Major League Baseball

Brewers pay tribute to past with new Wall of Honor

Published Jun. 13, 2014 8:30 p.m. ET

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MILWAUKEE (AP) Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Robin Yount and Rollie Fingers have joined baseball Commissioner Bud Selig as some of the inaugural honorees on the Milwaukee Brewers' Wall of Honor.

The plaques on exterior facade of Miller Park were unveiled before Friday's game against the Cincinnati Reds.

Selig owned the Brewers before taking over as commissioner. The Milwaukee native bought the Seattle Pilots, and the team became the Brewers in 1970.

Selig has a plaque on the Brewers' new honor roll, along with 57 others who met the organization's criteria.

Fingers won the Cy Young and AL MVP awards as the closer in Milwaukee in 1981. He says the wall is educational for fans, a place to catch up on team history.

''The one in Cooperstown is a harder to get,'' Fingers joked at a reception after the honorees got the first peek at the area. ''But it's a great wall. ... A lot of the fans probably didn't know of the any of the guys that were playing in the late 60s, early 70s, so now they can read up on them, who they were and what they did to promote Milwaukee Brewer baseball.''

Selig, a former auto dealership executive, waxed nostalgic before presenting commemorative plaques.

''I could never had dreamed that we would have days like today to celebrate,'' Selig said. ''Having lived here my entire life, I can tell you that bringing back baseball to Milwaukee ... remains the highlight of professional life, the achievement I am most proud of.''

Selig plans to retire in January after 22 years as commissioner.

Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Uecker is also honored on the wall. For players, the criteria to qualify includes 2,000 or more plate appearances; 1,000 or more innings pitches; or winners of major awards.

Players less notable outside Milwaukee who were honored include Cal Eldred, John Jaha and Bill Wegman.

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