop and the Walls of Honor exhibit recognizing the Negro Leagues, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and Wisconsin-born Major Leaguers. Helfaer Field, the beautiful youth baseball and softball facility built in the shadow of the Brewers' Major League home and on the exact site of old County Stadium, is one of the nation's premier sites for kids to play ball.