What Does Going to the World Series Mean to You?

[craigharmann]

I thought this might be a cathartic, fun and awesome conversation to start this morning. Obviously, it means so much to all of us. But I think being able to attempt to express the meaning for many of us long suffering fans who remember the names Billy Jo Robidoux, Tim McIntosh, Steve Woodard, Antone Williamson, Chad Green, Nick Neugebauer, the sainted Lou Palmisano (WOAH SOLVDD) and many others is a challenge, and yet a joy.

For me, it means so much. Baseball has been my first love. It goes back to my dad's dad who took my dad to Braves games back in the 50's. My grandpa had a ball signed by many of the 58 Braves, which is now one of my prized possessions. My dad took me to games, and it was one of the few things that my dad and I did together, as he was too busy being a pastor. Listening to the games on the radio made me fall in love with baseball. I collected cards, stayed up every All-Star game to watch Yount or Molitor or whoever made it to hopefully get into the game.

My dad passed away from cancer in 2017. My younger sister passed away in 2023. She wasn't as rabid of a fan as I was, but she was there when we went as a family. I'm a bit sad this morning knowing that I can call or text them about the games, but I'll be thinking about them every game. 

Finding Brewerfan.net back in 2006 was absolutely a lifeline to keep me connected to the Brewers as I moved to Texas, started a family and lived life. We went back to Wisconsin in June of 2024 for my aunt and uncle's 60th wedding anniversary. It was the first time I set foot in Wisconsin since escaping Sheboygan in 2008. One of the first places I had to take my girls for that quick weekend trip was the stadium. We bought merch and I talked about the history of my relationship with the team. My girls didn't care. But that's OK. I will be buying more merch this year, but I don't want to buy NLCS championship gear. I want to buy WS champions gear. 

Thanks everyone for being a part of this platform. The job's not done, but I think to be able to revel in and celebrate something that hasn't happened in 44 years is amazing and needs to happen. 

[EauClaireNWL]

This has been two decades plus in the making.

From getting Miller Park built and watching Ritchie Sexson and Geoff Genkins and Ben Sheets be a few bright spots in some awful team in's the early '00s including losing a 100+ games in '02.

From celebrating going .500 for the first time in 2006 after not having a winning season since 1992.

From trading for CC and watching the Marlins beat the Mets in the final game of the regular in '08 to clinch that first playoff birth since '82.

From Prince and Brauny and Yo bringing us back to some relevancy in the late aughts and early '10s including a playoff series win in 2011 and two wins away from the World Series .

Having some rough stretches in the middle '10s and having to reload this team with Stearns and Arnold coming in and trading for Yeli in 2018 who turned into a superstar player taking that mantle from an aging Brauny and getting one game away from the WS before losing to the Dodgers in the NLCS 4-3.

That began a stretch of competitive baseball making the playoffs eight out of the last nine seasons, but could just never get over the hump and we couldn't win a playoff series until we finally beat the Cubs in five last season and then getting absolutely shut down by the Dodgers in the NLCS.

To finally starting our revenge tour and setting a franchise record of 103 wins and getting homefield, beating a scrappy Padres team, and finally catching a flailing Dodgers team at the right time and getting over that hump. To say this is huge is and understatement especially if you're a younger fan and have been following this team from the '90s onward. 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

It means anything is possible even with the deck stacked against you. Forget about the Dodgers payroll, but everything it took MKE to get there. I find myself constantly thinking of all the nameless scouts and such that played bigger roles in the entire build than any of us will ever know. Some may be out of the game completely, others with other teams by now. Whoever first saw Miz and told his boss he's worth a look, or whoever came to management and said David Hamilton might be worth a discussion, etc. Someone who said Gary Sanchez is worth kicking the tires and then the guy comes up with a pivotal AB in what is probably going to be his only PA of the postseason.

I was born 5 years after '82 so that season has mostly just been a mythical thing we aspire to but with no expectation it would ever happen. I accepted that a long time ago. I remember 2008 as much as any season, and how big of a deal it was just to get back to October. Nobody was upset we lost. In 2018, I was pouting on the drive home from Game 7. My wife consoled me with something like "Brewers games are just a hobby people here do for fun; they're not supposed to win anything." Well maybe not, but they did.

[liveforoctober]

My brother sent me this at about 2am. When people ask "why sports?". This is why sports.

[NeedMoreFans]

This question is what I was answering when I finally went to bed last night. 

