Celebration of life planned for former BMHS, Legion standout Jim Brandenburg

BELOIT — A celebration of the life of Jim Brandenburg will be held at The Rock Bar & Grill pavilion on June 22 from 1-4 p.m.

Brandenburg passed away last October in Milwaukee at the age of 56. Older baseball fans may remember him as a star on the 1985 American Legion team that hosted the Wisconsin state tournament.

Beloit College head coach Dave DeGeorge was a member of that squad. He said, “Most of us were mainly singles hitters. Jim was a guy who could drive the ball over people’s heads.”

Beloit hosted the state tournament at then-Telfer Park in 1985 and Jim’s father, Fritz Brandenburg, was a committee member.

Jim, a third baseman from Beloit Memorial, hit .479 (11-of-23) with seven extra base hits and eight runs batted in. He helped Beloit go 35-15 that season.

“Jim Brandenburg was the most talented player on the team,” DeGeorge said. “He could do it all. He could hit for average. He could hit for power. He was a great defender at third. Supremely confident and relaxed, he was a great ballplayer.”

The celebration will be hosted by Drew and Sharon Brandenburg. They ask that friends and family bring their best story, photo or memory of Jim to the casual gathering.