Legends and Legacies - Memories of Milwaukee County Stadium

[@EdsterIII]

Thank you. I'm in the hospital right now. Pneumonia made my asthmatic COPD really bad. But watching this gave me SO MANY BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES. Going to Brewers games as a 8 year old. Seeing County Stadium was like a shrine. Granted NOW its a outdated structure. BUT so many memories took place there. I was there for Robin's 3,000 hit. It was EPIC!!!!!! The info about the minor league Brewers was amazing. So again thank you. Earl Gillespie was a awesome sports caster. I could go on forever on memories. Mine were from 1978-now. From a person laying in a hospital bed....THANK YOU. The memories you brought up and out made my week. Had to add this... I knew Robin Yount was a MVP, but it wasn't widely known he had played hurt as much as you now know. This shows how dedicated this man was to not only fulfill a contract, but he CARED about the game, and the fans. He was loyal. The most loyal player I've EVER seen. He always played 110%. After games kids would gather outside County Stadium and wait for the players after the games. Robin was ALWAYS kind, decent, and VERY RESPECTFUL. At time he would sign 40+ autographs. Back then they weren't paid like some of these prima donnas. Even after a loss he always took time for the fans. Bob Uecker was also awesome. Mike Caldwell was my favorite. At the end of the 78 season while waiting one last time for autographs he came out. All the other kids were with someone else. I can't remember who, but I saw Mike and since I was a wanna be left-handed pitcher he was my hero. 22-9 2.36 ERA. Yeah he was my idol. Anyway he in a joking way gave me a shhh signal. Then he said he needed to catch a plane to see his family. I just followed like a puppy dog. We got to his car and he had a duffle bag with all his equipment. And I'm sure personal stuff from the team. Any way he signed my glove/yearbook Mike Caldwell 22-9 1978. Then looked at me stopped and stared in the trunk of the car for a minute and pulled out his game cap. The blue home version. Put it on my head and said thanks kid. You were awesome. So by not yelling HEY EVERYONE LOOK IT'S MIKE CALDWELL, I respected his wish and even at 10 years old I knew how important family is when your away for a while. He did something I have NEVER EVER Forgotten. He is and always will be my FAVORITE BASEBALL....ATHLETE EVER. Thank you Mike Caldwell you are a Milwaukee treasure. It is truly one of the greatest memories I have in my life. That and playing catch with Jim Gantner, Billy Travers, and Larry Sorensen. Long story but our car got taken for a joy ride during the game. When we came out I instantly went to the autograph area. My dad waited with me for a couple hrs. Thats when the three came out. There were few kids left at this point. I was able to get all 3 autographs...SO 😎 COOL!!!! Billy Travers was another leftt pitcher. Anyway my dad wanted to go for the car. I wanted to stay. What little kid would want to leave the parking lot when he could hang out with 3 awesome ball players. One of em had a Winnebago type truck/camper. They were just chilling after the game. It was so laid back and accessible. NOTHING like today. So they agreed to hang out with me so my Dad could go for the car. I was like YEAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! Well no car. The Sheriff's dept. found it on a hill towards the Veterans hospital. It wasn't damaged bad, they just hid it there. ???? Maybe to pick up after all the police left? Who knows. This sounds so bad but I was having so much fun I didn't care...well I cared but I loved playing catch with 3 BREWERS. How many kids other than their own can say that? God it was so amazing. Billy Travers wouldn't teach me to throw a curve right off. He said my arm was too young to be twisting it in that way. Worry about location and stamina with your fastball, and changing speeds with a change-up. The movement will come. He said I could hurt my arm if I started whipping curve balls too much. He was right. A few years later a friend and I had been screwing around and figured it out. The sweeping movement was so wicked, that you could make a ball just drop. Well I couldn't be consistent in location. I would hit someone or it would soar wherever. So I waited. My buddy however mastered it. And by 17, he blew his rotator cuff and needed surgery. These are my two top memories. I wanted to share them sincs you shared this amazing video. Thank you. So much has changed. Back then players REALLY connected with the fans. I mean sure there were some that were not as friendly.....Cecil Cooper was one. Now he was an awesome 1st baseman and hitter, but not a patient guy with autographs. Last story I promise. He came out 2 hours after the game ended. There were still 8-10 kids waiting. He wasn't the most cordial dude...lol. Well I got there first and asked like I ALWAYS DID... VERY RESPECTFULLY...... Mr. Cooper could I have your autograph? He kept walking and finally said by his car I DON'T HAVE TIME RIGHT NOW KID. Well that pissed off my Mom. And like Mom's do she stuck up for me and the kids no matter how much it embarrassed me...lol. She asked back, you don't have 5 minutes for these kids?!?!? They actually had an argument. Nothing crazy or vulgar. He was just not very personable and well my Mom didn't mince words. If something happened that pissed her off. You would know about it. I finally did get his autograph, but it took a while. I think he held a grudge, and I can't say I blame him but still....I didn't complain. Aah memories. So many at County Stadium. So many in the parking lot even. It was a beautiful place. Evwn though all these new "futuristic" domes were going up I loved County Stadium.....except when we had Opening Day tickets on April 5th I think, and we got like 7-10" inches of snow. AAARRGGGHHH!!!! Well Brewers fans this was a special time for me. A home away from home in the summers of 77-84. In 84 I was 16 going on 25 and while I still loved the Brewers and watched whenever I could I had just gotten a car and I was in my mind too old to hang out after games. But still it was magical. Now being ill with the same disease that took my Mom, I've been reflecting a lot and this really warmed my heart. Again I can't thank you enough. To all the......................... True Blue Brew Crew fans out there...this is a magical team. Never stop believing or supporting. While times have changed a few things remain the same....... 1) Milwaukee LOVES their BREWERS!!!!!! 2) Spending a day at the ballpark is still MAGICAL. (Although expensive that's one big change) 3) The Milwaukee Brewers World Series Champions is something we all want to hear. 4) Milwaukee is a great place to live. It's big but not overwhelming. It has outlying suburbs for more quiet living. After I lost my Mom and Dad, I ended up moving up by Green Bay. It's nice, but yep I miss Milwaukee. Plus I'd love to see the new Bucks arena. If the good Lord allows me the ability I will be there. 5) The FANS OF THE BREWERS ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD!! 🌎 Goodbye and God Bless Milwaukee.

