Congratulations to your 2024 NL Central champions!

[Joseph Zarr]

What a time to be a Brewers fan, gents. Just an unbelievable Era of Brewers baseball. Let's never take this for granted. So proud of this team and this organization. Just incredibly resilient and capable. Just a truly special group of people.

[Joseph Zarr]

I am going to absolutely soak up this Twitter Cycle of endless Brewers bits. It's everywhere. AND, this is that random night I know what it feels like to be fan of the Dodgers.

[nate82]

4 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

I am going to absolutely soak up this Twitter Cycle of endless Brewers bits. It's everywhere. AND, this is that random night I know what it feels like to be fan of the Dodgers.

This feels more like being a fan of the Braves though the Braves in the 90's were able to win one WS.  Then they win one more in 2021.  Completely different teams but this run the Brewers have been on feels like the Braves in the 90's.  It is the closest thing that I can think of the only other team I can think of would be the Blue Jays also in the 90's.  Maybe we can go out and sign a Molitor type in the off season like the Blue Jays in '93. 

[Joseph Zarr]

I am feeling incredibly grateful today that David Stearns hired Matt Arnold. Seeing what the Mets are currently doing, you can't help but just appreciate how good David Stearns is at assembling a Baseball Operations group. He left the Brewers in incredible hands when he departed. He got to live out his childhood dream but he absolutely set the Brewers up for future success. Feeling grateful. 

[nate82]

4 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

I am feeling incredibly grateful today that David Stearns hired Matt Arnold.

Fun fact Matt Arnold was interviewed for the GM spot in 2015.  He also interviewed for the Marlins and Braves that same year for front office positions.  Also I believe it came down to Bloom or Stearns that year.  Bloom is now with the Cardinals and could be their next GM.  The Brewers definitely chose correctly on this one. 

[Brian]

6 hours ago, patrickgpe said:

its too bad it didn't happen after a win and instead 2 1/2 hrs before 1st pitch. That being said this one is very special with everything that has happened the last 300 days to this team

Well they ended up beating the Phillies anyway, so its all good with me and little Craigie Counsell must feel so doggone blue, poor guy.  But his wallet is full of new Chicago money. 

[Jopal78]

7 hours ago, Brian said:

Well they ended up beating the Phillies anyway, so its all good with me and little Craigie Counsell must feel so doggone blue, poor guy.  But his wallet is full of new Chicago money. 

Counsell’s reputation as getting “more out of less” certainly vanished this year. He needs his squad to got 6-4 over the last 10 games just to match what David Ross did last year with arguably less talent. 

[Jimbo]

Having been born in 1966, and watched the game on 3 October 1982 with nervous anticipation, and having watched the 1982 film this past weekend, I do not take what happened yesterday for granted.

 

[gregmag]

I’m another one of the old guys – born in 1967, really started paying attention just in time for spring training 1978 and the dawn of the first golden era. Then I graduated high school, moved around the country for school and work, and held onto the Brewers as my closest connection to home while they more or less stunk up the joint for 25 years. As luck would have it, I landed in St. Louis of all places in 2008, just in time for what has become the second golden era. I never thought the day would come when I’d have to stop and think how many division titles this makes. What a ride, and what a team we have. 

[Underachiever]

I like those odds. And the ones directly below:

[MrTPlush]

Is this the best Brewers team since 1982? And is this actually our best chance to win a World Series since that team?

Their run differential of +135 is likely to be higher than any team since 1982 (assuming it nudges out 1992 of +136). Not necessarily trying to compare Brewers teams to each other, but compared to the league in any given year, has there been a better performing Brewers team since then?

That run differential also is better than any team in baseball right now. I find this notable because in almost every other instance of a year where we thought we had a great chance (2021/2018/2011) there was at least one team that obliterated our run differential by double...usually many teams. The fact no team in baseball even has one higher than us right now is a big deal.

Would be great to play well down the stretch, get one of the byes, and secure homefield in a World Series. 

[SeaBass]

1 hour ago, Underachiever said:

I like those odds. And the ones directly below:

The Brewers are the team that entered the comments and said, "FIRST".

[SeaBass]

I was barely 10 years old in 1982 (October birthday) when the Brewers went to the World Series. Unfortunately I do not have sharp memories of that time. I definitely loved the Brewers and was watching and was so disappointed when they lost Game 7.

