2004 Milwaukee Brewers

For a small-market team, the Milwaukee Brewers have amassed an impressive number of winning seasons. While 2004 will not be a championship season, the Brewers are playing exciting baseball, and the team's new stadium continues to be a ticket draw for the rabid Milwaukee fans.

The city of Milwaukee has a long history of baseball. The current Atlanta Braves played in Milwaukee from 1953 to 1965. That team had Hall of Famers Eddie Mathews, Warren Spahn, and all-time home-run king Hank Aaron. After a five-year hiatus without baseball, the American League's Seattle Pilots moved to Milwaukee in 1970 and began playing as the Milwaukee Brewers. In their history, the Milwaukee Brewers have been to one World Series, in 1982. That Brewers team was lead by Cy Young pitcher Pete Vukovich, relief pitcher Rollie Fingers, and great hitters Paul Molitor and Robin Yount. The Brewers since have changed leagues and now play in the National League Central Division, against such rivals as the Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago Cubs.

The current Brewers are led by first-time manager and former Milwaukee Brewer player Ned Yost. Yost had been an assistant coach for the Atlanta Braves for twelve years before getting the Brewers job. While he was there, Atlanta won 11 consecutive division titles. Yost hopes to bring that same winning attitude and tradition to Milwaukee. The team itself is young and fast. They are led by their young outfield of Geoff Jenkins, Scott Podsednick, and Brady Clark. They also have acquired young left-handed slugging first baseman Lyle Overbay. The pitching staff is anchored by Olympic hero Ben Sheets. Another Brewers player who is a fan attraction is Brooks Kieschnick. Kieschnick is a relief pitcher, as well as a viable slugging left-handed hitter off the bench, and can even play outfield.

For the first 30 years in Brewers' history, the team played in the cavernous and often ill-kept County Stadium. In 2001 the Brewers moved into brand new Miller Park. Milwaukee, of course, gets cold, so fans especially enjoy one particular feature at Miller Park: a retractable roof. Miller Park is one of the most beautiful parks in all of Major League Baseball, and was rewarded by hosting the 2002 Major League All-Star Game, which ended in a controversial tie. The signature fan-shaped convertible roof, a huge color replay board, four choices of front-row seats on four different levels and one of the nation's best youth baseball facilities make the Miller Park site one of baseball's crown jewels. Tickets to Miller Park come in 14 different price ranges, so fans looking for Brewers tickets should be able to find something in their price range.

The Brewers are not the only game in Milwaukee. The Bucks of the NBA also call Milwaukee home. The Bucks are led by their young back court of T.J. Ford and Michael Redd. They are coached by first-time head coach and former NBA player Terry Porter. They play their home games at the Bradley Center. There is also major college basketball being played in Milwaukee, at Marquette University. The Golden Eagles also play their home games at the Bradley Center. The Eagles are led by coach Tom Crean, and the team made the Final Four in 2003.

The Brewers are hoping to compete in the National League Central for years to come. The new stadium, Miller Park, and the winning attitude and tradition of Ned Yost should help facilitate this upsurge.