Christian Yelich made sure Game 1 of the 2026 World Series meant more than just the baseball.
The Milwaukee Brewers captain brought two World War II veterans to American Family Field on Friday and gave them seats behind home plate for the opener. His guests were Sverre Vinje, a 102-year-old Navy veteran from Rockford, Illinois, and Bill Wattleton, a 98-year-old Army veteran from Brown Deer, Wisconsin.
Yelich said he wanted to use the moment to recognize people who had waited a long time for a night like this.
“I thought it would be awesome to give back to some amazing heroes that have been waiting a really long time for this moment, and to be able to come and enjoy the game and take in the atmosphere.’’
He arranged the visit through the Players Trust, the MLBPA’s charitable arm, and the Illinois-based veterans organization VetsRoll. The MLBPA shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, showing the invitation and the veterans’ trip to the ballpark.
Yelich delivered the invite in a video message. When the veterans arrived, his mother, Alecia, greeted them, and they also met former Brewers All-Star Chris Capuano, according to the MLBPA.
Vinje’s connection to the day ran deep. He served in the Navy from 1943 to 1945 and was present at the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
He had already sung “God Bless America” at Milwaukee’s September 11 game, when the Brewers clinched a playoff spot, and again before their National League Division Series opener against San Diego. The Brewers had initially asked him to sing for Game 1, though that appearance was not included in MLB’s plans.
Wattleton, identified as a World War II and Korean War Army veteran, also carried a long memory of Milwaukee sports history, remembering the city welcoming the Brewers 56 years ago after the Braves left for Atlanta.
The night ended with a 3-2 Brewers win, and both veterans were there for the whole thing. Yelich tripled home Milwaukee’s first run and scored another as the Brewers grabbed a 1-0 series lead.
The outing came during a standout stretch for Yelich on the philanthropic side as well. The Players Trust named him its Most Valuable Philanthropist for August.
Christian Yelich personally invited 98- and 102-year-old WWII veterans Bill Wattleton and Sverre Vinje to Game 1 of the World Series. They were able to meet Christian’s mom Alecia, former Brewer All-Star Chris Capuano, and witness the Brewers win a World Series game in person.… pic.twitter.com/gnaUVThRtW
— MLBPA (@MLBPA) October 24, 2026
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