Brewers honor season-ticket holder

MILWAUKEE -- Jerry DeQuardo has been loyal to the Brewers for a long time, and on Tuesday, the Brewers gave a little something back to the Milwaukee native.

DeQuardo, a season-ticket holder with the Brewers since 1978, won the Brewers' third-annual "Fan-Tastic Forty" Welcome to the Big Leagues prize and signed a one day Major League contract on Tuesday prior to the Brewers-A's game at Miller Park.

Brewers GM Doug Melvin presented DeQuardo with his contract and a check for $2,677.60, one day's pay at the MLB minimum salary, in a pregame press conference in the Miller Park Media Interview Room.

"It's just like a dream come true," DeQuardo said. "I just feel in awe of this. I think this is one of the neatest experiences I've ever had in my life. I wouldn't trade this for anything."

In addition to his check, DeQuardo received a personalized full Brewers uniform, a framed final page of his contract, 50 baseball cards of his likeness, a DVD highlight video of himself and a chance to throw out the first pitch prior to the game.

The event is part of the Brewers "Fan-Tastic Forty" promotion, which awards prizes for 40 consecutive days to various season seat holders who renewed their ticket packages.

"I've been to hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of games, that's for sure," said DeQuardo who was joined by his girlfriend, son, nephew and nephew's son at the press conference. "This is unbelievable. I've got to pinch myself."

DeQuardo, 70, currently resides in Brookfield and says he is semi-retired while still owning his own insurance firm, DeQuardo Insurance. His ties with Milwaukee baseball date back to his bat boy and clubhouse staffer days with the Milwaukee Braves from 1958-1960.

"I remember shaking Willie Mays' hand, Stan Musial. Danny Murtaugh was the manager of the Pirates, and they won it that year. I still remember that very much," DeQuardo said. "It was a great experience, it really was. A lot of great memories."