Bill Hall shares 'Mother's Day king' crown with Turang, 20 years later

MILWAUKEE -- Bill Hall was home in Charlotte on Sunday, out and about with his kids, when he received a text from former Brewers teammate and current Brewers television announcer Vinny Rottino.

"Did you see it?” Rottino asked.

Hall didn’t know what his friend meant.

"Turang hit a home run on Mother’s Day,” Rottino said.

Then it started to make sense. Hall hit one of the most memorable home runs in Brewers history on Mother’s Day in 2006, an epic blast not only because it was a walk-off shot in the 10th inning to beat the Mets at the stadium then known as Miller Park, but because of the bat he used to hit it.

It was the first year that MLB allowed players to swing pink customized bats on the holiday. The idea was to auction off the lumber for breast cancer research, and Hall’s winning homer -- with his mother Vergie going crazy in the stands -- provided a captivating moment. Brewers owner Mark Attanasio later purchased the bat at auction and presented it to Vergie as a gift.

Ever since, whenever Hall’s playing career comes up in conversation, it’s the very first thing he hears about.

“That is the moment,” Hall said. “I always get texts on Mother’s Day from all over.”

So, he was not particularly surprised to get a text from Rottino. But it wasn’t until Hall opened Instagram and saw the highlight that it all made sense.

Twenty years later, Brewers second baseman Brice Turang hadn’t just homered on Mother’s Day, but he had hit a walk-off homer … with a pink bat … to beat a New York team in Milwaukee … while wearing the same uniform No. 2.

“He’s been my favorite player since he got called up,” Hall said of Turang. “I just like the way he plays. I see something special in him. I think he’s very clutch. He has a calm demeanor, kind of like mine. I see a lot of similarities.”

Including the number.

“It doesn’t hurt that he wears No. 2 as well,” Hall said.

Hall’s mother still lives in Mississippi, and, yes, he dutifully called her on Sunday morning to wish her Happy Mother’s Day. Hall planned to call back to make sure she’d seen that history had repeated itself. He had a hunch she’s seen it already.

The former infielder will be in Milwaukee in the coming weeks for an autograph event and a kids’ clinic. Hall said he also plans to attend the Brewers’ alumni game on July 24, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the ballpark.

It will be a chance to connect with Turang about their shared place in Brewers history.

“Twenty years on the dot. It’s crazy, and it couldn’t have happened to a better gentleman,” Hall said. “I’m gonna say it: I’m not the Mother’s Day king anymore. I’m sharing it.”