Brewers Watch Party: Six Fans Tell All About the Brew Crew

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After 44 long and hopeful years, Milwaukee finally gets to see the Brewers take the center stage of baseball at the World Series. In 1982, they made their first and only appearance in the spectacle of fall sports losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. This year, the home team came back and have won the title in a five game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. These two series are very different in most aspects but have on very important similarity: the Milwaukee fans and their commitment to their team. In every part of Wisconsin, you can find a watch party. Your local bar, your neighbor’s house, even wave pools at waterparks. Nothing has stopped anyone from packing every single place with people in blue and gold. Thousands of Brewers fans gathered at the Third Ward watch party in Downtown for Game 1. Six of them told their stories about their thoughts on year’s historic playoff run and what it means to them. 

A Win Would Mean More Than Life

RJ Bottalla, 27, was sitting with his friends awaiting the first pitch. As soon as star pitcher, Jacob Misiorowski let that ball leave his hands, there was no going back. There was now one thing on every fan’s minds. Win the World Series for the first time ever. Bottalla, along with many other fans have something they would theoretically give up for the title.

“I’ve thought long about this… I’d say two years of my life,” said Bottalla, “If I knew I was going to die at 85, and if they won the World Series and I died at 83, I would take that deal.”

Bottalla became a true fan only a couple of years ago but has felt a sense of community more than ever these last couple of days.

“The whole city’s been electric since we won last week. I feel like it means a ton to the city and everyone in it.”

Messages To The Team and Ticket Resellers

Tyler Peters, 38, a UWM alum, is a longtime Brewers fan. He is experiencing the World Series from every possible way. The Third Ward watch party, driving around the city to connect with fans and possibly stepping foot into American Family Field if Brewers go to Game Six. In his family, the Brewers mean a lot and he had a message for them.

“Brewers, there are so many here that want you to win this, not just for them, but for everyone who is not here. That doesn’t just mean Uecker, it means all our family, all families, all my relatives,” said Peters, “My dad passed away in 2005, just before the Brewers started to get good again, so he never got to see this. When I take my mom and I to Game Six if that happens it’s going to be for him.”

Tickets prices have been a big talking point for fans. Many cannot afford them or are paying monthly payments on them due to prices starting at around $2,000 per ticket. This has left many people including Peters disappointed. Many of the prices seen on these tickets selling platforms are coming from someone that has bought the ticket and resold it for more money.

“What’s bothersome is that the people who buy the tickets but then sell them for exorbitant amounts on the third-party sites. They’re taking advantage of this seemingly once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s forcing people to pay a lot of money.”

Milwaukee’s Energy at a All Time High

Jessie Vecitis, 28, from Louisville, Kentucky, met her husband and some friends at the watch party, waiting for the Brewers to come on the big screen, at the very front of the massive crowd. 

“Its pandemonium. I mean everyone so excited. It’s unreal,” said Vecitis.

While talking to Vecitis, Mickey Guyton came on the screen to sing the National Anthem. For just over two minutes thousands of screaming fans went silent. The crowd erupted with the final words being sang and Vecitis was more invested than ever.

“I’m so excited,” said Vecitis.

Vecitis will be heading to Game 5 at AmFam Field if the game becomes necessary.

The Best Birthday Present

Peggy Heuler, 69, was out celebrating her birthday with a group of ladies who walk in their neighborhood every morning. She had missed the first World Series back in 1982 due to traveling. Now, she was sitting at the Third Ward, ready to watch. Heuler and her group’s energy was radiating as they were looking up at the screen waiting for the game to start. While “Let’s Go Brewer’s” chants were taking over the atmosphere, Heuler summed up in one sentence what she would say to the Brew Crew 

“Have fun and I am really proud of you,” said Heuler.

Been Waiting All Day For Friday Night

Mike, 27, had been dreaming of a World Series coming to Milwaukee forever. The game was set to start 7 p.m. He arrived at the watch party around 1 p.m. to kick off his celebration. He has been watching this whole year, following each of the players closely.

“Yelich is the first team captain in history, he has been with the team forever. I love Jackson Chourio. He has always been growing and is definitely going to be a future MVP,” said Mike, “Contreras has been awesome too. We are winning the right way right now, now we just have to win our way.”

Mike is one of many fans that was not able to get tickets to the fall classic. He understands how many of the people in the city feel and will be using these watch parties as a second option.

“It sucks that a lot of lifelong Brewers fans got priced out of it, but I think it just speaks to how much this city was really waiting for this moment.

Watching Wisconsin’s Favorite’s

Andrew Hinkfuss, 33, was at the back of the watch party crowd with his custom Brewers jersey on trying to see if he could find a place to sneak into the crowd. He flew in from California that day and immediately started researching watch parties that he could go to as a longtime Brewers fan. He could feel the energy before he even before he stepped into the state.

“Starting from the plane, there were other Brewers fans at the airport, everyone’s fired up. Then I came through town and saw all the light that were lit up blue and gold and everyone in their t-shirts; the energy is palpable,” said Hinkfuss.

The Brewers have had many stars players throughout the years but one that has really connected with fans is Christian Yelich. He changed the direction the Brewers. Before him the Brewers went six years straight without making the playoffs. Ever since he got traded to the team in 2018, they have only missed the playoffs once. Even though he has dealt with major injuries his whole career, he leads the Brewers as team captain and is the first one in Brewers history to do so.

“I want to see Yelich go a yard and have a good series,” said Hinkfuss, I think it would be cathartic for the entire state. I’m hoping he has a really being series.”