Bud Selig, the former owner of the Milwaukee Brewers and longtime commissioner of Major League Baseball, was present Friday as the Brewers returned to the World Series for the first time in 44 years. The 92-year-old attended the Brewers’ opening game, participating in the first-pitch ceremony before taking a seat near the team’s dugout at American Family Field.

Selig handed the ceremonial first pitch to Brewers Hall of Famer Robin Yount, who then threw the ball back to him. “He watches and he rants and raves and he lives and dies on every pitch, just like he always has,” said Selig’s daughter, Wendy Selig-Prieb.

The Brewers’ appearance in the 2026 World Series marked a significant milestone for Selig, who was deeply connected to the franchise’s history. His family’s involvement with Milwaukee baseball dates to the 1950s when he was a minority investor in the Milwaukee Braves, then a successful team that won the 1957 World Series. However, Selig was dismayed when the Braves relocated to Atlanta in 1966.

In 1970, Selig led a group that purchased the financially struggling Seattle Pilots and relocated the franchise to Milwaukee, renaming them the Brewers. As a hands-on owner, he oversaw a franchise that reached its first playoffs in 1981 and won the American League pennant in 1982. The 1982 Brewers, managed by Harvey Kuenn and featuring players such as Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, Cecil Cooper, Gorman Thomas, and Ben Oglivie, became known as “Harvey’s Wallbangers.” Despite a strong start in the World Series, Milwaukee lost in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals, with a heartbreaking Game 7 loss after leading late in the game.

Selig recalled a personal moment from that series when his mother, Marie Selig, fell and broke her hip on the way to the first game in St. Louis. She was hospitalized and required surgery but remained optimistic during the series. “I called her up in about the eighth inning and said, ‘Well, how are you doing?’ She said: ‘We’re doing fine. We’re ahead.’ ”

Selig became acting MLB commissioner in 1992 and held the role until his retirement in 2015. During his tenure, his daughter Wendy assumed increasing responsibility within the Brewers organization, eventually becoming CEO in 1998. The team was sold to current owner Mark Attanasio in 2005, but Selig has remained connected to baseball and the Milwaukee franchise. Attanasio noted that he regularly consults with Selig, including following major games such as the recent pennant clincher.

Now commissioner emeritus, Selig maintains an office in Milwaukee, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017, and also teaches at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A statue commemorating his contributions stands outside the home plate gate at American Family Field.

The Brewers’ Game 2 of the World Series was scheduled for Saturday night, but its outcome was not available at press time.