Our Milwaukee Brewers are in the middle of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers right now. That’s one step away from the WORLD SERIES, which is something Brewers fans haven’t been able to say very often. So since we’re feeling a little too excited right now to get any work done, let’s just be fans for a sec. Brewers superfan and WPR Producer Brad Kolberg sat down with WPR’s Maureen McCollum to talk about this moment in time.
Maureen McCollum: I got to say Brad…every time I’ve seen you over the last two weeks, you seem to be a walking ball of anxiety.
Brad Kolberg: I can’t stand it. The Brewers are in the playoffs. I’m just so preoccupied.
MM: So your father went to the World Series back in ’82?
BK: Yeah. Growing up he had this ticket stub from the 1982 World Series wedged in his bedroom’s dresser mirror. And it was the only proof that I had that the Brewers were ever good.
Brad Kolberg with his daughter at Miller Park. (Photo by Jen Kolberg)
MM: Did you know that this was happening at the time? You were five years old.
BK: I have no memory of it.
MM: And now you’re a dad and you have a daughter and you’ve been taking her to some of the games. What’s that been like?
BK: That’s the dream come true for me- more than being able to attend it myself- is to be able to share it with him and my daughter. My dad never had the chance when I was a kid. I mean, we were super into the team but the team was just never in the playoffs when I was a kid. So yeah, to see her light up and celebrate a victory with me and Grandpa and just feel that crazy energy in the place. That’s pretty awesome.
MM: So you went to a game this weekend [on Saturday, NLCS Game 2]. I was lucky enough and bought tickets for a game this weekend [on Friday, NLCS Game 1]…
BK: Well you got to see them win.
Maureen McCollum and family before the NLCS Game 1 in Milwaukee. (Maureen McCollum/WPR)
MM: I got to see them win. Not to rub it in your face. It was an amazing experience. The energy and electricity in that stadium was so overwhelming, especially at the end, obviously, when they won. But it didn’t die down the entire game.
BK: It’s really cool. When I went to the divisional series and saw them win, I had the same experience. It’s just electric the whole time. The stadium exploded when they won. Everybody was singing and cheering. I wonder if it’s just the fans are like so starved for it. It’s such a rare, special experience.
MM: We’re not as desperate as Cubs fans.
BK: But even with Cubs fans, they had that huge drought between World Series. But it’s not like they weren’t making the playoffs, you know. They’ve been able to see their team play in October a lot. Brewers fans, not so much.
MM: What if the Brewers make it to the World Series this year?
BK: I will lose my mind. I will be at the World Series with my family at any cost.
MM: And dare I say…what if they don’t make it to the World Series this year?
BK: There’s always next year. That’s the thing about this team, I feel like this may be sustainable. The big contributors on this team are going to still be here next year and the year after. So, we’ll see. Maybe they’re going to be good for a while.
MM: Yeah, they started the season saying, ‘Oh we’re still rebuilding’. And clearly they rebuilt. And if they can build on from this…
BK: Good things.
(This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity)
Miller Park dressed up for the playoffs. (Brad Kolberg/WPR)
