The Brewers' emotional stretch run in 1982 was great, but it almost came to an abrupt end early as the Angels ran out to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five ALCS. The Crew returned home and won Games 3 and 4, though, to set up a winner-take-all final game in Milwaukee.
The Angels led the game 3-2 in the seventh inning when Charlie Moore hit an infield single, Jim Gantner singled and Robin Yount walked to load the bases with two outs. Cecil Cooper came to the plate and cracked one of the biggest hits the Brewers will ever have:
The two-run single gave the Brewers a 4-3 lead and Bob McClure and Pete Ladd were able to protect it, sending the Crew to their first and to-date only World Series appearance.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- 2012 Wisconsin Timber Rattler Brandon Macias, who turns 24.
- Lake Mills, Wisconsin native and UW-Madison alum Hal Raether, who turns 80. Raether played two major league seasons for the A's in 1954 (Philadelphia) and 1957 (Kansas City).