MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Brewers fans have had no shortage of reasons to love the team this season. They were the first MLB team to punch their ticket to the postseason, record the most regular season wins in franchise history, and enter the postseason with the best record in baseball.
But there’s a story unfolding off the field that could give the Milwaukee community another reason to support the Brew Crew.
Another reason to love the Crew
What we know:
In a crowd of 30,000 Tuesday night for the Sept. 16 game against the Los Angeles Angels at American Family Field, there is one player who has his own cheering section behind him, and not necessarily because of his incredible performance this season.
Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick has gained new fans, who are actually new friends made off the field thanks to Best Buddies Wisconsin.
Best Buddies is a national peer-to-peer school friendship program that connects students with special needs and those without.
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Frelick has become a regular at Best Buddies events lately, much to the delight of members like Mitch Welk.
“I actually had the opportunity to meet him in person,” Welk said. “My mom and dad took a picture of Sal and I and we had a brother hug.”
This spontaneous interest came as a pleasant surprise to local Best Buddies producers Laura Brackett and Caroline Tyson.
“One day we opened our Instagram and there was a post from a guy named Sal Frelick saying, ‘I play for the Milwaukee Brewers, I love Best Buddies, I’d love to get involved,'” Tyson explained.
I’m no stranger to Best Buddies
What they say:
While Frelick may be new to the Wisconsin Section, he is no stranger to the program. He has been a proud member since he was a student at Lexington High School in his hometown in Massachusetts.
“We had a prom every year, we had a red carpet and we went down the red carpet,” Frelick said, of the Best Buddies activities.
“I really think they are angels, I can’t even imagine what high school would have been like without this program and without these kids,” Frelick said.
The experience introduced the multi-sport athlete to a world of joy, laughter and positivity.
Many of the relationships he developed are still strong today.
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“Malachi back home is still one of my best friends,” Frelick said. “Justin, Emily, all these kids… there’s never a dull moment with them, you just can’t be in a bad mood. I don’t think bad moods exist in the special needs kids I’ve worked with.”
Being a part of the Brewers introduced Frelick to many Milwaukee community organizations, but he has a soft spot in his heart for this team.
“When I was here, it was almost like something was missing in my life in that regard,” Frelick said.
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From the Best Buddies Tailgate party to the Friendship Walk, Frelick has found his home with the Wisconsin chapter.
And they are delighted to have him on their team.
“He has a big heart and compassion for the community that we serve and it shows from the moment you meet him and you see him interact with these kids, these adults,” Tyson explained.
“When he came to the march, we had over 1,000 people,” added Laura Brackett. “It helps us spread the mission, it helps us spread the word about what Best Buddies is.”
The mission is simple
You are deeper:
That mission is simple: to provide a sense of community, belonging and understanding to those who might be taking a different path in life, which Frelick says can happen anywhere and with anyone.
“If you are around people with special needs or if they are in the same environment as you, go up and talk to them,” Frelick advised. “That’s how I first got involved and that’s what I think sparked this wonderful relationship I have with so many friends now.”
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Frelick’s work in the community with groups like Best Buddies earned him the team’s nomination for the Roberto Clemente Award, considered MLB’s most prestigious individual honor.
The winner will be announced during the World Series.
The source : The information in this article was provided by the Milwaukee Brewers and Best Buddies.
