The Milwaukee Brewers Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise of the National League (NL) has played in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, since 1970. The team was established in 1969 as the Seattle Pilots in Seattle, Washington,[1] and they became the Brewers after relocating to Wisconsin in 1970.[2] The franchise played in the American League (AL) until 1998 when it moved to the National League in conjunction with a major league realignment.[3] As of the completion of the 2024 season, the Brewers have played 8,676 regular-season games and compiled a win–loss record of 4,215–4,461 (.486). They have qualified for the postseason 10 times and have a postseason record of 22–32 (.407). Combining all 8,730 regular-season and postseason games, the team has an all-time record of 4,237–4,493 (.485).[4]
The franchise posted losing records each of their first nine seasons. Their first winning season occurred in 1978 when they finished at 93–69 (.574). Three years later, the Brewers qualified for their first MLB postseason by winning the second half 1981 AL East Division title in a season which had been shortened by the 1981 Major League Baseball strike.[5] They lost the American League Division Series to the New York Yankees, three games to two. The following year, Milwaukee won the AL East title and then the 1982 American League Championship Series versus the California Angels, three games to two. In that year's World Series, the Brewers faced the National League Champion St. Louis Cardinals. The series went to a decisive game seven and resulted in a Brewers World Series loss.
The team soon began a 25-year postseason drought that stood as the third-longest in the expanded-postseason era. Milwaukee returned to the playoffs in 2008 by winning the National League Wild Card. The Brewers lost the National League Division Series (NLDS) to the Philadelphia Phillies, three games to one. They won the 2011 NL Central Division title and defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks, three games to two, in the NLDS. Their postseason run was ended by the St. Louis Cardinals, who won the National League Championship Series (NLCS), four games to two.
In 2018, Milwaukee finished the regular-season tied with the Chicago Cubs for first place in the NL Central.[6] The Brewers defeated the Cubs in a tie-breaker game, 3–1, securing the division title and relegating Chicago to the wild card game.[7] Milwaukee then swept the Colorado Rockies in the best-of-five NLDS, advancing to the NLCS, where they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers, four games to three. The following year, they secured one of two NL wild card berths but lost the 2019 National League Wild Card Game to the Washington Nationals, 4–3. The Brewers won another wild card spot in the 2020 season, which had been shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] They lost the 2020 NL Wild Card Series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, two games to zero. Milwaukee won the 2021 NL Central Division title but lost the NLDS versus the Atlanta Braves, 3–1. In 2023, the Brewers again won the NL Central Division title, but lost in the NL Wild Card Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 2024 division-champion Brewers were eliminated by the New York Mets, 2–1, in the NL Wild Card Series.[9] The Brewers' best season record occurred in 2011 when they finished 96–66 (.593). Conversely, their lowest season record was 56–106 (.346) in 2002.
Table key
edit| MLB season | Each year is linked to an article about that particular MLB season. |
|---|---|
| Team season | Each year is linked to an article about that particular Brewers season. |
| Finish | The team's final position in the divisional standings |
| GB | Games behind the team that finished in first place in the division that season |
| Apps. | Postseason appearances: number of seasons the team qualified for the postseason |
| † | World Series champions (1969–present) |
| * | League champions (1969–present) |
| ^ | Division champions (1969–present) |
| ¤ | Wild card berth (1994–present) |
Season-by-season records
edit| MLB season |
Team season |
League | Division | Regular-season | Postseason | Ref. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Wins | Losses | Win % | GB | Wins | Losses | Win % | Result | |||||
| 1969 | 1969 | AL | West | 6th | 64 | 98 | .395 | 33 | — | — | — | — | [10] |
| 1970 | 1970 | AL | West | 4th (tie) | 65 | 97 | .401 | 33 | — | — | — | — | [11] |
