[Nick Soulis]

Series #216



2000 Seattle Mariners
Record: 91-71
Finish: Lost in ALCS
Manager: Lou Piniella
Ball Park: Safeco Field
Franchise Record: 4-4
2000 Season Record: 1-2
WAR Leader: Alex Rodriguez (10.4)
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/2000.shtml

1994 Milwaukee Brewers
Record: 53-62
Finish: 5th in AL Central
Manager: Phil Garner
Ball Park: County Stadium
WAR Leader: Ricky Bones (4.0)
Franchise Record: 3-8
1994 Season Record: 3-3
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1994.shtml
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Media by Mel Allen

"Well, how about that! We’ve got ourselves a brand new matchup here in the Field of Dreams, and I don’t know about you folks, but I can’t wait to get it going. This one features a contrast of styles, talent, and eras — the 1994 Milwaukee Brewers, a scrappy, under-the-radar team from that strike-shortened season, going toe-to-toe with the 2000 Seattle Mariners, a club bursting with power, personality, and playoff pedigree.

Now the Seattle Mariners, managed by Lou Piniella, will enjoy home field advantage, and that’s no small thing. Safeco Field—ah, excuse me, the Field of Dreams version of Safeco—is a pitcher’s park, but that hasn’t stopped this 2000 team from mashing the baseball. They’ve got Alex Rodriguez in his final season with the M’s, Bret Boone showing pop, and Edgar Martinez—the professional hitter himself—still doing damage at the plate. Add Mike Cameron roaming center field and Freddy Garcia toeing the slab, and Seattle’s got a lot of reasons to be confident.

As for the Brewers, well, this 1994 squad is one of those forgotten gems. Phil Garner’s bunch never got to see the season through thanks to the strike, but they had something going. Greg Vaughn could launch ‘em into orbit, John Jaha had power to all fields, and don't forget about Kevin Seitzer putting the ball in play. The pitching might not be overpowering, but they’ve got Cal Eldred and Ricky Bones ready to grind out innings, and if they can hang in games, watch out—this team could sneak up on you.

Now this Field of Dreams has seen its share of surprises—that’s baseball! And while on paper, Seattle may be the favorite, you know as well as I do that you can’t predict this game. It’ll be up to the Brewers to make the most of their chances, play smart, and try to keep that big Seattle lineup in the yard.

So settle in, folks. With Phil Rizzuto by my side calling the action, you’re going to get wit, wisdom, and a little “Holy Cow!” or two. Game 1 is coming your way from our dreamy diamond in Seattle. I’ll tell you what—that ol’ baseball magic is in the air again, and we’re all the better for it.

Stay tuned—we’ve got a good one coming up!
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Wisconsin Cheese Power
Seitzer Sizzles as Brewers Brew Up Upset Over 2000 Mariners



Game 1
At Safeco Field
1994 Milwaukee Brewers 6
2000 Seattle Mariners 2
WP: B. Scanlan (1-0) LP: A. Sele (0-1) S: A. Miranda (1)
HR: J. Jaha (1), K. Seitzer 2 (2)
POG: Kevin Seitzer (4-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R)
2000 Mariners Lead Series 1-0

"Well how about that! The 1994 Milwaukee Brewers came into a packed Safeco Field tonight and delivered a thunderous message in Game 1 of Series #216, topping the 2000 Seattle Mariners by a score of 6 to 2 to take the early advantage in this best-of-seven matchup.
And boy, was the star of the show wearing a Brewers uniform—and playing the hot corner. That man? Kevin Seitzer, who put on an absolute clinic at the plate. Seitzer went 4-for-4, smacked two home runs, scored three times, and drove in three runs—including a go-ahead blast in the sixth inning off starter Aaron Sele that silenced the Seattle faithful. Folks, you can't do much better than that! Aaron Sele pitched well for much of the evening, giving up just two earned runs over eight innings. But his two mistakes landed in the seats off the bat of Seitzer, and that proved to be the difference. Sele finished with 4 strikeouts, no walks, but was tagged with the loss. On the other side, Bob Scanlan gave Milwaukee exactly what they needed—6.2 solid innings, scattering seven hits and striking out four, allowing just two earned runs. He danced through traffic but never broke. Lefty Angel Miranda came on in relief and nailed down the final 2.1 innings for the save, keeping the potent Mariners lineup off the board.
With the score tied at one in the sixth, Seitzer stepped in with a man on and drove a Sele pitch deep into the left-field night, making it 3–1 Brewers. In the ninth, John Jaha provided insurance with a booming 3-run homer off Kazuhiro Sasaki, who had a rough outing in relief.

