In early 1970, the odds were dramatically against the Milwaukee Brewers ever existing as an MLB franchise, and Bud Selig’s dream becoming reality.
“We were down to the end. There was no doubt in my mind that if this (didn’t) work, we’re done. There was no more expansion. They didn’t want to come to Milwaukee,” Selig reminisced in a conversation with WTMJ’s Gene Mueller.
The Seattle Pilots were possibly his last shot to pull it off after going bankrupt following its inaugural season in 1969. The Milwaukee Braves had left in 1965 after a lame-duck year with the team headed to Atlanta.
Then came April of 1970, when the dream suddenly became reality. And the Seattle Pilots suddenly became the Milwaukee Brewers.
“Five-and-a-half years were really tough, but that night…I was overcome. ‘Oh my goodness.’ “
It was a day of surprise and hope finally turning reality, with the odds turned against MLB brass and its anger toward Milwaukee.
“They were doing everything they could to keep a team out,” said Selig, as Milwaukee had attempted to block the Braves’ move to Atlanta through the courts.
“They were mad because the county and the state had sued them…there were some people who fought us, but knew it was wrong. Once we got in…not only did the anger disappear, but they couldn’t have been more friendly.”
It took a long time to climb from the dregs of expansion to contention, but they got there through some strong front office moves.
“Charlie Moore came in, Robin Yount came after the 1973 season,” he said. “By 1978, Harry (Dalton, GM) was here, George Bamberger – maybe my favorite baseball personality – Paul Molitor had been a first round draft choice in 1977. Gorman Thomas. We had gotten Cecil Cooper in a trade…the only trade we ever made.”
“In 1978, we won 93 games. In 1979, we had won 95 games. We were good.”