Scenes from the Brewers Playoff Rally

It’s not often Milwaukee gets to celebrate a division title in September. After a rally to remember, it’s clear the 2011 Central Division Champion Milwaukee Brewers are making this one count.

“It’s the first time in 30 years to have a division title, so it feels great to have everyone come out,” said All-Star second baseman Rickie Weeks. “It’s one of those things where you don’t get a chance to see it every day, but when you finally do, it’s very special.”

Thousands of Brewer fans flooded the Summerfest grounds on Thursday afternoon to cheer on the Crew at the Miller Lite Oasis stage. It truly was a sight to behold.

Despite ominous skies and weather reports warning of an impending storm, the doors opened just after 3 p.m. People decked-out in blue and gold kept coming in droves until the Miller Oasis pavilion was full. Milwaukee Brewer dancers, Bernie Brewer, and the Racing Sausages pumped up the crowd. “Let’s go Brewers” chants echoed throughout the grounds.

Owner Mark Attanasio had another reason to celebrate, as it was his birthday. He was introduced when his son’s band, The Good Rebels, took the stage while the crowd joined together to sing him Happy Birthday. By the time the festivities kicked into full gear, the rain and lightning had cleared and the energy in the crowd became electric.

Mr. Baseball himself, Bob Uecker, took the stage to get the main event started as the players and coaches arrived backstage. Ever the comedian, Uecker joked that the dancers are enough, so why the whole rally?

Uecker then introduced Hall of Famer Robin Yount, who told a story about lighting off fireworks in his yard the day the Brewers clinched the division title. General Manager Doug Melvin talked about his version of Moneyball, which for him means asking Attanasio how much money they have, and then telling the team to play ball.

“It’s not gonna be the last party we have!”

FSN announcer Bill Schroeder revved up the crowd as he introduced the team. The men took the stage to uproarious cheers. Ryan Braun and Nyjer “Tony Plush” Morgan greeted the crowd, with Morgan doing his signature “Beast Mode” celebration.

Schroeder and the rest of the FSN crew introduced the starting pitching rotation, followed by the bullpen. A huge cheer went up for mustachioed closer John Axford and mid-season acquisition Francisco Rodriguez.

The infielders were introduced next, with utility man Jerry Hairston Jr. promising a special Michael Jackson dance from “T. Plush” (Morgan) if the Brewers make it back to Milwaukee to celebrate a World Series victory.

The rest of the infielders and outfielders lineup stood forward next, with some of the loudest cheers of the night for Ryan Braun and chanting “M-V-P” (Braun was just announced as September’s MLB player of the month). As for Prince Fielder, he was met with deafening chants of “ONE MORE YEAR.”

It has truly been a special season for the Milwaukee Brewers. The team set a franchise record with 96 wins, including a 57-24 home record at Miller Park. Whitefish Bay native Craig Counsell told the crowd that all you need to do is look at that record to see the impact Milwaukee and its fans have on the team.

“Best fans in baseball,” added Weeks.

No doubt.

 

ThirdCoast Digest was up front and backstage for the Brewers Rally, and came back with this photo gallery by Jennell Jenney.  You can see all of our photographs at our Flickr set here.