Notes: Geoff Jenkins, Prince Fielder, Doug Melvin, Harry Dalton honored by Brewers

Geoff Jenkins was still with the Milwaukee Brewers when they began to turn the corner in the mid 2000s, eventually breaking through in '08 to snap a 26-year playoff drought. Prince Fielder was one of the building blocks around which that corner was turned.

Doug Melvin was the general manage who oversaw the process of returning the franchise to postseason play, so it was only fitting  Jenkins, Fielder and Melvin were honored Tuesday night before the Brewers' game against Washington at Miller Park. Also honored was late GM Harry Dalton, the architect of the team's only World Series appearance in '82.

Jenkins was elected to the team's Walk of Fame, the highest honor for former players and officials. Fielder, Melvin and Dalton, who was represented by wife Pat and their three daughters, were inducted into the Wall of Honor, a tribute to those who meet certain criteria of service to the club.

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As might be expected, there were many laughs and lots of reminiscing as the guests of honor fielded questions (Fielder even took one from Jenkins' son, Justice). Melvin noted how tough Jenkins and Fielder were on the field as well, with neither missing a game if they could help it. 

"Prince missed six games in six years here," Melvin said. "And Geoff always played hard. Those two guys played all the time. I feel honored going in with them. And also going in with Harry Dalton. He was an outstanding general manager."

Noting how tough Fielder and Rickie Weeks were, Melvin added, "Those were tough teams. When you saw Prince and Rickie with their game faces on, they scared you."

Known for refusing to come out of the lineup, Fielder was asked why he took that approach to the game. In answering, he referred to the significant neck injury that forced his premature retirement in 2016 at age 32 with the Texas Rangers.

"I gave it my all," he said. "I literally put my neck on the line. I'm kind of at peace with it now. If I didn't play that way, it probably would be tougher (to take) now."

As for the Wall of Honor, Fielder said, "It's awesome. I wasn't expecting it. I know I'm retired, but not all the way quite yet, I guess. It hasn't sunk in yet. The plaque out there is pretty cool. Now, I can brag to the kids about it."

Jenkins, the 20th person to be elected to the Walk of Fame.

"It's an amazing honor," said Jenkins, who slugged 212 homers with 704 RBI in 10 years with the Brewers. "You see some of the names in that group, and it starts with Hank Aaron, Robin Yount, (Paul) Molitor, everyone else. How can you not be humbled and honored to be in that group?"

Jenkins went to Philadelphia in '08, missing the Brewers' breakthrough to the postseason but earning a World Series ring. Of that group of young stars that would return to the playoffs again in 2011, Jenkins said, "It kind of made me wish I was born six or seven years later. That was once-in-a-generation to have that many great players come through at one time. And they're all great guys, too.

"That's a testament to Doug. The guy was the architect of some great teams. Bringing those players together was something special."

Before Jenkins departed, however, Fielder said the veteran helped him learn not to let frustration or bad times get the best of him.

"I got mad every easily," Fielder said. "He was the main guy who helped me with that. He was always cool, so I kept watching him. He helped me to channel that in a better area."

Guerra, Thames activated: The Brewers came closer to getting back to full strength when they activated right-hander Junior Guerra and first baseman/outfielder Eric Thames from the 10-day disabled list.

To make room for Guerra and Thames on their roster, the Brewers optioned right-hander Brandon Woodruff and infielder Nate Orf to Class AAA Colorado Springs.

The move on Guerra was expected because he already had been listed as the starting pitcher for Tuesday night. Guerra was on the DL with forearm tightness, which forced him from his last start of the first half.

As for coming two steps closer to full strength, manager Craig Counsell said, "I'm cautious to say that when you lose a guy (pitcher Brent Suter) for the season but we thought after the break, shortly after the break, we'd get Eric back, Junior back and Freddy (Peralta) will be back pitching tomorrow.

"We're in pretty good shape from that perspective. We're still missing some guys but we're getting healthier. Guys like Eric, like Junior, it's important to have them active and contributing. We're certainly in a better place today than we were coming out of the break."