Before Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, MLB Network joined a man who has turned Brewers fandom into a daily ritual. For Koehler, the trip to the ballpark is not a special occasion move. It’s the same walk he has made to every Brewers home game since moving into Milwaukee’s Story Hill neighborhood in 1986, back when County Stadium sat much closer than American Family Field does now.
His connection to the club goes back even further. Koehler has followed the Brewers since their arrival in 1970, and he has been a season ticket holder since the end of 1982, when Milwaukee was coming off its first World Series appearance. Now, 44 years later, he gets to watch them chase another one.
“That would be just awesome. I think about it daily,” Koehler said.
The walk itself has become part of the experience. Koehler buys printed tickets, pays extra for them, and heads out at 6:25 p.m. for 7 p.m. games.
He carries his own soda and never buys another drink once he gets inside, all so he won’t have to leave his seat. He also knows exactly why the routine works for him.
“As you’re going to see, it’s a 12-minute walk to my seat,” he told MLB Network’s Robert Flores as they began their stroll to Game 1. “I didn’t want to put up with the traffic, I didn't want to put up with anything getting here.
So I can save on parking, too. It’s a double-feature that way.”
Neighbors, police officers and ushers all know the rhythm by now and greet him along the route. Former Brewers players such as Carlos Gomez, Geoff Jenkins and Ben Sheets got to know him over the years, and Jackson Chourio still gives him a nod. That kind of familiarity was never something Koehler expected when he moved closer to the ballpark.
Weather hasn’t changed the plan, either. When asked about rain, he pointed to the gear he keeps ready.
“I have a raincoat and a rain hat,” he said. “As a Wisconsin person, the weather doesn’t bother you.”
Even a badly broken leg in December couldn’t keep him away. He had not walked down a step until two days before Opening Day, but he still found his way to his seat with a cane and help from one of the ushers he knows well. Together, they made it down the 22 steps to his seat next to the Brewers’ dugout.
This World Series, though, means something different. Koehler said it has brought energy, well-wishes and a welcome shift away from the constant conversation about 1982.
“It’s brought energy, it’s brought best wishes and it’s kind of helping to get rid of all the talk about 1982,” said Koehler, who loves the Brewers’ first World Series team but also loves the idea of creating new history. “This younger generation, they can identify with the Brewers for the next 40 years like I did with '82.
And they’re all going to like baseball. All new fans are going to evolve.”
He also thinks this matchup fits the moment.
“This could really be something with Tampa Bay and us,” Koehler said. “You’ve got baseball.
You’ve got bunting, you’ve got stealing, you’ve got hit-and-runs. The only thing you don't have anymore is a pitcher going nine innings.”
The routine, though, won’t change. Koehler said he has already paid his invoice for 2027, and he plans to keep going as long as his body lets him.
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