Milwaukee Brewers legend Robin Yount acknowledged Wednesday that the heartbreak of losing the 1982 World Series still lingers as the franchise prepares for its first appearance in the Fall Classic in 44 years.
Yount was one victory away from a championship when the Brewers led the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 before dropping the final two games. He now has another chance to see the Brewers claim their first title as they prepare to face the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.
MLB.com's Adam McCalvy shared Yount's reflections on X, formerly Twitter, as the former two-time American League MVP explained why the disappointment from 1982 remains painful.
“When you get this close to achieving a goal you've had since you were a little kid — you get within one game — yeah, it stings. It hurts. I'm not gonna lie, I'll never get over it until the Brewers win one.”
The 1982 Brewers played in the American League at the time, and Yount won AL MVP that year. He claimed the award again in 1989 and hit .414 vs. the Cardinals in the 1982 World Series. Despite those accomplishments, Milwaukee's seven-game loss remained its only appearance in the Fall Classic until this season.
The Brewers earned their return by sweeping the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. That secured Milwaukee's first NL pennant and ended Los Angeles' attempt at a third straight title.
Article Continues BelowThe Brewers finished with MLB's best regular-season record, securing home-field advantage vs. the Rays. Neither franchise has won a World Series, guaranteeing a first-time champion.
Yount and Bud Selig, who owned the Brewers during their 1982 World Series appearance and later served as MLB commissioner, will participate in the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 of the World Series at American Family Field on Friday. Milwaukee would also host a potential Game 7 on Halloween.
As of Wednesday, the club remains four wins from its first World Series championship.