Results tagged ‘ Milwaukee Braves ’
Brewers Induct Gene Conley Into Braves Honor Roll at Miller Park
The Milwaukee Brewers and the Milwaukee Braves Historical Association inducted Gene Conley into the Braves Honor Roll today at Miller Park.
Conley pitched for the Milwaukee Braves from 1954 – 1958 and his Major League career lasted from 1952 – 1963. He was a member of the 1957 Braves World Series Championship team and a three-time MLB All-Star. In five of his 11 MLB seasons, Conley recorded ten or more wins and finished his career with a 91-96 record and 3.82 ERA. With the Milwaukee Braves, Conley was 42-43 with a 3.56 ERA.
Although Conley couldn’t travel to Milwaukee to today’s event, there were a number of former Braves in attendance today. Felix Mantilla, Ray Crone and Frank Thomas were all in attendance in addition to members of the Milwaukee Braves Historical Association: Bud Lea and Bob Buege.
“Gene has been my friend for many, many years and he is a great man,” Mantilla said. ”He was a very gifted athlete as we all know but he was a great teammate. He is deserving of this honor.”
Felix Mantilla speaks at today’s event.
There are now 12 members of the Milwaukee Braves Honor Roll, which also includes Warren Spahn (2004), Johnny Logan (2005), Andy Pafko (2006), Bobby Thomson (2008), Bob Uecker (2009), Felix Mantilla (2010), Eddie Mathews (2010), Joe Adcock (2011), Frank Torre (2011), Del Crandall (2012) and Hank Aaron (2012).
Conley has the distinction of being the only player to win championships in two of the four major American sports. Conley also played with the Boston Celtics (1952-53, 1958-61) and New York Knicks (1962-64) of the NBA and was a member of three NBA World Championship teams (1959, 1960 and 1961) with the Celtics. Conley’s wife, Kathryn, wrote a book on her husband’s life called “One of a Kind.” The book chronicles his unique career, a career that might never be matched.
Here is the video that Conley sent for the presentation. It features a great interview as well as some unique action footage of Conley pitching for the Braves:
It is great to have an organization that appreciates the history of Milwaukee baseball like the Milwaukee Braves Historical Association. There were a lot of great stories tossed around at today’s event and I’m thankful to have been a part of it. The partnership that the Brewers have with the historical group is great and ensures that the memories of that beloved team will never die. I urge fans to check out the Braves Wall of Honor the next time you are at Miller Park. It is located on the Field Level between Home Plate and Third Base on the Concourse.
Gene Conley’s plaque on the Braves Honor Roll at Miller Park.
–JOHN
johnandcait@brewers.com
Happy 99th Birthday to Earl Henry!
Working in marketing, I often get asked what our target demographic is…. but that’s not really an easy question because people of all ages truly love baseball and the reasons why fans come out to Miller Park (beyond the team on the field, of course) are endless (think: field trips, birthday celebrations, family reunions, company outings, client meetings, etc.).
Take today for example, I went from watching our annual Weather Day event where we hosted thousands of children for a pregame meteorology lesson from the TMJ4 Storm Team 4 meteorologists to sitting down with Earl Henry, a delightful gentleman who was here to celebrate his 99th birthday.
Earl’s granddaughter, Jill Finlayson, had contacted me earlier this month and told me about all of the things she was doing to make Earl’s 99th birthday a special one. Since he’s a Milwaukee native and a lifelong Brewers fan, bringing Earl out to Miller Park was right at the top of her list. Jill also made sure Earl arrived in style, in a GoRiteway limo.
Earl and his granddaughter, Jill, attended the Brewers vs. Giants game on Thursday, April 18, 2013 to celebrate Earl’s 99th birthday.
Earl’s actual birthday was last Thursday, April 11 (which just happens to be the same birthdate as my dad), but today was the best day for them to come out and take in a game on this homestand.
Little did they know just how fitting it actually was.
You see, Earl’s career was dedicated to education and what better day for him to choose to come out (unbeknownst to him) than Weather Day, one of our biggest educational events.
Earl earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the Milwaukee State Teachers College (MSTC). In 1937, he taught at Milwaukee’s Garden Homes School and later, the Boys’ Technical High School (another odd coincidence–so did my own grandfather. I wasn’t able to find out if they had crossed paths, but there was a good chance they may have.) before becoming vice-principal at Thirty-seventh Street School in 1947.
