Brewers general manager Doug Melvin (center, behind desk) informs Hank that he's earned his jersey and will be heading to Milwaukee on Sunday. Credit: Milwaukee Brewers

By of the

Hank the Brewers dog is coming home.

The ballpark pup will join Milwaukee Brewers executives and others on a chartered Southwest Airlines flight from Phoenix to Milwaukee Sunday night.

County Executive Chris Abele and Mayor Tom Barrett are expected to be on hand to shake paws with Hank when he arrives.

Hank will be "paws down" in Milwaukee at 6:25 p.m., said Brewers Chief Operating Officer Rick Schlesinger.

"Hank is leaving Phoenix for the environs of Wisconsin, and I'll be with him on the plane," Schlesinger said.

Exactly who Hank will be living with will remain a secret. Schlesinger would only reveal that Hank has been adopted by "one of our executives who has a family."

Sunday's arrival will be Hank's first official public appearance in Milwaukee, although the pup has been signing "pawtographs" to raise funds for other strays in Arizona. His future at Miller Park is still being arranged.

"The players will insist Hank is at the ballpark," Schlesinger said, adding it likely won't be an everyday thing. "The challenge, the goal is to figure out a way Hank is not overtaxed."

Hank's likeness also will make an appearance this season. The Brewers are still working out what form that will take. It could be a bobblehead. It could be a plush toy.

"The main thing we don't want to do is exploit him," Schlesinger said.

Opening day is still more than two weeks away, but one reason for getting Hank here is medical. Hank needs to be neutered.

"We didn't want to do any surgery if he was going to be traveling," Schlesinger said.

The Brewers have been working with the Arizona Humane Society and the Wisconsin Humane Society to get education and to draw attention to other strays.

"He's just touched people's hearts in such an amazing way," said Anne Reed, director and CEO of the Wisconsin Humane Society.

Hank's tale has been featured in People magazine and other national and international publications, but he still has a way to go to be as popular as Brewers announcer Bob Uecker.

"Bob is Mr. Baseball, Mr. Brewers," Schlesinger said. "But Hank is vying for the crown of most popular Brewer."

Hank was a scruffy, scared stray with a tire mark on his fur and a wonky tail when he first appeared at the Maryvale Baseball Park camp on Feb. 17. First to notice Hank was Brewers third base coach Ed Sedar, who fed him eggs and sausage.

Eventually, Hank was unofficially adopted by the front office personnel, coaches and players. Two vet visits concluded that Hank is likely 2 to 4 years old and in good health, aside from allergies.

To date, the Brewers have received more 1,000 offers from others to adopt Hank. The offers have come from players, staff, fans and others.

— Kathy Flanigan