The Milwaukee Brewers are bringing back a familiar face to help kick off their postseason run. Former outfielder Carlos Gomez will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres.
Brewers beat writer Curt Hogg shared the announcement on X, giving fans another reason to look forward to Saturday’s playoff opener at American Family Field.
Gomez spent six seasons in Milwaukee and became a fan favorite because of his energy, athleticism and aggressive style of play. The two-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner remains closely connected to one of the most memorable moments in the franchise’s postseason history.
Gomez played a key role in the Brewers’ dramatic 2011 NLDS victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. In Game 5, he singled in the 10th inning, stole second base and scored the winning run on Nyjer Morgan’s walk-off single. That moment helped send Milwaukee to the National League Championship Series and remains a memorable chapter in the team’s history.
The Brewers are also bringing back other familiar names for the festivities. Teddy Higuera is scheduled to throw the first pitch before Game 1 alongside Gomez, while Morgan and former Brewers slugger Eric Thames are set to handle the ceremonial duties before Game 2.
Milwaukee enters the series after a historic regular season, finishing with a franchise-record 103 wins and earning the National League’s top seed. The Brewers will have home-field advantage against a Padres team that advanced by sweeping the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card Series.
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The ceremonial appearance gives Milwaukee an opportunity to celebrate its past while focusing on a new postseason challenge. The Brewers have built a strong team for 2026, but their next task will be translating regular-season success into a deep October run.
For fans, seeing Gomez back on the field should bring back memories of the club’s 2011 playoff journey. This time, he will not be chasing a walk-off run. Instead, he will help set the stage for another Brewers postseason chapter.
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