| 1971 | 1971 | AL | West | 6th | 69 | 92 | .429 | 32 | — | — | — | — | [12] |
| 1972 | 1972 | AL | East | 6th | 65 | 91 | .417 | 21 | — | — | — | — | [13] |
| 1973 | 1973 | AL | East | 5th | 74 | 88 | .457 | 23 | — | — | — | — | [14] |
| 1974 | 1974 | AL | East | 5th | 76 | 86 | .469 | 15 | — | — | — | — | [15] |
| 1975 | 1975 | AL | East | 5th | 68 | 94 | .420 | 28 | — | — | — | — | [16] |
| 1976 | 1976 | AL | East | 6th | 66 | 95 | .410 | 32 | — | — | — | — | [17] |
| 1977 | 1977 | AL | East | 6th | 67 | 95 | .414 | 33 | — | — | — | — | [18] |
| 1978 | 1978 | AL | East | 3rd | 93 | 69 | .574 | 6+1⁄2 | — | — | — | — | [19] |
| 1979 | 1979 | AL | East | 2nd | 95 | 66 | .590 | 8 | — | — | — | — | [20] |
| 1980 | 1980 | AL | East | 3rd | 86 | 76 | .531 | 17 | — | — | — | — | [21] |
| 1981[a] | 1981 | AL | East | 3rd | 31 | 25 | .554 | 3 | 2 | 3 | .400 | Lost ALDS vs. New York Yankees, 3–2 | [22] |
| 1st ^ | 31 | 22 | .585 | — | |||||||||
| 1982 | 1982 | AL * | East ^ | 1st | 95 | 67 | .586 | — | 6 | 6 | .500 | Won ALCS vs. California Angels, 3–2 * Lost World Series vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 4–3 |
[23] |
| 1983 | 1983 | AL | East | 5th | 87 | 75 | .537 | 11 | — | — | — | — | [24] |
| 1984 | 1984 | AL | East | 7th | 67 | 94 | .416 | 36+1⁄2 | — | — | — | — | [25] |
| 1985 | 1985 | AL | East | 6th | 71 | 90 | .441 | 28 | — | — | — | — | [26] |
| 1986 | 1986 | AL | East | 6th | 77 | 84 | .478 | 18 | — | — | — | — | [27] |
| 1987 | 1987 | AL | East | 3rd | 91 | 71 | .562 | 7 | — | — | — | — | [28] |
| 1988 | 1988 | AL | East | 3rd (tie) | 87 | 75 | .537 | 2 | — | — | — | — | [29] |
| 1989 | 1989 | AL | East | 4th | 81 | 81 | .500 | 8 | — | — | — | — | [30] |
| 1990 | 1990 | AL | East | 6th | 74 | 88 | .457 | 14 | — | — | — | — | [31] |
| 1991 | 1991 | AL | East | 4th | 83 | 79 | .512 | 8 | — | — | — | — | [32] |
| 1992 | 1992 | AL | East | 2nd | 92 | 70 | .568 | 4 | — | — | — | — | [33] |
| 1993 | 1993 | AL | East | 7th | 69 | 93 | .426 | 26 | — | — | — | — | [34] |
| 1994[b] | 1994 | AL | Central | 5th | 53 | 62 | .461 | 15 | — | — | — | — | [36] |
| 1995[c] | 1995 | AL | Central | 4th | 65 | 79 | .451 | 35 | — | — | — | — | [38] |
| 1996 | 1996 | AL | Central | 3rd | 80 | 82 | .494 | 19+1⁄2 | — | — | — | — | [39] |
| 1997 | 1997 | AL | Central | 3rd | 78 | 83 | .484 | 8 | — | — | — | — | [40] |
| 1998 | 1998 | NL | Central | 5th | 74 | 88 | .457 | 28 | — | — | — | — | [41] |
| 1999 | 1999 | NL | Central | 5th | 74 | 87 | .460 | 22+1⁄2 | — | — | — | — | [42] |
| 2000 | 2000 | NL | Central | 3rd | 73 | 89 | .451 | 22 | — | — | — | — | [43] |
| 2001 | 2001 | NL | Central | 4th | 68 | 94 | .420 | 25 | — | — | — | — | [44] |
| 2002 | 2002 | NL | Central | 6th | 56 | 106 | .346 | 41 | — | — | — | — | [45] |
| 2003 | 2003 | NL | Central | 6th | 68 | 94 | .412 | 20 | — | — | — | — | [46] |
| 2004 | 2004 | NL | Central | 6th | 67 | 94 | .416 | 37+1⁄2 | — | — | — | — | [47] |
| 2005 | 2005 | NL | Central | 3rd | 81 | 81 | .500 | 19 | — | — | — | — | [48] |
| 2006 | 2006 | NL | Central | 4th | 75 | 87 | .463 | 8+1⁄2 | — | — | — | — | [49] |
| 2007 | 2007 | NL | Central | 2nd | 83 | 79 | .512 | 2 | — | — | — | — | [50] |
| 2008 | 2008 | NL | Central | 2nd ¤ | 90 | 72 | .556 | 7+1⁄2 | 1 | 3 | .250 | Lost NLDS vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 3–1 | [51] |
| 2009 | 2009 | NL | Central | 3rd | 80 | 82 | .494 | 11 | — | — | — | — | [52] |
| 2010 | 2010 | NL | Central | 3rd | 77 | 85 | .475 | 14 | — | — | — | — | [53] |
| 2011 | 2011 | NL | Central ^ | 1st | 96 | 66 | .593 | — | 5 | 6 | .455 | Won NLDS vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 3–2 Lost NLCS vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 4–2 |
[54] |
| 2012 | 2012 | NL | Central | 3rd | 83 | 79 | .512 | 14 | — | — | — | — | [55] |
| 2013 | 2013 | NL | Central | 4th | 74 | 88 | .457 | 23 | — | — | — | — | [56] |
| 2014 | 2014 | NL | Central | 3rd | 82 | 80 | .506 | 8 | — | — | — | — | [57] |
| 2015 | 2015 | NL | Central | 4th | 68 | 94 | .420 | 32 | — | — | — | — | [58] |
| 2016 | 2016 | NL | Central | 4th | 73 | 89 | .451 | 30+1⁄2 | — | — | — | — | [59] |
| 2017 | 2017 | NL | Central | 2nd | 86 | 76 | .531 | 6 | — | — | — | — | [60] |
| 2018 | 2018 | NL | Central ^[d] | 1st | 96 | 67 | .589 | — | 6 | 4 | .600 | Won NLDS vs. Colorado Rockies, 3–0 Lost NLCS vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 4–3 |
[61] |
| 2019 | 2019 | NL | Central | 2nd ¤ | 89 | 73 | .549 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost NLWCG vs. Washington Nationals, 1–0 | [62] |
