Baseball returns to Milwaukee (1970): Baseball came to Milwaukee in 1953 when the Braves moved from Boston. The team only stayed a dozen years before moving to Atlanta. Milwaukee baseball fans had to wait five years before the Brewers moved in from Seattle to replace Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, and Warren Spahn. In less than a decade, the Brewers were a powerhouse.
Hank Aaron’s final home run (July 20, 1976): Hank Aaron hit his 755th and final home run off California’s Dick Drago. Little did anyone know that Aaron’s final big fly would occur in July for the Brewers. He retired baseball’s all time home run leader. The Brewers won 6-2.
The Yount Game (October 3, 1982): Milwaukee and Baltimore entered the final game of the 1982 season tied for first. Each needed a win to clinch the AL East. In a match up of Hall of Fame big game pitchers, Don Sutton beat Jim Palmer 10-2 behind Robin Yount’s two homers. For the game, Yount went 3 for 4 with 4 runs scored and 2 RBI solidifying his MVP credentials. Yount would win a second MVP in 1989.
Cooper’s single sends Brewers to the World Series (October 10, 1982 Game 5 ALCS): The Brewers fell behind Gene Mauch’s Angels 2 games to none in the 1982 ALCS. They rallied to win Game 3 behind Don Sutton and clubbed California in Game 4. In Game 5, they trailed 3-2 in the seventh when Cecil Cooper singled in two for the lead. Milwaukee held on for the win and their first pennant. Without Rollie Fingers, they lost an exciting World Series in seven games to St Louis.
Juan Nieves No-Hitter (April 15, 1987): Juan Nieves no-hit the Baltimore Orioles early in the 1987 season. He was aided by a great play in centerfield by Robin Yount. Nieves pitched three seasons in the majors finishing with a 32-25 record.
13-0 (April 20, 1987): Juan Nieves’ no-hitter was part of a 13-0 start for Milwaukee. They swept the AL Champion Red Sox at home, swept the Rangers and Orioles on the road, Texas at home, and then won the first game at Comiskey Park. The White Sox broke the streak with a 7-1 win on the 21st. Milwaukee finished with 91 wins and a third place finish.
Paul Molitor’s 39-game hitting streak (1987): Paul Molitor hit .353 in 1987. That season, he embarked on a remarkable 39 game hitting streak. It was the longest streak since Pete Rose’s 44 gamer in 1978. Only six players have had longer streaks.
Robin Yount gets his 3000th hit (September 9, 1992): On September 9, 1992, Robin Yount singled off Cleveland’s Jose Mesa for his 3000th hit. Interestingly, hit 1000th and 2000th hit also came off Cleveland. George Brett joined Yount in the 3000 hit club a couple weeks later. Cleveland won the game 5-4.
Brewers move to NL (1998): As part of Bud Selig’s reorganization and MLB’s expansion, Milwaukee moved to the National League. They lost their first game to Atlanta 2-1. In their inaugural NL campaign, Milwaukee finished 74-88.
Brewers make the postseason ending 26 year drought (2008): An exciting Brewer team made the postseason for the first time since 1982. The team’s late season acquisition of C.C. Sabathia and his clutch pitching down the stretch assured the team’s success. Unfortunately, C.C. burnt out by the end and Milwaukee lost the LDS to Philadelphia. However, it provided a core group of young players playoff experience.
