PHOENIX — It didn't take long for veteran infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. to realize he was in the middle of a special situation when he was dealt to Milwaukee last season just before the trade deadline.
Leaving the Washington Nationals, who despite a host of promising young stars were still a few years away from contention, Hairston joined the Brewers, where he found a talented and maturing team in the thick of a playoff race and a fan base starving for its first division title in 29 years.
In addition to that, Hairston also found something else: Mark Attanasio, an owner who cared deeply about his team, its fans and especially its players.
"He is a very passionate guy," said Hairston, now with the Los Angeles Dodgers. "He loves his team. He's very concerned about his fans and wants to make sure he puts a great product on the field for the fans. As a player, that's all you can ask for from an owner."
Attanasio, a Los Angeles-based investment banker, purchased the Brewers from the Selig family in January 2005. At the time, the franchise was mired in mediocrity — though that description might be generous — and fan support was lagging in 5-year-old Miller Park.
The Brewers hadn't been to the playoffs since 1982 and hadn't put together a winning season since 1992.
That would soon change. The Brewers finished .500 in 2005 and two years later finally snapped their streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons. By 2008, Milwaukee was back in the playoffs, and a year ago, the Brewers' ignited the city with a franchise-record 96 victories and the NL Central crown.
Along the way, Attanasio earned the respect of those under his employ. He's a regular fixture in the clubhouse, and his Miller Park seats are located right next to the Brewers' dugout. But even with a constant presence and a desire to be involved in decision-making, Attanasio isn't viewed as the stereotypical meddling owner.
His appearances in the clubhouse aren't merely tolerated as is the case with many professional sports teams, regardless of sport; it's actually welcomed.
"He's very hands-on," left fielder Ryan Braun said. "But honestly, he's just a good guy. He's very genuine, very sincere. He fits in very well. He's able to come in here and have conversations with us, and you can tell that it's sincere. He legitimately cares about us and who we are as people along with how we're performing on the field."
Attanasio's commitment to the team and community played into Braun's decision to sign not one but two multi-year contract extensions, the most recent a $105 million deal that will keep Braun in Milwaukee through the 2020 season.
"It was a big factor," Braun said. "It played into the decision-making process for me because I know that he's committed to the franchise and the city of Milwaukee and making sure that we're consistently competitive year in and year out. That's all you can ask for as a player."
The Brewers play in MLB's smallest media market and, compared to other franchises, are limited in terms of generating revenue. Still, Attanasio has shown a willingness to open the checkbook and invest in his team.
Milwaukee built its roster around a core of home-grown talent, including Braun, Rickie Weeks, Corey Hart and Yovani Gallardo — all players who were drafted and developed by the Brewers and signed to mutually friendly multi-year deals as they evolved into top talent.
To complement those players, Attanasio has allowed general manager Doug Melvin to spend money on a supporting cast, whether it be free-agent signings like Jeff Suppan in 2006, Eric Gagne in 2008, Trevor Hoffman in 2009 or Aramis Ramirez this season.
And if the team needs a piece to get over the hump, Attanasio hasn't shied from taking on even more payroll, as he did when Melvin stunned baseball by acquiring CC Sabathia in 2008 or when he made trades for Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke in December 2010.
Attanasio's trust in Melvin has paid off, and as a result the owner said at the start of spring training that he “absolutely” plans to extend Melvin's contract which expires at the end of the season.
"Being in the investment business, I get a scorecard every day, and in Major League Baseball we get a scorecard every day," Attanasio said. "That can be exhilarating or daunting depending on what the score says. This team won 96 games last year and played 11 games in October. Also, this team has been in the playoffs two years out of the last four, so those are pretty good scorecards."
Attanasio has often been compared with Angels owner Arte Moreno, who earned the adoration of his team's fans when he lowered beer and ticket prices not long after taking control of the franchise and has demonstrated a willingness to spend money to field competitive teams.
Brewers manager Ron Roenicke spent 10 years as a coach with the Angels and recognizes the similarities between the two men.
"There is a lot of the same," Roenicke said. "They're both around, but they're not in telling you what to do all the time. Arte trusts the people he's hired, and Mark trusts the people he's hired."
Attanasio is in regular contact with Roenicke and Melvin. The owner offers his input but is not the type to demand action.
"When Mark comes in, it's a friendly atmosphere," Roenicke said. "He's usually always in a good mood and has a smile on his face. You need that from an owner. I know sometimes he won't be happy with what's going on, but it's usually the same thing on our end. If we're uptight about these things, they don't play as well.
"That's really nice. It's nice for me to be free to do the job that I think I should be doing."
Both in 2008 and last season, Attanasio was sequestered in a closed-off area with his players, watching the final outs of another game before the Brewers could celebrate a clinched playoff berth. It was a fitting illustration of the relationship between the owner and his players.
"He was great," Hairston said. "He got a chance to experience postseason play last year and he loved it. He's a very passionate guy when it comes to the game of baseball, his team and its fans. The city of Milwaukee is definitely in great hands."