My dad passed in 2024, so just over two years ago.  He's the reason I am a Brewer fan.  My parents moved to Wisconsin in the spring of 1982 and got tickets to the ALCS and World Series.  They took my great grandfather, who had played in the Cardinals system back in the late 20s/early 30s (and was about as big of a baseball fan as there was), and got a babysitter for me, who was not quite 2 years old last time this happened.  

My dad and I went to so many games at County Stadium and Miller Park.  We got to go to Opening Day in 2001, the All-Star game, the 2008 playoffs together.  We were there on Easter Sunday 1987 (which I have no recollection of), and went to a game in early 2002 or 2003 where the announced attendance was 16,000 but there was no way there were more than 10,000 in the stadium.  We have seen highs and lows of this team together, but nothing like this.  I'm sad I don't get to experience this with him, but it's because of him that I get to experience this as a fan.  So dad, thank you for teaching me to be a fan of this team and not to abandon them when times are tough because patience paid off.  Let's go out and get 4 more.

[YelichPosse]

The Brew Crew are World Series Bound!

They have come a long way since those terrible teams of the early 2000’s. 

I first remember going to games in the early 90’s and following every game since. Pat Listash’s ROY and Cal Edred winning every game in sight - the oh so close 92 team. Stupid Blue Jays who stole away Paul Molitor (oh wait that was cheap skate ownership - learned what small market meant real early!). Yount chasing 3,000 in 93. Vaughns Valley becoming Marc Newfield of Dreams in LF. Cirillo, Jenkins, Burnitz. Russ Petak changing his vote to continue baseball in Milwaukee and the building of Miller Park. Moving to the NL. The Brant Brown game that ruined the Cubs chances.  Though WE never were close anywhere near those years - that was our big win. Richie Sexson hitting a homer on the opening night of Miller Park. Signing Jeffrey Hammond to a big contract (woof). - all this while TERRIBLE pitching - some horrible names with even more horrible ERA’s always. 

All this while enjoying Ueck on most summer nights. Back before daily telecasts. Hard to believe that was never a thing. Be it with the family or sneaking my radio headset past beadtime on a school night for west coast games. 

By the time I was a teenager I was going to easily 10-15 games a year. Sometimes more. 

Then we had Prince, Weeks, Braun, Corey Hart. 05,06,07 getting close to winning baseball! Ben Sheets , Gallardo… then breaking through in 08!! CC Sabathia!! My dad and I were at the Reds game where CC won and hit a HR too! CC was amazing never seen anything like it. Braun beating the Cubs and the epic Ueck call!! Just happy to be in the playoffs and the Phillies spanking us. That was an expensive couple of games 🤣. 

Let downs for a couple years before 2011. Braun on fire. But pitching ran outta gas. Should have won the NLCS but lost to StL….. ugh. 

Moved to TN in 2017 so had to settle for MLB package every year since. Watched a portion or all of every game the last 9 years …. 

Another lull til 2018. Vs the Dodgers. Took them 7 games. Soooooo close. 

Then the heartbreak year after year. Quick exits… great pitching but never enough hitting. Trading of stars Hader, Williams, Burnes to keep retooling.

Last year was amazing beating the Cubs….. but we were not ready for LA. Terrible series. 

This year best regular season AGAIN. Sure felt different. 

Padres - tough series… but really came through. Better than we did last year vs Cubs. Liked our chances vs an aging Dodgers team scuffling. 

Matched up vs 4 starters that had more Cy Young’s than you can count and more  money invested than the last 8 brewers teams combined and we set them down 1,2,3,4 by pesky grinding at bat after pesky grinding at bat. 

Comeback after comeback…. And a SWEEP.

What a series. 

So now here we are.

4 more to go! Can enjoy this for a week but I think it’s time to put a WS victory in our history. This might be the team to do it. 

Go Brewers!

[craigharmann]

41 minutes ago, NeedMoreFans said:

This question is what I was answering when I finally went to bed last night. 

 

That was the question I was thinking of all day yesterday, if it happened. And in the moment, I was overwhelmed with all of the emotions, so I wanted to attempt to sleep on it (I did a bit) before asking this morning. I’m glad it tracked with you as well.

[Day]

I felt a bit emotional after winning last night. Absolutely made up what a team we have. 

Here’s a picture of me and my dad at the county stadium in the early 90s when my love for the brewers started

[KCBrewerfan34]

I’ve waited 44 years for this, I got to go to GM 5 against the Angels in 82 and was able to get on the field, This team has the eye of the tiger for sure. Go Brew!!!

