Results tagged ‘ John Axford ’
Brewers Take on Team Canada at Maryvale on Tuesday; Special Offer for Fans
Another sign that Opening Day is fast-approaching (30 days from today!)….The World Baseball Classic is underway!
And, if you’re down in the Phoenix area this week, you’ll want to head over to Maryvale Baseball Park as the Brewers take on Team Canada’s World Baseball Classic entry this Tuesday, March 5, at 1:05pm.
That’s right, watch pitchers John Axford and Jim Henderson; infielder Taylor Green; and outfielder Rene Tosoni play an exhibition against the Brewers on Tuesday– with both Axford and Henderson scheduled to pitch against their teammates
And, as a special offer, we’ve got half-price tickets in the Outfield ($6.50) and Lawn ($4)– an absolute STEAL for fans! This offer is good at the Maryvale Box Office only. Oh, and I’m told that fans will receive mini-pennants that day, too!
The Maryvale Box Office is closed tomorrow, but will be open 9am-5pm on Monday and Tuesday.
-Cait
johnandcait@brewers.com
Start Spreading the News! Two Brewers Fans in the Running for the 2013 MLB Fan Cave!
The MLB Fan Cave is now entering its third season and we need your help to elect a Brewers fan to be one of the 2013 cave dwellers!
The Fan Cave will start the season with a group of fan contestants who will get to 1) watch every single baseball game played, 2) interact and film video content with current and former players, celebrities and musicians, 3) discuss the hottest baseball and pop culture topics through blog posts and social media 4) compete in exciting challenges with other fans to remain in the MLB Fan Cave – and much more.
Last year alone, more than over 100 famous guests visited the MLB Fan Cave, a 15,000 square foot location at 4th Street and Broadway in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village (formerly the home of Tower Records). You can check out the Fan Cave arsenal of videos here.
From a Brewers standpoint, you may recall a couple of appearances by John Axford, a visit from Jonathan Lucroy, and a interactive web chat with our very own Bernie Brewer.
And, in 2013, we hope to have even more interaction with the Fan Cave. In December, we put out a call to all Brewers fans to get their entries in so Milwaukee could be represented in the Fan Cave….and it worked!
After reviewing thousands of entries, MLB recently revealed the top 52 fans vying to be a contestant in the 2013 MLB Fan Cave and two of them—Peter Gourlie and Kevin Kimmes—are Brewers fans!
Now through Wednesday, February 13, fans can view video submissions from all applicants on MLBFanCave.com and vote for their favorites. (There’s more on Peter and Kevin to come next week, so start voting and stay tuned!)
Based on fan voting, quality of the original submissions, and the ability of the contestants to generate buzz and interest in their campaigns, MLB will narrow the field to 30 finalists who will then earn a trip to Spring Training in Arizona at the end of February, where they will compete in a variety of challenges to determine the final group of contestants.
These winners will begin the season in the MLB Fan Cave with the goal of watching all 2,430 MLB games on a large wall of big screen Sony televisions while chronicling their experiences online through videos, blogs, and social media. Along the way, they will compete with one another over the course of the season in a series of challenges, with fans online helping decide who gets to stay in the Fan Cave and who gets eliminated with one eventual winner crowned before the end of the World Series.
Now why are you still here? Click over to MLBFanCave.com and start voting for Pete and Kevin!
-Cait
John and Cait’s Annual Brewers On Deck Preview
Without further ado, here is the official John and Cait preview of Brewers On Deck.
Below is a map of the event at the Delta Center that will help you plan your day.
A beautiful map of the Brewers On Deck setup.
JOHN
Spend 10 Minutes: Walking through the Brewers Museum. OK, full disclosure here. I have spent a lot of time building this “museum” from an simple idea and pretty much no direction. I started collecting stuff from around Miller Park and it has grown to something I am very proud of. It grows a bit every year, but has some pretty cool regular features. I’m a history buff and baseball history is so fascinating to me. Take 10 minutes to enjoy some Brewers history! It will be set up all day and I will be there most of the day so walk through at some point and say hello.
