The Los Angeles Dodgers announced they would not be staying at the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee during their playoff trip. Several players reportedly believe the old hotel is haunted and decided to make other arrangements.
Mookie Betts, one of the team’s biggest names, chose to stay in an Airbnb instead. Teoscar Hernandez also opted out, explaining that he and his wife did not feel comfortable at the Pfister. While the Dodgers prepare for the postseason, attention has shifted to the hotel itself. The Pfister’s haunted reputation has once again made headlines, proving its eerie legend still captures attention.
Milwaukee’s Haunted Pfister Hotel, Explained
The Pfister Hotel, opened way back in 1893, has long held a reputation for being more than just a fancy overnight stop. Over the years, guests and even MLB players have shared tales of unexplained noises, doors closing by themselves, TVs switching on, and footsteps in empty hallways.
Some say the hotel’s vintage decor the heavy curtains, old paintings, creaky floors only adds to a spectral ambiance. It’s the kind of place where your imagination might run wild in the middle of the night.
Then there are the famous anecdotes: Bryce Harper claimed his clothes moved across the room on their own. Giancarlo Stanton compared certain parts of the Pfister to a Disneyland haunted house. These stories feed into a lore that’s persisted for decades, making the hotel a destination for ghost hunters and skeptics alike.
This reputation affects how comfortable guests feel, from families on vacation to high‑profile athletes traveling for big games. If players believe a hotel might disrupt their sleep or focus, the issue becomes more than superstition; it becomes a competitive disadvantage. The Pfister’s ghost stories are now making national news once again, thanks to the Dodgers’ decision to steer clear.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Wasn’t Taking His Chances
In a 2023 interview with The Orange County Register, the eight-time All-Star explained that he could not sleep at the Pfister, built in 1893, because every noise kept him on edge.
According to USA Today, Betts’ concern isn’t unique; other players around the league have told similar stories about the Pfister’s quirks, from doors that don’t fully meet the floor to televisions that turn on by themselves. Opting for an Airbnb was simply Betts’ way of ensuring a calm environment, free from distractions or late‑night surprises.
Teoscar Hernandez shared a similar sentiment, explaining that he had heard unsettling stories from other players and their families. “I’ve been hearing from other players and other wives that it’s something happening in these couple of nights,” he said. “The lights, some of the rooms, the lights goes off and on. And the doors, there are noises, footsteps, things like that, I don’t know.”
He added, “I’m not the guy that I’m going to be here saying, ‘Oh, yeah, I experienced that before’ because I’m not. And I don’t think I’m going to experience that.” It was a practical decision for him and his wife to stay elsewhere, avoiding any unnecessary unease during such a crucial stretch of the season.
Some might scoff at superstition or call it overreacting. But in high‑stakes competition, you take every edge you can get, even the psychological ones. A rattled night can mean shaky focus, and that can translate to missed plays or bad decisions on the field. The Dodgers stars are simply placing value on restful sleep and mental peace of mind. Whether or not ghosts exist, the worry is real and for these pros, comfort might just be another piece of their game plan.
Published: Oct 15, 2025 04:08 pm