A Good Friday home opener in Milwaukee posed a spiritual dilemma for some Catholic baseball fans, who had to decide whether to abstain from eating meat as their religion dictates or to indulge in one of Brewers’ fans most cherished traditions.
Brats and burgers fresh off the grill are tailgate staples at plenty of stadiums. But people take their meat seriously at Milwaukee’s Miller Park. Here, the Racing Sausages — people who race in the middle of the sixth inning while dressed as bratwurst, chorizo, hot dog, Italian sausage and Polish sausage — are one of the most popular attractions.
“It’s Miller Park, opening day — I think Jesus would turn the other cheek on this one,” Catholic and college student Joey Curtin, who grilled up a heaping stack of brats and hot dogs with friends, told The Associated Press.
Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki released a statement reminding Catholics of the solemnity of Good Friday.
“As much as we love the Brewers, unlike Jesus, they didn’t die for your sins,” Listecki said. “With regard to beer and brats on Good Friday, let’s just say that’s why God created the three-game series.”