[torts]

ngl lost my dad 7 years ago, the brewers were our team and we'd talk almost daily about games, Uecker, woulda-coulda-shoulda and how every year was our year even though it never happened. I was 2 in 1982, I have pictures celebrating, but I was 2 so I don't remember. now I get to celebrate with my kid, who is 8, (he better remember 🤣🤣🤣) but I wish my dad could see this team.  They are everything we talked about, and it's a connection I have with no other person in my family, which is sad to type out, but the last year my son has taken a big liking to baseball and the timing of all of this is just wild for me personally and emotionally.  

I'm not crying you're crying 

[MoreTrife]

Anyone else strangely subdued?? I just can't put my finger on it. I got misty eyed a few times watching post game but nothing viscerally euphoric or emotional. 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Just now, MoreTrife said:

Anyone else strangely subdued?? I just can't put my finger on it. I got misty eyed a few times watching post game but nothing viscerally euphoric or emotional. 

I think that's just the nature of the series. It's not like football, or a Game 7, where there's a swing in a quarter and you experience the whole spectrum of emotions in 20 minutes. We had time to digest this, even though it never felt safe, last night lacked the true feeling of disaster even if they'd given up 3 in the 9th. There would be doom and gloom, but still a path forward. Same reason last year didn't hurt too much by Game 4. We gave up by then and had started processing already. Without the threat of an immediate end, a more subdued reaction is pretty natural.

The Mets playoff loss was probably the worst I've ever felt watching a game because you experienced the full swing in such a short time.

[craigharmann]

1 hour ago, torts said:

ngl lost my dad 7 years ago, the brewers were our team and we'd talk almost daily about games, Uecker, woulda-coulda-shoulda and how every year was our year even though it never happened. I was 2 in 1982, I have pictures celebrating, but I was 2 so I don't remember. now I get to celebrate with my kid, who is 8, (he better remember 🤣🤣🤣) but I wish my dad could see this team.  They are everything we talked about, and it's a connection I have with no other person in my family, which is sad to type out, but the last year my son has taken a big liking to baseball and the timing of all of this is just wild for me personally and emotionally.  

I'm not crying you're crying 

Absolutely. That was my Instagram post last night. Me laughing and crying quietly at the same time and I started my caption with there’s no crying in baseball, but there’s crying in my living room. 

[ErnieRilesBrianGiles]

To me, it's about hopes finally NOT being dashed.

1982 - Starting following the Crew as a kid. Fell in love with that team, and even after they lost, was sure they'd win in a year or two

1987 - Listened to every game on the radio, and was crushed when all those magical moments ended outside the playoffs

1992 - Watched every Sports Center highlight, and was sure that September run was going to take them all the way

2002ish - With Doug Melvin on board, started following the minors religiously, and brewerfan,net only fueled my optimism that this team was slowly but surely building something special

2008-12 - was so sure the prospects I'd been following for years (Hardy, Hart, Prince, Weeks, Braun) would eventually win won for us. When Corey Hart left, I remember feeling so sad. It was the end of an era, start of another rebuild, and nothing to show for it.

2018-24 - with an MVP and elite pitching, and yet one crushing playoff exit after another, I resigned myself to the fact that the playoffs are a crapshoot, and just enjoy the journey

2025-26 - with the best prospect system in baseball, I was hopeful that maybe...someday...we might get a lucky break and sneak into a World Series, maybe when Chourio and Miz and Made are in their prime. 

I never expected this kind of run...this year...with this group of gamers.

[homer]

50 minutes ago, MoreTrife said:

Anyone else strangely subdued?? I just can't put my finger on it. I got misty eyed a few times watching post game but nothing viscerally euphoric or emotional. 

I've been posting on here since Prince Fielder was drafted. I think I was resigned to the fact that it was never going to happen. I don't know how to feel.

[bensheeps]

At times, I think about how much time and money I've spent on my Milwaukee Brewers "hobby".  The times that we've considered giving up our 20-game pack now that my kids are 28 and 21 and it is a 2.5 hour drive to Milwaukee.  Each time, we reason that it is my family's way to relax together and that some day, the benefit for keeping the package will pay off when the Brewers make their post-season run.  Last night it finally happened.

It didn't really hit me last night like I thought it would.  Coming to school today, it has started to as staff and students have may a point to stop in the office to congratulate me and share stories about last night's game.

I'm not sure how I will feel next Friday as I sit in my seat at AmFam.  That may be when all the emotions boil over.  In a way, I'm looking forward to it happening around my family and extended family that have shared the seating area with us for years.