In 1954, Earl received his first principalship at Eugene Field School; in 1959, he became principal of Franklin School on the north side; and in 1967, he became the first principal of Stuart School, where he continued for 12 years until his retirement in 1979.
Earl’s wife Kay was also a dedicated kindergarten teacher in Milwaukee for her career and together, they created the Earl & Kathryn Henry Scholarship Fund at UW-Milwaukee. Now in it’s 10th year, the scholarship aims to benefit undergraduate students enrolled in UW-Milwaukee’s School of Education who plan to become elementary school teachers or school administrators, preferably in the Milwaukee Public School System.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Earl, who talked about his career and former students. He also reminisced about not only his days following the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers at County Stadium, but going back to the Borchert Field days of the minor league American Association Brewers, when he was a good friend of announcer Russ Winnie.
The American Association Milwaukee Brewers played for 50 years, from 1902-1952; they won their first American Association championship in 1913 and repeated the next year. All told the American Association Brewers won eight pennants in their fifty-one seasons.
This year, we’re honoring the 100th anniversary American Association Brewers on May 5. [Click for a photo of the Corey Hart bobblehead.]
For perspective, Earl just missed being born for that first championship, but he was there for their second, although he was just a baby.
It’s amazing to think about and what’s even more amazing is that Earl is still as spry as ever. He needs no help getting to his seat, his memory is sharp as a whip and boy, is he funny!
“I read in the paper that one of the Sausages was stolen,” Earl told me.
“Yes,” I confirmed. “We are glad he’s back.”
“I suppose that’s not the wurst thing that could happen,” Earl said, as he started to chuckle.
Cait had the pleasure of meeting Earl during the game.
Yes, a wonderful family, a love of baseball and a great sense of humor–things that will get you far in life.
We wish Earl a very happy 99th birthday–and many more. We’re glad he could come out to celebrate with us today, where he could feel at home, especially surrounded by all of the teachers and children.
Cheers!
-Cait
If you would like to donate to the Earl & Kathryn Henry Scholarship Fund, please click here. You can also join in wishing Earl a Happy 99th Birthday on the UW-Milwaukee School of Education’s Facebook Page.
Former Milwaukee Braves Shortstop Johnny Logan to be Inducted Into Miller Park Walk of Fame
I’m very happy to announce that former Milwaukee Braves shortstop Johnny Logan will be honored this summer as the newest member of the Miller Park Walk of Fame. Logan received over 72% of the vote (32 votes) in Walk of Fame balloting, which includes members of the media throughout Wisconsin as well as Brewers executives. If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting Logan, it is surely a memory you will never forget. This is a well-deserved honor for Logan as he was a great player and a fantastic person.
Logan’s election marks the first time since Lew Burdette (2010) that a player will be inducted. Other players who received strong support this year included Braves first baseman Joe Adcock (27 votes, 61.4%) and Brewers pitcher Teddy Higuera (26 votes, 59.1%). Election requires votes from 65% of those who return ballots.
Logan played in Milwaukee from 1953 – 1961 and appeared in four All-Star Games as a member of the Braves. For his 13 year career, Logan hit .268 with 93 home runs and 547 RBI. He was a member of the Braves World Series Championship team in 1957 and the National League Championship team in 1958. Logan was signed by the Boston Braves in 1947 and made his Major League debut with Boston in 1951. After playing in Milwaukee, he played three seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Johnny Logan, 1957
“This is a very special honor for me to be honored in this great city, especially for this New York boy,” Logan said. I want to thank the greatest fans in baseball, and everyone in the media and community, for their support.”
Five former Brewers and one former Braves player did not receive the necessary three votes to stay on the 2014 ballot. A total of 44 ballots were returned this year and there were a total of 26 Brewers players and nine Braves players on the ballot. The ballots included on-field personnel who wore a Brewers or Braves uniform for a minimum of three seasons but have been retired from playing/managing roles for at least three seasons. All players and managers receiving votes on at least 5% of the ballots will remain eligible in 2014.
“Johnny is one of the all-time great personalities of the game, and this is a special opportunity for us to honor someone who still calls Milwaukee home,” said Brewers Chief Operating Officer Rick Schlesinger. “We congratulate Johnny and look forward to his induction later this summer.”
Other past winners of the award include Hank Aaron, Rollie Fingers, Paul Molitor, Robin Yount in 2001; Commissioner Bud Selig and Cecil Cooper in 2002; Bob Uecker and Harry Dalton in 2003; Jim Gantner and Gorman Thomas in 2004; Don Money and Harvey Kuenn in 2005; Eddie Mathews, Warren Spahn and John Quinn in 2007 (the first year that former Braves players appeared on the ballot); and Lew Burdette in 2010.
