On Friday, my son and I went to the Brewers game. While we expected it would be our last game of the regular season, I didn't really think it would be an historic moment in Milwaukee baseball history.
With a magic number of two, I sort of thought Saturday would have been a better bet, especially as the game was tied, 1-1, until Ryan Braun stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eighth.
But the Brewers ultimately topped the Marlins and the Cubs lent a hand to the Brew Crew by beating St. Louis at Wrigley.
Suddenly those tickets in my pocket and the rally towels in our hands were keepers; memories of an extra-special dad and son night out.
Because it didn't seem a given the Brewers would clinch their division for the first time since 1982 on Friday, we just enjoyed the game like any other. That means visits to Bernie's Clubhouse slide and the Kids Zone on the terrace level, and no pressure to make the night something more. The Brewers took care of that part for us.
We had the same great time we always do at the ballyward and we were happy to be able to help cheer the Brewers into the playoffs.
My only regret is that I didn't close out our regular season with my usual malt cup. Gives me one more reason to anticipate Opening Day 2012.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
