PHILADELPHIA -- The eyes behind the dark sunglasses still sparkled when Muhammad Ali visited the Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park during 2011 Spring Training. Parkinson's disease had taken its toll, but Ali was still "The Greatest," so Robin Yount, Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun waited patiently for the opportunity to snap a photo and enjoy a moment in Ali's presence.
Ali's passing late Friday was met with sadness in the clubhouse for those players and staffers who remain.
"He's a man with as much presence as any other human being I've ever been in the same room with," said Brewers manager Craig Counsell, who met Ali several times, including that day in 2011.