In fall 2011 I was an innocent Junior in high-school full of hope that the Milwaukee Brewers could make a run in the post-season, maybe even go to the World Series. They had the talent, tremendous support from the city, and dripped with swag. After a thrilling five-game NLDS win over the Arizona Diamondbacks (including a Nyjer Morgan walk-off single to win the series), the St. Louis Cardinals ripped my heart out with no remorse. The Cards stomped Milwaukee four games to two in the NLCS, outscoring them 43-26 in the series. Now seven years later, the Brewers have clinched their first playoff berth since and have even more talent, even more support from their city, and dare I say, more swag.
Things got worse, before they got better, from 2012-2016. Milwaukee was one of the worst teams in the league during that time period. Talent left, management was fired, and the rebuilding process began. David Stearns was hired as GM in September 2015 and the turn-around process has been a lot faster than expected. In just two full seasons, Stearns had Milwaukee in the playoff hunt as they visited St. Louis for the final three games of the 2017 season. Despite winning five of their last six games, the Brewers fell just one game short of the playoffs. An absolute gut-punch to end the season.
Fast-forward one season and the Crew’s fortunes have reversed at Busch Stadium. This time the Brewers swept St. Louis and are popping champagne bottles, celebrating their spot in the playoffs. Where cold-streaks and disappointment typically overshadow September baseball for the Brewers, this year there is a bright, beaming playoff light at the end of the tunnel.
It is fairly easy to pinpoint when the team turned the corner and declared themselves a contender: January 25, 2018. On this day, Lorenzo Cain signed as a free agent with Milwaukee and Christian Yelich was acquired via trade. Many fans, including myself, thought he was likely done acquiring players and had his roster set for the season. That could not have been further from the truth. Since the beginning of the season, Stearns has acquired Erik Kratz, Joakim Soria, Mike Moustakas, Jonathan Schoop, Gio Gonzalez, and Curtis Granderson. Each of these players has had significant impact and added much needed depth going into the long, grueling postseason.
The increase in talent and support from fans are easily identifiable, but having more swag than the 2011 team is a tall task. That team had Prince Fielder, MVP (maybe steroids) Ryan Braun, Carlos Gomez, Nyjer Morgan, Rickie Weeks, and the list goes on and on. “Beast Mode” became their mantra and they seemed untouchable. Here lies the difference between 2011 and 2018. While the team in 2011 portrayed themselves to be invincible, the 2018 squad know they are not perfect. 2011’s team lost their swagger in games when they surrendered a lead, whereas 2018’s crew never count themselves out, and find that swag in clutch, late game situations. The team this year uses camaraderie and tough situations to grow into what manager Craig Counsell likes to call, a ‘family’.
Milwaukee will enter the postseason with important players beginning to heat up, and more importantly, healthy. With more talent, more support, and more swag the sky is the limit for the playoff-bound Brewers who look to make their first World Series appearance since 1982.
View From The Bench 