Brewers Fans Fill Brookfield Parking Lot to Meet World Series MVP William Contreras

Hundreds of Milwaukee Brewers fans gathered at a Dick's Sporting Goods in Brookfield on Sunday morning for a chance to meet catcher William Contreras, the World Series MVP. The meet-and-greet got underway at about 10:30 a.m., but many in the crowd had been waiting for hours.

Braeden Johnson and his sister Emmalee Johnson held the first spot in line. Braeden Johnson said they had arrived at 4 a.m. and that he grew tired enough to nap on the concrete. The pair said they had never before had the chance to get an item signed or meet a player, and Emmalee Johnson called the event "a once in a lifetime thing."

The turnout surprised them. Emmalee Johnson said they were not sure whether many people would come, but then "everyone started showing up." By the time the event began, the line wrapped around the building and stretched out into the parking lot.

Contreras posed for photos and signed autographs for the crowd. Kyle Flanagan, field marketing manager for Dick's Sporting Goods, estimated that about 350 people got to meet the Brewers catcher.

Speaking about the honor, Contreras said he felt "incredible." He described the MVP award as something big and important, but said the trophy that mattered most was the one for the city, a reference to the World Series title.

Jenzell Carrera joined the line at 6:30 a.m. with her father. She said she thanked Contreras for playing the game and for supporting the team, and that she also shook his hand. Carrera noted that Contreras is the first MVP in Brewers franchise history, and said she did not know when the team might win again, which made the moment feel even more special.

Contreras said hearing from the fans was "beautiful," especially from the younger ones, and that he was glad to be there.

For those who reached the front, the long wait paid off. Carrera said the length of the interaction did not matter. "I don't care if it was 20 seconds, one second. It was worth it," she said. Braeden Johnson said he spoke a few words in Spanish to Contreras and got a reply, which made him happy. Emmalee Johnson, meanwhile, was thrilled to have exchanged a fist bump with the catcher.