MILWAUKEE – Ever since Miller Park opened in 2001, Cubs fans have been invading the Milwaukee Brewers home turf. And a lot of those Cubs fans are from…Wisconsin?
Why would a native Wisconsinite root against what should be their “home team”?
It depends who you talk to.
Some say it started after the Braves moved to Atlanta and Milwaukee was without an MLB team until the Seattle Pilots became the Brewers in 1970. Although before the Brewers were born, for two seasons, the White Sox played about 10 games per summer at the old County Stadium. But the White Sox were not very good. Plus they were an American League team. Milwaukee considered itself a National league town.
So it made sense that the Cubs – geographically the closest team to Milwaukee – and a National League team – would explain why some Wisconsinites follow the Cubbies.
Another good reason – WGN-TV, which even before the growth of cable TV, could be seen in some southern Wisconsin homes. And WGN broadcast tons of Cubs games. Later, when WGN became a mainstay of cable TV Cubs games could be seen by many more. At a time that local Milwaukee TV stations broadcast very few Brewers games.
As to why Cub fans from Illinois like to Miller Park? It’s an easy drive to Milwaukee. It’s a nice, new park. It’s got a roof so no rainouts. And ticket prices are a LOT less than Wrigley. According to a Statista.com, the Cubs have the highest average total ticket price for the 2018 season at over $58 a ticket. Meanwhile, the Brewers have some of the cheapest tickets at an average $26, putting them in 22nd.
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