Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts is once again making headlines, not just for his MVP-caliber play, but for his continued refusal to stay at Milwaukee’s historic Pfister Hotel, opting for an Airbnb to avoid its alleged paranormal residents—a move echoed by numerous MLB players over the years seeking peace, or at least a ghost-free night’s sleep, on the road.
For Major League Baseball players, road trips are a constant part of the season. They’re a chance to face new opponents, play in different stadiums, and, for some, confront unsettling supernatural rumors. This is especially true when visiting Milwaukee, home to the Brewers, and the legendary Pfister Hotel. This historic establishment, built in 1893, has garnered a reputation far beyond its luxury amenities: it’s widely considered one of the most haunted hotels in the country, and countless MLB players have shared eerie tales from their stays.
Mookie Betts: The Skeptic Who Plays It Safe
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts has become one of the most prominent figures to publicly shun the Pfister. For years, he has consistently refused to stay at the team hotel in downtown Milwaukee, convinced of its haunted nature. While Betts claims he doesn’t necessarily believe in ghosts, he prefers to err on the side of caution. As he told the Orange County Register, he’s “just in case” the stories are true, adding, “I just don’t want to find out myself.”
His previous experiences at the Pfister played a significant role in his decision. Betts recounted, “I couldn’t sleep. Every noise, I’d be like, ‘Is that something?'” The lack of restful sleep during past trips to Milwaukee eventually led him to book an Airbnb for the Dodgers’ three-game series against the Brewers, a strategic move that appears to have paid off. In a recent 6-2 win over the Brewers, Betts hit a leadoff home run, sparking the Dodgers’ offense, potentially benefiting from a full night’s undisturbed sleep.
A Cavalcade of Creepy Encounters: Players’ Supernatural Stories
Betts is far from the only MLB player to report strange experiences at the Pfister Hotel. Its reputation for paranormal activity dates back decades, with players from various teams sharing unsettling accounts. These stories range from minor disturbances to genuinely terrifying encounters:
- In 2013, ESPN the Magazine surveyed several players who revealed unexplainable experiences at the hotel.
- Former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper described a particularly unsettling incident from 2012: “When I woke up in the morning – I swear on everything – the clothes were on the floor and the table was on the opposite side of the room.”
- Former San Francisco Giants star Pablo Sandoval had a bizarre tech-related scare. In 2009, after placing his iPod next to a speaker, he returned from a shower to find it mysteriously playing music. “I have no idea why,” Sandoval stated.
- Dodgers player Adrian Beltre, in 2001, told Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci that he heard knocking on his door and in the hallway, only to find no one there. Later, his air conditioning and television would inexplicably switch on and off. He even slept with a bat for protection after being awakened by pounding noises from behind his headboard.
- Carlos Gomez, in 2008, reported to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that his iPod began playing music and vibrating loudly on its own.
- Multiple St. Louis Cardinals players, including Carlos Martinez and Marcell Ozuna, reported seeing a floating ghost in 2018.
- As recently as May 2022, members of the Atlanta Braves experienced an extended power outage at the hotel, preventing them from showering.
Teoscar Hernandez Joins the Movement
Adding to the growing list of players avoiding the Pfister, Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez recently announced his plans to seek alternative accommodations. While Hernandez himself claims not to believe in ghosts and has stayed at the hotel without incident before, his wife’s beliefs swayed his decision during a National League Championship Series game. “My wife is on this trip, and she said she doesn’t want to stay there. So we have to find another hotel,” Hernandez stated, as reported by USA TODAY Sports. He also noted that he had been “hearing from other players and other wives that it’s something happening in these couple of nights,” including flickering lights, noises, and footsteps.
The Skeptics’ Corner: Pranks or Poltergeists?
Despite the numerous firsthand accounts, some remain unconvinced of the Pfister’s spectral inhabitants. A former MLB executive offered an alternative explanation for some of the common occurrences, suggesting elaborate pranks. He pointed out that doors to rooms on the older side of the hotel don’t extend all the way to the floor, leaving a small gap at the bottom. “So guys will take their TV remotes and go around to other player and staff rooms in the middle of the night clicking TVs under their doors,” he explained. “I’ve seen it done a ton over the years. That’s where the whole haunted thing started back in the day.”
This theory, while plausible for some incidents, doesn’t account for all the reported phenomena, such as moved furniture or actual apparitions. It does, however, highlight the playful, and sometimes mischievous, culture within professional baseball clubhouses.
The Enduring Legend
Whether the Pfister Hotel is genuinely haunted or simply the site of elaborate pranks and overactive imaginations, its legend continues to influence MLB players. The stories contribute to the lore of baseball, blending the superstitions of the game with the mysteries of the unknown. For players like Mookie Betts, the peace of mind that comes from a ghost-free Airbnb is clearly a valuable commodity, potentially translating into sharper focus and better performance on the field.
As long as the Pfister Hotel stands, and as long as MLB teams continue to visit Milwaukee, the debate over its haunted reputation will undoubtedly persist, fueling fan discussions and shaping where professional athletes choose to rest their heads.
