In the 13 years since Prince Fielder left the Milwaukee Brewers, they have had 12 different first basemen start on Opening Day. Rowdy Tellez in 2022 and 2023 is the only one who started multiple times. The other players the Brewers have tried to have stick at first since Fielder departed in free agency are Mat Gamel, Alex Gonzalez, Lyle Overbay, Adam Lind, Chris Carter, Eric Thames, Ryan Braun, Jesus Aguilar, Justin Smoak, Keston Hiura, Tellez, and Rhys Hoskins.
Hoskins has a player option for 2025, so it is entirely possible that Milwaukee could have their 13th different Opening Day first baseman in 14 years next year.
Indeed, Fielder was a generational talent in Milwaukee with nearly impossible shoes to fill (the Brewers are still trying to fill them over a decade later).
Prince Fielder Helped Usher in a New Era of Milwaukee Brewers Baseball
2011: Milwaukee Brewers Prince Fielder takes his last at bat as a Brewer, hitting a fly out. Afterward, he got a standing ovation from fans as he walked back to the dugout in Game 6 of the National League Championship in Milwaukee. The circular patch on Fielder’s chest commemorates groundskeeper Gary Vanden Berg Brewers17 14ofx Wood
When the Brewers selected Fielder with the seventh overall pick in the 2002 amateur draft, they were in the midst of the worst season in franchise history. They would go onto finish the year 56-106, a franchise record for losses. Over the next few seasons, while Fielder and other highly touted prospects developed in the minors, the team would go on to lose more than 90 games almost every year.
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2005 was a little different, however. The team finished 81-81, their first non-losing season since 1992. It was also the year that JJ Hardy and Rickie Weeks finally broke into the Majors as rookies. It was also the year that Fielder got his first taste of Big League play, appearing in 39 games and hitting .288/.306/.458 with two home runs and 10 RBI.
In 2006, Fielder was named the Opening Day starter at first base, and he would hold down that position for the next six seasons. Only Cecil Cooper (nine) had more Opening Day starts at first base than him.
As a rookie, Fielder hit .271/.347/.483 with 28 home runs and 81 RBI. He finished seventh in Rookie of the Year voting, but Milwaukee took a step back only winning 75 games. Still, it was clear that Fielder and the young core with him were going to be special.
Prince Fielder Made Milwaukee Brewers and Major League History Over the Next Five Seasons
Oct 13, 2011; St. Louis, MO, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder hits a double in the fourth inning of game four of the 2011 NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
In 2007, at the age of 23, Fielder became the youngest player in Major League history to hit 50 home runs in a season. He also averaged .288/.395/.618 and drove in 119 runs. He made his first All-Star team, finished third in National League MVP voting, and won a Silver Slugger.
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The following year, the Brewers finished 90-72 and made the MLB Playoffs for the first time since 1982. While they lost in the first round to the eventual World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies, it was still a highly successful season filled with magical moments.
For his part, Fielder hit .276/.372/.507 with 34 home runs and 102 RBI.
In 2009, he had one of his best seasons as a professional, hitting .299/.412/.602 with 46 home runs and a MLB-leading 141 RBI.
2010 saw his batting average drop dramatically, but he still slashed .261/.401/.471 with 32 home runs and 83 RBI while leading the Majors with 114 walks.
Fielder’s final year with Milwaukee saw the team win a franchise record 96 games and advance to the National League Championship Series, which they lost in six games to the St. Louis Cardinals. That year, Fielder his .299/.415/.566 with 38 home runs and 120 RBI. He also walked (107) more than he struck out (106).
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Fielder ended his time in Milwaukee with 230 home runs, which ranks third in franchise history behind Braun and Robin Yount. He made three All-Star teams, won three Silver Sluggers, and finished in the top four of MVP voting three times.
