Police estimate 750,000 people turned out for the Brewers' World Series parade

Milwaukee police estimated that more than 750,000 people came out Friday for the Brewers' World Series parade and rally, nearly double the roughly 400,000 they had expected, according to the Associated Press.

The Brewers clinched their first championship with a 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 on Wednesday. Two days later, fans filled downtown streets, parking garages and office windows as the team rode buses through the city before a rally at American Family Insurance Amphitheater on the Lake Michigan shore. Milwaukee Public Schools canceled classes.

"We've had way too many parade beers," team captain Christian Yelich told the crowd. "I took the trophy to the face, got a black eye. It's all worth it. It's for you guys. We should celebrate forever."

Manager Pat Murphy couldn't believe the size of it. "I kept thinking I saw the same people over and over, and we were just going in a circle," he said. "There's no way there's that many people who live here."

World Series MVP William Contreras joined the crowd's "MVP" chant. Aaron Ashby, who threw a record 18 straight scoreless innings of relief this postseason, called it "the most special day of our lives."

Bob Uecker was everywhere, even though he wasn't there. The longtime broadcaster called Brewers games for 54 seasons and died in January 2025 at 90. The parade route passed a downtown mural of him, Ryan Braun led a "Ueck" cheer, and Hall of Famer Robin Yount closed the rally by riding onto the stage on Uecker's Harley-Davidson. "God bless you, Bob Uecker," Yount said.

Yount was the AL MVP the last time Milwaukee reached the World Series, in 1982. He was joined by fellow Hall of Famers Rollie Fingers, Paul Molitor and Ted Simmons from that team. "Good things come to those who wait," Molitor said. "We waited long enough."

There were lighter moments too. Hitting coach Daniel Vogelbach sang "Stacy's Mom" at the rally, and Sal Frelick and Brice Turang went shirtless on the buses. Some of the buses read "Won Our Way," an update on the team's "Win Our Way" slogan.

What's next: The party is over and the offseason is not. Teams face a Monday deadline on contract options, and the Brewers already lost Game 4 starter Dustin May, who declined his mutual option to become a free agent.