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

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.

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

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.

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).

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

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

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.

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:

Want to watch Prince Fielder hit some homers? Of course you do. pic.twitter.com/cehM3Csuj3

— 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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