The Brewers announced the 2005 inductees into the Walk of Fame at Miller Park – venerable manager Harvey Kuenn and former all-star infielder Don Money, now a manager in the farm system.
Kuenn, who led the Brewers to their only World Series in 1982, and Money were the leading vote-getters from a 14-member committee, with fans contributing for the first time. More than 2,000 votes were cast on the club’s Web site with the top five choices comprising one official ballot.
Kuenn, a Milwaukee native, took over as manager in June 1982 after serving as a coach for 11 seasons. The Brewers went 72-43 under his guidance and won the AL championship after falling behind, 0-2, in the best-of-series against the California Angels.
The offense-minded Brewers, known as “Harvey’s Wallbangers,” lost the World Series in heartbreaking fashion to St. Louis in seven games. Kuenn was replaced as manager at the end of the 1983 season and died of a heart attack five years later.
Money was acquired from Philadelphia prior to the 1973 season and made an immediate impact.
Money remains the club’s all-time leader for home runs and runs batted in as a second baseman with 25 and 83, respectively, in 1977.
<b><font size=4>Kuenn, Money honored by Brewers</font>
Duo will be added to club's Walk of Fame</b>
ANAHEIM -- While the Brewers focus on improving their club at baseball's Winter Meetings, the team announced plans to honor two of its former greats.
The club will add manager Harvey Kuenn, who skippered the Brewers to their only World Series appearance, and four-time All-Star Don Money to the Walk of Fame at Miller Park on July 26, 2005. Kuenn and Money were the leading vote-getters in balloting compiled by the 14-member Walk of Fame Committee, which included the fans for the first time.
More than 2,000 fans visited MilwaukeeBrewers.com in November to vote for their favorites. Their consensus top five choices comprised one official ballot.
"Harvey Kuenn and Don Money have given so much to the Brewers organization and are most deserving of induction onto the Walk of Fame," said Rick Schlesinger, the Brewers' executive vice president of business operations. "Harvey took the Brewers to their only World Series appearance, and Don was arguably the franchise's best player in its early years and continues to make his mark on the organization as a minor league manager."
Born in Milwaukee, Kuenn was a Brewers coach for 11 seasons from 1972-82. In June 1982, he replaced Buck Rogers as the manager of the club and provided the spark that sent the team to the top of the American League East. Milwaukee went 72-43 after he took over.
The Brewers' powerful offense and blue-collar ethic earned it the nickname, "Harvey's Wallbangers," and they went on to capture the American League pennant and force a seven-game World Series showdown with the St. Louis Cardinals. Kuenn passed away in 1988 and is survived by his wife, Audrey, and son, Harvey Jr., a scout in the Brewers organization.
Money, who was acquired by the Brewers from the Philadelphia Phillies prior to the 1973 season, appeared in 1,196 games for the Brewers over 11 seasons. His 25 home runs and 83 RBIs in 1977 remain club marks for a second baseman.
Since 1999, Money has managed the Brewers' low Class A affiliate, leading the Beloit Snappers to a 490-488 record. After the 2004 season, the Brewers changed affiliates, and Money will manage the West Virgina Power next season.
Kuenn and Money will be the 11th and 12th members of the Milwaukee Brewers Walk of Fame, a lasting tribute to the greatest names in franchise history. The previous inductees include Henry Aaron, Rollie Fingers, Paul Molitor and Robin Yount (2001); Cecil Cooper and Allan H. (Bud) Selig (2002); Harry Dalton and Bob Uecker (2003); and Jim Gantner and Gorman Thomas (2004).
Voters were allowed to select their top five choices on a 25-candidate ballot consisting of retired players, coaches, managers and executives. A first-place vote was worth 10 points, second place seven points, third place five points, fourth place three points and fifth place one point.
The official induction will take place during a ceremony prior to the Brewers game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Miller Park on July 26.
Final 2005 Walk of Fame Voting Point Totals:
Harvey Kuenn 70, Don Money 64, George Bamberger 58, Pete Vuckovich 40, Ben Oglivie 33, Mike Caldwell 27, Ted Higuera 23, Jim Slaton 12, Ken Sanders 12, George Scott 7, Ted Simmons 7, Dan Plesac 6, Sal Bando 5.
2005 Walk of Fame Committee:
Milwaukee Brewers Fans; Lance Allan, sports director at WTMJ-TV; John Barnes, Milwaukee Brewers assistant vice president - ticket services; Jon Greenberg, Milwaukee Brewers director of media relations; Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel baseball writer; Michael Hunt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel sports columnist; Adam McCalvy, MilwaukeeBrewers.com beat writer; Bill Michaels, WTMJ-Radio SportsCentral host; Laurel Prieb, Milwaukee Brewers vice President - corporate affairs; Rick Schlesinger, Milwaukee Brewers executive vice president - business operations; Wendy Selig-Prieb, Milwaukee Brewers chairman of the board; Susan Shemanske, Racine Journal Times sports editor; Barb Stark; Milwaukee Brewers senior administrator of baseball operations; Gorman Thomas, 2004 Walk of Fame inductee.
<a href=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2002/10/10/bLiSKmJu.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2002/10/10/bLiSKmJu.jpg border=0></a>
Harvey Kuenn sparked the Brewers to a World Series appearance in 1982.
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