Nearly 40 legendary Milwaukee Brewers and Braves joined together Wednesday at the Pfister Hotel to share fond memories of their playing careers and their time at County Stadium, one day before officially saying goodbye at the ball park's final game.

The group resembled Milwaukee's own version of baseball's Hall of Fame, with notable heroes like Robin Yount, Warren Spahn, Sixto Lezcano and numerous other household names on hand to celebrate the end of an era.

The noon ceremony allowed retired players including Rob Deer, Charlie Moore, Gorman Thomas and Juan Nieves to reflect back on their illustrious careers, notably moments that took place in the soon to be torn down County Stadium.

Perhaps the most famous of all Brewers, Hall of Famer Robin Yount, wrapped up the ceremony with a press conference alongside friend and Brewers radio announcer, Bob Uecker.

Yount said the play in which he fielded a grounder from Rod Carew to send the Brewers to the World Series in 1982 was his best as a player at County Stadium. "If I had to pick one particular play or instance, that would probably be the most exciting. Obviously there were others that were pretty darn close to that. There were so many things that happened over the 20 years that I played there that are very memorable."

Added Yount," The first ground ball that was ever hit to me, I remember like it was yesterday. Cecil Cooper put his spikes right in my shin. Riding my motorcycle around County Stadium. The 3,000 hit night. There are many, many things."

"There will be a bit of sadness seeing it go, but I'm more excited about seeing the new Miller Park than I'm disappointed about losing County Stadium," said Yount, who helped determine the measurements of the outfield in the new ball park.

"That's no doubt it was the greatest thrill I had in sports," said Deer, referring to his game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth that inning set the stage for Dale Sveum's winning homer on Easter Sunday 1987. Their heroics kept "Team Streak" alive with its 12th consecutive win.

"I never had a chance to make it to the World Series, and when I sit back and reminisce about baseball stuff, that's the one thing that comes to mind. (During the streak) we didn't believe there was a chance that we could lose a game until it the last out in the ninth inning. We really believed we could win it, and it just happened so fast. Bam! We'd won it again."

Deer, who now drives sprint cars and drag races in his free time, said he will miss County Stadium but realizes its time has come. "Realistically, I think the fans in Milwaukee need a new ball park. All the fans deserve (Miller Park), and it will be good for the whole city."

Charlie Moore, the catcher and right fielder of the 1982 World Series team, still speaks fondly of his phenomenal throw -- on the fly -- from the outfield wall to cut down Reggie Jackson at home in ALCS against California.

"People don't let me forget it," said Moore, who is now a salesman in his native Alabama. "I don't want to forget it, either. It was a such a big play to keep them at just one run. "

Moore, who played with the club from 1973-'86, said he gets back to Milwaukee a couple of times a year, and it's always special to see his old teammates. But to step on the field of County Stadium one final time, Moore said "it's gonna be tough -- a good tough."

"Stormin'" Gorman Thomas, always a fan favorite, had plenty to share about his experiences with the Brewers at County Stadium.

"It was a perfect mix for me. I don't think I would have been able to accomplish what I did without the people I played for and the people I played with. It sounds corny, but you're only as good as the people you play with. Right down the line, that was a pretty strong team. This was a special place for me. I historically started out slowly, and instead of the fans booing me, they tried to encourage me."

Thomas, who began his career with the Brewers in 1973, was traded in 1983, but was brought back for one final season in 86, said his return to Milwaukee was an emotional experience.

"Probably that first game back was the most nervous I've ever been. It was a very special moment in my life. You can't describe the appreciation that I still have to this day for that display. It's remarkable."

Wisconsin native Jim Gantner played his entire career as a Brewer, from 1975-'92. He also has special memories of County Stadium, both as a fan and as a player.

"I definitely miss being on the field," said the soft-spoken Gumby. "Being from the home state, I remember being a kid, listening to the Braves. It's been in my blood since I've been a young kid."

As for the final game at County Stadium tomorrow, Gantner said, "I'm sure the post-game ceremonies will probably be pretty touching. You know, you don't think about it now, but once you get out there -- it is the last game -- I'm sure it will hit me a lot harder that it has yet. And seeing the stadium go down, that will be pretty tough. I'm so used to driving by there and seeing Milwaukee County Stadium. Even new Miller Park, which eases the pain somewhat ... it's County Stadium."

Gantner was first base coach for a couple of seasons under former manager Phil Garner, and he said he'd consider a return to the field.

"I think there's a chance. They'd have to want me; I can't hire myself, but I do miss being on the field. I'd like to be out there, just being with the guys."

Speaking of the guys, Gantner said of his '82 teammates, "We were a unique bunch. Heck, we had fun before we played the game. We had fun in the clubhouse, after the games. Once we got between the lines, it was dead serious. But we had some pretty unusual characters on the team."

Cecil Cooper, the Brewers long-time first baseman, has remained an active part of the Brewers organization, but the gathering was touching for him, too.

"Some of the people here I have seen quite a bit of through coaching and are still in the game, but there's a number here I haven't seen in a long, long time," said Coop. "I saw Audrey Kuehn today (wife of the late Brewers manager Harvey Kuehn), and I haven't seen her in a long time, I think maybe 15 years. There were a lot of tears at breakfast when we saw her. It was special."

Cooper's favorite moments as a Brewer are also the ones most fans remember the most.

"Everyone keeps talking about the hit (that cliched the ALCS against the Angels in 1982) and I will never forget it. But actually catching that ball (from Yount that sent the Brewers to the World Series), and jumping, that was good, too! That was all right! I look at that on tape sometimes, and it was kind of like it was in slow motion."

Cooper, who's tenure with the Brewers lasted 10 years from 1977-'87, recalled other fond memories of playing ball at County Stadium.

"I remember hitting a home run off of Catfish Hunter, and one off of Ron Davis, and one off of Goose Gossage in the ninth inning to win a game one time. That was three home runs in a game, and that was I think the only time I did that. I remember Larry Hisle hitting a couple of home runs. I remember Don Money and I hitting a couple of grand slams off on opening day off of Baltimore to beat them up a little bit. There were a lot of them."