Moustakas Makes Good First Impression in Milwaukee

By Greg Echlin

Mike Moustakas knew how to hit the right buttons in his first home game at Miller Park in Milwaukee.

It started before the game when the left-handed hitting third baseman held court for the local media in the Brewers dugout while wearing a Giannis Antetokounmpo, the biggest drawing card for the NBA’s cross-town Bucks these days. Even if Moustakas didn’t know how to pronounce The Greek Freak’s last name.

Moustakas Fan — Moustakas was popular in K.C. and has hit it off well in Milwaukee.

“I’m a big jersey guy, so obviously I’m excited to be here and rep the city for sure,” said Moustakas when asked about the Bucks jersey.

Then Moustakas, one week after his Friday night trade from the Kansas City Royals while the team was in New York, endeared himself with the Brewers fan base after an RBI single to the opposite field in his first at-bat from the No. 3 spot in the lineup before the home crowd of 37,751 in Milwaukee.

“I ended up getting it over the shortstop’s head. Got a run and an early lead,” said Moustakas after a 5-3 walk-off win over the Colorado Rockies. “After that, we were able to add on a little bit later with (Eric) Thames’s huge homer.”

Thames homered with two baserunners aboard off former Royals closer Wade Davis who blew his second save in as many days. Both in walk-off fashion as the St. Louis Cardinals victimized Davis in their series finale.

After a pair of hits in his first three at-bats at Miller Park, the Moose calls got louder in the ninth when Moustakas started the inning against Davis, but struck out.

“The more the game got intense, the (Moose) chants got a little bit more intense, so it was awesome,” said Moustakas who joined the team in San Francisco before the road trip continued in Los Angeles.

The power that Moustakas adds to the Brewers lineup has been well-documented. But since Moustakas joined the Brewers, manager Craig Counsell has noted the intangibles he brings to the clubhouse.

Milwaukee’s only World Series championship was in 1957 when the Braves were in town.

“You know Mike (Moustakas) has played in the World Series,” said Counsell. “I’m not sure how I describe that really, but there’s a sense that he’s played in those games. That’s going to be valued for us.”