Forever - Christian Yelich

Been An Honor

Brooklyn~
November 2028

"Babe, you almost ready?" I ask him from the bathroom as I finish getting ready.

"Yeah, are you? The kids ready?" he asks me while fumbling with his tie.

I go over and fix his tie, "Kids are ready and downstairs with your mom."

He runs his hand over my belly as I am currently 5 months pregnant, with our third and probably final baby. "You look great."

"Thank you. We gotta go though," I say before kissing him.

The Brewers are putting together a final, proper send-off for Christian. Did he want it to be this big? No. But does he deserve it? Hell yeah. He's decided not to go for the club option he has with his contract. More for us, he wants to keep seeing Kayden, Rayne, and the baby growing in me. He wants to be a part of their life more and since I haven't been traveling with the team, he only gets a few weeks before another road trip starts to be with them.

We walk downstairs to see his mom, Kayden, and Rayne all sitting down on the couch. Kayden, now 5, has the cutest matching suit and tie, and Rayne, now 3, has the cutest navy blue dress and bow. Her beautiful brown waves flow down her back and are already pretty long. We seriously have the cutest little family.

"Christian, after making the move to Milwaukee, you became this breakout player who made amazing jumps. In 2018, you won your first MVP after a breakout half after the All-Star break. In 2019, you later continued in this path of greatness and later ended up injured and out for the rest of the season. That loss was detrimental to the team, the city, and the fans. You were runner-up in 2019 after putting on an amazing show. 2020 you put the Brewers on the board with their first World Series win for the 50th anniversary. Then again in 2022 with the help of your former teammate and Brewers legend, Ryan Braun. You and your team have made incredible playoff runs over the past few years, some ending with heartbreak and some World Champions. More recently, you just won your third World Series and second World Series MVP. Brewers fans across Wisconsin and the country have watched you turn into this unbelievable player. We've all watched your family grow from the start and have loved having you be a part of the Milwaukee Brewers and Miami Marlins. Everyone here tonight at American Family Field, would you please give it up for #22 Christian Yelich."

We all start to clap and he kisses me before going up to the podium in front of a sold-out crowd with standing room only. "Thank you, Rob. Milwaukee, you have been my home for the past ten years and I am so thankful that it was. Milwaukee not only gave me multiple championships, but lifelong friends, and also the one person who has kept me going since 2020." Seriously don't make this about me. I just smile in his direction, "Anyway, I have loved every day that I've gotten to be here in Milwaukee. You took me in with open arms and have supported me through it all. I appreciate every single game I have played here and across the country. It has been an honor and privilege to play in Milwaukee and for this organization. If it weren't for this team, the fanbase, the city, I don't think I'd be in this position. I met my amazing, incredible wife which has later given me two beautiful babies and one that is cooking right now. The fans, my god are you everything I've ever dreamed of having. The continuous cheers and pride you show through every game are what keeps most of us going. Don't ever stop that. You guys keep us going daily. Every night and day, you guys were the ones supporting us, when we were winning and when we were losing. We could've been having a rough season, but you guys would still show up just as much as when we would have a championship season. Milwaukee, I love you and everything it has given me. I will be back to see the games, don't you worry. I wouldn't want to just up and leave an organization and team that has given me so much. Fans, keep being you and keep cheering them on. My family, I love you guys. Brooklyn, Kayden, Rayne, Mom, Collin, Cam, thank you for everything. You've all pushed me to be my best when things get hard. It's been one hell of a ride and I am so thankful for it all. Thank you, Milwaukee, thank you." 

I look over at Alecia and she's doing the same thing as me, crying. He's always had a way with words and anytime he speaks from his heart, it gets me. He steps away from the podium and Mark comes up to speak. 

"Christian, we have loved you from the start and can't believe your time here is over. We wanted to honor your legacy that you are leaving behind with this," he says removing a sheet that was covering a plaque with his jersey and number on it. "Christian, in honor of you and your career here with the Brewers, we have unanimously decided to retire your number, #22, in honor of you. Nobody will even touch how special you've made this team. Sometime during this offseason, your name and number will be added up there with the other Brewer legends, such as former teammate Ryan Braun, also, Robin Yount, Hank Aaron, Rollie Fingers, you know, the greats. This is a tribute to you and no one else will ever wear #22 again. It has been an honor doing business with you and we will all miss you around here. As you said, it's been one hell of a ride, and we are all so glad we could be a part of this journey with you. Your contributions on and off the field have been tremendous and we now know who you are and what you stand for. Thank you, Christian."

I can tell from my seat he's about to start crying, "I'll keep this short, but I just wanted to thank everyone once again. Every single fan and person that has shown up to even one game, thank you. My dream was fulfilled when I was drafted in 2010, now here I am 18 years later, and saying goodbye to the sport I love. I've sacrificed so much, as well as my family, to get me here. I have so much respect for every teammate and coach I have worked with and am honored I got to work with you. Milwaukee, thank you. Fans, thank you. This is the best sports city to be in and we know why. It's because of the fans. It's nonstop with you all. I will never take for granted the time I've spent here in Milwaukee. I couldn't imagine a better place to have spent most of my career and now retire," he takes a moment and gathers himself one more time. "Thank you, Milwaukee. It's been a pleasure getting to know the fanbase and everything about it. So, thank you."

We all stand up and clap as he admires the plaque that he'll get to take home with him. Alecia and I hug because we're both so proud of him. He deserves every single bit of this. Christian looks around the stadium one last time as we sit around the pitcher's mound. This is so crazy. He's done playing for the Brewers and I'm done working for the Brewers. 

He walks back over to us all and hugs his mom first. He makes his way around the table before stopping at me and hugs me. "I am so, so proud of you. You deserve this so much." He smiles and looks down to see both of our babies hugging his legs. "I love you. Thank you." I don't even get a chance to answer since he immediately leaned down to kiss me.

"I love you."

This is so surreal. This is the end. We'll be back in Milwaukee, no doubt. But for further notice, we'll be back in Malibu, enjoying our life with our two kids before having our third in late April. One hell of a ride for sure.