This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Milwaukee Braves' 1957 World Championship and the 25th anniversary of the Brewers' 1982 pennant.
As a way of commemorating both, OMC will run monthly "A Look Back" columns through October. Here's what they will cover:
February: Headed to spring training - The Braves has just missed beating out the Dodgers in 1956, and the Brewers had come off a split-season "pennant" in 1981. This column will take a look at where the teams were poised as they headed south for spring training in '82 and '57.
March: Aaron poised for MVP - Henry Aaron was poised for a big year in 1957 and developed into a MVP before the season was over.
April: Opening Days - A Look Back at the '57 and '82 home openers.
May: Headed for MVP - Like Henry Aaron in 1957, Robin Yount was headed for a MVP award in 1982.
June: Key changes - Two key changes were made for the Braves and Brewers in their respective championship seasons. The Braves dealt pitcher Ray Crone, infielder Danny O'Connell and outfielder Bobby Thomson to the Giants for second baseman Red Schoedienst, who went on to hit .310, play second like a master and finish third in balloting for MVP.
After a sub-standard start, the Brewers fired manager Buck Rodgers and promoted Harvey Kuenn to manager. Harvey's Wallbangers were born.
July: Braves suffer key injuries - On July 11, Braves' centerfielder Billy Bruton suffered a season-ending knee injury. That led to Henry Aaron's move to center, and Andy Pafko's insertion into the lineup. Wes Covington was called up and contributed 65 rbi. Meanwhile, Frank Torre (Joe Torre's older brother) and a guy named Nippy Jones filled in for the injured Joe Adcock at first base.
August: Sutton trade - GM Harry Dalton added the final ingredient to the Brewers' pennant drive when he acquired pitcher Don Sutton for outfielder Kevin Bass and pitchers Frank DiPino and Mike Madden.
September: The Clinchers - The Braves clinched the pennant on Aaron's homer on Sept.23 - the shot heard around Wisconsin. Sutton won the clincher in Baltimore for the Brewers.
October: No bigger events in Wisconsin baseball history have occurred than the '57 and '82 World Series. This column will review highlights of both.
In addition to the two big anniversaries of the championship years. 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of Team Streak - the Brewers' team that won its first 13 games and lost its next 12 - and Paul Molitor's 39-game hitting streak, the 15th anniversary of Robin Yount's 3,000 hit and some other milestones.
The Brewers plans to mark these anniversaries throughout the season. The Retro Sunday promotion that debuted last year will be shifted to Friday this year, as the Brewers willw ear their home alternate "retro" uniforms. A special patch commemorating the silver anniversary of the American League pennant will be worn on the sleeve.
Also, a special reunion celebration will be held during a series against St. Louis Aug. 13-14 at Miller Park.
"We have planned a number of very special events and activities related to the 1982 Championship team, from special giveaways and promotions to appearances all summer long in and around Miller Park," Schlesinger said. "It all culminates with a reunion of the entire organization from 1982 during our August series against the Cardinals."
Each of the 13 Fridays in 2007 will feature an All-Fan Giveaway. A series of collectible-size, 5-inch bobbleheads featuring members of the 1982 squad will be offered to all in attendance every Friday night.
Major League Baseball Productions is producing a 60-minute video documentary that will capture the pennant fever that swept Milwaukee during 1982. The DVD, which will be distributed by Hart Sharp Video, is scheduled to be available in retail locations and at brewers.com for $24.95 on April 10.
