[ad_1]
The veteran Milwaukee Brewers clearly explained: The goal is a triumph of the World Series.
Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
epa07070346 Milwaukee Brewers hitter Christian Yelich (C) celebrates his teammates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home race against the Colorado Rockis late in the third round of the National League division series. Miller Park, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA, October 4, 2018. The winner of the best five-series series will play against the Atlanta Braves or Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League championship series . EPA-EFE / TANNEN MAURY(Photo: TANNEN MAURY, European News Agency)
Because he lives and works in Los Angeles, the owner of Brewers Brewers Mark Attanasio does not spend as much time as he wants with his team.
But Attanasio has always been proud to have his finger on the pulse of the team's clubhouse. He often meets with Executive Director David Stearns and Director Craig Counsell. When he is in Milwaukee, he meets as many players as possible, including veteran Ryan Braun.
In this context, Attanasio thinks that there is a particular chemistry in this year's club and not just because the fugitive Brewers have won 11 straight games and will be hosting the first NLCS game on Friday night at Miller Park.
"The way this team is composed, it's our most consistent group of guys, as a whole group," said Attanasio Sunday in the victorious clubhouse visiting Coors Field, where The Brewers celebrated their sweep of the Colorado Rockies' three games in the NHLL.
"You can see they are attracting each other. Whatever role someone is asked to do, he takes it and kisses it to succeed. "
Since becoming the Brewers' manager a month into the 2015 season, Counsell's motto for his players has been to stay connected. In other words, put the team on top of yourself and always have the back of your teammates.
Counsell was convinced that the "all for one" approach was particularly important as the Brewers engaged in a large-scale reconstruction program. He knew that there would be hard times ahead and, through his own playing experience, he understood the importance of staying united rather than dividing.
In the end, the tough times did not last as long as expected, including the Brewers decision makers. They missed the playoffs in a match in 2017, which prompted Attanasio and Stearns to push the rebuild to the next gear by adding more talent and depth.
The result was magnificent. The Brewers caught fire in September, beating 20-7 to win the reigning world champion Chicago Cubs twice. In a decisive match at Wrigley Field No. 163, the Brewers won 3-1, allowing the division to win and win the field advantage in the playoffs. playoffs.
Then comes the impressive Rocky Mountain wave, during which the underestimated and underestimated Brewers – by the outside world – dominated a very good team. Colorado scored in just one of the 28 innings played for a total of two points, a record for offensive production in the history of the NLDS.
During this remarkable race, the depth of the Brewers' roster was tested, both among the "outsiders" and the group of players in position. And, one way or another, all the players helped advance the team, increasing the total of wins to 99 and now.
One of the oldest debates in baseball is knowing what goes first: chemistry or success? It is sometimes difficult to answer this "chicken or egg" question, but the Brewers are convinced that "staying in touch" allows the team to succeed. That, and a lot of talent, of course.
"There is a closeness to this group," said Braun, the only remaining player of the last round of the team's playoffs in 2011. "I think there's a confidence in the team. "It is a matter of playing for each other, and not with the other we have tried to do it before.
"This year it's just a different level, and it shows how we compete every day and where we find ways to win. The belief that we have one in the other is really special, really unique right now. And everyone believes that whoever will play in the game will do the job.
"And we see him playing night after night. It's fun to be part of it.
Players now laugh when they hear outside experts proclaim that the way the Brewers deploy their pitchers can not continue to work. The pen is the biggest strength of the club. Therefore, Counsell naturally uses it generously, often pulling the attack from the "initial winner" before compiling the five innings needed to qualify for a win.
In the sweep of the three Rockies, the first pitchers covered only 12 innings and two-thirds, but they did not make a lot of points, preventing Colorado from taking the lead. The rescue corps took it from there and, in the end, the Rockies had only 14 hits and 8 balls in 28 innings while they were eliminated 30 times .
"You trust each of them, when they go there, that they will do the work, and they do it," Attanasio said.
"In early September, Craig set the tone: every game is important, no win is more important than another win, and the players have really adhered to that. It allowed us to focus on the current game and really helped us to get things done. "
Christian Yelich, who unleashed the Brewers' end-of-season wave with an offensive display that is expected to attract the best players in the NL, was impressed by two things, in particular, regarding his teammates: their ability to keep the day's approach the day and avoid great distractions, and their authenticity to shoot each other.
"One at a time, that's what we say, one game at a time," Yelich said, "focus on the game, focus on the day.
"It's really fun to play in these hostile environments, where all you have to do is the group of guys who play in this dugout. We have united during this season. I think it really shows on the ground. I am proud of everyone in this club. "
Source link
