Milwaukee Brewers Postseason History and the Legend of the Curse
The story of professional baseball in Milwaukee is one of immense passion, early triumph, and a lingering quest for a championship. While the city has a rich history of supporting Major League Baseball (MLB), the Milwaukee Brewers have faced a challenging road in the postseason, leading some fans and analysts to speculate about a mysterious "curse" hanging over the franchise.
The Roots of Milwaukee Baseball
Before the Brewers, Milwaukee was home to the Braves, who relocated from Boston. In their first season in the city, the Braves achieved a remarkable 92–62 record and set a then-National League (NL) record by drawing 1.8 million fans. This success sparked a wave of relocations across the league, including the Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Browns, Brooklyn Dodgers, and New York Giants.
The Braves became a powerhouse in the 1950s, led by legendary sluggers Eddie Mathews and Hank Aaron—who combined for 1,226 home runs as Braves, with 850 occurring in Milwaukee—and a strong pitching rotation featuring Warren Spahn, Lew Burdette, and Bob Buhl. This era culminated in 1957, when the city secured its first and only World Series championship.
Despite their on-field success, attendance declined during the 1960s. After a brief delay, the franchise relocated to Atlanta for the 1966 season. Notably, the Braves never suffered a losing season during their tenure in Milwaukee.
The Birth of the Brewers and the "Curse"
Following the Braves' departure, Milwaukee sought an expansion team. While Commissioner William Eckert initially suggested expansion would take eight to ten years, the city was rejected in 1968 due to its proximity to Chicago.
The path to a new team opened in 1969 via the Seattle Pilots. Due to financial instability and viability concerns, Pilots owner Dewey Soriano attempted to sell the team. After several failed deals involving Eddie Carlson and a minority ownership bid from Bud Selig, the Pilots declared bankruptcy on March 31—just seven days before Opening Day. Bud Selig eventually purchased the team and moved them to Milwaukee, rebranding them as the Milwaukee Brewers.
This chaotic transition is where the legend of the "curse" begins. Some believe the curse was placed on the team during the Pilots' move, while others suggest the Brewers cannot win a World Series until the Seattle Mariners (the team that replaced the Pilots) win one first.
The Brewers remained in the American League until 1998, when they transferred to the National League as part of a league-wide realignment following MLB expansion.
Postseason Performance and Patterns
Since their inception in 1970 through the 2023 season, the Brewers have appeared in nine postseasons but have yet to win a World Series. A striking pattern has emerged: their opponents in those nine series went on to appear in the World Series, winning six of them.
Except for their 1982 run, every Brewers postseason appearance occurred in a year featuring a Division Series, meaning there were at least three playoff rounds available to the eventual champions.
The theory of the curse gained significant traction in 2019. The Washington Nationals, after defeating the Brewers in the National League Wild Card Game with a 4–3 victory, went on to improbably win the World Series by beating the 106-win Los Angeles Dodgers and the 107-win Houston Astros. The narrative strengthened in 2023 when the 84-win Arizona Diamondbacks reached the World Series after eliminating the Brewers in the Wild Card Series.
Key Facts
- World Series Drought: The Brewers have won zero World Series since their 1970 inception.
- Opponent Success: All nine teams that eliminated the Brewers in the postseason reached the World Series, with six winning the title.
- Braves Legacy: Milwaukee's only World Series title came in 1957 with the Braves.
- Origin Story: The Brewers were formed from the bankrupt Seattle Pilots in 1970.
- League Shift: The team moved from the American League to the National League in 1998.
Postseason Loss Summary
| Year | Round | Winning Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | ALDS | New York Yankees |
| 1982 | World Series | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 2008 | NLDS | Philadelphia Phillies |
| 2011 | NLCS | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 2018 | NLCS | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 2019 | NLWCG | Washington Nationals |
| 2020 | NLWCS | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 2023 | NLWCS | Arizona Diamondbacks |
| 2025 | NLCS | Los Angeles Dodgers |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Milwaukee Brewers start playing?
The Milwaukee Brewers began play in 1970 after the Seattle Pilots franchise was sold to Bud Selig and relocated to Milwaukee.
What is the "curse" associated with the Brewers?
The curse is a fan theory suggesting the team is doomed to fail in the postseason due to the chaotic circumstances of the Seattle Pilots' relocation, or that they cannot win a World Series until the Seattle Mariners do.
Has Milwaukee ever won a World Series?
Yes, but not as the Brewers. The city won its first and only World Series championship in 1957 when the Braves were based in Milwaukee.
Why did the Brewers move to the National League?
The Brewers transferred to the National League in 1998 as a result of MLB realignment following the league's expansion that year.
How many World Series have the Brewers' postseason opponents won?
Of the nine teams that eliminated the Brewers in the postseason, six went on to win the World Series.