| 2020[e] | 2020 | NL | Central | 4th ¤ | 29 | 31 | .483 | 5 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Lost NLWCS vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 2–0 | [63] |
| 2021 | 2021 | NL | Central ^ | 1st | 95 | 67 | .586 | — | 1 | 3 | .250 | Lost NLDS vs. Atlanta Braves, 3–1 | [64] |
| 2022 | 2022 | NL | Central | 2nd | 86 | 76 | .531 | 7 | — | — | — | — | [65] |
| 2023 | 2023 | NL | Central ^ | 1st | 92 | 70 | .568 | — | 0 | 2 | .000 | Lost NLWCS vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 2–0 | [66] |
| 2024 | 2024 | NL | Central ^ | 1st | 93 | 69 | .574 | — | 1 | 2 | .333 | Lost NLWCS vs. New York Mets, 2–1 | [67] |
| Totals | — | — | — | — | 4,215 | 4,461 | .486 | — | 22 | 32 | .407 | — | — |
Postseason records
editThe Brewers have made the postseason ten times in their history, with the first being in 1981 and the most recent being in 2024.
| Season | Finish | Round | Opponent | Result | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | AL East Champions (second half) | ALDS | New York Yankees | Lost | 2 | 3 |
| 1982 | AL Champions | ALCS | California Angels | Won | 3 | 2 |
| World Series | St. Louis Cardinals | Lost | 3 | 4 | ||
| 2008 | NL Wild Card | NLDS | Philadelphia Phillies | Lost | 1 | 3 |
| 2011 | NL Central Champions | NLDS | Arizona Diamondbacks | Won | 3 | 2 |
| NLCS | St. Louis Cardinals | Lost | 2 | 4 | ||
| 2018 | NL Central Champions | NLDS | Colorado Rockies | Won | 3 | 0 |
| NLCS | Los Angeles Dodgers | Lost | 3 | 4 | ||
| 2019 | NL Wild Card | NL Wild Card Game | Washington Nationals | Lost | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 | NL Wild Card | NL Wild Card Series | Los Angeles Dodgers | Lost | 0 | 2 |
| 2021 | NL Central Champions | NLDS | Atlanta Braves | Lost | 1 | 3 |
| 2023 | NL Central Champions | NL Wild Card Series | Arizona Diamondbacks | Lost | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 | NL Central Champions | NL Wild Card Series | New York Mets | Lost | 1 | 2 |
| Totals | — | 3–10 | 22 | 32 | ||
Franchise totals
edit| Decade | Regular-season | Postseason | Composite | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wins | Losses | Win % | Apps. | Wins | Losses | Win % | Wins | Losses | Win % | |
| 1960s | 64 | 98 | .395 | 0 | — | — | — | 64 | 98 | .395 |
| 1970s | 738 | 873 | .458 | 0 | — | — | — | 738 | 873 | .458 |
| 1980s | 804 | 760 | .514 | 2 | 8 | 9 | .471 | 812 | 769 | .514 |
| 1990s | 742 | 811 | .478 | 0 | — | — | — | 742 | 811 | .478 |
| 2000s | 741 | 878 | .458 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .250 | 742 | 881 | .457 |
| 2010s | 824 | 797 | .508 | 3 | 11 | 11 | .500 | 835 | 808 | .508 |
| 2020s | 302 | 244 | .553 | 4 | 2 | 9 | .182 | 304 | 253 | .546 |
| All-time | 4,215 | 4,461 | .486 | 10 | 22 | 32 | .407 | 4,237 | 4,493 | .485 |
| League | Regular-season | Postseason | Composite | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wins | Losses | Win % | Apps. | Wins | Losses | Win % | Wins | Losses | Win % | |
| American League (1969–1997) | 2,200 | 2,367 | .482 | 2 | 8 | 9 | .471 | 2,208 | 2,376 | .482 |
| National League (1998–present) | 2,015 | 2,094 | .490 | 8 | 14 | 23 | .378 | 2,029 | 2,117 | .489 |
| All-time | 4,215 | 4,461 | .486 | 10 | 22 | 32 | .407 | 4,237 | 4,493 | .485 |
Notes
edit- ^ The 1981 Major League Baseball strike resulted in a shortened season. Major League Baseball split the season into two halves with the division winner of each half playing in a divisional round of the playoffs.[5]
- ^ The 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike ended the season on August 11 and resulted in the cancellation of the postseason.[35]
- ^ The 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike caused the 1995 season to be shortened to 144 games.[37]
- ^ The Brewers finished the 2018 season tied for first with the Chicago Cubs, each with a 95–67 record.[6] On October 1, the Brewers defeated the Cubs in a one-game playoff, 3–1, to win the NL Central Division title.[7]
- ^ The COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2020 season to be shortened to 60 games.[8]
References
edit- Specific
