Brewers Fan Fired After Telling Dodgers Veteran to ‘Call ICE’ at NLCS

During the seventh inning of National League Championship Series Game 2American Family Field, a Milwaukee Brewers fan shouted at a visiting Ricardo Fosado, a Latino Los Angeles Dodgers supporter and U.S. Navy veteran, demanding he "call ICE". Within hours, the fan lost her job and resigned from the Wisconsin branch of the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation, sparking a heated debate about racism, immigration rhetoric, and stadium security.

Background: Baseball, Rivalries, and Recent Tensions

The NLCS has long been a stage for intense regional rivalries. This year, the Milwaukee Brewers, who call the 41,900‑seat American Family Field home, faced off against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a club with a heavily Latino fanbase and several star players from Latin America. The series, part of the 2024 postseason, carried extra weight because immigration policy has been a hot‑button issue across the country, especially in the Midwest where political debates often spill into public spaces.

Fans typically enjoy a festive atmosphere at playoff games. In prior postseason matchups, Milwaukee’s stadium has seen chants, coordinated cheers, and even mutual gestures of respect between opposing supporters. That goodwill, however, began to fray in the seventh inning when the Dodgers started a scoring run that put them ahead.

What Exactly Happened on the Field

According to video captured by Mr. Fosado on his phone, a woman seated a few rows down from his section approached him, repeatedly saying, "Let’s call ICE," and "Call ICE, call ICE." He responded, "Are you a citizen or veteran? Baby girl? Word. Veteran. Two wars. ICE is not going to do nothing to me," indicating his military service in two separate conflicts. The exchange lasted only a few seconds, but the camera caught every word and the surrounding crowd’s reaction.

The clip quickly spread across Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Within about 18 hours, the woman’s identity was traced through social‑media sleuthing, though the reports deliberately withheld her name. By the next morning, CBS 58 and KTVU confirmed she had been terminated from her job and had resigned from her role at the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation in Wisconsin.

Official Responses from the Brewers, Make‑A‑Wish, and Other Parties

The Milwaukee Brewers issued a statement on October 16, 2024, emphasizing a "zero‑tolerance" policy for discriminatory language at American Family Field. They announced that two fans were permanently banned from the venue, though they declined to name them or detail the exact disciplinary process.

Make‑A‑Wish officials confirmed the woman’s resignation but did not comment on the circumstances surrounding her departure. The organization, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, runs a statewide program that grants wishes to children with critical illnesses, and the loss of a staff member during a high‑profile controversy raised concerns among donors.

Both CBS 58 and KTVU reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers organization had not released an official comment as of October 16, 2024. However, they did note the club’s longstanding commitment to supporting its diverse fanbase and the importance of respectful conduct at all MLB venues.

Impact on Fans, Players, and the Ongoing Series

For the Dodgers, the incident added an unexpected distraction ahead of Game 3, which would shift to Los Angeles. Players like All‑Star shortstop Teoscar Hernández, who hails from the Dominican Republic, have previously spoken out against xenophobia, though none addressed this specific episode publicly.

Milwaukee’s fan community showed a split reaction. Some longtime supporters praised the Brewers’ swift action, arguing that a single hateful outburst should not be tolerated, especially at a family‑friendly venue. Others expressed concern that the ban could set a precedent for “cancel culture” within sports arenas.

From a broader perspective, the episode reignited a national conversation about how public spaces handle immigration‑related harassment. Advocacy groups on both sides of the debate cited the incident as evidence of either lingering bigotry or over‑reaction to isolated incidents.

What’s Next: Legal, Organizational, and Cultural Follow‑Ups

Legal experts suggest the fired fan could potentially file a wrongful‑termination suit if she believes her dismissal violated employment law. However, many point out that private employers typically retain discretion to act on conduct that brings the organization into public disrepute.

The Brewers organization says it will continue reviewing its security protocols and fan‑behavior policies. Some stadium officials hinted at future training for ushers and vendors on how to de‑escalate confrontations involving hate speech.

Meanwhile, the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation plans to conduct an internal review of its hiring and vetting processes, aiming to reassure donors that the charity’s mission remains unaffected by external controversies.

Key Facts

• Date of incident: October 15, 2024 (seventh inning).
• American Family Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• Ricardo Fosado (Dodgers fan, Navy veteran) and an unnamed Brewers fan.
• Make‑A‑Wish Foundation, and was banned from the stadium.

Looking Ahead: The NLCS Continues

Game 3 will take place in Los Angeles on October 18, 2024. Both teams are now under additional media scrutiny, not just for performance on the field but also for how they handle fan conduct off the diamond. The incident serves as a reminder that sports venues are microcosms of society—where cheers, chants, and, occasionally, heated words echo far beyond the stadium walls.