The road to the Milwaukee Brewers' first World Series in franchise history

After 58 seasons as an MLB franchise, the Milwaukee Brewers have finally won its first World Series.

The Brewers became the 2026 World Series champions after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday in Game 5, 4-1. Read more: The road to the Milwaukee Brewers' first World Series in franchise history.

Like the Brewers, the Rays were also fighting for their first World Series title in franchise history. Ultimately, the Brewers bullpen proved to be too much for the Rays, leaving them still chasing their first.

Related: Brewers and Rays set to face off in unique World Series matchup not seen since 1980

The Brewers have been solid for the past few years with several trips to the playoffs. However, the journey to the top was not always the brightest. The Brewers fans who have hung around through the bad seasons can finally rejoice.

The 2026 World Series Game 1-3

The Milwaukee Brewers had the best record in the entire MLB in the 2026 regular season. Milwaukee claimed the No. 1 seed in the NL with its 103-59 record, the best record it has ever posted.

The Brewers went on an impressive run from August 13 to the World Series, going 40-14. It only lost one series in September to the Cincinnati Reds.

After getting a bye in the Wild Card round, the Brewers put up a strong performance against the San Diego Padres in the NLDS, winning the series 3-1. It followed up that performance by sweeping the reigning, back-to-back World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, in the NLCS.

Once the Brewers clinched its spot in the World Series, it took another four days to determine its opponent. The Tampa Bay Rays ultimately won the ALCS after six games, defeating the Cleveland Guardians 4-2.

The stage was set for an exciting matchup. Two teams that had never won the championship faced off; only one can leave with its first.

From the beginning, the Brewers were the heavy favorite to win the World Series. It backed up that status by winning the first three games of the series.

The Brewers took a two-run lead in the first inning of Game 1, held it to the end, and won 3-2.

Then in Game 2, the Rays showed dominance, putting up all four of the runs it scored in the first inning. The Brewers pushed through and eventually took the lead in the seventh and won 5-4.

While the Brewers have mostly played close games with its small-ball approach, Game 3 saw a masterclass offensive performance in the fifth inning when it put up eight runs. It won 10-1.

Game 4 and 5

Finally, Game 4 was here, and the Brewers were looking to win its first World Series with a sweep. The Rays took the lead early, but the Brewers tied it in the fifth inning.

Both teams battled, but neither allowed a run, sending the game into extra innings.

Finally, in the top of the 12^th, the Brewers scored the go-ahead run off a home run by Cooper Pratt. Milwaukee then made one of the most questionable moves ever: it sent out a rookie with a 4.19 regular-season ERA to be its closer, Shane Drohan.

To put it bluntly, Drohan blew it. He gave up a hit to every batter he faced, and the Rays came out on top with the 4-3 victory to force Game 5.

Unfortunately for the Rays, the Game 4 walk-off win would not be the beginning of a revival. The Brewers were lights out with its pitching and did not allow the Rays a run until the ninth. In the end, the Brewers led 4-1, crushing the Rays' hopes.

Catcher William Contreras, a three-time All-Star and former World Series Champion with the Atlanta Braves in 2021, was named the World Series MVP.

Contreras was one of the most effective batters throughout the series, collecting eight hits and four RBI.

AL Cy Young favorite, Jacob Misiorowski, was also the winning pitcher for both of his starts in the World Series. He only allowed one run in the series and had a 1.9 ERA and 16 strikeouts through his four starts in the postseason.

History leading to the moment

Brewer’s fans can finally celebrate. For years, this moment was certainly one that was far from the grasp of Milwaukee.

For the Brewers' first nine seasons as an MLB franchise, it had a losing record every season. It fell in the bottom half of its division standings every time.

Finally, in 1978, Milwaukee had its first winning season and three consecutive winning seasons. Still, it did not make the World Series in this frame.

In 1981, the Brewers won its division and went to the playoffs for the first time. However, it lost to the New York Yankees in the ALDS, 3-2.

Then in 1982, the Brewers made it back to the playoffs and this time clinched is spot in its first World Series, taking on the Saint Louis Cardinals. The series would go to game seven, but the Cardinals won, 4-3.

After that moment, the Brewers missed the playoffs for 25 straight seasons. Winning seasons were ultimately becoming a rarity. When it happened, it still fell short.

The Brewers went back to the NLDS in 2008 and the NLCS in 2011 but fell short of the World Series. It would go on a six-season playoff drought following 2011.

2018 was when the tide really began to change for the Brewers. Since then, it has clinched a spot in the playoffs eight of nine seasons, only missing in 2022.

For the past four seasons, the Brewers have won the NL Central. It was defeated in the NLWC series in 2023 and 2024. 2025 finally showed promise when the Brewers faced the Dodgers in the NLCS, but they were swept.

A year later, it swept the Dodgers in the NLCS and finally won its first World Series.

Remembering Bob Uecker in the moment

In 1971, Bob Uecker was hired to be the play-by-play announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Over the years, Uecker witnessed it all. The 1982 World Series, the frustrating playoff droughts, and the beginning of the resurgence in 2018.

However, Uecker did not get to share this moment with us. He was last on the call for the NLWC series loss to the New York Mets in 2024. On January 16, 2025, he passed away after a battle with small-cell lung cancer.

Jeff Levering was the play-by-play broadcaster for the Brewers in the 2026 World Series. He paid homage to Uecker several times throughout the postseason, referencing calls and even sporting one of his blazers in the first game of the World Series.

Designated hitter Christian Yelich also made sure to give his flowers to Uecker in the moments of celebration. He held a sign that said “UECK WE DID IT” during the celebration and said “Uecky, I love you, man” in his post-game interview.

For Yelich, the moment was long coming. He has played his entire 14-season career with Milwaukee.

While it’s a bittersweet moment, the Brewers made sure that Uecker’s legacy was remembered.

‘Til we meet again, baseball

So that’s a wrap on America’s favorite pastime for 2026. Now begins the five-month wait for its return… well, hopefully we're back in five months at least.

In my last article, I predicted that the World Series victory would go to the Brewers. I also joked that I hated to say it because I root for a team that rivals the Brewers.

After the World Series has ended, though, I can truly say I’m just glad we got to see something different this year — a World Series that truly was a historic moment.

As someone who also participates in some sports commentary from time to time, the Uecker story definitely tugs at the heartstrings.

So, I suppose I’ll say this to Milwaukee Brewers fans; I'm happy for you. The tight-knit battles were truly fun to watch. Your story to this moment is fantastic. Congratulations to you.

I will now be patiently waiting for college baseball to begin since it starts a little sooner than the MLB season. For now, at least there is football, basketball, and hockey to enjoy (I’ll still secretly wish it was baseball!).