2018 Appreciation Thread

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

I have to say, 2018 accomplished everything I wanted, or at least everything I feel reasonable about expecting. Winning the division was the one thing I REALLY wanted, and though every playoff win raised expectations, I still feel awfully good about the season we just saw. The celebrations in St. Louis and Chicago are major highlights for me, not to mention having the MVP and winning 12 in a row.

 

The future is bright in the starting rotation, and if we can find some more quality contact guys in the offseason, or have a prospect or two develop/surprise us, 2019 will be awfully fun too!

 

When I think about what it means to be a baseball fan of the Brewers, I have to remind myself constantly that pinning a season on a World Series is just setting you up for disappointment. It's so hard to do from our position, and even for the big market clubs, the playoffs are so random. The combination of luck and talent you need to marshal to win the whole thing, or even a pennant, is just, well, it's crazy. This team squeezed every single win out of its roster and came up just a little short. They gave us nearly seven months of enjoyment and lots of great memories. It was my favorite Brewer team of my lifetime (born in the late 80s, started following very closely in '97), and I think it will have competition for that spot in the very near future. Even if it doesn't, and I don't say this in order to dictate how anyone feels because all of this is deeply personal, but even if we don't get back to this spot, I hope we don't let the narrative become about not winning the big one. This team won plenty of big ones. And the exhilaration of winning Game 163 is right up there, maybe even above, all the magical victories this franchise has had in the past.

 

Thanks to CC and DS. Thanks to Yelich. Thanks to Lo Cain. Thanks to a pitching staff that really bought in. Thanks to Broxton and Suter and Vogt and all the great clubhouse guys. Thanks to Thames for beating the Rockies with a 3-run walk-off. Thanks to Kratz for one of the better late-bloomer stories I think baseball has ever given us. Thanks to Arcia and Santana for sticking with it. Thanks to BA (and Rock) and Levering and Lane and, of course, the legend, Mr. Baseball. Most of all, thanks to all of you for making this place a huge part of nearly every day of the baseball season (and lots of days in the offseason).

 

Here's to another Central Division title in 2019. Here's to unveiling the NL Central banner on Friday, April 5th, 2019, the first day the Cubs come to Milwaukee.

 

Goooooo Brewers!

[KCBrewerfan34]

This year was greatest year as a fan. I loved everything about this team, the manager and the GM. Lets keep it going!!!

 

Not sure about specifics for 2019 but Im drooling over a Chacin, Burnes, Woodruff and Nelson rotation (with Jimmy return to health and velo of course). armed with alot of trade assets I have a ton of confidence in Stearns adding the few pieces we need to push us over the top.

 

Do I upgrade from a 10 pack to a 20? That's the biggest question

 

GO BREW!!!

[Thurston Fluff]

This feels like the beginning not the end.

[MrTPlush]

I feel like we are right where the 2015 Cubs were. The start of it all. Not saying it will ever lead to the promised land, but I think there are multiple postseason births to come.

[nodakfan17]

Game 163 made the entire season a success, in my opinion.

[jjgott]

This feels like the beginning not the end.

 

I have this feeling too. Most everyone knew in 2011 that it was pretty much over with Fielder leaving after the season and Greinke having only one year left on his deal.

 

Now we have Cain for the next 3 years, the NL MVP for a few more years on a ridiculously cheap contract, and a stable of young pitchers set to enter our rotation with the most dominant reliever in baseball in the bullpen. I have full faith in DS and CC to continue to manage our roster in a way that maximizes our potential. I look forward to having a team enter the season with expectations and with the knowledge that they are the defending division champs and should not feel inferior to the Cubs or Cardinals.

 

Hot Stove can't get here fast enough!

[clancyphile]

I think the big difference between 2018 and 2011 is there isn't this hanging cloud of doom over the likelihood someone important was going to walk.

 

There was this sense that the Brewers had to somehow either keep Prince Fielder, or accept he'd walk. When he walked, it was the end, really.

 

That dread isn't hanging over the Brewers now.

[homer]

They have more young, studly pitching than at any time in my 40+ years of Brewer fandom.

[Est1970]

2018 was a great ride! I’m looking forward to what promises to be an interesting offseason. I can’t wait til opening day.

[OldHeidelberg]

They have more young, studly pitching than at any time in my 40+ years of Brewer fandom.

 

Totally agree. I didn't get too upset last night because I think we have such a bright future now. This late season run was amazing and a lot of fun. Sucks to fall short but this feels a lot different than 2011.

[MrTPlush]

Game 163 made the entire season a success, in my opinion.

 

I would also agree that was the top moment. Not only because of the actual game, but what it means moving forward. It makes us the defending champion and in my opinion after the offseason we should be the team to beat.

 

I think it is a lot easier to look at the future after getting that division title vs. a measly WC birth. Getting the division and making the NLCS makes you think we got something cooking overall...WC and NLCS? Well, makes you think we just got hot.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I'm depressed as ever today. But compared to 2011 and 2008, they aren't supposed to take a dive the next season.

[clancyphile]

They have more young, studly pitching than at any time in my 40+ years of Brewer fandom.

 

Totally agree. I didn't get too upset last night because I think we have such a bright future now. This late season run was amazing and a lot of fun. Sucks to fall short but this feels a lot different than 2011.

 

In 2011, there was this sense that Prince Fielder was going to walk, and there was nothing that could be done about it.

 

In 2008, the same applied with CC Sabathia.

 

Nothing like that this time... there is much more talent across the board.

[TURBO]

Yeah, I think the most talented guy on the roster that probably won't be coming back is Moose. We already have a 3B to replace him in Shaw, so I don't think we'll feel it like we did those years. Hell, there is even an outside chance he comes back, unlike Prince and CC...