Don’t Miss: “The Brewlywed Game” on the Main Stage at 11:30. The Brewers take on “The Newlywed Game” will be very entertaining. Stick around afterwards for a question and answer session with Mark Attanasio, Doug Melvin, Gord Ash, Tom Gorzelanny, Michael Gonzalez and Burke Badenhop.
Best New Addition: This year, there will be a “Bonus Stage” for autographs. Located near the Main Stage, select players will appear in 30 minute sessions and will sign autographs for fans. The schedule will be posted next to the stage and will include a mix of Brewers Major League players and future stars (you never know who will be the next Brewers All-Star!). Another new addition will come at the team store where fans can purchase t-shirts with the “Design a YOUniform” winning design and the new gold Brewers uniform.
Hidden Gem: The Brewers Community Foundation live auction. Some great items up for bid at 1:10 p.m. at the Interactive Stage. Bid on an opportunity to watch batting practice on the field before a Brewers game or the opportunity to “steal” 2nd base during a 2013 Brewers game. Some unique collectibles and opportunities are available at the auction.
A Reminder: About the Live Brewers.com webchat with Mark Rogers and Burke Badenhop at 2:30 p.m. at the Interactive Stage. Follow along if you cannot attend the event via social media by using the hashtag #BrewersOnDeck and submit questions below to Rogers and Badenhop.
CAIT
Spend 15 Minutes: The results of our “Design a YOUniform” contest will be unveiled by Brewers pitcher John Axford from 10:15-10:30am on the Klement’s Main Stage. The three finalists (Ron Verrecchio from Cantonsville, MD; Ben Peters from Richfield, MN; and Nicholas Fout from Madison, WI have all been invited to appear at Brewers On Deck to discuss their designs as they angle to win a trip to Spring Training. As John mentioned, the team store will have t-shirts with the “Design a YOUniform” winning design available as well!
Don’t Miss: “The Milwacky Squares” Game Show, hosted by Brewers television announcer, Brian Anderson, on the Main Stage at 1:45pm. The Brewers spin-off of “Hollywood Squares” will be very entertaining as it features Brewers Hall-of-Fame Radio Announcer Bob Uecker as the center square, along with Brewers players and several Hollywood guests–including Dennis Haskins aka “Mr. Belding” from Saved By the Bell and “Flight Time” Lang of the Harlem Globetrotters.
Best New Addition: I might be a tad biased, but I’m pretty psyched about the #BREWERSONDECK Instagram/Twitter contest! Make sure you take plenty of photos from this year’s event at several of the photo ops stages or around the event in general. Then, post them to Instagram and/or Tweet them to @Brewers or @Bernie_Brewer using the hashtag #BREWERSONDECK for your chance to win tickets to a 2013 home game!
Hidden Gem: Again–the Brewers Social Media area–that’s where I’ll be when I’m not running around. 
Come get a special @Brewers item while they last and check out our exciting new digital fan map–Brewers Fans on the Fly, presented by Southwest Airlines, which will be officially unveiled at the event (more to come on the blog later about that, too!).
A Reminder: Don’t forget that the Hunger Task Force will be on hand at the event to collect your non-perishable food items. Bring your donations and look for them near the Brewers Community Foundation area.
See you on Sunday!
-John and Cait
World Baseball Classic Rosters Include 14 Brewers Players
Brewers fans will have plenty of reason to watch the World Baseball Classic as 14 players from the Brewers organization are scheduled to take part. The full rosters were announced today. Here is a list of Brewers players on WBC rosters:
Ryan Braun
Jonathan Lucroy
Hiram Burgos
Martin Maldonado
Marco Estrada
Yovani Gallardo
John Axford
Taylor Green
Jim Henderson
Rene Tosoni
Hainley Statia
Mike Walker
Carlos Gomez
Jeff Bianchi
The Brewers will even be represented behind the scenes during the World Baseball Classic. In addition to the players on the field, Brewers Visiting Clubhouse Manager Phil Rozewicz will serve as clubhouse manager for the Dominican Republic team and Brewers Vice President – Communications Tyler Barnes will serve as a media liaison for games played at Marlins Park in Miami.
