Brewers Win World Series

Bradford Doolitte, writing for ESPN, laid it all out.

After staking their claim at the top of the sport all season long, it culminates here: For the first time, the Milwaukee Brewers are champions of the baseball world, and they deserve it.

There is simply no facet of baseball and of winning games at which the Brewers do not excel. Only one team scored more runs. They ranked fifth in steals, first in walk rate. They led the majors in batting average and on-base percentage. They did not rely on homers but could go deep when needed and ranked seventh in average exit velocity. In run prevention, the Brewers ranked second in team ERA and second in strikeout rate. The team defense was in the top five to 10 in most leading metrics.

Milwaukee had its moments before -- a lone pennant in 1982, led by Hall of Famers Robin Yount and Paul Molitor. National League Championship Series appearances in 2011, 2018 and 2025. But the Brewers had never been able to break the ceiling and win a World Series title. This year, they left no doubt. They took down the San Diego Padres in four games and the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in a sweep. Those same Dodgers had eliminated the Brewers in their previous two NLCS appearances, the greatest recent obstacle between Milwaukee and that long-sought championship.

The Brewers are the standard now. What a great final out. It feels a little like the Cardinals of old.

I like to think Chaim Bloom and William DeWitt Jr. are taking notes.

Recently, Will Leitch and Bernie Miklasz talked to Bloom on their “Seeing Red” podcast. It was a great conversation, and I thought Bloom was pretty candid.

In short, Chaim Bloom called his first season running the Cardinals a success, but he’s clear the team isn’t close to finished. I don’t think anyone really thought otherwise.

His main belief is that building a strong organization never ends. He rejects the idea that the foundation is now in place and the hard part is behind them, and he won’t make “win now” moves that cost the team that foundation. This seems smart and forward-thinking.

I really like that he wants a looser clubhouse where players show emotion and joy. Yes. Let’s cut out the stodgy, buttoned-up, and, dare I say it, conservative Cardinals and start having fun.

Will it be the Cardinals turn soon? I’d like to think so.