History of Milwaukee Brewers in Timeline

The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, competing in MLB as part of the National League Central Division. The team's name reflects Milwaukee's brewing history. Since 2001, their home games have been played at American Family Field (formerly Miller Park), which has a seating capacity of 41,900.

1900: Start of Modern Era

In 1900, the modern era of baseball began, making the Brewers one of two current MLB franchises to switch leagues in the modern era.

1901: Original Milwaukee Brewers in American League

Milwaukee had also been an American League city, albeit briefly, when the original Milwaukee Brewers became an AL charter team in 1901.

1902: Milwaukee Teams in American Association and Negro National League

Between 1902, Milwaukee was home to the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association (AAA) and the Milwaukee Bears of the Negro National League.

1952: Milwaukee Teams in American Association and Negro National League

Until 1952, Milwaukee was home to the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association (AAA) and the Milwaukee Bears of the Negro National League.

1953: Milwaukee Braves Era Begins

Milwaukee had previously been a National League city when its team was the Milwaukee Braves from 1953.

1965: Milwaukee Braves Era Ends

Milwaukee had previously been a National League city when its team was the Milwaukee Braves until 1965.

1969: Brewers Franchise Win-Loss Record

From 1969 through 2024, the Brewers' overall regular-season win–loss record is 4,308–4,530–4 (.487).

1969: Team Origin as Seattle Pilots

In 1969, the club originated as an expansion team in Seattle, Washington, as the Seattle Pilots.

1970: Home Jersey Design

In 1971, the Brewers got their own flannel design, but only for their home jerseys. This design was essentially the same as the one used in 1970.

1970: Uniforms Color Shades

In 1972, the Brewers road uniforms remained blue, although a darker shade than those of 1970 and '71.

1970: Brewers Milwaukee Win-Loss Record

Since moving to Milwaukee in 1970, the Brewers have an overall win–loss record of 4,244–4,432–3 (.489) through the end of 2024.

1971: Flannel Home Jersey Design

In 1971, the Brewers got their own flannel design, but only for their home jerseys, with blue and yellow piping.

1972: Switch to American League East

Before the beginning of the 1972 season the Brewers agreed to switch over to the American League East.

1972: Introduction of Double-Knit Uniforms

In 1972, the Brewers entered the double-knit era with uniforms based upon their flannels.

1972: Relocation to Milwaukee and League Affiliation

In 1972, the Seattle Pilots relocated to Milwaukee and became known as the Brewers, playing their home games at Milwaukee County Stadium. They also played in the American League East starting in 1972.

1973: Introduction of Bernie Brewer Mascot

In 1973, Bernie Brewer (a man with a large yellow mustache wearing a Brewers hat) was introduced as the Brewers mascot.

1974: Yellow-Paneled Cap and Sanitation Sock

In 1974, a yellow-paneled cap was added to the road uniforms, and the "sanitation sock" on the road uniforms were also changed from white to yellow.

1978: New Uniforms Unveiled

In 1978, the Brewers unveiled new uniforms. Road uniforms feature the city name, "Milwaukee", graced the chest in an upward slant in script form.

1981: Division Win and MVP Award

In 1981, Milwaukee won the American League East Division. Rollie Fingers became the first Brewer and first relief pitcher in the history of the American League to win the MVP Award.

1981: Rollie Fingers wins Cy Young and MVP Award

In 1981, Rollie Fingers achieved the first Cy Young Award and Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award for the Brewers. The team reached the postseason for the first time in team history.

1982: AL East Division and Pennant Win

In 1982, Milwaukee, led by AL MVP Robin Yount, won the American League East Division and the American League Pennant, earning their first World Series appearance.

1982: Brewers win ALCS and appear in World Series

In 1982, the Brewers won the East and then competed and won the 1982 American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the California Angels. The Brewers faced off against the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series, losing 4–3 in their only appearance in the series.

1982: Pennant-Winning Season Uniforms

In 1982, the Brewers wore these uniforms in their pennant-winning season.

1985: Road Uniforms Changed to Gray

In 1985, the color of the road uniforms changed to gray while the blue-yellow-blue road cap and white-paneled batting helmets were abandoned.

1988: Closest Finish to Division Title Since 1988

The 2007 season saw the Milwaukee Brewers miss out on the NL Central title by two games, their closest finish since 1988.

1990: Switch to Button-Down Jerseys

In 1990, the Brewers made significant modifications to their uniforms, switching from pullover to button-down jerseys.

1990: Minor Uniform Changes

Only minor changes were made to the Brewers' uniforms until 1990.

1992: First Winning Season Since 1992

The 2007 season was also the Milwaukee Brewers' first winning season since 1992.

1993: Names Added to Home Jerseys

Names were added to the Brewers' home jerseys beginning in 1993.

1994: Move to American League Central

Beginning in 1994, due to divisional realignment, the Brewers moved to the newly created American League Central division.

1994: WCGV-TV Carries Brewers Broadcasts

In 1994, WCGV-TV began carrying game broadcasts for the Milwaukee Brewers, following WVTV's coverage. This arrangement continued until 2004.

1994: Darkening of team colors

In 1994, the Brewers darkened the shades of both blue and gold as the team colors.

1994: Uniform Redesign for 25th Anniversary

In 1994, to commemorate the Brewers' 25th year in Milwaukee, the team completely redesigned their uniforms, removing the ball-in-glove logo and changing team colors.

