FanNation - The Republic of Sport

I'm not going to sit here and attempt to do any kind of "analysis," on yesterday afternoon.  I'm not going to sit here and tell you why or how, in my opinion, the Brewers were able to put an end to the second longest playoff drought in the majors.  No, this isn't a time or place for such things.  What this is, is one of those moments where you realize why you become a fan of sports in the first place.  I am 23 years old, grew up in Milwaukee, and have been a Brewers fan ever since I could first comprehend what it meant to be a fan in the first place.  Sure, I could have been a sellout and rooted for a better team.  I could've been one of the millions of tools who frantically jumped on the Boston bandwagon.  But, I'm not from Boston, and I've never been to Boston (and I don't plan on it either).  I could've gone the simple route, and proclaimed to the world that I have no sense of originality OR individuality, by putting on a Yankees hat (*ahem* LEBRON).  I am from Milwaukee, and I am proud of it.  I moved away years ago, and I've been trying to get back ever since.  And I love my Brewers. Some of my earliest childhood memories revolve around going to games at County Stadium with my mom and dad.  I have spent most of my life waiting for the Brewers to be a winner.  Finally, that day has come. 

Don't get me wrong - I am a diehard Packers fan as well.  One of the greatest days of my life was January 26, 1997 - the day the 30 year drought of Super Bowl titles ended for the Green Bay Packers.  But, baseball means so much more for me.  I played it most of my life, little league through high school.  I don't think there is a better piece of Americana then baseball, and I absolutely love the game.  Getting to see the Brewers succeed at a high level is something I have dreamed about most of my life...and at times, it really did seem like a distant dream.  During the years that Wendy Selig, the daugher of Bud, was busy running the team into the ground, it really seemed like we might never see October baseball in Milwaukee.  It was hard not to lose hope - and it was just as hard not to give into the temptations of selling out, and rooting for other teams.  But I, and many, many others stuck with this team.  We hated the ownership, but not the Brewers.  While I could go on and on about the brilliant moves this teams ownership, and front office have made since arriving here in Milwaukee, it would really distract from every emotion us Brewer fans are feeling today.  This is a feeling of vindication, of ultimate fulfillment...this is what it feels like to WIN.  This is what it is like, to see champagne being sprayed all over the walls of the Milwaukee Brewers' clubhouse.  This is what 1982 might have felt like.  You will have to forgive us Brewer fans for the wide-eyed bewilderment.  An entire generation of Brewer fans weren't even alive for the 1982 season.  But for the record, I hope people now realize the truth; that Milwaukee is a baseball town.  This year has awaken a sleeping giant.  This is the city that has seen the likes of Spahn, Matthews, Aaron, Yount, Molitor, and Fingers.  This is the city where "Major League" was filmed!  This is the home of Bob Uecker.  Mr. Baseball himself!  We have been waiting...waiting for someone to come along who cared about winning.  That day came, and finally, after 26 years...Milwaukee's day has come.  This was the year, that our team, and it's fans, stood up and proclaimed, "we will no longer be your doormat!"  So, raise your pints of the finest of drinks (beer, or course), and let's toast our Milwaukee Brewers.  I, for one, am proud to say I am a Brewer fan...and my life most definitely does not suck.  GO BREWERS!!!