1982 Milwaukee Brewers (95-67)

Managers: Buck Rodgers and Harvey Kuenn

Between 1978 and 1981, the Brewers played .500 or better each time. However, they always came up short. They came up really close in 1981 when they needed one more win the win the AL Eastern Division in the special pre-LCS playoffs against New York. By 1982, the Brewers featured shortstop Robin Yount, designated hitter Paul Molitor, and outfielder Gorman Thomas in their lineup. However, the Brewers got off to a miserable 23-24 start under manager Buck Rodgers. Rodgers was replaced by Harvey Kuenn. Kuenn's advice was to have fun. With that advice in mind, the Brewers hit 216 home runs as a team. The Brewers would beat the Orioles on the final day of the season to finally win a division title. Yount earned MVP honors, becoming the second straight Brewer to win it. Reliever Rollie Fingers won it in 1981. Pitcher Pete Vukovich won the AL Cy Young Award.

In the ALCS against the California Angels, the Angels, a team full of 30-year-olds, led the series 2-0 heading into Milwaukee. In Milwaukee County Stadium, the Brew Crew won the next three to win their first pennant. They won game 5 since Cecil Cooper drove in the tying and winning runs in the 7th inning.

So it was on to the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. This series was known as the "Suds Series" since it featured Harvey's Wallbangers (the Brewers) against Whitey's Rug Rats (the Cardinals). The Brewers destroyed the Cards in game 1 10-0. However, St. Louis would win game 2 thanks to Darrell Porter hitting a 2-run double in the 6th inning. In the 3rd contest, Willie McGee hit a pair of homers to lead the Cards to a victory. With their backs against the wall, the Brewers exploded with 6 runs in the 8th innning to tie the series again at 2. In the fifth contest in Milwaukee, the Brewers broke the tie in their favor to give them a 3-2 lead returning to St. Louis. Back in St. Louis, the Cards would explode 13-2 to force a final contest. However, it was George Hendrick who would place the final nail in Milwaukee's coffin to lead them to a 9th title.