That would change with Milwaukee's entry into the American Association, which would last 50 years and provide the city's springboard into the major leagues.

Constantly creating new promotional gimmicks, Veeck gave away live animals, scheduled morning games for wartime night shift workers, staged weddings at home plate, and even sent Grimm a birthday cake containing a much-needed left-handed pitcher.

Then, in 1953, as manager of the transplanted Milwaukee Braves, he led the city's first National League team to three first division finishes (1953–1955).

The club continued to use the Beer Barrel Man (though in the Pilots' original colors of blue and gold) as the team's primary logo until 1978.

For the Brewers' first two championships, these were held against the Denver Grizzlies of the Western League and Birmingham Barons of the Southern Association.

Originally constructed in 1888, it was located in the North side of Milwaukee on a rectangular city block with the main entrance on Chambers St. between 7th and 8th Streets.

The fences then angled out sharply, making for deep "power alleys", and center field was 400 feet (122 m) from home plate.

Borchert Field was also the first Milwaukee home park for the Green Bay Packers, who played the New York Giants on Oct. 1, 1933.

The following year, the Packers moved their Milwaukee games to the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds in West Allis.