Thank you, Brewers. You helped us believe and reinforced my life-long notion that sports matter and truly build community.
But what can we all learn from this run – and even from the Game 7 NLCS loss?
Four thoughts are below. Use them as you will. Onward.
1. Find one thing and own it
You get immersed in winning; we all do. You lock onto one thing, you focus and you drive out distraction. For this season, the drive to the World Series is over, but let’s refocus that energy and all find one other thing to own, tackle and make happen. Be it a personal goal, civic project or test you want to pass – whatever it is, find it within you and own it the way you owned this playoff run. Work hard, do more with less and make it happen – because when you do, you become bigger than yourself. Just as our Brewers did.
2. Be crew
Brewers manager Craig Counsell talked a lot about the family feel in the clubhouse. He stressed playing for one another and enjoying the ride. He drove home connection. "The core of the message never changes for me. It's never going to change. The word for me has been 'connection,'" said Counsell, toward the end of the regular season. Connection, or as my kid’s school calls it "being crew." Be crew. Be connected. Be someone that looks out and plays for others. We can all do this better. And when we do, we all win.
3. Tell the Milwaukee story in everything you do
Milwaukee rocks. We support our teams and frankly support more than most cities. From dining to development, from the arts to music, manufacturing, higher education and sports, Milwaukee more than out-kicks its coverage each and every day. And we are called to tell the positive Milwaukee stories. A city is only as good as the stories it tells. So talk up Milwaukee. Joe Buck, we welcome you back, and Dodgers fans ... you’ll be back soon too. Milwaukee is an amazing city, and we’re major league even though the Dodgers spent nearly $100 million more on their team than did the Brewers.
2018 MLB payroll
- Brewers: $108,982,016
- Dodgers: $199,582.045
- Red Sox: $228,398,860
4. Never stop being a fan
Excessive and single-minded zeal! Yes, that’s being a fan – a fanatic. Remember this feeling, embrace it and use it for good. The buzz was real and contagious. This is what winning feels like, and now embrace it in your own life and go be a fan of something else. It’s Bucks season! Marquette’s gonna be great. The Admirals, Wave, Panthers or whatever team or local organization you choose, never stop being a fan! Go team.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
