From Milwaukee Brewers On SI · · 2m
Brewers' Racing Sausages Head to World Series
Milwaukee's Famous Racing Sausages get their first World Series spotlight after 30 years.
In brief
Milwaukee's Famous Racing Sausages get their first World Series spotlight after 30 years. Milwaukee Brewers' Famous Racing Sausages will compete in the 2026 World Series for the first time since their 1993 debut. Originally reported by Milwaukee Brewers On SI.
Brewers' Racing Sausages World Series Moment
For the first time since their creation in 1993, the Brewers' Famous Racing Sausages have an opportunity to take center stage during the World Series.
Brewers' Previous World Series Appearance
The Brewers' previous appearance came in 1982, more than a decade before the Racing Sausages first stepped onto a baseball field.
How Racing Sausages Started
The Racing Sausages began as a simple animated race on the scoreboard at Milwaukee County Stadium.
First Sausage Race Event
The original competition featured three characters representing some of Milwaukee's most popular sausages: the Bratwurst, Polish Sausage and Italian Sausage.
Concept Development
The concept eventually caught the attention of local graphic designer Michael Dillon, who approached Brewers vice president of operations Gabe Paul in 1992 about transforming the scoreboard animation into a live event.
First Race Debut
The idea became a reality on June 27, 1993, during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays with 45,580 fans in attendance.
First Race Participants
Dillon himself wore the Bratwurst costume and won the inaugural race. His business partner, Dan Necci, portrayed the Italian Sausage, while Jeff Paul, the son of the Brewers executive, raced as the Polish Sausage.
Early Costumes
Interestingly, the original costumes were homemade creations from foam rubber, contact cement and spray paint.
From Three to Five Sausages
The Hot Dog joined the original trio during the 1990s, expanding to four racers.By 2000, the team's final season at County Stadium, the live race had become a regular part of the Brewers' home-game experience.
Chorizo Debut
The fifth competitor, Chorizo, made his debut in 2006 as part of the Brewers' celebration of Hispanic heritage. He became a permanent member of the lineup in 2007.
Controversy Incident
One of the strangest incidents in baseball history occurred on July 9, 2003, when Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Randall Simon struck the Italian Sausage with a bat during a game at Miller Park.
Controversy Aftermath
Simon was arrested following the incident and received a three-game suspension from Major League Baseball.He was also fined.The person inside the costume, Mandy Wagner, later said the incident received more attention than it deserved.
The big picture
Milwaukee Brewers' Famous Racing Sausages will compete in the 2026 World Series for the first time since their 1993 debut.
