If you've paid more than casual attention to the Brewers at any point during their existence, odds are you're somewhat familiar with their accomplishments in 1982. If you've been reading Brewers1982.com like you should, then you've been treated to a fantastic retelling of the story. If you don't want the ending of that story spoiled for you, then you should skip past this post and come back to it later.
The Brewers returned to St. Louis in that fateful season leading the World Series three games to two. They needed just one more victory to clinch the franchise's first championship, and the city's first since the 1957 Braves. The first chance to clinch the series evaporated quickly, as the Cardinals took Game 6 13-1. The second game was on this day in 1982 and, while it was closer, the result was similarly disappointing.
The Cardinals struck first in the game, plating a run on a Lonnie Smith single to take a 1-0 lead. The Brewers stormed back, though, scoring a run in the fifth on Ben Oglivie's solo home run and two more in the sixth on a Paul Molitor bunt single and Cecil Cooper sac fly. Unfortunately, the Cardinal offense wasn't done. They scored three in the sixth and two more in the eighth for a 6-3 victory, clinching the series. Darrell Porter, the former Brewer who drove in one of the game's final runs in the eighth, was named the series MVP.
With help from Brewerfan.net, happy birthday today to Helena Brewer Parker Berberet. He turns 22.