Roll Out the Barrel

The Milwaukee Brewers closed out the 2026 World Series last night in impressive fashion. By defeating the Tampa Bay Rays, they completed a truly magical season.

And with that, we draw the curtain on the 2026 season.  Lots of questions in the air now, but most prominently, will the owners lock the players out (likely), will there be a work stoppage and for how long and when will see baseball again?

While those dreaded words hang in the air, let's go back to the good stuff.

There was an air of inevitability over this outcome once the Brewers pounded the Rays 10-1 in game three with that magical 8-run 5th inning. After that, it was just a matter of whether or not they would sweep, win it in five games or take the Series back home for the ultimate celebration. As it turns out, they went for Option Two. 

As much as it might have been fun to celebrate back home, I'm sure they were just as happy to clinch last night in Florida. And, it almost felt like Wisconsin-south with all those BrewCrew fans in existence in the Tropicana. Did I even see a Cheesehead in the stands?

The Brewers' World Series title was the first in the club's existence. They were an expansion franchise (as the Seattle Pilots in 1969) and moved to Milwaukee in 1970. For the first 29 years, the BrewCrew was an American League franchise but switched to the National League in 1998 and are a part of that great midwest collection of hearty clubs, including the Reds, Cubs, Cardinals and Pirates. 

I have enjoyed watching ballgames in each of those cities but none more than Milwaukee. I told you about our wonderful experiences at Miller Park (now American Family Field) earlier this month.

In a like manner, we also enjoyed our two visits to Tropicana Field to watch the Rays play as well. Even witnessed a brawl one night!

I would be remiss if I didn't give a tip of the cap to Tampa Bay, too - top team in the American League all season and another club, like the Brewers, that plays the game the right way. In another season, and with a different match-up, I would have completely rooted for them. 

Not this year, Rays. But hopefully soon.

In fact, if I were Commish for a day, I'd make a rule that, at some point, all fanbases would to enjoy the euphoria we did in Braves Country in 2021. Or that my friends in Cincinnati experienced in 1990. Or in Chicagoland in 2016 (and on the Southside in 2005). 

I know it's not that easy. But, every time I see the list of franchises never to win a title, I cringe.  I hope, at some point, all of them have their moment.

At least, this year, we trimmed the list by one. 

And now, we head into the winter. In a perfect world, Pitchers and Catchers will report in February. That's hold on to that happy thought and hope for the best even as the Brewers and their fans Roll out the Barrel for an amazing championship celebration to put a bow on the 2026 season.

JG