2018 Appreciation Thread

[OldSchoolSnapper]

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.

 

I had the sinking feeling before Puig even hit. It was Taylor's catch in the outfield that immediately gave me the "this isn't going our way" gut feeling. Puig's HR was sort of confirmation.

 

It is easier to appreciate the season today than it was Sunday and I suspect it will get better throughout the week.

[ReverendBrewmeister]

I'm glad to see that we're sharing some of our 2018 postscripts. A note from a friend, who happens to be a dreaded Cubs fan, prompted me to write something, so here are some of my thoughts about what the Milwaukee Brewers brought this year.

 

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It's October 23, a few days after another time that October 20 has become a day in Milwaukee Brewers infamy. The World Series begins tonight, and it reminds how tantalizingly close my team was to being a league champion and playing for a world championship. The NL Central title flag will be installed at Miller Park, but it was another pennant that was coveted.

 

As a Brewers fan who was in kindergarten in 1982 and doesn't really personally remember much about that best season in the franchise's history, it's been a lifetime of not expecting success. Only five playoff appearances in total, including the 1981 split-season "playoff". So not capitalizing another time when having home field advantage for the NLCS feels like such a rare opportunity lost that might not come again. Too many things seem to need to align to get to within a game of going to the World Series. That's the history of having the Brewers be my team.

 

But this time, there is optimism. Unlike 2011, the key players aren't leaving in free agency. The young power arms that showed up this season are under team control for years; a couple more are in the wings. Some high level hitting prospects might pan out in the near future. The owner, GM, and manager are a great combination. They surprised us with signings and trades this past offseason; the same might be done over this winter. Use of analytics to make game decisions caused old-school baseball people to scratch their heads, but the team set a franchise record for winning games in one season.

 

We shall see what 2019 brings. There is always the reminder from Bart Giamatti's essay about baseball: "It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart." But I'm hoping--maybe even expecting--a good season, possibly even more to follow, which is a rare place to be as a Brewers fan.

[TooLiveBrew]

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

This thread was making me feel good, and then this post. Saaaaad feels.

 

Overall I'll echo others saying the future feels bright, and especially agree with homer about this looking like the most pitching-rich Brewers org I have ever seen in my life. Looking forward to Burnes & Wood (& Nelson!) in the rotation next year

[KeithStone53151]

With my 20 pack, I was given a free subscription to mlb tv. I spent some time rewatching condensed versions of the playoffs games. Some fantastic moments, with of course the unfortunate ending. One of the most fun takeaways that I didn't notice until rewatching, was that Brewers/Cubs playin game at Wrigley. Rizzo came out for a curtain call on his game tying HR in the 5th inning...a game that the Cubs lost. It was so much fun rewatching that happen, knowing that they lost.

[NYChez]

This is a pretty remarkable highlight summary, especially considering there are many incredible moments not captured (Yelich / Braun back-to-back against St. Louis, Aguilar's 13-pitch at bat walkoff, Thames walkoff against Wade Davis, and Yelich's moments from the last week of the regular season).

 

[topper09er]

The tie breaker win in Wrigley was amazing, will go down as one of the greatest games in franchise history. I work with many Cubs fans so even better. Now I ask them if the W flag stand for Wildcard Participant.