- ^ "Brewers Timeline 1960s". Milwaukee Brewers. Major League Baseball. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- ^ "Brewers Timeline 1970s". Milwaukee Brewers. Major League Baseball. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- ^ "Brewers Timeline 1990s". Milwaukee Brewers. Major League Baseball. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- ^ "Milwaukee Brewers Team History & Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Bumbaca, Chris (March 15, 2020). "Explaining the 1981 MLB Season: How Baseball Survived Shortened Year". USA Today. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ a b Schoenfield, David (October 1, 2018). "Breaking Down Monday's Division Tiebreaker Doubleheader". ESPN. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ a b Anderson, R.J. (October 1, 2018). "Brewers vs. Cubs Final Score, Things to Know: Milwaukee Wins NL Central in Tiebreaker Game". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ a b "2020 MLB Season at a Glance: Opening Day Schedule, Previews, Picks and More". ESPN. July 20, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ Handelman, Ben; Kraemer, Sam; Megargee, Steve (October 3, 2024). "Brewers Lose to Mets in Game 3, Milwaukee Eliminated". FOX 6. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ "1969 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1970 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1971 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1972 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1973 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1974 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1975 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1976 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1977 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1976 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1979 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1980 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1981 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1982 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1983 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1984 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1985 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1986 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1987 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1988 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1989 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1990 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1991 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1992 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1993 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ Kaduk, Kevin (August 8, 2019). "August 11, 1994: Scenes From a Lost MLB Season". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ "1994 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ Calcaterra, Craig (March 13, 2020). "Looking Back at Baseball's Previously Shortened Seasons". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ "1995 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1996 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1997 American League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1998 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "1999 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2000 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2001 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2002 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2003 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2004 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2005 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2006 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2007 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2008 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2009 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2010 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2011 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2012 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2013 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2014 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2015 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2016 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2017 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2018 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2019 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2020 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "2021 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ "2022 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
- ^ "2023 National League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
- ^ "2024 National League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- General
- "Milwaukee Brewers Team History & Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2020.