Prince Fielder’s Career Ended Early
Jul 7, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder (84) reacts after striking out in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Fielder signed with the Detroit Tigers in free agency and continued to have success on the field. He made two more All-Star teams in his two seasons there, and averaged .295/.387/.491, 28 home runs, and 107 RBI.
In 2013, he was traded to the Texas Rangers. While Fielder was durable player with Milwaukee and Detroit (he never played fewer than 157 games in a full season), his body started to break down. He was limited to 42 games in 2014 and 89 games in 2016.
He was forced to retire early due to a neck injury that required surgery, ending his career with 319 home runs, the same total his dad had in his own Major League career.
Milwaukee Brewers Legend Prince Fielder Went Viral on Saturday
Aug 28, 2011; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder (28) bats during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park. The Brewers defeated the Cubs 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
On Saturday, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and museum held their annual Negro Leagues East-West Classic. This game featured retired African American baseball players who competed in a home run derby and game.
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Fielder, of course, took part in the home run derby and proved that he still has the power that made him such a fearsome hitter for so many years:
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) May 25, 2024
Fielder happened to be picked to play on the same team as one of his former teammates. CC Sabathia was a captain for the West team and actually served as its designated hitter.
Former Brewers outfielder Curtis Granderson also played for the West. Former Brewers Tony Gwynn Jr. and Jerry Hairston Jr. played for the East.
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MILWAUKEE — A two-year-old was killed after having been struck by a car Sunday evening in McGovern Park, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.
The MCSO is investigating the circumstances of the incident. Trevon Crockett was there playing basketball when it happend.
“I don’t know if she saw the baby,” Crockett said. “I heard a lot of screams.”
He also told TMJ4’s Tahleel Mohieldin he witnessed a fight breaking out between several family members and the driver.
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“I saw her like try to get in the car but by the time she could have got in the car, they caught her, whooped her, all type of stuff,” Crockett recalled. “I mean she really couldn’t go nowhere.”
It’s unclear if any arrests have been made in connection to the deadly crash. Officers on scene spent several hours, flying a drone, marking evidence, and interview neighbors in the area.
TMJ4 also reached out to the Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee Fire Department but has not yet received a response.
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The two teams have split the first two games of the series in Milwaukee. The Brewers remain in first place in the division and Sunday won’t change that as they hold a big lead over the other four teams, but the Cincinnati Reds outcome could move them up or down a spot. Today’s first pitch is at 2:10pm ET. The game is also MLB.tv’s Free Game of the Day.
Starting Lineup
Starting Pitchers
Frankie Montas
After having the best start of his season on June 4th in Colorado, Frankie Montas returned on the 9th and couldn’t get out of the 2nd inning against Chicago and was charged with four earned runs.
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The splits this year are pretty big for Montas. He’s pitched quite well against right-handed hitters, holding them to a .599 OPS. But left-handed hitters are performing quite well against him. They walk at a good rate, make a lot of contact, and they hit for a good amount of power. Not shown below are his home and road splits. While his ERA is similar-ish, six of his seven home runs he’s allowed this year have come on the road despite making two fewer starts.
Splits
Split
PA
H
2B
3B
HR
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
RHH
113
21
6
0
2
9
24
.204
.274
.320
LHH
131
33
7
0
5
14
20
.290
.382
.483
Pitch Usage
4-seam
2-seam
Cutter
Slider
Split
Velo
95.5
94.4
90.0
85.1
85.8
Usage
36%
15%
16%
12%
21%
Colin Rea
In the middle of may, Colin Rea went through a short rough patch, but he’s rebounded well. In his last four outings he’s posted a 1.64 ERA in 22.0 innings and has allowed just 15 hits and two home runs.
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Similar to Montas, Rea has pretty big splits. He’s been very good against right-handed hitters as he’s held them to a .571 OPS this season. Lefties, though, have hit well. They make a lot of contact, hit for a lot of power, and have a good average against him. His ERA at home is 2.72 (3.93 on the road), but he’s allowed twice as many home runs in Milwaukee as he has on the road (6-to-3).