KEY DATES IN THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC FOR BREWERS FANS
Tuesday, March 5; Brewers vs. Team Canada – Maryvale Baseball Park, 1:05 p.m. (Arizona Time); 2:05 p.m. (Milwaukee Time)
In an exhibition game during the exhibition season, the Brewers squad will take on the Canadian team at Maryvale Baseball Park. There are a lot of Canadian connections in the Brewers organization. Doug Melvin and Gord Ash are both natives along with a number of players on the Brewers roster. Personally, I’m a fan of “Oh Canada” and can’t wait to hear that prior to the game. It will also be interesting to see John Axford, Taylor Green and Jim Henderson suit up in the visiting clubhouse in Team Canada uniforms against their Brewers teammates (I wonder if they will pop in and say hi!?). Rene Tosoni, a name that might not be familiar with most Brewers fans, was signed to a minor league contract by the Brewers recently. The outfielder played with the Minnesota Twins last season.
Friday, March 8; Spain at Puerto Rico – Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan Puerto Rico, 4:30 p.m. (Milwaukee Time)
Hiram Burgos and Martin Maldonado make their WBC debut for Puerto Rico in their native country.
Friday, March 8, Mexico at United States – Chase Field, Phoenix Arizona, 7:00 p.m. (Arizona Time); 8:00 p.m. (Milwaukee Time)
For Brewers fans in Arizona for Spring Training, this is going to be a great day. Catch the Brewers and Rangers at 1 p.m. in Maryvale and then head downtown to Chase Field to see Ryan Braun, Jonathan Lucroy and Team USA take on Marco Estrada, Yovani Gallardo and Team Mexico.
If you are heading to Arizona for Spring Training to see the Brewers, I would highly recommend fitting in a WBC game into your itinerary. It is a fun atmosphere and a chance to see some players you might not normally see. In addition to Chase Field, games will also be held at Salt River Field at Talking Stick.
For full information on the World Baseball Classic including ticket information, schedules and rosters, click here.
–JOHN
johnandcait@brewers.com
Our Uniform is Your Canvas: The Brewers Are Putting the “YOU” in “YOUniform”
So I have been pretty excited about this promotion for some time now. It’s really been hard to keep this one a secret. I’m a self-proclaimed sports uniform/jersey/logo nerd. It’s OK, I’m cool with it. If you are like me, or have a knack for creativity and design or just want to put your mark on Brewers baseball, then this contest is for you.
The Brewers are inviting fans to take part in their “Design a YOUniform” contest. That is right. We are looking for fans to design a Brewers uniform and cap that the Brewers will wear during a 2013 Spring Training game.
Where would you begin?
Templates for the contest and complete rules will be available online at Brewers.com/uniform and at the Brewers Team Store by Majestic at Miller Park. The template allows fans to design the jersey top and cap and contestants can create their design digitally or by hand. Design templates will be available beginning Friday at 10 a.m. CT and the deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. CT on Thursday, December 13. The completed designs can be uploaded to Brewers.com/uniform or dropped off at the Brewers Team Store by Majestic.
The first group of entries will be judged by an internal Brewers committee. That group will narrow the entries down to four finalists. On Tuesday, January 15 at 10 a.m. CT, the four finalists will be announced on Brewers.com. A fan vote will open up on Brewers.com that day and a panel of judges including Brewers pitcher John Axford, Brewers President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Doug Melvin, Brewers Chief Operating Officer Rick Schlesinger, Brewers Senior Director of Merchandise Branding Jill Aronoff, representatives from Majestic, New Era and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel will judge the four finalists (the fan poll will be weighted the same as one judge’s vote).
Have at it!
At Brewers On Deck on Sunday, January 27 at the Delta Center in downtown Milwaukee, the four finalists will be on hand to present their designs. Axford will announce the winner of the contest on the Main Stage at Brewers On Deck. Each of the four finalists will receive a trip to Milwaukee for Brewers On Deck including $250!
The winning uniforms and caps will be worn by Brewers players and coaches during the Brewers vs. Cubs Spring Training game on Friday, March 22 at Maryvale Baseball Park. The winning designer will receive a trip to Spring Training to see that game. The prize package for the winner is packed with goodies:
- Airfare for two people to Phoenix
- Game tickets for the March 22 Brewers vs. Cubs game at Maryvale Baseball Park
- A cash prize for hotel, transportation and other incidentals
- The opportunity to select one player’s jersey and cap from that day
- 10 t-shirts and 10 caps made from the design
Not to mention, the winner can brag about being the fan that won one of the coolest contests in team history.