Game 2
At Safeco Field
1994 Milwaukee Brewers 5
2000 Seattle Mariners 3
WP: G. lloyd (1-0) LP: K. Sasaki (0-1) S: M. Fetters (1)
HR: J. Valentin (1), E. Martinez (1)
POG: Jose Valentin (2-3, HR, 2B, 3 R, 2 BB)
1994 Brewers Lead Series 2-0

We're back in Seattle, where the 1994 Milwaukee Brewers have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in this best-of-seven Field of Dreams showdown with the 2000 Seattle Mariners, thanks to a thrilling 5-3 victory here on a crisp October night at Safeco Field.
The star of the evening? That’d be shortstop José Valentin, and mercy, what a night he had! Two hits, a home run, a double, two walks, and three runs scored. He was all over the basepaths like mustard on a hot dog, and let me tell ya — the Mariners couldn’t find an answer for him. Oh, and he even stole a base for good measure!
It was Valentin who got the Brewers on the board in the first with a leadoff double and later scored on a Kevin Seitzer double. He added a solo shot in the third — a no-doubter off Gil Meche — and then sparked the game-winning rally in the ninth with a walk and heads-up baserunning.
Seattle clawed back with two in the fourth, including an RBI double from Mike Cameron, and Edgar Martinez added a solo homer in the seventh — a majestic blast that briefly tied the ballgame at three. But in the top of the ninth, the Brewers worked the bases loaded off Kazuhiro Sasaki, and then came a patient plate approach that did the trick: a bases-loaded walk to Brian Harper, and Seitzer followed with a sharp grounder that plated two more. Just like that, the Brew Crew put up a crooked number.
Jeff Navarro worked a gritty five innings for Milwaukee, dancing in and out of trouble. Graeme Lloyd got the win with three strong innings, and Mike Fetters closed the door in the ninth — smooth as a scoop of vanilla on a summer’s day. The Mariners just couldn’t overcome three costly errors, and oh doctor, did they ever come at the wrong time. Alex Rodriguez, John Mabry, and Joe Oliver each committed misplays that extended innings and turned potential outs into Brewer opportunities.
So as this series shifts to Milwaukee County Stadium for Game 3, the pressure’s squarely on the M’s. The Brewers — a club many overlooked — now stand just two wins away from advancing, and with José Valentin swinging a hot stick, anything's possible.
From Safeco Field, this is Mel Allen saying so long for now — and don’tcha miss Game 3!

Game 3
At County Stadium
2000 Seattle Mariners 6
1994 Milwaukee Brewers 7
WP: B. Wegman (1-0) LP: J. Moyer (0-1) S: M. Fetters (2)
HR: T. Brunansky (1)
POG: Bill Wegman (6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 92 P)
1994 Brewers Lead Series 3-0

