Fun facts about players on the 2020 Milwaukee Brewers

Baseball. Is. Back. With that, even in a shortened season, will come the inundation of statistics — batting average, home runs, ERA, etc.

Since you’ll be getting enough baseball stats about the Milwaukee Brewers to fill any void you might have, we thought we’d take a look at the lighter side of things.

We scoured through the Brewers media guide and came up with some different and interesting facts about a number of players (note: we have no repeat facts from our three previous editions of fun facts: 2019 | 2018 | 2017). While your friends are dishing out all of Christian Yelich’s MVP-type numbers from the past two years, you can enlighten them on which nearly quit baseball in 2017, whose mother owns a pig farm, who is a rapper in his spare time and more.

Read on, enjoy and be prepared to dazzle your buddies with your inside knowledge of Brewers players.

Brett Anderson: His father, Frank, was the head baseball coach at Oklahoma State from 2003-12 and is currently the pitching coach at the University of Tennessee.

Ray Black: Considered quitting baseball in 2017 (due to injuries) and returned to Pennsylvania to work on the family farm. Was assisting at a youth camp when he realized he was no longer feeling pain in his elbow.

Ryan Braun: Enjoys the beach, water sports, music, movies and cars.

J.P. Feyereisen: River Falls native who went to UW-Stevens Point enjoys hunting, fishing and the Green Bay Packers.

David Freitas: Spends his offseasons assisting his mother, Cheryl Hogge, who is a pig farmer and owner of “Hogge’s Hogs” in Wilton, Calif.

Ben Gamel: With brother Mat, one of two sets of brothers to play for the Brewers, joining Steve (1986-88) and Mark (1993-96) Kiefer.

Avisail Garcia: Earned the nickname “Mini Miggy” during his rookie season with Detroit for his resemblance to Miguel Cabrera, who, like Garcia, is from Venezuela.

Jedd Gyorko: Attended West Virginia, where he left as the school’s all-time leader in batting average (.404), doubles (73) and extra-base hits (113) and tied for first in home runs (52).

Josh Hader: Enjoys hunting, fishing, clay shooting and photography.

Eric Lauer: Has a dog named Taz and two cats, Snickers and Sampson.

Josh Lindblom: While playing in Korea, earned his bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Freddy Peralta: His favorite sport other than baseball is basketball.

David Phelps: Is an avid fan of the Denver Broncos and his aunt, Sue Vaughn, has worked in the team store for years.

Corey Ray: Considers former Brewers outfielder Curtis Granderson, who also hails from Chicago, to be a mentor.

Ronny Rodriguez: Is a rapper in his free time. He goes by the name of “El Felino.”

Justin Smoak: Was teammates at Straford (S.C.) High School with fellow future major leaguer Matt Wieters.

Eric Sogard: His brother, Alex, pitched in the Astros and Diamondbacks systems and currently is the head coach at Wright State, and his cousin, Nick Sogard, is an infielder in the Rays organization.

Trey Supak: Was the first player drafted (in 2014) from LaGrange, Texas since Homer Bailey in 2004.

Brent Suter: Enjoys playing guitar, song writing, dancing, golf, cooking and the environment.

Luis Urias: Will join Tim Unroe (1995-97) as the only players whose last name begins with the letter “U” to play for the Brewers.

Eric Yardley: Was going to pursue his master’s degree but instead drove 20 hours to New Mexico to pitch in the independent Pecos League in 2013.