Each Sunday evening we will review our favorite and least favorite events of the previous week, and share our perspective on how the team is doing. Please enjoy responsibly.
Cheers! (Best event/news of the week)
Brewers Salvage Winning Season: After the Brewers’ abysmal 2014 downfall, the only thing fans had to root for going into the meaningless final series against the Cubs was a single victory to ensure Milwaukee would finish over .500. And a single victory is all we got. Wily Peralta struck out 13 on the way to his 17th win of the season, and the Brewers were spared the indignity of falling all the way from 19 games over .500 to just breaking even. It didn’t mean much, but it meant something.
On an unrelated note, the Packers made the Bears look silly as they usually do. It’s nice to know one professional sports team from Wisconsin can beat a bunch of jabronis from Chicago.
Buzzkill (Worst event/news of the week)
Pirates Fail to Wrest NL Central from Goddamn Cardinals: Going into the final weekend of the MLB season, Pittsburgh was only one game behind the Cardinals for the division lead. How sweet would it have been for the Cardinals to have to settle for a wild card? Alas, the Pirates couldn’t quite pull it off. Bloody hell. There’s no justice in the world.
Have One on the House (Brewers player who deserves a drink)
Kyle Lohse: For the second year in a row, Lohse pitched a complete game shutout in his last start of the season. Unlike last year, we weren’t treated to Carlos Gomez pimping a homer and getting ejected without crossing home plate. All we got was to see our team hold off mathematical playoff elimination for one more day. It was a “must win” game in the literal sense, but it was effectively futile. After the historic collapse his team had gone through, few people would have blamed Lohse for mailing in his final start. For Lohse to go out there and give that kind of effort was greatly appreciated. When the Brewers signed Lohse deep into 2013 spring training, some fans weren’t sure he deserved a three-year deal. Considering he’s been the Brewers’ most consistent starter the last two years, I’m delighted we have him for one more season.
Time to Sober Up, Pal (Brewers player who made me want to drink)
Yovani Gallardo: I’m not particularly disappointed in Gallardo. He had a fine season and I’m pleased the Brewers will bring him back. It just breaks my heart that he finally had a season where he didn’t hit a home run. I just assumed he’d always get one somehow. After the way this season went, I just don’t know what to think anymore.
Back on the Wagon (Thoughts on the week ahead)
This is the end, and like most endings, it’s sad. There were great moments this season, but it’s bittersweet to remember them now. At the beginning of the year, we had no reason to believe they’d end up anywhere other than exactly where they did end up. Actually, we probably shouldn’t have expected a winning season at all. But by exceeding our expectations for five months, they probably hurt us more than if they had never been any good at all. What a pity.
The Brewers Bar Weekly Hangover will return in 2015. Be good.
(Image: Associated Press)
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