This season man, it's up there at the top. 2018 was pretty special, one game away from making it back to the WS, that's gotta be #1 for me but this one is really great. I just want a deep playoff run. No early exits. I want to watch this team do it's thing on the big stage. I imagine Jackson Chourio getting hot in the playoffs for the world to see and I get giddy.

I didn't participate in the prediction threads but I always felt, even with the offseason they had, losing Counsell, Stearns, Burnes, Devin and Woody being hurt, I just knew this team was still good. This good? No. But I did feel like they'd be in the hunt for winning the division again. I just wasn't that sold on the Cubs or Cardinals being significant threats and this team still had talent. Not only did they prove they were better than other teams in the division, they're one of the very top teams in baseball. A season for the ages. Keep it rolling.

[SeaBass]

It's nice to see some national recognition from the media, sure it ultimately doesn't matter what the talking heads on TV say about the team, it doesn't affect anything. But it's nice to see the Brewers getting their flowers.

 

[kestrel79]

12 hours ago, nate82 said:

Growing up in the 90’s and watching some really god awful teams play and the last 6-years has been well worth it.  Even if the Brewers never win a WS during this run I will be happy as long as they keep on winning.  I never want to go back to the ‘93-2004 teams ever again.  

Same here. Born in 83, I was too young for those good 80's teams and grew up with the end of Robin Yount and Molitor but mainly remember the era you mentioned '93-2004 as the teams and players I'd follow.

Never thought I'd see the Brewers in the playoffs ever, and here we are almost getting spoiled by it the past 7 years, and 10-15 years before that even with the 08 and 2011 teams.

But it's time to win some playoff games, and get hot and be that team in this year's playoffs. Sick of the bats going cold and us losing.

I also hope this shuts up the haters that "Owner is cheap" crowds and comments. They are spending their money wisely where it counts off the field to be competitive every year and it's working. We can't be LA. We can't be the Cubs. We have to find other ways to win and they have. Give credit to the front office when it's due.

[Fear The Chorizo]

1 hour ago, MrTPlush said:

Is this the best Brewers team since 1982? And is this actually our best chance to win a World Series since that team?

Their run differential of +135 is likely to be higher than any team since 1982 (assuming it nudges out 1992 of +136). Not necessarily trying to compare Brewers teams to each other, but compared to the league in any given year, has there been a better performing Brewers team since then?

That run differential also is better than any team in baseball right now. I find this notable because in almost every other instance of a year where we thought we had a great chance (2021/2018/2011) there was at least one team that obliterated our run differential by double...usually many teams. The fact no team in baseball even has one higher than us right now is a big deal.

Would be great to play well down the stretch, get one of the byes, and secure homefield in a World Series. 

I still think the 2008 team was best positioned to win it all....until Sheets went down around this point of the regular season.  Forcing CC to go on 3 days rest multiple times to ensure a WC berth torched their pitching, and if they would've had a healthy Sheets and better rested CC at the start of any series that team would've been a tough out.  2018 they were 1 game away from the WS, too.  It's nice to try and make comparisons to multiple postseason ballclubs I watched instead of having to go back to 1982, when I was a toddler.

Playoff baseball is so random, I'm happy they're in with key pieces performing well and give them a good chance of making a memorable run this October.  Really wish we had the Yelich of the 1st couple months of this season healthy and in the middle of this lineup still, though.  This Brewers team has a great mix of talent scattered all over its roster, does many things well, and can win games in so many ways.  I do have much more confidence in their ability to plate enough runs against playoff pitching this year than other seasons where the pitching staff was the driver and if Yelich wasn't right we all knew runs were going to be tough to come by.

[Dave_Not_Here]

I don't recall offering a prediction before the season.  If I did, I'll own whatever I said.  

 

I know I did raise concerns about the pitching, and I still feel like those concerns were valid all season, but that shouldn't take away how impressive this team was all season.  

 

Hopefully the Brewers have some postseason magic in them, and hopefully they can win the whole damn thing.

Edited September 19, 2024 by Dave_Not_Here
Typo

[Pugger]

12 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

What a time to be a Brewers fan, gents. Just an unbelievable Era of Brewers baseball. Let's never take this for granted. So proud of this team and this organization. Just incredibly resilient and capable. Just a truly special group of people.

We all aren't gents.   😉

[FidoMcCokefiend]

I was literally born in Wauwatosa, WI the day that this franchise was officially granted to Bud Selig and Milwaukee. I've lived and died with this franchise.

