Becoming a Brewer.

Seven months ago I moved to Wisconsin from the west coast for a job with the Milwaukee Brewers.   Upon arrival, the most common question asked of me was “why?” As a California native the idea of me willingly trading year round sun for the harsh winters of the Midwest is something people have difficulty fathoming. The Midwest, a place where family values run deep, I chose to relocate away from mine, to a place I had zero ties. Relocate to a team that, prior to this year, I had not given any credit, and to that, I want to start by saying, I was wrong. 

During my first week I was caught once referencing the Brewers as “you guys.” Just as quickly as I said it I was corrected to say “we.” It did not take me long to realize this is a place where the “we” mentality is genuine and it runs deep. I caught the bug quickly and I have no intention of looking back. This city, this franchise, and this team is a family. They call us The Crew, and that is how we operate.

I grew up under the roof of a baseball writer and in a state saturated with professional sports teams (19 to be precise). A place where though the rivalries are strong, they are not created by geographical location. I grew up 10 miles down the road from one team but cheered proudly for another 30 miles and a body of water away. Wisconsin’s market, though competing with neighbors to our north and close south, is not saturated boasting only three Major Professional franchises. I share this not to show a lack of something, I share this to show the major strength and loyalty this fuels that I have never been accustomed to.

A few weeks before the start of the season I asked the VP of my department, who has been with the team for 27 years, a question I believed to be innocent: “is tailgating a thing here?” I look back at my naivety with laughter….but my VP, who first took the time to laugh and email me a link to the Google image search of “Brewers tailgate” also took the time on our busy Opening Day to walk me out to the parking lots of Miller Park and show me what this family is all about. This is a franchise that accepted that I did not own a shred of Brewers gear when moving here, a franchise where they take the time to ensure you never question if you are a welcomed part of the family. Now, I am not trying to talk up the Front Office of the Milwaukee Brewers or tell you about how good I felt starting a new job. I share this here because when there is a team that is fun to watch on the field and is supported by a group of people behind the scenes that show the same passion, pride and humility, you are set up for success and have an organization to be proud of, proud as an employee, as a city, and most importantly as a fan. This is a place where the competition is fierce, but they open their arms to newcomers….and the warmth you receive once inside is palpable, inspiring, and makes you believe.

This is a city that lost a baseball team once, and with the efforts of former Brewers President/Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Mr. Bud Selig, was brought back and a new franchise was created that has become synonymous with the state. This is a franchise that when in need of a new stadium, for fear of losing the team again and forever, found backing in the core businesses of the community to help finance. In my role, I have the joy of getting to work directly with the companies that make this city go. Companies that view supporting Milwaukee synonymous with investing in the Brewers.

As the smallest market in baseball, underestimation is something this place is used to, in the beginning of September, we found ourselves five games out of first place. People counted us out, other teams got cocky, and then the Crew showed us some love and turned the narrative. Winning the NL Central and finishing with the best record in the National League. As shared by Christian Yelich in his recent article written for the Players Tribune, “We may not always be the most talented team on paper, but you’ll never outhustle us or compete harder than we do.” This team personifies the city of Milwaukee, and fans honor that as we boast one of the top attendance records in the league averaging 35,195 fans per game. All of this to say, the market may be small but this team is mighty. 

I know right now it is easy for me to say these things, that sharing my joy from the office of a team on an 11-game win streak and headed to the NLCS is hardly a difficult place to say “I’m in,” that I’ve drank the Kool-Aid…or better yet Miller High Life. But I would follow-up with I drank before the season, when I looked around at an office and saw how much longer people stick around. In roles where other franchises cycle through staff on an annual basis this is a place individuals truly call home, make relationships, and through the ups and downs make careers. As one of those who has jumped around on an annual basis and during the hiring process repeatedly shared my desire to find a place to stay…I can say yes, I drank that Miller High Life, and yes this year it was easy to jump on board. But though the performance of the team may fluctuate in years to come, the passion and pride in what the Brewers are to Milwaukee will continue to grow making this year forever a sweet memory of why the game of baseball is beautiful and reminding me the impact sport can make on a community.

The Brewers have the smallest market in baseball, but if you’re not cheering for them, you’re missing it. This is my first year with the team, my first year in the Midwest, and my inaugural season as a Brewers fan. This is a franchise that deserves the nation’s attention and is one that, even in the short time I’ve been here, has earned my respect for the rest of my days.

Thank you Milwaukee for making me feel welcome, thank you Brewers for making it easy to take pride in what we do. Don’t underestimate this state, this city, this fan base, or this team. This Crew is here to make an impact and we are just getting started.

#OurCrewOurOctober