Music - Surrender by Cheap Trick

Miller Park - still standing

Located just beyond the centerfield fence of old County stadium is the new home for the Milwaukee Brewers. Miller park was completed (with delays) for the start of the 2001 season. The Brewers had been pushing for a new facility to replace decaying County stadium for years. Finally on November 9, 1996, groundbreaking took place. Unfortunately, the park wouldn't open for 4 1/2 years. Tragedy would strike the construction site. On July 14, 1999, a crane, nicknamed big blue, collapsed while lifting a 400 ton roof section. Three worker were killed in the accident. This pushed the project even further behind. Finally on April 6, 2001, Miller park was ushered into life. The state of the art home for the Brewers was now ready for business.

Unlike it's predecessor, Miller park makes even the most brutal Wisconsin weather bearable. Miller park has a fan style roof that can be opened or closed. It is also part of the retro park movement. The rounded entrance is reminiscent of the old Ebbets field rotunda in Brooklyn. The brats made the trip over from County stadium and are still very tasty at the new park.

The Brewers have made the most of the move over to the new park. New ownership has put together a young exciting team. The fans have been showing up to the park regularly since it opened. Young stars like Prince Fielder, Ben Sheets, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Ricky Weeks have brought a youthful exuberance to Brewers games.

Some of the traditions of old County stadium made the move over to Miller park. Bernie Brewer has new digs above the left field fence in the upper deck. He still slides down the slide when a Brewer hits a home run. As mentioned before, the brats and "secret sauce" are here. The sausage races still take place at the bottom of the 6th inning, and during the 7th inning stretch, they still play roll out the barrels. And YES, there is plenty of Miller beer to be had.

The first game was played on April 6, 2001. The Brewers played the Cincinnati Reds to usher in the new home. A sellout crowd of 42,024 saw the Brew Crew beat the Reds 5 - 4. David Weathers picked up the win and Jeromy Burnitz hit the first Brewers home run. Michael Tucker of the Reds had the distinction of hitting the first home run in Miller Park. He hit it in the first inning of Brewers starter Jeff D'Amico. The following year, Miller park hosted the all-star game for the first time. This was the infamous 2002 game that ended in a 7 - 7 tie.

Miller park is a great new facility. County stadium had long since outlived her use. It was time for the old park to go. The new home is everything County stadium wasn't. I do miss County stadium and its old feel charm. But seeing a Brewers game in April is no longer reason to dress like you are going to a Packers game at Lambeau field in December!