MILWAUKEE, A championship celebration filled downtown Milwaukee on Friday as Brewers fans welcomed home the franchise's first World Series winners. Players raised the Commissioner's Trophy from buses, stepped into the crowds to greet supporters and shared a beer-soaked party that ended with a rally near Lake Michigan.
Milwaukee secured the championship Wednesday by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1, completing the World Series in five games. The Brewers had waited 44 years to return to baseball's championship series. Police estimated that more than 750,000 people attended the parade or rally, far exceeding an initial projection of about 400,000. Fans packed streets, gathered in parking garages and watched from office windows.
At American Family Insurance Amphitheater, team captain and designated hitter Christian Yelich told the crowd that the celebrations had left him with a black eye after the trophy struck his face. World Series MVP William Contreras joined supporters chanting his award's initials and dedicated the championship to Milwaukee. Manager Pat Murphy expressed amazement at the size of the turnout.
The festivities also honored broadcaster Bob Uecker, who died in January 2025 at age 90 after calling Brewers games for 54 seasons. The parade passed a downtown mural celebrating him, and former Brewers MVP Ryan Braun led fans in a cheer of Uecker's nickname. Hall of Fame shortstop Robin Yount rode onto the rally stage on a Harley Davidson that had belonged to Uecker.
Yount was joined in the celebrations by fellow Hall of Famers Rollie Fingers, Paul Molitor and Ted Simmons from Milwaukee's 1982 team, which lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. The parade also included owner Mark Attanasio, grounds crew members, other staff and the Johnsonville racing sausages. Hitting coach Daniel Vogelbach helped close the rally with a karaoke performance of Fountains of Wayne's "Stacy's Mom."
Some parade buses displayed "Won Our Way," a championship update to the team's postseason slogan. Outfielder Sal Frelick and second baseman Brice Turang were among the players who removed their shirts while encouraging the crowd. Reliever Aaron Ashby, whose 18 consecutive scoreless postseason relief innings set a major league record, described the celebration as the most special day of his and his teammates' lives.
With Milwaukee Public Schools canceling classes, families brought several generations of supporters downtown. Craig Muehl, 42, traveled from Brookfield with his young son and daughter. He said his connection to the Brewers came from his father, who kept their games playing on the radio throughout the summer.
The public celebrations had begun Thursday night at the Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau Field. Several Brewers attended, including Yelich and pitcher Jacob Misiorowski. Brandon Woodruff drew a particularly enthusiastic reception when he emerged carrying the trophy during the second quarter. Players also attempted leaps into the stands, with Frelick enjoying the most success.
The franchise began as the Seattle Pilots in 1969 and moved to Milwaukee the following year. Although this was the Brewers' first championship, Milwaukee previously celebrated a World Series victory in 1957, when the Braves defeated the New York Yankees. That franchise moved to Atlanta in 1966.