I just texted my Dad this AM that while I will always be disappointed if we don't the WS - what a time. 7 straight seasons with over 86 wins, 4 Division titles, and playoffs 5/7 years... (not counting 2020 because...)

Compare that to hearing my dad complain about Alex Grammas or the Davey Lopes years (hell the whole 93-2004 years)...

I want nothing more in my "sports fandom" life than being with my Dad listening to Uecker call the final out of a WS win. I will never not be gutted if we don't. But damn, this franchise is in really good shape and it's a helluva lot better than it could be.

NOW GO WIN THIS WHOLE DAMN THING. 

  

[Pugger]

2 hours ago, gregmag said:

I’m another one of the old guys – born in 1967, really started paying attention just in time for spring training 1978 and the dawn of the first golden era. Then I graduated high school, moved around the country for school and work, and held onto the Brewers as my closest connection to home while they more or less stunk up the joint for 25 years. As luck would have it, I landed in St. Louis of all places in 2008, just in time for what has become the second golden era. I never thought the day would come when I’d have to stop and think how many division titles this makes. What a ride, and what a team we have. 

You guys are just kids.  ;-)  I turned 70 in January.

[Team Canada]

Quality congratulatory stroller for Chourio:

 

[Pugger]

59 minutes ago, SeaBass said:

It's nice to see some national recognition from the media, sure it ultimately doesn't matter what the talking heads on TV say about the team, it doesn't affect anything. But it's nice to see the Brewers getting their flowers.

 

Yes, it is refreshing.  Normally we are an afterthought and if you watch MLB Network or ESPN to see highlights you have to wait a while - unless we are playing a team from NY, Chicago or LA.

[Playing Catch]

18 hours ago, adambr2 said:

This organization has been here way too much in the last decade+ to treat this like a huge deal every year. It's time to move on to bigger things.

Exactly.

Not to move on from joyous reflection too soon, but I believe that this season will turn out to be very important in the coming seasons. It's not just turning the page on the Stearns and Counsell era, it's the prologue to a fresh, new book. This season was filled with looking backwards and enjoying the ride, appreciating the opportunities and all of that. But this organization will no longer be considered "plucky," or "lovable underdogs," but rather an organization that all of baseball will be examining very closely.

The organization has already received admiration and wonder from the scouting community which is truly baffled. The Brewers keep stacking statistical outliers. The evidence of scouting/developmental prowess is mounting to Rays-like levels across the game. This is the beginning.

I like that the team will have a week or so to step back and breathe a little, because I believe they can find another gear of confidence that they will need to compete with the big boys.

[formerlybis]

2 hours ago, MrTPlush said:

Is this the best Brewers team since 1982? And is this actually our best chance to win a World Series since that team?

Their run differential of +135 is likely to be higher than any team since 1982 (assuming it nudges out 1992 of +136). Not necessarily trying to compare Brewers teams to each other, but compared to the league in any given year, has there been a better performing Brewers team since then?

That run differential also is better than any team in baseball right now. I find this notable because in almost every other instance of a year where we thought we had a great chance (2021/2018/2011) there was at least one team that obliterated our run differential by double...usually many teams. The fact no team in baseball even has one higher than us right now is a big deal.

Would be great to play well down the stretch, get one of the byes, and secure homefield in a World Series. 

The way it works is that nobody really remembers the regular seasons - you are really only judged by postseason performance. Whether this is the best team since '82 is yet to be determined because of this.

It's a fact of life that the bigger budget teams are better built for the postseason. But, if you're in the tournament, there's a chance, and the Brewers have done a fantastic job of qualifying on a regular basis. I'm just realistic that our odds are not quite as good once we get there, regardless of regular season performance.  

[HarveysWBs]

Like a few others here, my earliest memories of Brewers baseball were those 90’s teams. Living in Cubs vs Cards land as a young kid, those were tough seasons. It was hard to talk baseball or wear any gear without getting laughed out of the room.

Since those days, I’ve always dreamed of a Brewers World Series, like any other fan. What I never dreamed would happen is that the Brewers would come to dominate the division. Too small, too poor, too unattractive to talented players and front office minds—maybe the stars would align and they’d run into a title by sheer luck like some teams do, but true organizational excellence from top to bottom allowing for multiple division titles clustered together? That never entered my wildest dreams.

The postseason is an infuriating crapshoot. But one thing is for sure: the Brewers don’t suck anymore. And grade school me keeps reminding adult me to be thrilled, and so I am.

At least until next month…