[Team Canada]

2 hours ago, YelichPosse said:

Russ Petak changing his vote to continue baseball in Milwaukee and the building of Miller Park

For the record, George Petak.

[YelichPosse]

14 minutes ago, Team Canada said:

For the record, George Petak.

Thank you! That’s right! 

[liveforoctober]

1 hour ago, MoreTrife said:

Anyone else strangely subdued?? I just can't put my finger on it. I got misty eyed a few times watching post game but nothing viscerally euphoric or emotional. 

I was nostalgic/peaceful. I felt it after Gm3 also when this became inevitable. So happy for everyone - so grateful. But there is a part of me that has a "the fight is over" release. I had the same feeling with the Bucks.

I root hard for underdogs. Unknown musicians, brand new restaurants, etc. I will overspend and overhype to give them a chance. Then if and when they get their footing, I have this proud papa feeling of pride and I go searching for the next little guy to try and help.

This is obviously different. I'm never leaving the Brewers and there is still a lot more to do this year to finish this up. But I am sitting in the same 'proud papa' feeling right now. We've all fought so hard (relatively speaking) ... and a portion of that fight is over now.

[PlayerHader]

Grandpa used to sit in the kitchen in his underwear listening to Ueck on the little radio they had. He'd fall asleep there in his chair sometimes. Farmers work long hours, right?

I remember driving around with my dad in his truck in the summer listening to Uecker. Or listening on the radio in my room, trying to stay up, but usually failing. I remember some County Stadium trips. We were there when my favorite player, Paul Molitor, returned as a Blue Jay. Summer trips to Brewer games were our family vacations.

I got to watch them win the pennant with my 12 year old son, my older brother, nephew, cousin and his kids...Brewers are family.

Cool thread. I'm going to text my dad now and thank him for having Uecker on in his truck way back then in the 90s... 

[sobomp3]

I was a shade over 3 when they went in '82 so I don't really remember it. I remember those Brewers pennant placemats being on my dresser as a kid not really knowing what they meant.

I was at the watch party last night, and it was just electric. I basically said "thank you for doing this" to every worker that was there that served me a beer or a hot dog, because they really didn't need to be there doing that.

I feel like I've let all of my energy out just getting to the WS and I hope that's not where the team is. We should try and win it all.

Also, Uecker... this one's for you, man! That guy was basically the lasting memory of my late grandfather. They had the same exact voice, sense of humor, cadence etc. I was so sad when he passed, but I hope he's smiling down (both of them, actually haha).

That's my livestream of thoughts. Not sure if it answers any of the questions lol.

[Ignitor 4ever]

I was 3 in 1982 so I do not remember that season although many of those players (Yount, Molitor, Gantner especially) would become my childhood baseball heroes. Growing up as a diehard Brewers fan, you would just celebrate the small victories and always look forward to the next seasson (or even seasons in the future) and the prospects coming up. I remember 1987 and 1992 pretty well because those were the two most exciting seasons of my Brewers fandom before 2008. Just finally getting to watch my team in the playoffs after years of watching so many other teams in the postseason as a baseball fanatic was terrific, no matter the outcome.

More recently, it has been watching this franchise continue to take steps towards what we saw last night. A great group of players in Fielder, Braun, Weeks, Hardy and Hart (among others) that got us oh so close. Another season in 2018 where we got so close to the World Series you could almost taste it only to have it cruelly ripped away by the big market Dodgers.

Last night is just a culmination to prove that the "bites of the apple" approach does actually work. Hoarding prospects and making smart trades does actually work. It can give us more than just a competitive team, it can give us a championship team. The last two seasons have proved that the Brewers are elite (best record in baseball two seasons in a row is very convincing evidence). Now, they have backed it all up with a pennant. More work to do yet, but today feels glorious!

[craigharmann]

23 minutes ago, sobomp3 said:

 

That's my livestream of thoughts. Not sure if it answers any of the questions lol.

Perfectly done. I love it.

[MrTPlush]

I was trying to figure out why the players were looking at all the bottles, like surely these dudes aren’t trying to find the ‘Winter, WI’ bottle.

They were looking at player names.

[owbc]

1 minute ago, MrTPlush said:

I was trying to figure out why the players were looking at all the bottles, like surely these dudes aren’t trying to find the ‘Winter, WI’ bottle.

They were looking at player names.

Did Mark A get the Jeff Suppan bottle?