Sports · Baseball · 2 hrs ago
Christian Yelich sends two World War II veterans to World Series opener
Two World War II veterans attended the World Series opener at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Oct.
23.
Navy veteran Sverre Vinje, 102, and Army veteran Bill Wattleston, 98, watched the Brewers play the Tampa Bay Rays.
Brewers captain Christian Yelich arranged their tickets with the help of the Major League Baseball Players Trust and VetsRoll, an organization that serves veterans.
Vinje had hoped to sing at the game, as he had at earlier Brewers events, but instead got to watch from seats behind home plate.
The invitation gave both veterans a chance to experience a World Series game, something neither had imagined.
Yelich said he wanted to give back to veterans who had waited a long time to enjoy the game and its atmosphere.
Christian Yelich arranged for two World War II veterans to attend Game 1 of the World Series at American Family Field.
The veterans were 102-year-old Navy veteran Sverre Vinje and 98-year-old Army veteran Bill Wattleston.
They watched the Brewers play the Tampa Bay Rays on Oct. 23.
Yelich worked with the Major League Players Association Players Trust, and VetsRoll helped make the visit possible.
Vinje had expected to sing at the game but was instead given tickets behind home plate.
- Who
- Brewers captain Christian Yelich arranged the visit for World War II veterans Sverre Vinje and Bill Wattleston.
- What
- He sent the veterans to Game 1 of the World Series.
- When
- Oct. 23, 2026.
- Where
- American Family Field in Milwaukee.
- Why
- Yelich said he wanted to give back to veterans and let them enjoy the game and its atmosphere.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Yelich was recognized by the Players Trust as its Most Valuable Philanthropist for the month.
Vinje and Wattleston attended World Series Game 1 at American Family Field.
- Veteran guest
- Sverre Vinje, 102, U.S. Navy veteran
- Veteran guest
- Bill Wattleston, 98, Army veteran
- Game
- World Series Game 1
- Date
- Oct. 23, 2026
- Venue
- American Family Field, Milwaukee
- Organizer
- Christian Yelich, with the Players Trust and help from VetsRoll
4 sources
WWII veterans attend World Series thanks to Brewers' Christian Yelich
WWII veterans attend World Series thanks to Brewers' Christian Yelich
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What people are saying
I thought it would be awesome to give back to some amazing heroes that have been waiting a really long time for this moment to be able to come and enjoy the game and take in the atmosphere
They're gonna win the World Series
The Brewers asked me originally to come to sing tonight