The best time of the year

By Bert Lehman

For baseball fans, there isn’t a better time of year than today – the start of the playoffs for Major League Baseball.

Although technically not considered the playoffs, baseball fans were treated to extra baseball yesterday, as the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs battled for the National League Central title, and the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers battled for the National League West title.

I have been a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers since 1982. I was 11 years old at the time. I don’t remember following the Brewers closely throughout the 1982 season, but I do remember the final game of the 1982 season when the Brewers clinched the American League East title. I remember watching all the American League Championship Series games against the California Angels. I also remember watching several of the World Series games in 1982.

Unfortunately, my Brewers came up a game short in 1982. And we all know the post-season history, or lack there of, for the Brewers since then. To say the least, it hasn’t always been easy being a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers. Because of that, and I am sure I can speak for Brewers fans everywhere, yesterday’s victory over the Cubs was satisfying.

But you don’t have to be a fan of a particular team to enjoy the MLB playoffs. I’ve always paid closer attention to major league games during the playoffs. The atmosphere is incredible, and the urgency is cranked up a notch. Ok, it’s cranked up several notches.

The most memorable and historic baseball game I have attended in person was Game 5 of the 2011 National League Divisional Series at Miller Park in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Brewers won that game to advance to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 1982.

When I received the opportunity to go to this game, I wasn’t sure if I actually wanted to go. I mean, I wanted to go, but I knew the thought of being there in person if the Brewers lost would be difficult. But then again, having the Brewers win the game and actually being in the stadium would be a great feeling.

I decided to go to the game. To make a long story short, the game was emotionally draining as the two teams went back and forth, with the Brewers winning on a walk-off hit by Nyjer Morgan.

Words can’t describe the feeling of being there in person when your favorite team wins a big game like that.