Ten key moments in the 2008 season: 1. No mo' Yo

Oct 01, 2008 (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- BBI | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- During the course of any season, there are moments that define a team, whether good or bad. The Milwaukee Brewers had their share of both during the wild roller-coaster ride that culminated with their first playoff berth since 1982. It wasn't easy to limit them to 10, but here are some of the defining moments that led to the National League wild-card berth:

On May 1 in Chicago, right-hander Yovani Gallardo tore the ACL in his right knee in a freak collision near first base in a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Expected to be one of the top starters in the rotation, Gallardo already had missed the first couple weeks of the season after tearing cartilage in his left knee at the outset of spring training. Gallardo was assumed lost for the season but guess who is starting Game 1 of the NLDS against Philadelphia? That's how highly the Brewers think of him.

2. The Boston Massacre

In their first visit to Fenway Park since moving to the National League in 1998, the Brewers were roughed up by the defending World Series champions, losing a doubleheader on May 17 and another game the following day. After the sweep, the players were called out by leftfielder Ryan Braun, who said he didn't think they expected to win. It was a wake-up call for a team that went from 20-24 on that day to 80-56 by Sept. 1.

3. The end game

After signing a one-year, $10 million contract to be the Brewers' closer, Eric Gagne stumbled badly out of the gate. He blew his first save opportunity on opening day in Chicago by surrendering a three-run homer to Kosuke Fukudome and went on to convert just 10 of 15 chances. After compiling a 9.45 ERA in six outings in May, Gagne went on the DL with a shoulder problem and was replaced as closer by Salomon Torres. The veteran set-up man did a fantastic job in that role before stumbling badly in the final weeks.

4. Shopping at Blockbuster

The Brewers stunned the baseball world by corralling the best pitcher on the trade market, Cleveland left-hander CC Sabathia. The deal was reached on July 6 and announced on July 7. The next day, Sabathia made his Brewers debut by beating Colorado, 7-3, and it only got better. It was a deal that came to define the team and was THE reason why the Brewers would go on to end their 26-year playoff drought. In only 17 starts, Sabathia led the NL with seven complete games and tied with teammate Ben Sheets with three shutouts.

5. The stars align

The Brewers were well-represented at the last All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. Sheets started for the National League and pitched two scoreless innings. Braun started in left field and competed in the Home Run Derby. Corey Hart took over in right field after six innings and played nine in the 15-inning marathon finally won by the AL -- again. Hart's wide throw to the plate allowed Justin Morneau to score the winning run on Michael Young's sacrifice fly.

6. Second-half surge

The Brewers bolted out of the blocks in the second half, going 7-0 on a trip to San Francisco and St. Louis, and picking up veteran second baseman Ray Durham from the Giants along the way. The four-game sweep in St. Louis was dominated by late-inning heroics. Bill Hall beat the stunned Cards twice with late home runs and Braun added another. Sabathia also tossed a three-hit shutout as the Brewers dealt St. Louis' hopes of a playoff berth a severe blow.

7. Massacre in Milwaukee

Chicago didn't make its first visit to Miller Park until a four-game series over the last four days of July. The Cubs used a Rickie Weeks error to pull out the opener, 6-4, then proceeded to bludgeon the Brewers by scores of 7-2, 7-2 and 11-4. It was a humiliating series for the Brewers and served as yet another wake-up call, resulting in a 20-7 blitz through August.

8. Nearly a no-no

Sabathia capped the team's brilliant August by nearly throwing a no-hitter in Pittsburgh. Only a controversial scoring decision on a tapper that Sabathia mishandled prevented him from tossing the second no-no in Brewers history. It capped the second unbeaten month for the big lefty, who claimed NL pitcher of the month for both July and August. There was no way to know at the time that much pain and suffering was on the horizon.

9. Off with his head

When the calendar turned to September, the Brewers collapsed. They were swept by the Mets at the outset of a dismal 3-7 home stand. The Brewers took a four-game lead in the wild-card race to Philadelphia and saw the Phillies completely wipe it out in a four-game sweep by the combined score of 26-10. Afterward, Braun called the series "a complete and total disaster." It turned out to be exactly that for manager Ned Yost, who paid for the 3-11 spiral with his job. Bench coach Ted Simmons also was reassigned. Third base coach Dale Sveum took over as interim manager and summoned franchise icon Robin Yount to be his bench coach.

10. Out of the wilderness

The Brewers finally regrouped in the final week of the season to win six of their final seven games. The capper came on Sunday at Miller Park when Sabathia, pitching on short rest for the third consecutive time, pitched a four-hitter against the Cubs. Braun was Mr. Clutch again, pounding a two-run homer in the eighth to propel the Brewers to a 3-1 victory. The Brewers then gathered to watch the finish of the Mets' 4-2 loss to Florida, clinching the wild-card berth for Milwaukee. The champagne flowed freely and the party went into the wee hours of the night for a city starved for a playoff team.

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