if the brewers left.....

[davego]

Toyko Giants!

[Jenkins5]

I'd spend a lot less time on BF.net and maybe get more work done!

 

Lol this 100% I started posting on this board at end of 2002 season or so right around the time of the great Delmon Young & Rickie Weeks draft debates. I was like 14 or 15 years old then. Since that time I have spent way to much time on here over high school work, college work, grad school work, and work work.

 

If the Brewers left, I would probably still follow them over another team. Even if they move, it is still the same players, coaches, front office at least for time being. Otherwise I'd just follow rebuilding teams or teams I idolize their vision, approach, and style. I would follow Rays more closely, hard not to love them. Royals I greatly enjoy. Giants are very well run and managed.

 

I could never cheer for Cubs, Cards, Reds. Pirates I respect a lot and think are run the right way, I'd want them to win Central every year if new Brewers moved out of Central. Cards are run the right way but their fans and stuck up perception of baseball is too annoying.

[ewitkows]

I'd probably follow the Twins but not nearly as closely as I do the Brewers.

[Bikeage77]

I think I would become a Tigers fan. My uncle lives in Michigan and he's a Tigers fan, so I'd probably end up cheering for them. If not the Tigers, the Twins.

[DocLuna7]

Great (and sad) hypothetical. I would probably just adopt a local little league or high school team to satisfy my baseball rooting interest. As it stands, the Brewers are by far and away my favorite team but I tend to root consistently for one team in each division.

[logan82]

Baseball? What's baseball?

[hawing]

I think I've mentioned this on the board before, but during the (whether to build) Miller Park debate in 1995, I was enough of a doubter that I started a mental list of teams I could stand to adopt in lieu of a relocated Brewers franchise.

 

The list was all small/smallish-market. In no particular order, Pirates, Twins, Indians, Mariners, Royals. If I had to make a 21st-century list, I'd consider adding the Astros and Nationals. Nothing that's super trendy.

 

Since 1995, I've been to a home game for all these teams except Houston (and, so far, not Target Field), and enjoyed each of the experiences enough so I'd still consider switching if I had to. In general, I'd prefer a team whose home games are in the same time zone, so Seattle might ultimately be lower on the list.

 

I ruled out Chicago (either team) and St. Louis all but immediately.

 

I think if the Brewers moved away, they would become the anti-franchise for me. I might have inherited that feeling; I didn't find this out until after my dad died, but he apparently wrote off baseball entirely after the Braves left Milwaukee.

[jhart05]

if the brewers left.....

 

The only division 1 college baseball team in the state would get a major stadium upgrade.

 

What else would it be used for? A minor league team?

[Mass Haas]

Guess I'd become a huge fan of Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, NY) baseball

[homer]

if the brewers left.....

 

The only division 1 college baseball team in the state would get a major stadium upgrade.

 

What else would it be used for? A minor league team?

 

 

Probably. A domed AAA team would be very desirable for any major league team.

[MrTPlush]

I don't think anyone would be moving in. A college team cannot pay the the money to lease Miller Park...AAA team is probably in the same boat. The stadiums upkeep would be too high with not enough revenue coming in. Miller Park would probably sit empty and dark until another MLB team decides to come here.

[Invader3K]

If the Brewers left, I'd probably half-heartedly follow the Twins and White Sox. No way could I ever be a Cubs fan. I wouldn't go out of my way to really keep up with MLB anymore if the Brewers left.

[nodakfan17]

AAA baseball attendance is in the 6,000 - 10,000 per game range. Miller Park could be right-sized to accommodate a smaller crowd. You'd almost certainly start by closing off the top two levels. Miller Park will be paid off by 2017, right? So if the Southeast Wisconsin Baseball Park District operates as a rational business, they would lease out the ballpark provided the lease income would be sufficient to cover operating expenses. There's obviously an economic benefit to having a AAA tenant than no tenant. Plus, as some posters have mentioned, a MLB-parent club would value an indoor stadium.

[pacopete4]

AAA baseball attendance is in the 6,000 - 10,000 per game range. Miller Park could be right-sized to accommodate a smaller crowd. You'd almost certainly start by closing off the top two levels. Miller Park will be paid off by 2017, right? So if the Southeast Wisconsin Baseball Park District operates as a rational business, they would lease out the ballpark provided the lease income would be sufficient to cover operating expenses. There's obviously an economic benefit to having a AAA tenant than no tenant. Plus, as some posters have mentioned, a MLB-parent club would value an indoor stadium.

 

 

Especially if that AAA team was let's say the Cubs. You would have a great chance at getting higher attendance.

[MrTPlush]

It would make more sense to demolish it.

 

I imagine it would stay up unused for a while(maybe as long as it takes) until a new team comes to Milwaukee. If no new team opts to come in a reasonable time good chance it would get flattened. I don't even think putting a minor league team in it is even feasible.

 

Miller Park does have a roof though so maybe it could find some used if baseball left. Though the new Bucks stadium downtown would probably be a much more attractive option for events.

[Warning Track Power]

Cubs, Dodgers, Padres or White Sox for me...

