ballparks
ballparks
I’ve now been to Miller Park a few times now. First in July 2002 (with the season one ElimiDATE crew) and then again on September 11 of 2003 (with Kim & Kate - against the Astros), August 22, 2012 (with Carlos Carmona - against the Cubs), and with John Deleon and Marco Mejia on August 8, 2016 against the Braves.
However, it pretty much blew me away architecturally. Apparently the ballpark is the first retractable fan-shaped roof, and certainly one of it’s key features. It has 7 panels, and opens in about 10 minutes. When I was there, I was lucky enough to see it opened. They played the 2001 theme song as it opened. Pretty fun and darn cool. It is a massive engineering feat. And I’m not sure if the engineers meant to do this, but if you stand at the front of the park, the roof looks like a giant “M.”
I definitely had to have a few Millers while at the game. It is Miller park, for goodness sake! And the a brat went quite well with that... This is Milwaukee! In 2012 I tried the Italian sausage. The lady at the counter said, “Would you like it dipped?” “Uh.... Of course!,” I said enthusiastically, not sure what she meant. The sausage griller then proceeded to dip my sausage in a ketchup/bbq sauce mix and then add grilled onions on top. Pretty tasty!
So basically they start four guys dressed head to toe in very tall and oversized foam sausage outfits in right field. Hot Dog vs. Bratwurst vs. Italian vs. Polish. (And they have since added a Chorizo! - who I rooted for in 2012 - and won!). Anyway, they run like crazy toward home plate, and the crowd goes nuts. Although this has only been a tradition since the early 1990’s, I’m sure it will continue indefinitely as it is so much fun.
**Original date of attendance may be off -- It was the summer of 2002 right before the All-Star Game.
Milwaukee Brewers - Miller Park
Tuesday, July 2, 2002