Tyrese Haliburton showed up to watch the Pacers preseason game in a very curious look: A Shohei Ohtani jersey and a matching Dodgers hat. This wasn’t coincidence, but design — part of an incredible feud he’s having with his hometown when it comes to baseball.
Haliburton grew up is Oshkosh, Wisconsin — a mere hour-and-a-half northwest of Milwaukee. Naturally this made him a fan of all things Milwaukee, and that included the Brewers. Even though Hali became a star for the Pacers it didn’t mean he abandoned his hometown, but instead they abandoned him.
Haliburton claims that he was scheduled to throw out the first pitch at a game during the 2024 season, but the Brewers curiously cancelled as soon as the NBA Playoffs were over. He believes that it was because Haliburton and the Pacers eliminated the Bucks 4-2 in the first round. It’s one thing to be bitter over a loss, but in an entirely different sport it’s a bit beyond the pale, especially considering Haliburton is from Wisconsin.
So, he stopped being a Brewers fan that day. Now he lives to troll them. Haliburton told The Pat McAfee Show back in April that he still supports the Packers (along with a newfound love of the Colts), but when it comes to MLB he was a “free agent.”
“Baseball, I’m a free agent. I was a Brewers fan and then I was supposed to throw the first pitch last summer and then they X’d that after the playoffs ended. So I said, you know what, I’m no longer a Brewers fan.”
The Ohtani jersey is an obvious nod to the fact the Brewers currently face the Dodgers in the NLCS, where they’re down 1-0 in the series. Prior to that he wore a Cubs jersey in honor of the Brewers facing Chicago in the NLDS.
This could have been squashed so easily. The Brewers could have simply said “Well, it was Haliburton’s job to win for his team — but he’s still a Brewers fan and he’s from here.” Instead they turned their back on him, so in exchange Tyrese is putting every ounce of energy he can into the universe to ensure the Brewers lose.
Is it petty? Yes. Hilarious? Also, yes.