“People have great ideas for how they would design an alternate uniform for the team, and this is the ultimate opportunity for everyone to have their say,” said Schlesinger in a press release. “Participants can pick their favorite colors, original logos, and script, or they can utilize elements of the Brewers current uniforms with their own unique twist. It’s literally a blank template and a chance for everyone to show off their creative sides.”
Get creative Brewers fans, we cannot wait to see some of your designs.
–JOHN
johnandcait@brewers.com
John Axford Participates in Milwaukee Film Festival Once Again
Thursday night was Opening Night for the 2012 Milwaukee Film Festival, which runs through October 11.
If you check out the event, held at Landmark Oriental Theatre, Downer Theatre and Fox-Bay Cinema
Grill, you just might spot some familiar faces in the crowd. This year, once again Brewers closer John Axford has been involved with the festival through Brewers Community Foundation, one of the event’s sponsors.
A 2005 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Film, John is quite the movie buff.
Before each screening at the festival, you’ll see this trailer, which features John and through his involvement, he is also scheduled to attend and speak onstage prior to a screening of The Princess Bride on Saturday, October 6 at 2:30 p.m.
<iframe src=”http://player.vimeo.com/video/50406842″ width=”500″ height=”281″ frameborder=”0″ webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen>
Milwaukee Film Festival 2012 Sponsor Trailer from Milwaukee Film on Vimeo.
In addition, John will be a judge for the Cream City Cinema Competition. He’ll watch three feature films and one shorts program and then deliberate with the other jurors to select the winner of the Filmmaker in Residence Program.
Make sure to follow John on Twitter @JohnAxford and also check out the Film Festival website for updates.
As part of their support, Brewers Community Foundation is one of the sponsors for the Milwaukee Children’s Film Festival presented by PNC. The Children’s Film Festival is also sponsored by MetroParent and MilwaukeeMoms.com.
“The film festival is so great for the community. The quality of film and exposure to other cultures is a tremendous asset that I think people should take advantage of. In particular, the Children’s Film Festival fits well with Brewers Community Foundation’s focused interest in education,” said Executive Director of Brewers Community Foundation, Cecelia Gore.
The Children’s Film Festival is co-directed by Julia Magnasco, Education Director at First Stage Children’s Theater, and Brian Gallagher, the former Executive Coordinator of the Wisconsin International Children’s Film Festival; it features quality children’s cinema from around the world. Each screening includes discussions with filmmakers or educators, hands-on activities and take-home guides.
The Milwaukee Children’s Film Festival will screen on the weekends during the film festival, today through Sunday, October 7 at the Oriental Theatre and Fox-Bay Cinema,
For those of you attending the festival, you might also recognize another name in the program: MLB Commissioner Allan H.(Bud) Selig and his wife, Suzanne, are also major supporters of the film festival and have been since its inception in 2008. In recognition of their support, the Allan H. (Bud) and Suzanne L. Selig Audience Award is given each year to the overall audience favorite film in the feature and short film categories.
-Cait
In Playoff Push, Players Urge Fans to Pack the Park; 5,000 Free Tickets Available for Sunday
This weekend’s series vs. the Houston Astros will be critical for the Brewers in the playoff push and the players are doing their part to make sure Miller Park is filled with loud Brewers fans for these important games.
Ryan Braun and John Axford, on behalf of all Brewers players, are thanking Brewers fans for the incredible home field advantage they have helped create all season long by purchasing 5,000 tickets to the final game of Fan Appreciation Weekend, this Sunday, September 30.
“Brewers fans are without a doubt the best in baseball and we wanted to show them that their support has not gone unnoticed,” said Ryan. They make Miller Park the best home field advantage in the game.”
“The fans have been a tremendous part of our recent turnaround. It’s always great to play in front of a raucous Miller Park crowd,” said John. “This is just a small gesture of our appreciation.”
The 5,000 free tickets will be available exclusively on brewers.com/fanappreciation beginning at 10 a.m. CT today. Fans will only be responsible for paying a per order processing fee—there will be no other costs for the tickets. Maximum of four tickets per person.
