To understand what Milwaukee’s playoff berth means to the people of Wisconsin, you have to know the history behind it

SCOTT JACOBS

Call it what you will, but there’s not a doubt in the world that golden liquids will be spraying all the way into the wee hours of the morning in the land of the cheese.  Whether it’s Brewers fans peeing their pants, or Brewers players spraying champagne and beer everywhere, Milwaukee is into the post-season for the first time since 1982.  Their 3-1 win, coupled with New York’s sad 4-2 loss (officially putting the recking ball on Shea) today sent Wisconsin into a frenzy.  It was the only type of win that could put Aaron Rodgers’ injury on the backburner, along with Brett Favre’s six touchdown day.  Milwaukee watched the only New York team it truly needed to lose, lose.

The Brewers, notorious losers for decades, had made the playoffs twice since 1970.  That’s 38 seasons.  Lucky number 39 was what the Brewers needed to tack  one more to that very un-humbling list.  But, the team that was brought to Milwaukee by primary owner Bud Selig (now MLB commissioner) is back.  Back in the playoffs.

That’s three times in 39 seasons.  That’s once every 13 years. That’s a seven percent success rate.

But hey, how many teams (not players, not coaches) can say that they’ve made the playoffs in both Leagues?  Not many.  Milwaukee can lay claim to that.

Besides, they haven’t had a heck of a lot to celebrate as Brewers fans.  Milwaukee’s first playoff berth (1981) came in a year where a players strike wiped out a portion of the year.  Yes, the Brewers did what they had to do, but that’s historically not all that amazing.  Especially in a season as long as baseball.

And then there was 1982.  The greatest year to date, in the history of the Brewers.  Robin Yount was AL MVP that year, the team belted out 216 dingers, and their pitcher Pete Vulkovich won the CY Young.  The Brewers came back from an 0-2 deficit to win the final three games and secure their place in the World Series, where they would fall in seven games to St. Louis.

So that’s where we stand.  The Brewers are trying to overcome the demons of 1982.  Was it a bad beer keg that cursed the team?  Or was it bad cheese?  No one knows, but this Brewers team will have to overcome the odds without Ben Sheets, who is done for the year.

C.C. Sabathia has been brilliant, but he can’t do it all.  The Brewers will need everyone to advance.

And if they do, could a Brewers-Cubs NLCS possibility loom?  It seems only fitting that the team that can’t win a World Series plays the team that hasn’t won one in  99 years and counting.

But first things first: the Phillies.  Philadelphia was swept out last year by red hot Colorado after winning the NL East.  This year, that probably won’t happen again.

But then again, who thought the Mets would collapse again?

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