That veteran touch: Many of the departed veterans from last year’s squad are missed in the Brewers’ clubhouse. One of the most-conscientious mentors was reliever LaTroy Hawkins, who signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Angels.

Reliever Tim Dillard recalled a touching gesture by Hawkins as the Brewers arrived in New York last year for an interleague series against the Yankees.

“We were just pulling into the hotel and ‘Hawk’ called me up to the front of the bus,” said Dillard. “I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t know if I was going to have to do (his) Harry Caray (impression) or what.

“He said, ‘Has anybody ever bought you a suit?’ I told him I couldn’t remember anybody doing it. So he took me across the street to this place the players like to go to and bought me a suit.

“It was unbelievable. Before we left, he had bought me two suits, four dress shirts and a couple of ties. Then, he said, ‘You know why I’m doing this? Because he did it for me.’ And he points to this picture of Kirby Puckett hanging on the wall.”

It’s called paying it forward.