We’ll distribute Rally Towels to everyone at the game on Sunday, as well as the games on Friday and Saturday. In addition, all fans in attendance on Sunday will receive a Scratch-Off Card with prizes including everything from 2013 game tickets to a game in a Miller Park Suite.
Tickets for all games of Fan Appreciation Weekend and the final three regular season games are available at the Miller Park Box Office, online at brewers.com or by calling the Brewers ticket office at (414) 902-4000.
-John and Cait
Bernie Brewer: Behind the Moustache Submitted to DearMKE Project
This summer, VISIT Milwaukee, the city’s award-winning convention and visitors’ bureau, teamed up with film producer Jack Turner to produce “DearMKE,” a project they are describing as a “love letter to the city.”
“DearMKE started as a way for all of us to show others what we love about our city. It is growing into a film, twelve documentaries made by local filmmakers, and a citywide contest that lets all of us tell our story like only we can,” says the project’s website. “We all know what makes Milwaukee such a great place. Isn’t it time everyone else did too?”
Jack, who resided in Whitefish Bay as a teenager and boasts an impressive resume, is capturing the best of Milwaukee on film along with other local Milwaukee filmmakers, but they are also asking for the help of local businesses and residents:
“Every neighborhood in Milwaukee holds memories and promises. Surprises and longtime connections. Revolutionary ideas and reflections. Amazing people and places. Every city block, every corner bar, every park, every school, every brick in every church steeple holds a story. Which one will you share about our DearMKE?”
The project calls for submissions via a video, photo, or written work.
To participate in this project, we compiled a history on the team’s number one fan, our lovable, mustachioed mascot. It’s called: Bernie Brewer: Behind the Moustache. Think you know the whole story about Bernie Brewer? Think again!
A special thanks to Cory Wilson, Matt Morell and Deron Anderson for their help putting this together and Bernie, Bonnie, Bango, Robb Edwards, John Axford, Gorman Thomas and Mario Ziino for their time!
The trailer to this video resides on the project’s website, DearMKE.com, where you can also submit your own ideas, which could appear in Jack’s film, or be featured in one of twelve short documentaries.
Jack’s film will premier at the Milwaukee Film Festival later this month (more on that, including John Axford’s involvement, to come!) and each of the documentaries will premier once a month on the project’s website. You could also win a prize package featuring tickets and gift certificates from various Milwaukee attractions. Hurry, the deadline is October 12.
-Cait
JohnandCait@Brewers.com
Brewers Community Foundation Week Officially Kicks Off Thursday at Miller Park
“What’s Good?” asks the Brewers Community Foundation.
Rickie Weeks helps kids smile brighter by supporting “Team Smile.” Yovani Gallardo supports youth baseball programs in Milwaukee like the Felix Mantilla Little League and the RBI Program. Ryan Braun supports Habitat for Humanity.
While that is just a small slice of what Brewers players do for the community, there is plenty of good in our Milwaukee community. The Brewers and the Brewers Community Foundation are able to shed light on “What’s Good?” in the Milwaukee community and draw attention to those bright spots. BCF week highlights those activities through a series of raffles, auctions and other activities that put “What’s Good” in the spotlight. BCF’s focused areas of interest are related to the causes that highlight the Foundation’s charitable impact in the community.
Perhaps the highlight of BCF Week is the “Ultimate Auction” which is now live on Brewers.com now and will close Tuesday night. There are some amazing prizes and experiences available to fans through this auction. Photo opportunities with players, private hitting and pitching clinics with coaches, pre-game dinner with Brewers TV announcers Brian Anderson and Bill Schroeder. But, perhaps one of the most unique prizes has to be a “Meet & Greet” with Nyjer Morgan who will also record your personal cell phone greeting!
Check in with the auction throughout the week. All the auctions close at 11:59 p.m. CT on Tuesday, August 21.
There are many other events surrounding BCF Week, check out the schedule below:
Thursday, August 16 – Where’s Chorizo?
