1982 Milwaukee Brewers

 One popular thing to do when making popular culture references to sports is to make a list of "Most popular [thing] from the last time each team won the World Series" It could be the best song of the year, highest grossing movie or top selling car. The point is to make a cheeky look to the past to show how long it's been for many teams, like when the Indians entry is always something from way back in 1948 while you can compare it to the Angel's early 2000's entry and the Rangers 2023 version. Some teams don't get to play because they're still [relatively] recent like the Rays and Rockies, while certain teams don't get to play because they just never seem to win or even get close...like the poor Brewers.

The Brewers began life as the ill fated Seattle Pilots in 1969, but the team ran out of money, relocated to Milwaukee in 1970 and became the Brewers. In more than 50 years since, they have failed to bring a title home to Milwaukee, leaving them firmly in the shadow of the Atlanta Braves, who as the Milwaukee Braves won the 1957 World Series. Usually, the Brewers have a hard enough time to even reach the postseason, but there was one brief period a long time ago where they put up their best effort.

1981 saw the Brewers fighting for their first ever playoff berth, then the players strike screwed things up. When the season restarted, it was announced that playoff spots would be awarded to the top team in the divisions from both the first half (pre-strike) and second half (post-strike) of the season. The Brewers won the 2nd half AL East title (and had the better full season record, but it was moot) but lost the (1st ever) ALDS to the Yankees in 5 games.

Buck Rodgers was back to lead the Brewers in 1982, but was fired after a 23-24 start. Harvey Kuenn came in to run the show, navigating the Brewers to an MLB best 95-67 finish, one game better than the Orioles to claim the AL East, thanks in large part to the efforts of the AL MVP Robin Yount and Cy Young winner Pete Vuckovich. Meeting them in the ALCS were the California Angels, who were also looking for their first ever pennant. The Brewer fell behind quick, down 0-2 in the best of 5 series, but rallied to sweep the next 3 games and claim the AL flag.

The World Series would prove to be just a close, with the Brewers going back and forth with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Brewers took Game 1, but fell behind 2-1 in the series before winning Games 4 and 5 to be a single victory away from the title. A blowout win by the Cardinals in Game 6 meant the series would all come down to the winner take all finale. After an early Cardinals run, the Brewers put up runs to take a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the 6th, but a 3 run rally, followed by 2 insurance runs later sealed the deal, and the title, for the Cardinals with a 6-3 clinching win. The Brewers would have to wait until the next century to return to the playoffs, and have yet to return to the WS.

The first of his 2 MVPs came at the best time, as Robin Yount led the league with 210 Hits, tied for the top spot with 46 Doubles, took home a Silver Slugger and also won a Gold Glove to prove his worth on defense as well. His .331 Batting Average was tops in the lineup.

You just knew Molitor would be in on the greatest Brewers season to date. Still early in his career, he was over at 3rd base, but was still getting MVP votes as well, and leading the league with 136 Runs. His team high 41 Stolen Bases were a nice amount, but laughable compared to the 130 that a certain well known speedster put up that season.

Another future Hall of Fame talent, Ted Simmons did his best work in St. Louis but was able to assist in the World Series run in Milwaukee.

Rest of the lineup. Gorman Thomas tied for the AL lead with 39 Home Runs and all star Cecil Cooper batted in a team high 121 RBI to both get some serious MVP consideration. Ben Oglive also joined Yount, Cooper and Rollie Fingers on the AL all star team.

Bench guys. Money had some good playing time, btu the rest lack in the on-base department. Larry Hisle had the kind of all-or-nothing power card you can't help but be tempted to play in a crazy situation. Mark Brouhard bringing in the Chad energy to the 80s Brewers.

Vuckovich was the leader of the staff in Milwaukee, with 18 Wins, 109 Strikeouts and a 3.34 ERA. He edged out Jim Palmer for the Cy Young award. Injuries would cut short his 1983 season and shelf him entirely for 1984. Despite winning a Cy Young and pitching in the World Series, he'd best known for acting like a hitter in one of the "Major League" movies.

The rotation along with Vuvkovich. Caldwell won a respectable 17 games on his own, a few years still removed from his own serious Cy Young attempt.

Fingers was coming off a Cy Young and MVP season in 81, meaning that the Brewers swept both awards for 2 straight seasons. In '82 he saved 29 games for the Brewers and was an easy choice for the all star game, but was battling injury all year and had to sit out the World Series and all of 1983.

The bullpen arms of the Brewers. Nothing earth shattering, but when you had a Cy Young to start and a Hall of Famer to close, the middle inning don't usually need any heroes.

One more Hall of Fame arm never hurts. Don Sutton began 1982 with the Houston Astros, but the Brewers felt their rotation needed one more solid pitcher and traded for Sutton to assist the stretch run. He went 4-1 in just 7 starts, but they'd need every victory to edge the Orioles out for the division.