Milwaukee County Stadium
Home of the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, where baseball history was made.
Milwaukee County Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Opened in 1953, it was primarily a baseball park for Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Braves and later the Milwaukee Brewers. It was also used for Green Bay Packers football games, ice skating, religious services, concerts, and other large events. Its final season was in 2000, when it was replaced by the adjacent Miller Park, now American Family Field.
- Opened
- 1953
- Braves Era Ended
- 1965
- Location
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- World Series Won
- 1957
- Status
- Demolished
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Construction began in October 1950 and, hampered by steel shortages during the Korean War, was completed in 1953. Construction cost was $5.9 million, with the bonds paid off in 1964. The stadium was originally built as a home for the Milwaukee Brewers of the minor league American Association. Several locations were considered before the city settled on the defunct site of the Story Quarry. The minor league Brewers did play at County Stadium in 1953 before the Braves arrived. The Boston Braves relocated to Milwaukee in 1953, becoming the Milwaukee Braves. The Braves hosted back-to-back World Series in 1957 and 1958, but lost the 1958 series 4-3 to the New York Yankees. The Braves used the stadium through the 1965 season when new owners moved the team to Atlanta. After the Braves left, Bud Selig brought the Chicago White Sox to play home games at County Stadium in 1968 and 1969, with the 1969 games being 11 home games, not the entire season. Selig then bought the Seattle Pilots out of bankruptcy court, and the team became the Milwaukee Brewers, playing at County Stadium from 1970 to 2000. The stadium hosted an All-Star Game in 1955. Hank Aaron hit his final home run at County Stadium on July 20, 1976, as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers, giving him a career total of 755.
In Their Own Story
On July 20, 1976, under the lights of County Stadium, Hank Aaron achieved a historic milestone. The veteran slugger, who had recently returned to Milwaukee after a trade with the Braves, stepped into the batter's box against California Angels right-hander Dick Drago in the 7th inning. With a solo shot, Aaron hit his final home run at the stadium, bringing his career total to 755 and establishing the all-time record he had first taken from Babe Ruth in 1974. The Brewers won that game 6–2. Earlier, on July 15, 1975, the stadium hosted its second All-Star Game with an attendance of 51,480, then the largest crowd in the venue's history. Notable moments also included the theft of gloves and uniforms from Kansas City Royals players before a game on June 12, 1977, forcing all but seven Royals to wear Milwaukee road uniforms for the contest.
Reader's Guide
The stadium's final dimensions were symmetrical. When it opened in 1953 it had 28,111 permanent seats and could hold up to 36,011 people. After an expansion one year later, the seating capacity was increased to 43,394. Subsequent expansions raised the baseball capacity to 53,192.
Did You Know?
- The first published issue of Sports Illustrated on August 16, 1954, featured County Stadium with Braves batter Eddie Mathews on its cover.
- County Stadium hosted the first two editions of the Global World Series in 1955 and 1956; both were won by the United States.
- In 1969, the White Sox played 11 home games at County Stadium, drawing over one-third of their total home attendance that season.
- The only All-Star Game hosted at County Stadium was in 1955, not 1975.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Milwaukee County Stadium?
Milwaukee County Stadium, affectionately known as 'The County,' was the home ballpark for the Braves from 1953 to 1965 after the team moved from Boston. Located in Milwaukee's Menomonee Valley, this multi-purpose facility served as a temporary but historic base before the franchise eventually relocated to Atlanta.
What role did Milwaukee County Stadium play in baseball history?
The stadium hosted pivotal moments for the franchise, most notably serving as the site where the Braves defeated the New York Yankees to win the 1957 World Series. It functioned as a transitional home that allowed the team to establish a new identity in the Midwest before their southern migration.
How does the story of Milwaukee County Stadium end?
After the Braves departed for Atlanta following the 1965 season, the stadium continued to host other teams until it was ultimately demolished. Its physical structure no longer exists, leaving behind only memories and records of its time as a major league venue.
Why is Milwaukee County Stadium important to Braves fans?
It represents a unique era where the franchise won a championship title away from their original Boston roots or future Atlanta home. The stadium is celebrated for being the neighborhood park where legendary players like Hank Aaron and Warren Spahn achieved glory before moving south.
Where was Milwaukee County Stadium located?
The facility was situated on the East Side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, specifically within the Menomonee Valley. This location made it a central gathering spot for local fans during the team's thirteen-year tenure in the city.
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