Because he lives and works in Los Angeles, Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio doesn’t get to spend nearly as much time around his team as he’d prefer.
But Attanasio always has taken pride in having a finger on the pulse of the team's clubhouse. He talks often with general manager David Stearns and manager Craig Counsell, and when in Milwaukee checks in with as many players as possible, most notably veteran Ryan Braun.
With that backdrop, Attanasio believes there is a special chemistry with this year’s club, and not just because the runaway Brewers have won 11 consecutive games and will play host to Game 1 of the NLCS on Friday evening at Miller Park.
“The way this team is put together, this is our most cohesive group of guys, as an entire group,” Attanasio said Sunday in the victorious visiting clubhouse at Coors Field, where the Brewers celebrated their three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies in the NLDS.
“You can see that they all kind of pull for each other. Whatever role anyone is asked to take, they take it and embrace it and succeed.”
Since becoming manager of the Brewers a month into the 2015 season, Counsell’s mantra to his players has been to “stay connected.” In other words, put team above self and always have the backs of your teammates.
Counsell was certain that all-for-one approach was particularly important as the Brewers embarked on a large-scale rebuilding program. He knew there would be tough times ahead, and from his own experience as a player he understood the importance of sticking together rather than becoming divided.
As it turned out, the tough times did not last nearly as long as anyone expected, including the Brewers’ decision makers. They missed the playoffs by a game in 2017, prompting Attanasio and Stearns to push the rebuild into high gear by adding more talent and depth.
The result has been stunning. The Brewers caught fire in September, going 20-7 to reel in the two-time defending NL Central champion Chicago Cubs. In a one-game showdown in Game No. 163 at Wrigley Field, the Brewers emerged with a 3-1 victory that clinched the division and rewarded them with home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs.
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