oct 19, 1950 - County Stadium built & Milwaukee Braves arrive

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Of all the developments completed in the 1950s, none had a greater impact on the community than Milwaukee County Stadium. The decision to build County Stadium was a staggering leap of faith for a community that no one has ever mistaken for being impetuous. Although the minor-league Brewers were nominally the stadium's major tenants, Milwaukee was obviously angling for a big-league team, without the slightest assurance that one was available. The long-awaited news finally came on March 13, 1953. The Boston Braves, parent team of the Brewers would move to Milwaukee in time for the upcoming season. The reaction of Wisconsin residents, whether urban, suburban, or rural, bordered on hysteria.

On the Sunday after the announcement, nearly 60,000 people drove out to County Stadium just to peer over the third-base fence and watch the grass grow. The first game, an April exhibition match between the Braves and the Boston Red Sox, was sold out instantly, and the pandemonium continued through the regular season. As many as 15,000 fans showed up before games just to cheer infield practice.

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