[@ddbronco1873]

Edster III great stories. I’m two years older than you... I hope you’re doing good

[@jamesthomas788]

The Packers used to play a few home games there for several years.

[@EdsterIII]

@@jamesthomas788 Green Bay played games in Milwaukee and at County Stadium for decades. Usually 1 pre-season game and then three (3) regular season games. I saw the Lions play the Packers with my Dad and Grandpa.

[@EdsterIII]

@@ddbronco1873 Thank you sir. While I am doing a little better I was not given the best diagnosis. Emphysema, severe COPD, and heart disease. I'm on medications that have help my heart issues. My Emphysema however slowly is getting worse. It's tough but I'll keep fighting!

[@bigbadredsox]

I loved County Stadium. Went there at least a dozen times to see the Red Sox. Great place to watch a game, a real ballpark. I miss it. That thing the Brewers play in now sucks, I will not go back there.

[@dvferyance]

Really it's way better than County Stadium.

[@sawyerprincl4102]

They should put county stadium in mlb the show

[@thomasskonecki6801]

The first time I was at county stadium was back in 1971. When my Uncle Johnny took me and my bother Eddie, too go see the Brewers play the Chicago White Sox, that was a thrill.

[@joshkutil4335]

Awesome documentary

[@sirchives4254]

Thank you for posting this

[@c-dublife]

thank you county stadium and thank you bob uecker.

[@hectorlopez1069]

Bob uecker was a catcher for the braves.

[@stevemandl5140]

only reason the white sox played here in Milwaukee in 68-69 was b/c the white sox couldn't draw fans in Chicago back then

[@hectorlopez1069]

I didn't know the packers played in that stadium.

[@adamdorgant9454]

They did most of the time!!!

[@EdsterIII]

@@adamdorgant9454 The Green Bay Packers played 4 total games per year at County Stadium.🏟 1 Pre-season game and 3 regular season games. Green Bay also played at Marquette stadium in Milwaukee as well. Green Bay had been playing in Milwaukee until County Stadium 🏟 shut down and Miller Park opened, then the Packers went back to Lambeau for ALL their games.

[@adamdorgant9454]

@Edster III Yes, now that you mentioned it!!!

[@RavenCap0807]

Packers had their last game at County Stadium in 1994.

[@c-dublife]

I saw the pack play the dolphins at county stadium sept 11 1994 Marino vs favre. pack lost and I will never forget it.

[@hectorlopez1069]

Boston braves milwaukee braves and now the atlanta braves

[@hectorlopez1069]

Hank aaron played in this stadium

[@EdsterIII]

Hank Aaron played here as a member of the Milwaukee Braves back in the 50's with Eddie Matthews, Warren Spahn, Lew Burdette, and other Braves Legends. He came back in 1975 to end his career with the Milwaukee Brewers. Which sadly was more of a ticket sales gimmick. Hank Aaron was/IS a Legend in Milwaukee! So is Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, Gorman Thomas, Ben Oglive, Jimmy Gantner, and Mike Caldwell. The Brewers from 1978 to 1990 were icons in Milwaukee. We loved them, the players were our family! It was truly special! When Paul Molitor left to go to another team it HURT! HURT BAD! We felt betrayed, and betrayed that the team wouldn't keep our hero! They also traded Gorman Thomas to Cleveland for Rick Manning. That angered a lot of fans! A LOT OF FANS! We adored this team! ALL OF THEM! They were truly a special team and I was Blessed to be a part of watching it!

[@jamesschroeder969]

County stadium had that sweet odor of cigars and spilled beer. Sounds gross but I sure would like to take a breathe of that again

[@adamkleba5615]

I want that in a scented candle