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I think it is about 30/70 Moose comes back/doesn't. It won't be at the $15 million, but there is a chance beyond that depending on the market.

[82brewcrew82]

I was a little surprised at how easy I moved on after last night. I'm definitely more intense in the moment but the guys left it all out on the field. As others have said, they achieved every reasonable expectation. I trust CC and DS and fully expect they recognize the same flaws we do. No one saw the acquisitions coming last off season but the expectations will be raised this off season. It will be interesting but the thing I'm most interested in are the reports on Nelson. Easily the best season of my long tenured Brewer fandom.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I feel the same as I did watching Puig's ball go over the wall. This will hurt for some time.

[SomewhereInTime]

I think the big difference between 2018 and 2011 is there isn't this hanging cloud of doom over the likelihood someone important was going to walk.

 

There was this sense that the Brewers had to somehow either keep Prince Fielder, or accept he'd walk. When he walked, it was the end, really.

 

That dread isn't hanging over the Brewers now.

 

The problem is they were able to easily replace Fielder (in fact they found someone better in Ramirez), scored the most runs in all of baseball in 2012 and didn't even make the postseason, because things happen. Opportunities like these are hard to come by and they let this one get away.

[B-Train]

I feel like we are right where the 2015 Cubs were. The start of it all. Not saying it will ever lead to the promised land, but I think there are multiple postseason births to come.

 

Yes and by all accounts the players genuinely sense this and are in it for each other. Leadership will do what it takes to position this team for success in the off-season and throughout the regular season 2019. They are bold and have a growth mindset which will lead to some eye opening acquisitions and departures of some key players from this year's team. Posters have covered many of the possibilities in another thread.

 

Personally, this season began with the Cain and Yelich double bonus transactions in January. I remember the first few regular season series as having a playoff feel with some amazing finishes to games and the tone was set for a great run. I was able to see more games on TV and in person this season than ever before and I've been on board since the early '70's. What a team to follow and I will have many great memories of the 2018 edition of the Crew.

 

Finally, thanks to many of you posters who have been very enlightening for this rookie poster in terms of sharing knowledge and engaging in debate of the greatest game there is.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

I think the big difference between 2018 and 2011 is there isn't this hanging cloud of doom over the likelihood someone important was going to walk.

 

There was this sense that the Brewers had to somehow either keep Prince Fielder, or accept he'd walk. When he walked, it was the end, really.

 

That dread isn't hanging over the Brewers now.

 

The problem is they were able to easily replace Fielder (in fact they found someone better in Ramirez), scored the most runs in all of baseball in 2012 and didn't even make the postseason, because things happen. Opportunities like these are hard to come by and they let this one get away.

 

They also never got anywhere near the performance from their key pitchers after 2011. Shaun Marcum anyone? There was a lot that went into the decline besides Prince Fielder leaving. This team's pitching is young, on the rise, and most importantly has a manager and pitching coach who know how to get the most out of them. The 2011 team also had nothing in the way of reinforcements from the farm, certainly not a bat the likes of Huira at it's weakest spot. The 2011 team also had stretched it's payroll to an unsustainable level at the time and couldn't use the saved salary from Prince's departure to plug holes. This team is nowhere near as limited financially. 2011 was a culmination in every possible way and that was known going "all-in". 2018 was never looked at as the final step. This team is still building.

[bucks2281]

The 2012 team would have probably won at least the WC2 spot if the bullpen hadn’t been an absolute dumpster fire.

[BrewCrewForever]

I'm not sure how long it will take me to completely get over that game 7 loss. But thinking of how great a season we had, does help ease the pain. Coming back from 5 games back on September 1st to force game 163 and beat the Cubs on their field to win the division was pretty amazing. And I will never forget it. Yelich's season will go down in history and will be the Brewers 5th MVP season which is pretty awesome. Five All-Stars! I could go on and on, while it ended short of the goal, it was such a fun journey. Truly the beginning of something special, not the end.

[MrTPlush]

The 2012 team would have probably won at least the WC2 spot if the bullpen hadn’t been an absolute dumpster fire.

Yup, off topic but that 2011 team was not all-in. It should have competed in 2012 (technically did). 2011 was the best year as far as chances, but on paper 2012 was set up pretty well.

 

Fielder wasn’t even much of a loss. Hart/Ramirez was arguably better than Fielder/McGehee.

[owbc]

The past month was really special watching this team evolve from a borderline playoff team into a legitimate World Series contender. I was so lucky to be able to come home this past weekend and see the games with my dad and brother. Games 6 was incredible and it was set up so perfectly for the moment we've been waiting for...and the second that ball left Puig's bat it was taken away.

 

I'm over all the other years but I don't know when, or if, I'll be over this one. Being there made it too visceral, the exuberance of the day before gave me too close of a taste of what it would feel like to finally make it. The noise of the crowd still reverberates in my head. My voice still isn't entirely back.

 

I'll remember this year fondly. We overcame both of our rivals. We won 12 in a row at the best possible time. The camaraderie and personality of this team was my favorite of all time. I hope that can eventually be the lasting memory of this team. But for now, it almost would have been better if they didn't get this close. I'm left wanting more. And it's not easy. The playoffs are a crapshoot and our strategy is out in the open now. Competitors like the Braves are only going to get better. Hopefully next time we can get one game farther.

[NYChez]

The 2018 Brewers are the first team to win 7 games after game 162 and not play in the World Series. Combining that with the 12-game winning streak, celebrations at rivals St. Louis and Chicago, and other-worldly game 6 NLCS atmosphere, it likely means we had the best finishing run of any non-World Series team in history.