By Yahoo Sports | Oct. 14, 2025
Teoscar Hernández doesn’t believe in ghosts. At least, that’s what he says. However, his wife has a different opinion—and it’s enough to alter his plans when the Los Angeles Dodgers visit Milwaukee for their National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Brewers.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Hernández, known for his relaxed demeanor and straightforward approach, addressed why he chose not to stay with his teammates at the legendary Pfister Hotel, which is notorious for its alleged paranormal activity.
“I’ve stayed there before, and I’ve never seen or heard anything. I don’t believe in ghosts,” said Hernández. “But my wife, she says she doesn’t want to stay there. So, we have to find another hotel.”
While Hernández insists he’s never had any supernatural experiences in the hotel, it seems that his wife is more cautious about the spooky reputation of the 132-year-old hotel. According to the 31-year-old outfielder, it was his wife’s decision to avoid the Pfister, not his.
The Haunted History of the Pfister Hotel
The Pfister Hotel, an iconic and luxurious establishment in downtown Milwaukee, is as famous for its rich history as it is for the ghost stories that have circulated around it for decades. Opened in 1893, the hotel has long been a staple for visiting athletes, celebrities, and high-profile figures. But with its grand Victorian architecture and centuries-old charm, the hotel has also earned a reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the country.
Guests have reported a range of eerie experiences, from flickering lights and mysterious footsteps to the disembodied sounds of whispers. Some claim to have seen ghostly apparitions, while others, like Hernández’s wife, believe the atmosphere itself is unsettling enough to warrant caution.
Despite Hernández’s skepticism, the stories surrounding the Pfister are so pervasive that some athletes refuse to stay there. Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, for example, has avoided the hotel since 2023, choosing instead to rent an Airbnb when the team travels to Milwaukee. Betts has said that he had trouble sleeping at the Pfister and couldn’t shake the feeling that something was “off” during his previous stays.
“I couldn’t sleep. Every noise, I’d be like, ‘Is that something?'” Betts told the Orange County Register in 2023.
Other MLB players and their wives have also shared similar experiences. Even some of the team’s staff members have acknowledged the unsettling stories that seem to circulate in the hotel’s halls. But for Hernández, who doesn’t believe in ghosts, the decision to stay elsewhere comes down to a matter of compromise with his wife.
What’s Been Heard About the Pfister?
Hernández’s curiosity about the hotel’s haunted reputation didn’t end with his wife’s objections. In fact, he’s been hearing stories from other players and their families, further fueling the intrigue surrounding the Pfister.
“My wife told me about the lights going on and off in some of the rooms,” he continued. “And there are noises—footsteps, doors creaking. But I haven’t experienced any of that myself. I’m not the kind of guy to sit here and say that I’ve had a ghostly encounter.”
Despite his skepticism, Hernández is aware that the haunting legends are a significant part of the hotel’s charm for some visitors, while others prefer to steer clear. Whether it’s the creepy atmosphere or the reported unexplained noises, the Pfister’s haunted reputation is firmly embedded in the culture of the MLB.
Not the First Dodgers Player to Avoid the Pfister
Hernández isn’t the only one in the Dodgers’ locker room to have reservations about the Pfister Hotel. As mentioned, Mookie Betts has avoided staying at the hotel for some time now. His reluctance has become somewhat of a tradition among the team’s traveling players when they make their yearly visit to Milwaukee.
But there are some who remain unfazed by the ghostly legends. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, for example, isn’t buying into the spooky stories surrounding the hotel.
“I remember hearing these stories when I was about 10 years old. They just kind of went away as I got older,” Roberts said, dismissing the ghostly tales that have captivated players and fans alike.
Roberts’ stance, however, hasn’t been shared by everyone in the team, especially not by Hernández’s wife, who remains unconvinced by the hotel’s storied history.
MLB’s Haunted Hotel: The Stories Behind the Spooks
The Pfister has gained a reputation for spooky occurrences that seem to happen with eerie consistency. According to an ESPN feature from 2013, some famous MLB players have openly expressed their unease about the hotel.
Bryce Harper once claimed that when he stayed at the Pfister, he awoke to find his clothes moved from one side of the room to the other, even though his door was locked. Giancarlo Stanton called the hotel “creepy as s***,” comparing the feeling inside to Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion ride.
Former MLB player Michael Young also had his own unsettling experience. He described hearing footsteps in his room during the night and claimed that he “f***ed that place” after the experience.
These accounts, along with others, have contributed to the hotel’s mystique and its reputation as a place where even the most rational individuals may feel a little uneasy.
Is It All Just Superstition?
While Hernández and many of his teammates dismiss the ghost stories as little more than superstition, the truth is that athletes are known for being superstitious, especially in the high-stakes world of postseason baseball. Even if they don’t fully believe in the supernatural, many players prefer to avoid what they perceive as a bad omen or a source of unnecessary distraction.
Hernández himself acknowledged that while he doesn’t believe in the supernatural, it’s hard to deny the consistent stories from those around him.
“Yeah, I’ve heard the stories. But, for me, it’s just about being focused on the game,” Hernández said. “If it makes my wife feel more comfortable, we’ll stay somewhere else.”
The Dodgers’ Postseason Push: Staying Focused Amid the Chaos
As the Dodgers continue their quest for a World Series title, their focus is on the field, not what’s happening in the hotel rooms. But off-field distractions, whether they’re ghost stories or the pressures of postseason play, are always a part of the game. For now, the team will be doing what they do best: trying to block out the noise, on and off the field.
Teoscar Hernández, for one, has proven that while some things—like ghost stories—are better left alone, the Dodgers’ determination to win the NLCS remains their ultimate priority. As the team heads into Game 2 of the NLCS, all eyes will be on their performance, with or without the haunting influence of the Pfister Hotel.
