Miller Park and the surrounding grounds are going to provide monuments to baseball and civic history.

Two statues of Robin Yount and Henry Aaron have stood on the pavilion near the main entrance to the park since shortly after it was opened.

On Wednesday, a plaque was unveiled inside the park to Jeffrey Hammonds and the other Brewers who have contributed to the Boys & Girls Club Little Hitters League.

Hammonds donated $15,000 to the league, which allows more than 2,300 kids around the state to play baseball. In the past, Jose Hernandez, David Nilsson and Doug Jones made contributions.

"I believe that it is important to be involved in the Wisconsin community," Hammonds said at a ceremony that includes some of the kids. "This contribution will help to give kids a chance to start their journey to the major leagues."

The Brewers match the players' contributions. Major League Baseball and Roundy's/Pick'n Save also help support the Little Hitters.

Some of the kids in that league will be able to play next season on a field that will sit where County Stadium once sat. The Braves Historical Association also is making sure those kids and others remember the Braves and old stadium with a monument.

I've seen the artist's rendition of the monument. It will add a lot of class to the site.

The group held a dinner for Warren Spahn this spring to raise funds for the monument. Another for Lew Burdette is planned for this fall.

Also this week, the Brewers announced that a memorial to the construction workers killed in the 1999 Miller Park accident, and all men and women who worked on the project will be constructed between the kids' field and the Miller Park pavilion.

By the time the All Star Game is held in Miller Park next season, the surrounding grounds should be a beautiful area for the public to enjoy and learn some baseball and community history.

Hopefully, political and business leaders will use the area as a starting point, and move east to revitalize and beautify the Menomonee Valley.

The Million Mark

The Brewers went over the million mark in attendance Wednesday, the earliest date in franchise history. The million mark was hit after only 31 games. The previous earliest was after 38 games.

It will be a stretch to reach 3 million, but the Brewers are a cinch to set an all-time Milwaukee attendance record this season.

Draft Picks

The Brewers surprised some people by passing over Florida prep first baseman Casey Kotchman and taking Arizona high school pitcher Mike Jones first in this week's draft. Jones is a fireballer, who could fit into the Brewers' overall pitching picture in time.

Milwaukee took 24 pitchers out of 50 players. One state player was taken at #151; Jeremy Wilson, a catcher from Burlington Catholic Central.

Player of the Week

Mark Loretta extended his hitting streak to 14 games and was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal homestand.

Play of the Week

Jeromy Burnitz's catch of Sammy Sosa's long drive to wrap up the Brewers' only win on the homestand has to stand out as the Play of the Week.

Goat of the Week

Curtis Leskanic, who gave up a two-out home run to the Reds' Alex Ochoa that tied Tuesday's game and sent it into extra innings. The Brewers eventually lost in 13 innings. Leskanic has given up too many gopher balls for a closer and has to stop trying to blow every pitch by hitters.

Review of the Week

It was a bad week, with the only win coming on Sunday against the Cubs. The two losses to the Reds were very disappointing since they came to town struggling.

Richie Sexson continued to struggle at the plate. The Brewers as a whole remain too much of an all or nothing team….and this week it was nothing.

Weekend Preview

The Brewers hope to turn it around this weekend against former manager Phil Garner's Tigers in Detroit. The Tigers also have been struggling lately.

Jamey Wright is expected to come off the disabled list Sunday and start in Detroit. After playing the Tigers, the Brewers go to Cleveland for another inter-league series. Let's hope they can come home still over .500.

Gregg Hoffmann publishes The Brew Crew Review column on Mondays and Fridays and maintains a special message board on OMC for Brewers' fans.