I’ve always had an interest in fashion, and sports fans have their own sense of style. In preparation for the Milwaukee Brewers games this weekend, I’m looking back to the last two games at Miller Park.
The playoffs bring out some interesting clothing choices in fans. Seen at Miller Park last week were some of the more fun fans’ “costume couture”. For instance, a fan dressed as a hot dog (not THE racing sausage hot dog #4, but as an actual hot dog complete with bun). And a Bernie Brewer lookalike dressed in all gold (gold hat, gold moustache, gold clothing, gold shoes . . . )
On the other hand, true-blue baseball fans will wear the jersey of their favorite player. The jersey can tell you a lot about the Brewers fan. Let’s examine some of the favorites seen last weekend.
Most Obscure Brewers Jersey Seen
Turner Ward #27
I wondered who would wear a Turner Ward jersey. Perhaps it really was Turner Ward? This was before I learned that, since his playing days for the Milwaukee Brewers, Turner Ward has become the hitting coach for the Dodgers.
A true journeyman, Ward spent three seasons in the Brewers outfield in the middle of his 12-year career. From 1994-1996, Ward played in 189 games and batted .233. 1994 was his best season with the Brewers where he batted .232 in 102 games.
Prior to joining the Brew Crew, Ward began his MLB career with Cleveland in 1990, before moving to the Blue Jays when they won back-to-back World Series in ’92 and ’93.
Ward had his best season in Pittsburgh in 1998. He played in 123 games and batted .262.
An Alabama native, Ward was inducted into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
Most Popular Brewers Jersey – Former Players
Robin Yount and Paul Molitor
Hall of Fame player jerseys never go out of style.
From the time he was drafted by the Brewers in the first round of the 1973 amateur draft, Yount was a fan favorite. Nicknamed “The Kid”, he played his entire 20-year career in Milwaukee. The shortstop’s career highlights include his World Series appearance and Most Valuable Player award in 1982, MVP again in 1989, and reaching 3,000 career hits in 1992. He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Molitor came to the Brewers via the first round of the 1977 amateur draft. Fun fact: He was first drafted by the Cardinals in 1974, but luckily for the Brewers elected to attend the University of Minnesota. The St. Paul, MN native spent 15 of 21 seasons in Milwaukee, then heading to Toronto. There he helped the Blue Jays win the 1993 World Series, and in the process earning World Series MVP honors. He wrapped up his playing career in his home state with the Twins. Molitor entered the HOF in 2004.
Most Popular Brewers Jersey – Current Player
Christian Yelich
Another first round draft pick, Yelich was drafted by the Marlins and spent his first five seasons in Miami. His probable MVP status for the Milwaukee Brewers this season made it easy for the fans to pick him as their favorite. While with Miami, he won a Gold Glove in 2014 and a Silver Slugger award in 2016.
Most Popular Brewers Mascot Jersey
Italian seems to have the largest fan base of all the mascots. There were far more Italian jerseys than the other four. Chorizo comes in second in this sausage race.