By ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist Paul Letlow
Ben Sheets threw just one pitch on Saturday at American Family Field but it earned him a standing ovation.
The Milwaukee Brewers inducted the four-time Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher into their Walk of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 26.
The ULM legend became the 22nd individual player added to the franchise's Walk of Fame, which recognizes some of the all-time greats in Milwaukee baseball history. Baseball Hall of Fame slugger Hank Aaron is among the luminaries Sheets joined with this induction.
"That's a huge honor," Sheets said on the Brewers Bally Sports Wisconsin pregame show. "A good blast from the past. My career is getting further and further in the rearview mirror at this point. But to have this honor they gave me today is a pretty big deal. Many people have come through here. To be the 22nd member of that is pretty incredible."
Prior to Saturday's game against the San Diego Padres, the Brewers recognized Sheets with a brief ceremony. The former ace threw out the first pitch to his oldest son Seaver, currently an infielder on the ULM baseball team. Younger son Miller stood behind his brother, calling the pitch.
Drafted by the Brewers in the first round with the 10th pick overall in 1999, Sheets pitched eight of his 10 Major League seasons in Milwaukee. He was named to the National League All-Star team four times (2001, 2004, 2007 and 2008) during his time in Milwaukee, and became the first Brewers pitcher to start an All-Star Game in 2008 when he took the mound at Yankee Stadium. Sheets (13-0, 3.09 ERA) helped lead the Brewers to the playoffs in 2008 but was injured and unable to pitch in the postseason.
"To see where we ended up in '08 was incredible," Sheets said during his acceptance speech. "That was an incredible journey to see that."
Sheets, who also pitched for the Oakland A's and Atlanta Braves before retirement, ranks second in Milwaukee history in strikeouts (1,206), third in starts (221), fifth in innings pitched (1,428), sixth in wins (94) and ninth in ERA (3.72).
"I'm a Brewer through and through," Sheets said. "I love getting back here and getting a chance to see the ballpark and see the guys play."
On May 14, 2004, Sheets struck out a franchise-record 18 batters in a complete-game victory over the Atlanta Braves. The 2004 season was his best as he ranked among Major League leaders in complete games (T-2nd, 5), strikeouts (3rd, 264), WHIP (3rd, 0.98), ERA (4th, 2.70), innings pitched (T-4th, 237), starts (T-7th, 34) and opponent batting average (8th, .226).
ULM fans learned to appreciate his brilliance leading up to his professional career.
The St. Amant High School product made a solid debut at ULM when he earned freshman All-America honorable mention from Baseball America in 1997 by going 6-4 with 51 strikeouts and two saves. Appearing in 20 games, he pitched 53.1 innings, had 29 earned runs, walked 17, fanned 41, and had an ERA of 3.43. As a sophomore, Sheets finished 6-7 with 74 strikeouts and a 4.50 ERA.
After gaining confidence by performing well at Team USA tryouts and in the Cape Cod League, Sheets was spectacular in his final collegiate season at ULM. Pitching as a junior in 1999, he set the program's single-season win record of 14-1 and the single-season strikeout record of 153 strikeouts in 115 2/3 innings.
In a memorable 6-2 win over Louisiana Tech, Sheets claimed another school record with 20 strikeouts, retiring the last 20 hitters he faced while allowing two hits with one walk.
 "It was a great year," Sheets once said. "The guys wouldn't let me lose."
Sheets was selected as First Team all-Southland Conference, SLC Pitcher of the Week twice and First Team All-America. His team won the 1999 SLC regular-season championship, earning a spot in the NCAA Regional at LSU. Sheets earned SLC and Louisiana Pitcher of the Year after his banner campaign.
"He had a power curveball and he kept getting better and better," former ULM coach Smoke Laval once said. "It separated him. I keep telling people to this day. On Friday night in the Southland Conference when Ben Sheets was pitching. I was the best coach in the country. Jokingly I say that. I was pretty smart. Here Ben, go win me a game. "
His legend grew prior to reaching the big leagues. Pitching for Team USA in the Olympics in 2000, Sheets won the Gold Medal game by beating Cuba. The late Tommy Lasorda, the famous former Los Angeles Dodgers manager who led the Olympic team that year, became so fond of Sheets that he attended his wedding in Monroe.
ULM inducted Sheets into its L Club Hall of Fame in 2007 and retired his jersey number 15 later that same year. He also was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