Johnny Logan and Bob Uecker
A date for Logan’s induction, which will take place prior to a Brewers home game, will be announced in the near future. Each inductee is honored with a granite plaque that is placed into the terrace area walkway that surrounds Miller Park.
A complete list of voting totals is listed below.
| TOTAL BALLOTS | 44 | ||
| BREWERS | |||
| LAST | FIRST |
VOTES |
PERCENTAGE |
| Augustine | Jerry |
3 |
6.8% |
| Bamberger | George |
19 |
43.2% |
| Bando | Sal |
8 |
18.2% |
| Burnitz | Jeromy |
2 |
4.5% |
| Caldwell | Mike |
18 |
40.9% |
| Castro | Bill |
4 |
9.1% |
| Cirillo | Jeff |
19 |
43.2% |
| Deer | Rob |
0 |
0.0% |
| Garner | Phil |
5 |
11.4% |
| Haas | Moose |
2 |
4.5% |
| Higuera | Teddy |
26 |
59.1% |
| Hisle | Larry |
7 |
15.9% |
| Jenkins | Geoff |
17 |
38.6% |
| Lezcano | Sixto |
3 |
6.8% |
| Moore | Charlie |
6 |
13.6% |
| Oglivie | Ben |
13 |
29.5% |
| Plesac | Dan |
12 |
27.3% |
| Schroeder | Bill |
3 |
6.8% |
| Scott | George |
9 |
20.5% |
| Simmons | Ted |
11 |
25.0% |
| Slaton | Jim |
7 |
15.9% |
| Surhoff | B.J. |
2 |
4.5% |
| Sveum | Dale |
3 |
6.8% |
| Vaughn | Greg |
7 |
15.9% |
| Vuckovich | Pete |
14 |
31.8% |
| Weathers | David |
0 |
0.0% |
| BRAVES | |||
| LAST | FIRST |
VOTES |
PERCENTAGE |
| Adcock | Joe |
27 |
61.4% |
| Bruton | William |
4 |
9.1% |
| Buhl | Robert |
4 |
9.1% |
| Crandall | Del |
10 |
22.7% |
| Haney | Fred |
6 |
13.6% |
| Logan | John |
32 |
72.7% |
| Mantilla | Felix |
3 |
6.8% |
| Pafko | Andy |
3 |
6.8% |
| Torre | Frank |
0 |
0.0% |
We’re Celebrating Mr.Baseball with Our Favorite Ueckerisms & More All Month Long
Back in March, we announced that the legendary “Mr. Baseball,” Bob Uecker, will be honored on Friday, August 31 with a statue placed outside of Miller Park near the Home Plate Plaza.
Well, it is now August and we’re extending our celebration of Mr. Baseball all month long with photos, our favorite “Ueckerisms” and more across our various social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Source: Uploaded by user via Milwaukee on Pinterest
We also want to hear from you! On Twitter, post any photos you may have, or share your favorite memories of Uecker, or listening to Uecker, in 140 characters or less using the hashtag: #Uecker.
Not on Twitter? Share your stories by posting in the comment fields below our various Uecker pictures on Facebook, or email your personal photos to: JohnandCait@brewers.com (Subject line: UECKER).
We’ll compile some of the best fan submissions and share them here on the blog.
An iconic figure for the franchise, Uecker has provided the soundtrack of summer to generations of fans listening to Milwaukee Brewers games on the Brewers Radio Network. His irreverent style and knowledge of the game are unrivaled and his talents have also been known to audiences worldwide for years through his work on television and film projects.
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Uecker’s first Major League game and, while Uecker’s roots will always be in baseball (including six seasons as a player and 42 years as a Brewers broadcaster), his career includes an incredible base of performing and entertaining all featuring one common thread – he always leaves the audience laughing.
Uecker blasted onto the national scene as an entertainer in 1969. A visit with Al Hirt led to Johnny Carson booking Uecker for an appearance on the “Tonight Show.” The chemistry between Uecker and Carson was immediate, and it led to approximately 100 encore appearances. Uecker soon became one of the most sought-after guests on the Talk Show circuit as appearances followed on the “Mike Douglas” and “Merv Griffin” shows, “Late Night with David Letterman” and even a hosting role on “Saturday Night Live.”
