NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State baseball alum Eric Theisen helped the Milwaukee Brewers capture their first World Series title on Wednesday, serving as the team's lead hitting coach. The Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 to clinch the series in five games.
During his first year in the role, Theisen's guidance helped the Brewers reach top-three totals in multiple offensive categories during the regular season, including league-high numbers in hits (1,422), batting average (.258), and on-base percentage (.341). Across 13 postseason games, Milwaukee accumulated league-best statistics in batting average (.262), OPS (.742), RBIs (57), runs (59), walks (51), and more.
Theisen recently served as the team's hitting coach in 2025 after being promoted from Triple-A Nashville in October of 2024. He joined the Brewers organization in 2021 after spending 11 years at Hillsdale College, including eight as the program's head coach (2014-21). The Adrian, Michigan, native began his coaching career as an assistant coach at his hometown institution, Siena Heights University, in 2009.
Theisen spent five years with Illinois State from 2004-08. During his final year, he was named to the All-MVC Second Team, leading the Redbirds with five wins and a 3.74 ERA. He recorded a team-high 79 1/3 innings pitched and 44 strikeouts throughout the 2007 season, starting 13 games. As a sophomore, Theisen earned an All-MVC Honorable Mention selection in 2005, posting a 6-0 record with a team-low 3.00 ERA in 22 appearances.
The right-hander left a lasting impact on the Illinois State program, holding multiple top-10 records in Redbird history. He ranks third in pitching appearances (86), tied for eighth in career wins (19), and ninth in innings pitched (265).
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