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You’d have a hard time finding a professional sports team more closely intertwined with a local business than the Milwaukee Brewers and Miller.
Even with the stadium naming rights deal ending after this season, the two will continue to be virtually synonomous.
That’s why the events of February 26th seem to be striking a chord with so many in the Brewers clubhouse. Since the events unfolded while the team was on the field Wednesday, many of the players and staff didn’t get a chance to digest and react to the news like many others in the Milwaukee community have.
Christian Yelich was one of the first to react on Twitter on Wednesday, posting a “Milwaukee Strong” graphic:
Very heartbreaking to hear about the tragedy in Milwaukee today. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone at MolsonCoors. #MilwaukeeStrong pic.twitter.com/HbWxc4ifnz
— Christian Yelich (@ChristianYelich) February 27, 2020
Today, the team took it a step further, with every player in the clubhouse posing with a “Milwaukee Strong” flag.
We may be here in Phoenix, but our hearts are in Milwaukee. pic.twitter.com/x362fsxByT
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) February 27, 2020
In his daily chat with reporters, manager Craig Counsell spoke more at length about his reaction, the feeling that he (and society as a whole) needs to do something — and the frustration of not necessarily knowing what that “something” is.
Before talking baseball this morning, #Brewers manager Craig Counsell addressed the mass shooting at MolsonCoors in Milwaukee. pic.twitter.com/zqcUglDULf
— Tom (@Haudricourt) February 27, 2020
More Counsell: "There’s a public safety issue going on, and whether it’s guns, whether it’s mental health, we have to figure out what it is. I think it’s a wake-up call for me. ... In addition to the prayers and the thoughts and the condolences, we have to do our part."
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) February 27, 2020
Counsell on gun violence: "I don’t have the answers, because it’s a complicated question. But what’s happening isn’t complicated, and it should push us all to action. Certainly, research and voting is probably the best way for everybody in this. Do your homework and then vote."
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) February 27, 2020
The Brewers haven’t yet announced plans to commemorate the lives lost, whether it’s with uniform patches or something else, but it seems like a safe bet to happen.
(Note: Comments will be left open on this post, but this would not be the proper forum to address gun laws or politics. This will be closely watched.)