 

I prefer NL baseball and the strategy involved. My entire family, outside of me (Los Angeles, California), was born in Wisconsin or Minnesota, so I don't have the little brother syndrome that so many Wisconsinites rightfully have in regard to Chicago and their superiority complex. I spent summers in Milwaukee growing up but those included riding with my dad around the Chicago area and listening to Cubs and White Sox games, as well as Chicago sports radio. Much like if the Packers left, I would become a Bear fan. I just don't have the same animosity towards Illinois that most have on this board.

[dlk9s]

My dad is a Milwaukeean through and through, born in 1944. He was, of course, a Braves fan. For some reason, I've never really talked to him about what it was like when they left (my parents are coming to visit in a week, so maybe I'll ask), but I don't believe he continued to follow the Braves at all. I would imagine it would be a bit different nowadays, since it is very easy to keep track of teams and watch games from anywhere.

 

My best guess as to what I'd do if the Brewers moved is maybe I'd still follow them, but not as closely. Wouldn't have that passion anymore. I've lived, coincidentally, in Atlanta for 17 years now and I'm fairly neutral on the Braves. I'm guessing I'd start following them more closely and wouldn't be surprised if I became a fan. Wouldn't hurt that I live in Cobb County where the new stadium is and my wife works within walking distance.

 

My 7-year old told me the other day that it is ok if he cheers for both the Braves and the Brewers. Also, we got some fun news when we found out his spring little league team is the Brewers! The coach has already scored points with me because used the classic logo in his intro e-mail.

[MrTPlush]

I feel like trying to follow a team after they ditch your city is a lot similar to a break up with a significant other. I mean sure you could still be friends, but it is kinda weird. You have been through so much and got so close...just for them to leave you for someone else.

 

Okay....maybe my love for baseball and the Brewers has hit a creepy level...

[nodakfan17]

Especially if that AAA team was let's say the Cubs. You would have a great chance at getting higher attendance.

 

Would the Cubs be willing to give up the Iowa market? I think their AAA-affiliate is well-placed.

 

It would make more sense to demolish it.

 

My guess is that there is already a sweetheart tax deal in place for the property and if the Brewers were to leave, a similar deal could be extended to the new AAA occupant. There is an economic benefit to having 70+ home games every year. Plus, I have no idea how Miller Park treats depreciation, but my guess is that they are able to write off a few million dollars every year. If the stadium were demolished, you'd forego the ability to offset profits by the amount of depreciation. Essentially, any profit that Miller Park makes is tax-free up to the depreciation amount. I know I'm speaking in hypotheticals, but my point is that the burden of maintaining a AAA-quality ballpark (and doing so profitably), may not be as large as you think.

[jerichoholicninja]

I would expect Miller Park would become more multi purchase if the Brewers leave. They've concerts, soccer, and bowling there and I'm sure they could make the modifications for football easily if they didn't have baseball to worry about. Throw in some hockey games, basketball games, monster trucks, and conventions and I think you can make Miller Park profitable without a baseball team.

[MrTPlush]

I don't think a AAA team would even want Miller Park. I only say that because then you are looking at filling up a tiny sliver of the stadium. It would look really bad and would be a horrible game day atmosphere. Teams prefer to have it so they are able to fill up their stadium to full capacity vs. thousands of extra seats.

 

I don't see such a thing happening. Miller Park is nice now, but by 2040, the earliest they could realistically move, you are talking something that isn't to state of the art.

[Patrick425]

The Cubs. My dad was born in 1932 and lived in Adams County until he was 13 or 14. The only team he could pick up were the Cubs, so he became a Cubs fan. Also, when we first got cable in the early 80s and Wrigley did not have lights I watched a lot of day Cub games during the summer on WGN with Harry Carey announcing (those were great days). The Brewer were in the AL at the time and didn't have a rivalry with the Cubs so didn't really have a reason to hate them.

 

Most of my friends also followed the Cubs an Cable. So we enjoyed talking about the cubs (Ron Cey, Baby Bull Durham, Jody "A boy named Sue" Davis, Sandberg) and laughing at Harry Carey as you never knew what kind of incoherent non-sequitur would come out of his mouth next. It always seemed like Steve Stone was ready to erupt having to politely correct all the misinformation that Carey would dish out. However, we still loved him..not like his son, Skip Carey, who was broadcasting for the other "cable team" at the time, the Braves on TBS. They were so obnoxious with their "America's team" claim and Skip's smug way of broadcasting..."Hot shot, Ramirez has it, Braves win"....ugh.

 

So, long story short...as intolerable as Cubs fans can be when they visit our park...I will always have a place in my heart for that team (but always a very distant second to the Brewers!).

[rwa12]

Funny, Patrick...we must be about the same age. I have fond memories of those Cubs teams as well. Grew up following both teams, with no rivalry present. Shawon Dunston was a hero to me, he threw harder than Doc Gooden! Loved the Penguin, and for some reason Bobby Dernier was a favorite.

[davego]

...id be afraid to put on a different team's hat...