Fans have a chance to win a 2012 Team autographed Chorizo from the 2012 “Where’s Chorizo?” event. Also included in this raffle is a Chorizo t-shirt, a 2012 Marco Estrada autographed Cerveceros jersey as well as a backyard BBQ for 25 thrown by the Klement’s Famous Facing Sausages, complete with Klement’s, Miller and Pepsi products! Sausages will make an appearance to the winner’s home on a mutually agreed upon date. Raffle tickets will be sold at Miller Park and are 2 for $5, 10 for $20 or a wingspan for $50. can you imagine the party you could throw with the Famous Racing Sausages!?
Friday, August 17 – Framed Baseballs Raffle
This is a great opportunity to celebrate Wisconsin’s two MVP’s. Fans have a chance to win a very special framed piece with includes an autographed Ryan Braun baseball and an autographed Aaron Rodgers Gold baseball with a photo of the two MVP’s. Raffle tickets will be 2 for $5, 10 for $20 or a wingspan for $50.
Saturday, August 18 – Wives’ Mystery Grab Bag
Players’ wives will be selling autographed items from their husbands. Fans can purchase each mystery bag for a $40 donation to the Brewers Community Foundation which is earmarked for various organizations. The wives will be stationed at each entrance to Miller Park, as well as on the Club Level. Mystery grab bags are always fun and knowing $40 will get you an autographed baseball from a Brewers player and knowing the money is going to a good cause is not a bad deal.
Sunday, August 19 – BCF Treasure Hunt
Fans always love game-used items. Game-used items from past games and seasons will be available for purchase in a special treasure hunt at the Brewers Community Foundation table on the Field Level concourse near Guest Relations behind section 116. Items include bats, baseballs, jerseys and other items of interest. I would recommend getting to Miller Park early that day to make sure you have an opportunity to get the best items. I will try to visit early that day and post some items to Twitter.
Monday, August 20 – Brewers Players Favorite Things Raffle
I have always enjoyed this idea. Not only do you learn what is Randy Wolf’s favorite cereal , what is Mat Gamel’s favorite candy bar or what is John Axford’s go to movie, but you have an opportunity to take these items home with you. Fans have a chance to win a basket full of Brewers players favorite things. The baskets feature a wide variety of items that are favorites of Brewers players and coaches as well as autographed memorabilia. Raffle tickets will be sold 2 for $5, 10 for $20 or a wingspan for $50.
Tuesday, August 21 – Strike Out Breast Cancer Raffle presented by Froedtert Center for Diagnostic Imaging – CDI
Fans have a chance to win a few different items as Authentic White jerseys autographed by John Axford, Ryan Braun and Yovani Gallardo, an autographed Corey Hart Pink Jersey and a Pink Bat autographed by members of the 2012 Milwaukee Brewers will be raffled off. Raffle tickets will be 2 for $5, 10 for $20 or a wingspan for $50. All proceeds from this raffle will go to benefit After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD).
BCF Awareness Night
On Tuesday, August 21, fans will have an opportunity to learn more about the organizations that BCF supports every year while being able to participate in games and activities to win cool prizes.
Wednesday, August 22 – Brewers Community Foundation Clearance Sale
Fans will have another chance to purchase game-used items from past games and seasons as well as other Brewers items at the Brewers Community Foundation table located on the Field Level concourse near the Guest Relations behind section 116. Again, get to Miller Park early!
Additionally, throughout BCF Week at Miller Park, fans will have an opportunity to participate in “BCF Pinko”–think everyone’s favorite Price is Right game. For a $5 donation, fans can play BCF Pinko for the opportunity to win a prize with every drop. Prizes will vary from game tickets to Drive for Charity pins, Brewers merchandise and the always popular mystery bags.
BCF Week is going to be a great opportunity to win some one of a kind Brewers items while at the same time giving back to the Milwaukee community. The best part is that fans can take part for as little as $2. Stay tuned to the blog as we will be posting updates and information to the blog and Twitter. There will be a lot of great activities going on all week.
–John and Cait
johnandcait@brewers.com
Getting to Know Your 2012 MLB Fan Cave Fandidates
Late last week, I wrote about how MLB revealed the top 50 fans vying to be a contestant in the 2012 MLB Fan Cave–including two Brewers candidates (or FANdidates, as I like to call them), Kurt Peter and Stephen Sievwright.
