Post by Darryl on Jan 23, 2018 17:56:41 GMT -5
The city of Milwaukee was a buzz today as the Brewers organization prepared to honour players from Milwaukee's baseball past by making them the first inductees into the Milwaukee Brewers Hall of Excellence.
Speculation has abounded as to who would get the call to be part of the inaugural class to enter the hall. To be considered players must have played for the Brewers and made an impact on the field during their time in the city. Names from the past such as Ron Hansen and Johnny Lewis have been tossed around. Current players with long contributions to the club like Dan Schneider and Dick Billings have also gathered a lot of support among fans. The only name that seems to come up no matter who you speak to in Milwaukee is Hank Aaron. Though Hank only played the last half of the 1971 season with the Brewers, he called Milwaukee home as a member of the Milwaukee Braves from 1953 till 1966. Speculation ends today.
Milwaukee owner Darryl took to the podium at 11 am EST to welcome and thank the fans, press, alumni and current members of the Brewers who were in attendance for the announcement. " The Milwaukee Brewers' are proud to announce the first 3 members of our brand new Hall of Excellence." spoke the owner. Finally ending all speculation: Eddie Mathews, Johnny Lewis and Hank Aaron were announced as the first ever inductees and were greeted with a deafening cheer from the gathered crowd.
Each player was then given a chance to speak to the gathered masses, and were then presented a replica plaque of the one that was unveiled in their honour. With that the ceremonially part of the day drew to close and those gathered got chance to mingle, and tour the new hall.
Player highlights
Johnny Lewis
Milwaukee Brewers 1969-1976 (returned in 1978 as minor league coach/player)
Winner of 5 CF Gold Gloves including 4 consecutive between 1970- 73
Part of the 1975 and 1976 playoff squads
Eddie Mathews
Milwaukee Brewers 1970 (Milwaukee Braves 1953-1962)
10 time All Star
NL MVP 1956
All time ranks: HR 4th, BB 4th, RBI 9th
Won 2 World Series as member of Pittsburgh Pirates (1965, 1966)
"Hammerin" Hank Aaron
Milwaukee Brewers 1971 (Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves 1953-1970)
15 time All Star
5 time NL MVP (1959, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1967)
All time ranks: AVG 4th, Hits 3rd, HR 1st, RBI 1st, Doubles 1st, Runs 3rd
Member of 1953 NL Pennant winning Milwaukee Braves, 1969 NL East winning Atlanta Braves
G.O.A.T.
Speculation has abounded as to who would get the call to be part of the inaugural class to enter the hall. To be considered players must have played for the Brewers and made an impact on the field during their time in the city. Names from the past such as Ron Hansen and Johnny Lewis have been tossed around. Current players with long contributions to the club like Dan Schneider and Dick Billings have also gathered a lot of support among fans. The only name that seems to come up no matter who you speak to in Milwaukee is Hank Aaron. Though Hank only played the last half of the 1971 season with the Brewers, he called Milwaukee home as a member of the Milwaukee Braves from 1953 till 1966. Speculation ends today.
Milwaukee owner Darryl took to the podium at 11 am EST to welcome and thank the fans, press, alumni and current members of the Brewers who were in attendance for the announcement. " The Milwaukee Brewers' are proud to announce the first 3 members of our brand new Hall of Excellence." spoke the owner. Finally ending all speculation: Eddie Mathews, Johnny Lewis and Hank Aaron were announced as the first ever inductees and were greeted with a deafening cheer from the gathered crowd.
Each player was then given a chance to speak to the gathered masses, and were then presented a replica plaque of the one that was unveiled in their honour. With that the ceremonially part of the day drew to close and those gathered got chance to mingle, and tour the new hall.
Player highlights
Johnny Lewis
Milwaukee Brewers 1969-1976 (returned in 1978 as minor league coach/player)
Winner of 5 CF Gold Gloves including 4 consecutive between 1970- 73
Part of the 1975 and 1976 playoff squads
Eddie Mathews
Milwaukee Brewers 1970 (Milwaukee Braves 1953-1962)
10 time All Star
NL MVP 1956
All time ranks: HR 4th, BB 4th, RBI 9th
Won 2 World Series as member of Pittsburgh Pirates (1965, 1966)
"Hammerin" Hank Aaron
Milwaukee Brewers 1971 (Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves 1953-1970)
15 time All Star
5 time NL MVP (1959, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1967)
All time ranks: AVG 4th, Hits 3rd, HR 1st, RBI 1st, Doubles 1st, Runs 3rd
Member of 1953 NL Pennant winning Milwaukee Braves, 1969 NL East winning Atlanta Braves
G.O.A.T.
