Fathead Blog

By Patrick Tucker

I moved to Chicago 8 years ago and love how there are 3 fantastic venues for Major League Baseball so close. I’ve seen the White Sox, Cubs and Brewers numerous times since then and have to say the Brewers are the best show all around, especially right now. Miller Park is a fantastic venue and the organization has followed that up with a competitive team 2 years in a row now.

I’ve gone to about 8 games since Miller Parked opened. Most recently, I went to see the Brewers take on the Washington Nationals on Monday August 11th, at 1:05 PM. I picked this date because I was taking a recent heart transplant recipient friend of mine and I thought this game would be perfect for available walk up seats because of low attendance. I was wrong!

The Brewers are hot!  In the past, it has taken me just as long to drive to Miller Park in Milwaukee as it has to fight Chicago traffic to see the Cubs or Sox. But this time I was 20 minutes late and was walking up to the stadium when Rickie Weeks homered in the first. That’s not so bad though because one thing I appreciate about Miller Park is how they built a true scenic nature park around it. As you walk up to the stadium you cross over a trout stream. No kidding! I’ve actually seen people there wading and fly fishing during the game.

Something else I didn’t expect to see were ticket hawkers on the walk up. As I past by one he spoke up and said, “You’re gonna be standin”. I didn’t really understand what he said until I got to the ticket window. As a get well present for my friend I was going to buy us the 2 best seats available. And I did. STANDING ROOM! I couldn’t believe it. That turned out to be not such a big deal because we were able to find empty seat here and there, plus some standing room is almost on field level.

There were 42,000+ people there that day and we all got our moneys worth.  Prince Fielder made the Nationals pay no matter what they threw his way.   This was the final game in a 4 game series and if Milwaukee wanted to join baseball’s elite, they had to win. And they did 7-1.

The Brewers fans were more excited than I’ve ever seen them. They’re seeing an organization as a whole get it right: beautiful park, exciting team, great crowds, awesome. I have plans to go see the Brewers take on the Mets, Wednesday, September 3rd at 1:05 pm. I also have plans to buy more tickets.

Miller Park is also a great family venue. It’s clean, built to be roomy with plenty of bathrooms and fun activities to do all over the place. A good example of how Miller Park’s management is getting it right is that they moved the Kid’s Zone, with several baseball skills related activities, down to the first level in right field instead of having it hidden away up on the 2nd level corner. Also there is a special kid’s refreshments area on the 2nd floor where hot dogs are only $1. You can’t beat that!

Its been about 8 years since the Milwaukee Brewers organization opened Miller Park and, with a winning product on the field, they are finally getting it right. Real big BRAVO to them!