Higuera honored with Walk of Fame induction

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers honored former pitcher Teddy Higuera before Friday's game against the Phillies by inducting him into the Miller Park Walk of Fame. Higuera received 25 of 32 votes, exceeding the 65 percent threshold required for election, from members of the media throughout Wisconsin and Brewers executives.

Higuera was honored with a granite plaque that is placed into the terrace area walkway that surrounds the park. Higuera's plaque is located on the outdoor plaza terrace along the left side of the ballpark. He also threw out the game's first pitch on Friday during a pregame ceremony.

"I enjoyed the moments here in Milwaukee," Higuera said during a news conference, accompanied by numerous family members from Mexico before the game. "I think of it as my second home."

Higuera spent his entire nine-season career with the Brewers, debuting in 1985. He posted a 20-win season in 1986, the last in club history, while pitching to a 2.79 ERA and striking out 207 batters. Higuera earned All-Star honors and finished second in the Cy Young Award voting that season. Overall, he racked up 94 wins and a 3.61 ERA with Milwaukee and ranks third among franchise leaders in career wins and strikeouts (1,081).

"Too many. I had a lot," Higuera said when asked what moments stood out while with the Brewers. "Winning the 20 games was a very good moment. Not every pitcher gets 20 wins."

Past inductees on the Walk of Fame include Hank Aaron, Rollie Fingers, Paul Molitor, Robin Yount, Bob Uecker and Commissioner Emeritus Bud Selig, among others.

To be honored in such a way never crossed Higuera's mind while posting the impressive numbers with the Brewers.

"I never thought that. It's amazing to be here. I tried to be the best," Higuera said.