The Milwaukee Brewers were never just going to be defined by their accomplishments. When the smallest media market in MLB topples the two-time reigning champions to reach their first world Series in 44 years, the narrative will invariably transcend the action on the field. Pat Murphy's ballclub overcame a bottom-half payroll and swept the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers. This is not exactly a plucky underdog tale, however.

Nick Saban did not pull out a glass slipper or a slingshot when discussing Milwaukee's historic achievement. While he did express some surprise over the swift dispatching of LA, the all-time great college football head coach chose to underscore the winning team's greatness.

“The Brewers won more games than anybody,” Saban said on Friday's episode of “The Pat McAfee Show.” “I love it and they are great. They play good defense, they got team speed, they put the ball in play…. They just do a great job, and they hit home runs in this series. I really didn't think anybody could beat the Dodgers, but they swept them.”

Congrats to the Milwaukee Brewers 👏

"I love this team and they are great..

I didn't think anybody could beat the Dodgers and they swept them" ~ Coach Saban #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/JseHr8QDqx

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 16, 2026

There is the temptation to slap a label on this franchise, whether it be “savvy” or “gritty” or “fundamentally sound.” But perhaps the best word to sum up this squad is “elite.” The Brew Crew did not use strictly small-ball and analytics to “beat the system.”

Sure, they bunt a ton, steal bases and rely heavily on their bullpen, but this group can also adapt when necessary. Milwaukee smacked the Dodgers with an unforeseen infusion of power during the National League Championship Series, going yard seven times in four games. Furthermore, Jackson Chourio and Jacob Misiorowski, arguably Milwaukee's two most talented players, both struggled overall in the NLCS. It did not matter.

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The Brewers' excellence extends throughout their roster, not in the form of endless star power, but through work ethic, skill and leadership. Everyone is buying into the Milwaukee Way. What does that mean, though?

Simply put, the Brewers have perfected team and situational baseball during the 2026 campaign, and if they maintain that standard through the end of October, the franchise will celebrate a World Series championship for the first time ever.

This is one of the rare times when almost everyone should be able to relate to this squad. Those who are tired of seeing high-priced rosters prevail at the end are obviously rejoicing, but so too are dynastic figures like Nick Saban. MLB's resident chameleon will take a week to reset before hosting Game 1 of the Fall Classic in American Family Field.