MILWAUKEE WORLD SERIES: A HAUNTED STAY
For the first time in 44 years, Milwaukee is set to host the World Series, marking a significant moment for the city. The Milwaukee Brewers will kick off Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Rays this Friday at American Family Field.
One of the city’s notable hotels, the Pfister Hotel, has become a topic of discussion among MLB players, particularly since some are reportedly reluctant to stay there. This four-star establishment, often frequented by celebrities, athletes, and politicians, carries with it a rather spooky reputation.
Located in downtown Milwaukee, the Pfister Hotel has a long history filled with ghost stories. Over the years, players from the league have recounted several unnerving instances tied to their stays at the hotel.
Back in 2009, Carlos Gomez, who was then playing for the Minnesota Twins, shared with the Associated Press that he experienced strange sounds and odd electronic issues while in his room. He recalled a particularly unsettling moment when his iPod began emitting a bizarre static noise right after he emerged from the shower, prompting him to dash to the lobby in quite the hurry—without shoes or even pants.
When he returned to the hotel, he took a Bible along, perhaps as a means of protection. “Everything’s scary,” Gomez remarked, adding that the hotel’s decor, old and odd, didn’t really help matters. “No good, man. No good.”
Gomez isn’t alone in his fears. Phil Rozewicz, who was the clubhouse manager for the Brewers, recounted how a rookie player once refused to go back to his hotel room after experiencing something he couldn’t explain. This player reported waking in the middle of the night to find his window and blinds wide open. After he secured them, he claimed they’d mysteriously returned to their open position by morning.
Rozewicz explained, “He slept on the couch in the lobby the next night. Refused to go to his room. Eventually, he ended up at a Motel 6 nearby.”
Despite these chilling accounts, not everyone believes that the hotel’s ghosts are menacing. In 2009, Joe Kurth, then the general manager, noted that many locals think they’re haunted by the spirit of Charles Pfister, a key figure in the hotel’s establishment in 1893. He described this ghost as a “portly gentleman with a smile,” suggesting a gentler presence rather than something sinister. “He’s here to ensure that his version of hospitality remains alive,” he commented.
The Pfister Hotel, which opened its doors in 1893, was designed to be a lavish gathering spot, an impressive feat for its time, costing nearly $1 million to build. It was equipped with notable modern comforts for that era such as fireproofing and electricity.
If the World Series progresses to Game 7, the final showdown is set to take place in Milwaukee on Halloween night.
