1992 Milwaukee Brewers: A Promising Brew

1992 Milwaukee Brewers: A Promising Brew

10 years after their amazing run to the World Series, the Milwaukee Brewers had accumulated some talent in hopes of making a similar run in the postseason. The only problem was that the Toronto Blue Jays were standing in the way of success. Otherwise the Brewers had enough talent on their team to be considered a promising brew of sorts. This was a team built around small ball, advancing runners from base to base and stealing bases when necessary.

The Brewers went 92-70 in 1992, finishing 4 games behind the eventual World Series Champion Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East. The Brewers went 8-5 against the Blue Jays in head-to-head play. The Brewers went 53-28 at home and 39-42 on the road.

Designated Hitter Paul Molitor batted .320 with 12 home runs and 89 RBI’s off 195 hits, 36 doubles and 31 stolen bases. 1992 would be Molitor’s last year playing in Milwaukee, finishing a remarkable 15-year crew with the Brew Crew. Shortstop Pat Listach was just beginning his Major League career as he batted .290 with 168 hits, 19 doubles, 6 triples and an amazing 54 stolen bases. These numbers earned Listach the American League Rookie of the Year Award. Reserve outfielder Darryl Hamilton batted .298 with 62 RBI’s, 140 hits, 19 doubles, 7 triples and an impressive 41 stolen bases in 128 games. Right fielder Dante Bichette batted .287 with 111 hits, 27 doubles and 18 stolen bases in 112 games.

Second baseman Scott Fletcher batted .275 with 106 hits, 18 doubles and 17 stolen bases in 123 games. Third baseman Kevin Seitzer batted .270 with 71 RBI’s, 146 hits, 35 doubles and 13 stolen bases. Center fielder Robin Yount had 77 RBI’s, 147 hits, 40 doubles and 15 stolen bases. Catcher William James Surhoff, who went by his nickname of “B.J.”, had 62 RBI’s, 121 hits, 19 doubles and 14 stolen bases. Left fielder Greg Vaughn had 23 home runs and 78 RBI’s off 114 hits, 18 doubles and 15 stolen bases. First baseman Franklin Stubbs had 66 hits, 11 doubles and 11 stolen bases in 92 games. Second baseman and third baseman Jim Gantner had 63 hits and 12 doubles in 101 games. Gantner retired from professional baseball following 1992. First baseman John Jaha had 10 stolen bases in 47 games.

Starting pitcher Jaime Navarro went 17-11 with 100 strikeouts and a 3.33 ERA, recording 5 complete games and 3 shutouts. Chris Bosio went 16-6 with 120 strikeouts and a 3.62 ERA, recording 4 complete games and 2 shutouts. Bill Wegman had 127 strikeouts, a 3.20 ERA and 7 complete games despite going 13-14. Cal Eldred went 11-2 with a 1.79 ERA, recording 2 complete games and 1 shutout.

Closer Doug Henry had 29 saves. Relief pitcher Mike Fetters went 5-1 with 2 saves and a 1.87 ERA. Jim Austin went 5-2 with a 1.85 ERA. Dan Plesac went 5-4 with 1 save and a 2.96 ERA. Jesse Orosco went 3-1 with 1 save and a 3.23 ERA. Darren Holmes went 4-4 with a 2.55 ERA. Ed Nunez went 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA.

During the 1992 regular season the Brewers retired the #34 jersey of one of their best relief pitchers in franchise history. Rollie Fingers, known for his signature handlebar mustache, played for the Brewers from 1981 to 1985. The following year in 1993 Fingers would have his #34 retired by another team, the Oakland Athletics.

Except for the month of May the Brewers proved to be a solid team on the baseball diamond as they consistently won games from month to month. The Brewers went 10-9 in April, 16-11 in June, 16-12 in July, 15-14 in August and 20-7 in September.

One major highlight of Milwaukee’s season occurred on August 28 at the SkyDome when the Brewers absolutely destroyed the Toronto Blue Jays by the score of 22-2. Cal Eldred was solid on the mound as he pitched 7 innings, giving up 7 hits and 2 runs while recording 5 strikeouts. The most damage caused by Milwaukee took place in the top of the 4^th when Kevin Seitzer had an RBI single, and Scott Fletcher opened the flood gates with a 3-run single. Pat Listach and Paul Molitor followed with a pair of RBI singles.

Another positive highlight of the Brewers came on September 12 when they blanked the Baltimore Orioles 5-0 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Jaime Navarro pitched a complete game, giving up 5 hits and 1 walk while recording 5 strikeouts. In the top of the 1^st inning Kevin Seitzer had an RBI double, Dante Bichette had an RBI groundout, and Greg Vaughn followed with a 2-run single. Milwaukee would tack on another run in the top of the 7^th when John Jaha had an RBI single.

Unfortunately for the Milwaukee Brewers, they would never return to the American League postseason as there would be significant roster changes after the 1992 season, and after the 1993 season Robin Yount would call it a career. After only a few seasons playing in the American League Central division, the Brewers would accept the offer of switching over to the National League and play in the National League Central division due to 2 new expansion teams in St. Petersburg (Tampa Bay) and Phoenix would begin play in Major League Baseball in 1998.