Tyrese Haliburton’s First Pitch Invitation Revoked by Milwaukee Brewers Amid Playoff Tensions
In a surprising turn of events, Indiana Pacers guard and Wisconsin native Tyrese Haliburton revealed that the Milwaukee Brewers rescinded his invitation to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at American Family Field. This decision came shortly after Haliburton’s Pacers eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks from the NBA playoffs, intensifying the already heated sports rivalry in Wisconsin.
Haliburton’s Rise to Villain Status in Wisconsin
Tyrese Haliburton, born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has become a contentious figure in his home state. After leading the Pacers to a playoff victory over the Bucks, he embraced his role as a villain among Wisconsin sports fans. Following the Game 5 win, Haliburton posted “Overrate THAT” on social media, responding to Bucks fans who had chanted “overrated” at him during the series. His actions and comments have further strained his relationship with Wisconsin’s sports community.
The Revoked Invitation
Haliburton disclosed on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he was scheduled to throw the first pitch at a Brewers game last summer. However, after the Pacers’ playoff victory over the Bucks, the Brewers canceled the invitation. “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,” Haliburton said. “So I said, you know what, I’m no longer a Brewers fan.”
The Brewers have not publicly commented on the matter, leaving fans and media to speculate on the reasons behind the decision.
Family Tensions Spill Onto the Court
The post-game tensions extended beyond Haliburton himself. After the Pacers’ series-clinching win, Haliburton’s father, John Haliburton, had a confrontation with Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Tyrese addressed the incident, stating, “I think (John Haliburton) just got caught up in the moment. My dad is obviously a big personality. And I think after the game he came on the floor to celebrate and think that … obviously his actions were … out of line. I apologized to Giannis; he apologized to Giannis.”
Shifting Allegiances
In light of recent events, Haliburton has reevaluated his sports loyalties. While he remains a fan of the Green Bay Packers, he has expressed support for the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers, indicating a departure from his previous allegiance to Wisconsin sports teams. “Baseball, I’m a free agent,” Haliburton remarked, signaling his openness to supporting other MLB teams following the Brewers’ decision.
