The Milwaukee Brewers have had several great players come through their organization. Several of these, like Robin Yount and Paul Molitor, were drafted and developed by Milwaukee at the start of their Hall of Fame careers. Others like Rollie Fingers and Ted Simmons, had several-year tenures with the Brewers during their long Hall-of Fame careers.
Of course, the legendary Hank Aaron finished his illustrious career with the Brewers after spending the majority of it with the Braves organization. He wanted, however, to finish his playing days in the city in which it began: Milwaukee.
All of these players, however, donned Brewers uniforms decades ago. It has been a very long time since the organization has had a number retirement ceremony. While there have been many good-to-great players that have played in Milwaukee, few have made it to the Hall of Fame, and those that did reach baseball’s highest honor didn’t spend enough time in Milwaukee to warrant a number retirement (i.e., Trevor Hoffman).
Some Fans Want the Milwaukee Brewers to Retire Ryan Braun’s Number
Ryan Braun is a recent player who many feel deserves to have his number retired by the team. A six-time All-Star, Braun spent his entire 14-year career in a Brewers uniform, winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2007 and the MVP in 2011. He is also the franchise leader in home runs with 352.
Whereas other star products of the Brewers’ farm system elect free agency or are traded elsewhere because they are going to elect free agency, Braun committed to Milwaukee by signing a team-friendly contract that kept him in Milwaukee. For some, this gesture in addition to his numerous career accolades are deserving of number retirement.
However, there are others that do not feel that way. They argue that his BALCO scandal and failed performance enhancing drug test should disqualify him from consideration of number retirement. Others argue that since Hall of Famers are the only players whose numbers the Brewers have retired, Braun should not have his receiving the same honor as he will not be in the Hall of Fame.
It is worth noting, however, that Milwaukee has unofficially retired Braun’s number eight, the same way they did Jim Gantner’s number 17.
Milwaukee Brewers Owner Mark Attanasio Will Not Close the Door on a Ryan Braun Number Retirement
In a recent interview with Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Attanasio was asked about the possibility of Braun having his number officially retired by the Brewers.
He responded:
“We have a whole process on this. Ryan, he’s going to be in the Walk of Fame. We have a Wall of Honor, which he’s on. I’d bet (the Walk of Fame) is no more than 25 players and I know we’ve had over 1,000 in uniform, so really it’s just to get to that is extraordinary. Once you’ve made it to the Walk of Fame, (number retirement) I guess the next inquiry for you. Then after that, it’s statue time.”
It sounds like there will be future discussions regarding whether or not Braun’s number eight will be hanging in the rafters. If it does, he will become the first non-Hall of Fame player to have that honor. Even the individuals who have had a number retired ceremonially (Bud Selig, Bob Uecker, and Jackie Robinson) are all in the Hall of Fame.
As far as statues go, there are only four people who have received that honor from the Brewers: Yount, Aaron, Selig, and Uecker.
It is hard to see Braun getting added to that list.
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