MILWAUKEE -- Twenty years ago Sunday, July 14, a crane collapse during the construction of Miller Park killed three workers. Before the Milwaukee Brewers took on the San Francisco Giants Sunday, everyone stood at attention to reflect on what happened, and remember the three men who lost their lives.
A ping of flexing metal from a crane lifting a portion of Miller Park's roof offered a horrifying warning of what was to come. On July 14, 1999, the crane so large it had a name, "Big Blue," came crashing down during construction.
"I remember the wind," said a fan. "And hearing the crash -- more of a 'boom.'"
Video showed twisted metal and a damaged Miller Park, which paled in comparison to the greatest loss of all -- the three ironworkers killed on the job. Jeffrey Wischer, William DeGrave, and Jerome Starr were gone.
Jeffrey Wischer, William DeGave, and Jerome Starr
"I feel bad for everything that happened, and I feel really bad for the families," said a fan. "I was afraid to come here actually, but it's fine now. I'm not real nervous to be coming here at all."
The ballpark those men died building was packed with baseball fans on Sunday who stood at attention during a moment of silence to honor this tragic loss of life.
"That moment of silence, I think, is pretty cool to honor those families," said a fan.
A memorial is located just outside Miller Park so remember what happened that day, and the three men, whose legacy lives on.
Statement from Attorney Robert Habush, who represented the widows in the Big Blue crane collapse:
Statement from Senator Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee:
Statement from Stephanie Bloomingdale, president of Wisconsin AFL-CIO:
Statement from Tony Mayrhofer, business manager of Ironworkers Local 8:
Statement from Dan Bukiewicz, president of Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council: