Brewers News: Ryan Braun Named to Franchise's Walk of Fame

Making the Milwaukee Brewers' Walk of Fame has been a hard honor for former players to come by over the years. There was little doubt in most fans' minds that a recent retiree would eventually make it there, though, and on Tuesday that's exactly what happened.

Outfielder Ryan Braun, who spent his entire 14-year MLB career with the Brewers, was named to the franchise's Walk of Fame earlier today. He becomes the 23rd player in franchise history to receive the honor.

The Walk of Fame is located outside of American Family Field, home of the Brewers. It was created in 2001 when the park opened with Milwaukee legends Hank Aaron, Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, and Rollie Fingers being named to the inaugural class.

Braun makes it three consecutive seasons with a player being named to the Walk of Fame following Prince Fielder in 2022 and Ben Sheets just last year. It's the first time players received the honor for three consecutive years since it happened from 2001 to 2005.

Former Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun was named to the franchise's Walk of Fame on Tuesday.

The 5th overall pick of the 2005 draft out of Miami, it didn't take Braun long to make an impact as he made his debut in 2007. He was outstanding that year, hitting .324 with a 1.004 OPS and winning the NL Rookie of the Year. That season was just a sign of things to come.

Braun would go on to hit .296 with a .891 OPS for his career while slugging a franchise record 352 home runs, driving in 1154 runs, and stealing 216 bases. Braun was also a six-time National League All-Star, won five Silver Slugger awards, and was the 2011 NL MVP.

The Brewers haven't made the playoffs many times in franchise history, but when they have, more often than not Braun has been a part of it. He played in playoff series for the team in the 2008, 2011, 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons, in other words five of the franchise's nine playoff seasons. He also is the franchise leader in playoff games played.

The debate will continue as to whether Braun will someday receive the ultimate honor of having his jersey number retired by the team. Even if that never happens, one of the top players to ever wear a Brewers jersey will still be immortalized in a different way.