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See you in ‘82
Playoffs for everyone!
By Brett Winkler
Bob Uecker was only 85 years old the last time the Brewers snuck into the playoffs. So, yes, it’s been a long time.
The result of the 2008 MLB playoffs aside, I’d like to say that just by getting there the Brewers did something they haven’t done since 1982. That’s a span of 26 years, people.
Yes, 26 years.
To put that in perspective, none of the seven people who will read this column were even alive in 1982. In fact, many of the Brewers themselves weren’t even alive yet. What’s more, Bob Uecker was only 85 years old the last time the Brewers snuck into the playoffs. So, yes, it’s been a long time.
For the Brewers, the similarities to the 1982 season read like a Mad Libs puzzle. Led by a pitcher acquired in mid-season (Don Sutton, CC Sabathia), behind an interim manager (Harvey Kuenn, Dale Svuem) replacing the fired skipper (Buck Rodgers, Ned Yost), and without a key injured pitcher (Rollie Fingers, Ben Sheets), the Brewers relied on a clutch home run by their star (Robin Yount, Ryan Braun) on the last day of the season to get them into the playoffs.
For even more perspective on how long ago 1982 was, since you may still be failing to grasp the concept, let’s take a look at how the other two major sports teams in Wisconsin faired that year.
The ’82 Packers knew a little something about playoff droughts. Due to a strike-shortened season, the mediocre Packers were able to end a nine-year post-season absence by earning one of 16 playoff spots in the NFL with a 5-3-1 record.
They went on to beat the Cardinals in the first round of the playoff tournament, even after seeing how much praise the Brewers received for losing to the Cardinals of their sport.
Unfortunately, the Pack fell to the Cowboys in the next round of what proved to be Bart Starr’s only playoff appearance as head coach. Had the Packers not taken advantage of the work stoppage, they would have endured a 20-year playoff drought from 1972 to 1993.
The 80s were so long ago that the Bucks ruled the land of Wisconsin sports. Even though the Brewers stole the spotlight in ’82, the Bucks were near the beginning of a streak that ended with 12-consecutive playoff appearances from 1980 to 1991.
In the 1981-82 season, which ended while Harvey’s Wallbangers still belonged to a guy named Buck, Milwaukee won the Central division with a 55-27 record. In what can be seen as a bad omen to the 2008 Brewers, the Bucks lost to Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
In the following season, which began while the Brewers were hogging the front pages of both the Milwaukee Journal and the Milwaukee Sentinel, the 1982-83 Bucks finished first in the Central yet again. This time, the Bucks finished at 51-31 and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to… ahh… Philadelphia again.
In all, the Bucks put together a streak of seven consecutive Central Division crowns from the 1979-80 to 1985-86 seasons, but Don Nelson could never get them over the hump and into the NBA Finals.
As you can see, the significance of 1982 in Wisconsin goes beyond the success of the Brewers, although their achievements certainly contributed to a great year for Dairyland sports. ‘82 marks the only time in the history of the world that the Brewers, Packers and Bucks all made the playoffs in the same year.
Obviously, it would help if the Brewers would get in to post-season play more than twice in their entire existence, but they’ve done their part this year. Now it’s up to the Packers and the Bucks (who get a second chance since their season spans two calendar years) to recreate the magic of a playoff-packed 1982.
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