Comic book inspired Brice Turang baseball card. Image courtesy: Milwaukee Brewers
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The Wausau Police Department is one of 30 across the state that has received limited-edition baseball cards to distribute to kids in the community.
It’s part of a partnership with the Milwaukee Brewers that the team hopes will create a good impression between law enforcement and the kids they are sworn to serve. Senior Vice President of Communications Tyler Barnes says that having the cops distribute the packs creates a “natural opportunity for kids and law enforcement to interact in a very positive way. In many cases, this [could] be a first point of contact with law enforcement for children.”
The set features six cards depicting outfielders Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio, and Sal Frelick; catcher William Contreras; and infielders Brice Turang and Joey Ortiz. Barnes says instead of typical baseball action shots, they enlisted an artist to design vintage comic book-inspired images of each player.
Barnes adds that the cards also provide an opportunity to introduce kids to a hobby they can keep for the rest of their lives. “If that introduction comes from somebody they can look up to, somebody who can advocate for them- that’s even better. That’s a win on every front.”
The Brewers have distributed cards in this fashion since the 1980s. Distribution had previously been limited to the Milwaukee area, but Barnes says they expanded it last year to include other Eastern Wisconsin departments. This year, 30 departments will each get 1,000 packs for officers to distribute. Others include Sheboygan, Platteville, Middleton, New Berlin, and Oak Creek. The Milwaukee and Chippewa County Sheriff’s Departments will also participate.
Barnes says he expects the program to grow in the coming years, adding he’s unaware of any other MLB clubs that have taken on a project like this.
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