1997: Move to National League Central Division

From their creation in 1969 through the 1997 season, the Brewers were part of the American League after which they moved to the National League Central Division.

1998: Brewers Relocate to National League

In 1998, the Brewers relocated to the National League.

2001: Home games at American Family Field

In 2001, the Milwaukee Brewers began playing their home games at American Family Field.

2004: End of WCGV-TV Coverage

In 2004, WCGV-TV stopped carrying the Milwaukee Brewers game broadcasts, concluding a period that began in 1994. Five of the six major network television stations in Milwaukee have carried game broadcasts over the years.

2007: Brewers-FSN Wisconsin-Weigel Broadcasting Deal

In 2007, the Brewers and FSN Wisconsin subcontracted with Weigel Broadcasting for a package of 15 games and one spring training game to air over-the-air on WMLW-CA in Milwaukee each season. FSN Wisconsin produced the telecasts, and Weigel sold air time for the games. Additional games were added depending on weather postponements and pennant race standings. These WMLW-CA games also aired on the outstate FSN Wisconsin network. The agreement lasted until 2011.

2007: Missed NL Central Title

The 2007 season saw the Milwaukee Brewers miss out on the NL Central title by two games, their closest finish since 1988.

2008: Brewers return to the playoffs

After 1982, the Brewers went 26 straight years without making the playoffs before returning in 2008.

2008: Brewers Advance to Postseason

In 2008, the Brewers advanced to postseason play by winning the National League wild card for the first time in 26 years.

September 23, 2011: Brewers Clinch Division Title

On September 23, 2011, the Milwaukee Brewers clinched their first division title in 29 years.

2011: Brewers-FSN Wisconsin-Weigel Broadcasting Deal Concludes

From 2007 to 2011, the Brewers and FSN Wisconsin had a deal with Weigel Broadcasting to air 15 games and one spring training game on WMLW-CA. FSN Wisconsin produced the telecasts, and Weigel sold air time. In 2011, this arrangement concluded.

2011: Brewers make NLCS

In 2011, the Brewers made their first trip to the NLCS.

2011: Last Post-Season Appearance Prior to 2018

On September 26, 2018, the Brewers clinched a spot in the post-season for the first time since 2011.

2012: End of Weigel Broadcasting Deal

Before the 2012 season, the Brewers ended their deal with Weigel Broadcasting (WMLW-CA) to facilitate full-season HD coverage on FSN Wisconsin, address distribution complications, and add a "Plus" channel for Milwaukee Bucks play-by-play conflicts. However, Weigel continues to air a few Sunday home broadcasts per year with Spanish language play-by-play on Telemundo affiliate WYTU-LD.

September 26, 2018: Brewers Clinch Post-Season Spot

On September 26, 2018, the Brewers clinched a spot in the post-season for the first time since 2011 with a 2–1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

2018: Brewers win NLDS

Since 2018 the Brewers have been a consistent playoff team, but only won one playoff series, a 3–0 sweep in the 2018 NLDS over the Colorado Rockies.

2019: Appearance in National League Wild Card Game

In 2019, the Brewers made an appearance in the National League Wild Card Game, where they were defeated by the Washington Nationals.

2020: Postseason Appearance

In 2020, the Milwaukee Brewers made the postseason for a third consecutive year, losing to the Dodgers.

2020: American Family Field name change

Through the 2020 season, American Family Field was named Miller Park.

2021: Giannis Antetokounmpo Becomes Minority Owner

In 2021, Giannis Antetokounmpo became a minority owner of the Brewers.

2021: Brewers Clinch NL Central Title

In 2021, the Brewers clinched the NL Central title with a 95–67 record.

October 2024: MLB Takes Over Brewers Broadcasts

In October 2024, Major League Baseball's local media division announced that it would take over the production and distribution of Brewers games starting with the 2025 season due to bankruptcy proceedings involving former broadcaster Diamond Sports Group.

2024: Brewers Franchise Win-Loss Record

From 1969 through 2024, the Brewers' overall regular-season win–loss record is 4,308–4,530–4 (.487).

December 31, 2024: Brewers Return to FanDuel Sports Network

On December 31, 2024, the Brewers announced that they would return to FanDuel Sports Network for the 2025 season.

January 16, 2025: Bob Uecker Commemorative Patch

For the 2025 season, the Brewers will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve of their uniforms in honor of former Brewers radio broadcaster Bob Uecker, who died on January 16, 2025. The patch is circular, featuring a plaid pattern (referencing Uecker's plaid sport coats), a baseball design, and Uecker's signature.

March 19, 2025: WITI to Carry Brewers Games

On March 19, 2025, it was announced that WITI, through a deal with WTMJ owner Good Karma Brands and FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin, would carry three spring training and ten regular season Milwaukee Brewers games in the 2025 season locally. These games would be simulcast with FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin, along with a state network of stations within the team's territory.

March 23, 2025: Roster Update

On March 23, 2025, the Brewers' roster, coaches, and NRIs were updated.

2025: WITI Aired National Games

Before 2025, WITI was the only station not to have carried local coverage of the Milwaukee Brewers, although it has aired national games from CBS and Fox involving the Brewers through the years.

2025: Broadcasts and Personnel for 2025 Season

Starting in the 2025 season, Major League Baseball's local media division took over production and distribution of Brewers games, with no personnel changes. All on-air staff are employed by the Brewers. The Brewers returned to FanDuel Sports Network for the 2025 season.