The Milwaukee Brewers came to town in 1970. Bud Selig acquired the Seattle Pilots and moved them to Wisconsin. A name change was in order, since Milwaukee is more about brewing beer, and less about building airplanes. The move occurred so close to the 1970 season opener, that the new Brewers removed the Pilots patches, and replaced them with Brewers logos. There was no time to make new Brewer uniforms.
The Milwaukee Brewers did not play great baseball in those early years. Losing records were the norm. One bright spot during that time was the acquisition of what would come to be the best known Brewers of that era. Brewer management drafted Robin Yount. The team would later acquire Cecil Cooper, Gorman Thomas, Jim Gantner, and Don Money, and Rollie Fingers. These players would soon help lead the Brewers to the World Series.
In 1982, the Brewers won the American League pennant. When the ALCS series began, Milwaukee dug a big hole, and lost their first two games. The Brewers found a way to come back and win three in a row. They were the first team in history to come back from a two game deficit and go on to win the series. The streets of downtown Milwaukee were filled with crazed fans when the pennant was won. The Brewers would face the Cardinals in the 1982 World Series. St Louis would end up winning the World Series four games to three. Few of us will ever forget the sight of Robin Yount circling the warning track with his dirt bike at the post-series rally.
In the late 1990's Milwaukee switched to the National League. The offer was first made to Kansas City, but they passed. Milwaukee said goodbye to the pinch hitter, and joined the same league as the Chicago Cubs.
Miller Park became the new home of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2001. George Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch. There would be no more rainouts, and no more chilly games for the Milwaukee fans to endure.
In 2004 the team was purchased by Mark Attanasio. He put a fresh shot of energy into the city. For the first time in many years, the Milwaukee Brewers made the playoffs. They faced the Philadelphia Phillies in the wild card race. The thunder sticks and cheering fans made Miller Park an intimidating venue for the Phillies, but it wasn't good enough. Milwaukee lost the series three games to one.
C.C. Sabathia moved on to the Yankees after the season ended, and Milwaukee looks to Yovani Gallardo to be the Brewers ace for 2009. Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, and Corey Hart will once again be swinging their big bats. Brewers fans have the fever, and they hope to make the playoffs in 2009.
