For several weeks, we’ve been hearing about the alumni home run derby the Milwaukee Brewers planned for July 25. This week, the team announced there will, in fact, be an entire day of programming — that includes the derby — in honor of the 25 seasons they’ve played at Miller Park and American Family Field.
Arguably the main event July 25 is the actual baseball game scheduled, which will see the Brewers take on the Miami Marlins at 3:10 p.m. On either side of that (and during it) are a series of experiences that include players and coaches from years past.
After the gates open at 1:10 p.m., the team will give fans time to gather at the autograph and photo sessions they have scheduled to start at 1:50 p.m. The autographs will get handed out in four 25-minute sessions taking place near the Selig Experience on the loge level and in the right-field corner on the terrace level. Photos will happen in three 25-minute sessions outside section 439 on the terrace level. Currently scheduled to participate are:
- Ryan Braun
- Prince Fielder
- Yovani Gallardo
- Carlos Gómez
- Bill Hall
- JJ Hardy
- Corey Hart
- Geoff Jenkins
- Corey Knebel
- George Kottaras
- Mark Loretta
- Casey McGehee
- Nyjer Morgan
- Mike Moustakas
- Eric Thames
- Randy Wolf
You’ll also find alumni popping up as guest bartenders — or just to hang out — at X-Golf, Barrel Bars, 3rd Street Market and The Alley. On top of that, the team will help fans get into a celebratory mood by offering $2.50 brats and draft beers prior to the game’s first pitch, while select merchandise at the Brewers Team Store near home plate and the left-field gate will be 25% off.
Capping off the day is the home run derby that’ll take place after the proper MLB game wraps up. Ryan Braun and Carlos Gómez will serve as team captains, in addition to participating, and will choose from a pool of players that includes:
- Prince Fielder
- Corey Hart
- Bill Hall
- Eric Thames
- Nyjer Morgan
- Keon Broxton
- Yovani Gallardo
- Casey McGehee
Every batter will swing until the clock hits 2 minutes or they hit into eight outs (any ball that doesn’t leave the yard). They’ll then have a “golden baseball” round consisting of 45 seconds or three outs, with every homer worth triple (as in three times their usual value, not a three-bagger).
With the active Milwaukee Brewers playing some truly excellent baseball, it should be a pretty stellar day at the ballpark. To get you primed, here’s Ryan Braun hitting one of the many walk-off homers that propelled the Brewers to a postseason appearance in 2008 — the team’s first in more than a quarter-century.
