Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers point guard, took a significant step in his public departure from the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night at Wrigley Field. Having been a lifelong fan of the Brewers, Haliburton officially severed ties with his hometown baseball team by donning a Chicago Cubs jersey while throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the Cubs faced off against the Brewers.
The event marked a notable moment for Haliburton, who hails from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. His relationship with the Brewers soured in 2024 after the team invited him to throw out a first pitch, only to rescind the offer following the Pacers' playoff victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. This incident left a lasting impression on Haliburton, who expressed his feelings during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" in April 2025. "I was a Brewers fan and then I was supposed to throw the first pitch last summer and then they X'd that after the playoffs ended. So I said, you know what, I’m no longer a Brewers fan," he stated.
Haliburton's transition away from the Brewers was evident in his choice of attire at Pacers games, where he began to sport Cubs and Dodgers gear. His allegiance shifted further when the Los Angeles Dodgers eliminated the Brewers from the National League Championship Series in the fall of 2025, prompting him to embrace his new fandom. The Dodgers even recognized his newfound support, with manager Dave Roberts inviting Haliburton to throw a first pitch at Dodger Stadium, suggesting he could wear an Ohtani jersey while doing so.
Despite his enthusiastic engagement with baseball, Haliburton's season has been hampered by injury. He suffered a torn Achilles tendon during Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder in June 2025, sidelining him for the entire 2025-26 NBA season. The Pacers have indicated that he is not expected to return to the court until late 2026, leaving him ample time to focus on his baseball endeavors and practice his ceremonial pitches.
As Haliburton took the mound at Wrigley Field, the significance of the moment was palpable. He was not just throwing out a first pitch; he was publicly declaring his departure from a team that had been a part of his identity for years. The Cubs, hosting the Brewers, provided the perfect backdrop for this symbolic gesture, further emphasizing the shift in Haliburton's sports affiliations.
In conclusion, Tyrese Haliburton's first pitch at Wrigley Field marked a pivotal moment in his sports journey, highlighting his transition from a lifelong Brewers fan to a supporter of the Cubs and Dodgers. As he continues to recover from injury, Haliburton's engagement with baseball remains strong, and his future appearances on the mound are highly anticipated.
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