Highly respected in the industry, Uecker was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2001 and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Hall of Fame this past spring.
Uecker’s credits go far beyond guest appearances and play-by-play. In 1985, he launched a television acting career as one of the stars of ABC’s sitcom “Mr. Belvedere,” which put 122 episodes into syndication. He also hosted two syndicated television shows, “Bob Uecker’s Wacky World of Sports” and “Bob Uecker’s War of the Stars.”
One of Uecker’s most memorable roles came as the anchor of arguably the most successful advertising campaign in the history of television – The “Miller Lite All-Stars.” For years, Uecker served as the captain of the crew that acted in spots promoting Lite Beer from Miller.
As a film actor, Uecker starred in what is widely regarded as one of the best baseball movies of all time, serving as a radio announcer in the film “Major League.” He followed that up with a reprised role in the equally popular “Major League II.”
Uecker’s national sports broadcasting experience included serving as color commentator for ABC Sports coverage of Monday Night Baseball, League Championship Series and World Series, and NBC’s Major League Baseball Game of the Week.
A former catcher who spent six seasons in the Major Leagues, Bob authored a book entitled “Catcher In the Wry,” a humorous look back on the years he spent with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. One of his career highlights as a player came in 1964 when he was a member of the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals.
Despite his national attention and success, Uecker has always worked toward helping others. His charitable efforts benefit many organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Uecker will be the fourth person to be honored with a Miller Park statue. Hank Aaron and Robin Yount were the first to be recognized with statues that were unveiled on April 5, 2001, the first year of Miller Park’s existence. The first two statues were donated by the Allan H. (Bud) Selig Foundation. On August 24, 2010, Major League Baseball Commissioner and former Brewers Owner Allan H. (Bud) Selig became the third honoree when his statue was unveiled in an afternoon program.
The statue will be cast in bronze, measure over seven feet in height not including the base, and is being designed and produced by Brian Maughan, who (along with Douglas Kwart) also created the Aaron, Selig and Yount statues.
Specific details related to the statue unveiling & ceremony on August 31 will be announced later this month.
Please join as we celebrate all month long!
-Cait
JohnandCait@brewers.com
Brewers Announce Changes For Miller Park in 2010
Like we said in our first post, there is action 365 days a year here at Miller Park. Construction has already started on a number of these offseason Miller Park ballpark improvements. Here is a sneak peak of some of those changes and improvements that the Brewers announced today.
The “Brewers Team Store on the Terrace Level” will be updated to mirror the award-winning “Team Store by Majestic” on the Field Level. New lighting, store fixtures and an updated floor design will greet fans. The store will be open during home games when Miller Park gates are open.
Not every fan will be able to see this, but Brewers players will be greeted each day with an updated clubhouse entrance. A fresh coat of paint and new carpeting will be among the improvements in the home clubhouse. 
In the right field corner of the Field Level outside of Miller Park, the team is constructing a Plaza Pavilion. It involves upgrading the existing smoking area into an outdoor gathering location. Fans will be able to enjoy the game with televisions and purchase food and beverage from stands located throughout the Pavilion.
I’m a huge history buff and love reading about baseball history. The updated Milwaukee Braves Wall of Honor will include new plaques, artwork, lighting and photo banners celebrating the National League team that called Milwaukee home from 1953 to 1965. I think it is important that the Brewers don’t forget the team that preceded them and this will be a welcome update to Miller Park.
Continuing on the history trend, the parking lots surrounding Miller Park will be renamed in honor of some of Milwaukee’s baseball legends. Twelve lots around Miller Park will be adorned with the names of former Milwaukee Brewers and Braves Playesr with banners and other artwork notating the new designations. Included in the list are Henry Aaron, Cecil Cooper, Rollie Fingers, Jim Gantner, Harvey Kuenn, Eddie Mathews, Paul Molitor, Don Money, Warren Spahn, Gorman Thomas, Bob Uecker and Robin Yount.
Here is the updated Miller Park parking lot map:
parking_map2.pdf
The “Uecker Lot” will include a special twist for fans that I think is going to be really popular. Each game, 10 spaces will be reserved in “Uecker’s Front Row.” Attendants in the lots will select 10 cars paying cash for general parking at random to move up to the front row of the Uecker Lot for only $1. There will be a special row of decorated “Uecker’s Front Row” parking spaces reserved for these randomly selected fans. When that project is finished, I will be sure to post pictures.
– John
johnandcait@brewers.com
John and Cait
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