2005 Milwaukee Brewers

For a small-market team, the Milwaukee Brewers have amassed an impressive number of winning seasons. While 2005 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.

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.

Since January 2005 the Brewers have been led by owner Mark Attanasio. With a background as an investment banker, Attanasio has made shrewd choices and compiled a great team of players without having a huge pocketbook. The team itself is a mixture of promising young players and tried and true veterans to show them the ropes. The outfielders are led by Geoff Jenkins and Bill Hall. The pitching staff is anchored by Olympic hero Ben Sheets.

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 Mark Attanasio should help facilitate this upsurge.