Now through Wednesday, February 22, fans can view video submissions from all 50 applicants on MLBFanCave.com and vote for their favorites.
Based on fan voting, quality of the original submissions, and the ability of the contestants to generate buzz and interest in their campaigns, MLB will narrow the field to 30 finalists who will then earn a trip to Spring Training in Arizona at the end of February, where they will compete in a variety of challenges to determine the final group of contestants.
These winners will begin the season in the MLB Fan Cave in New York City with the goal of watching all 2,430 MLB games on a large wall of big screen Sony televisions while chronicling their experiences online through videos, blogs, and social media. Along the way, they will compete with one another over the course of the season in a series of challenges, with fans online helping decide who gets to stay in the Fan Cave and who gets eliminated with one eventual winner crowned before the end of the World Series.
All 50 finalists have been hard at work rocking the vote since the announcement was made and this morning, I had the chance to catch up with these gentlemen so I can give you a little background on why you should, as always–VOTE BREWERS!
Kurt Peter, a native of Elm Grove, Wisconsin, is a 23-year-old assistant athletic director at a local high school. He’s been a Brewers fan for as long as he can remember, even though his brother was a Braves fan growing up and he sometimes faced peer pressure to change allegiances.
Kurt believes fans should vote for him because, “I have a good personality, I love the game of baseball and I will ask the questions that some people might not,” he said, referring to the Fan Cave participants’ opportunities to interview players and celebrities throughout the season. Though he assures me he’s a Brewers fan, he’s most looking forward to the possibility of meeting Texas Rangers LHP Derek Holland.
Kurt has never been to Arizona to see the Brewers in Spring Training but was planning a trip to go out to Arizona for the first time this year; however, now he hopes that trip will be as one of the Top 30 contestants for the MLB Fan Cave. To get there, he’s got to campaign hard and so far, he’s been able to garner a good buzz, primarily through Twitter and YouTube (click here to watch some of Kurt’s mini videos). It also helps that he works at a high school; all of the students know about his quest and have been helping him get the word out.
If he’s lucky enough to make it to the actual Fan Cave in New York, he’s not scared of the city (though he’s been there only once) or the prospect of living with 5-7 others for the season. “I’d be fine with it,” Kurt said, “I mean, they’re hardly strangers at this point. We’ve all connected since the announcement and we’re helping each other.” Click here to vote for Kurt. Also, follow him on Twitter: @FalconKP.
Stephen Sievwright is a 28-year-old student from Stevens Point, Wisconsin. He’s been a Brewers fan since he was nine years old and took his first trip to County Stadium. It’s a memory that is still very vivid to him as he remembers getting to meet pitcher Jaime Navarro.
Stephen has a self-proclaimed dry sense of humor, which really comes through in his video essay. He feels he is best suited to represent the Brewers fan base in the Fan Cave because he takes it so passionately. “I will be watching every game whether it’s in Stevens Point or New York,” he told me. He also told me that he wants fans to know that he’s just a “normal guy from a really small town.”
Indeed, this process has given Stephen a new perspective on some things. “I was reading an article recently that said that Stevens Point has the best tasting tap water in all of the United States. It pointed out how the water came from a ‘tiny town of 25,000′,” he said. “I hadn’t really thought of it that way before, but when you compare it to a place like New York, it would certainly be interesting for me to be transplanted into a place of over 8 million people!”
Stephen has never been to New York before, nor has he been to see the Brewers in Spring Training, but he’s hoping that he’ll get to do both things this year if he remains in the running for the Fan Cave. He’s also hoping that Brewers closer John Axford will pay another visit to the Cave as that is the person he’s most looking forward to meeting.
When I asked him about his campaign strategy, he answered in his typical dry sense of humor style by saying, “Well, I just concluded an interview with the local paper. So we know that goes out to 25,000 people…oh, and I’ve got my sister locked away in a closet, voting and hitting refresh all day.” Click here to vote for Stephen. Also, follow him on Twitter: @Siev27.
So there you have it! The two Brewers Fandidates for the 2012 MLB Fan Cave.
Are you still here? Stop reading and go vote for Kurt and Stephen!
-Cait
John and Cait
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