The Milwaukee 1994 Brewers have the Seattle 2000 Mariners gasping for air as they storm to a commanding 3-0 series lead with a nail-biting 7-6 victory on a crisp evening at County Stadium. Brewers right-hander Bill Wegman was simply marvelous on the mound, tossing six innings of two-hit baseball while holding Seattle to a lone run and striking out five. The Brewers faithful roared with delight as Wegman danced through danger with precision. For his efforts, he was rightfully named Player of the Game. The drama unfolded in the bottom of the sixth. Down 1-0, Milwaukee loaded the bases, and Kevin Seitzer delivered the go-ahead blow—a sizzling 2-run double to left-center that ignited a 4-run frame. B.J. Surhoff followed with a sac bunt that kept the wheels turning, and B.J. Harper drove in two more with a clutch 2-out double.
Just one inning later, Tom Brunansky, pinch-hitting in the seventh, sent the crowd into a frenzy with a towering 2-run homer off Jamie Moyer, padding the lead to 7-1.
But the Mariners, oh, they weren’t done yet. In the top of the eighth, Seattle stormed back with five runs, thanks in part to back-to-back doubles from Mark McLemore and Alex Rodriguez, who had a two-RBI night. Suddenly, it was a one-run ballgame.
With chaos brewing, the Brewers called upon Mike Fetters, and he slammed the door with 1.1 innings of electric relief, striking out three and preserving the thrilling win.Despite a late charge from Seattle, the night belonged to the Brew Crew. Jose Valentin added two more hits to his sizzling series, and Seitzer—now batting a scorching .583—continues to be the heartbeat of Milwaukee’s attack.
One win away from an improbable sweep, the Brewers look to complete the upset tomorrow night. Will Seattle fight back, or will Milwaukee close the curtain?
From Milwaukee County Stadium, this is Mel Allen saying, “This is a team on the brink of something special—how about that!

Game 4
At County Stadium
2000 Seattle Mariners 9
1994 Milwaukee Brewers 5
WP: J. Mesa (1-0) LP: R. Bones (0-1)
HR: J. Oliver (1), E. Martinez (2)
POG: Mike cameron (4-5, RBI, 2B, 2 R, SB)
1994 Brewers Lead Series 3-1

The Seattle Mariners, down three games to none, staring elimination square in the eye, refused to go quietly into that chilly Milwaukee night! With their backs against the cornfield wall here in Series #216, they rode the hot bat of Mike Cameron and the thunderous swing of Joe Oliver to a rousing 9–5 victory over the hometown 1994 Milwaukee Brewers. This series is still alive!""Let’s start with Mr. Cameron, and my goodness, what a night. The center fielder went 4-for-5, including a double, three singles, and a walk — a table-setter all night long! He was everywhere — on the basepaths, in center field, and all over that Brewers pitching staff like polka dots on a bow tie."
"But the man who delivered the big blow? That’d be catcher Joe Oliver, who had the kind of game you dream about on the porch with your grandkids. In the third inning, with the bases loaded and tension so thick you could cut it with a cheese slicer, Oliver smashed a bases-clearing double that turned a tight 2–1 contest into a 6–1 Mariners lead. And if that wasn’t enough, he added a two-run homer in the second inning just to say, ‘Don’t forget about me!’ That’s five RBIs for the big backstop, and he just might’ve bought Seattle one more day."
"Edgar Martinez, the ever-reliable DH turned first baseman in this one, also made noise with a solo homer in the seventh and a sac fly earlier in the game. And while the bottom of the order sputtered — not a peep from David Bell tonight — the top of the Mariners’ card had plenty to say. Six Mariners had multiple hits. That’s 15 knocks overall!"
"Now, let’s not forget the Brewers, who did flash some fight of their own. Kevin Seitzer continues his tear through this series, collecting two more doubles and driving in three runs. But outside of that, the Brew Crew managed just five hits — and it wasn’t enough to erase that early Seattle storm." "Pitching-wise, Paul Abbott was a bit shaky — he lasted just 4 and 2/3 innings — but the bullpen answered the call. Arthur Rhodes, José Mesa, José Paniagua, and Brett Tomko combined to slam the door and allow just one run the rest of the way. That, my friends, is how you survive an elimination game."
"And let’s talk context — this game wasn’t just a win, it was a message. The 2000 Mariners aren’t going quietly, and if the Brewers want to celebrate a series win, they’ll have to earn it. Game 5 is tomorrow night, right back here at County Stadium, and I can promise you this — these Mariners have rediscovered their roar!"
"So from the blustery beer halls of Milwaukee, where the wind blew in from left and the scoreboard blinked a lifeline for the Pacific Northwest, this is Mel Allen saying… the Mariners live to fight another day! Stay tuned — the corn still has ears, and this story ain’t done yet!"

Game 5
At County Stadium
2000 Seattle Mariners 2
1994 Milwaukee Brewers 4
WP: J. Orosco (1-0) LP: J. Mesa (1-1) S: M. Fetters (3)
HR: E. Martinez (3), J. Buhner (1), T. Ward (1)
POG: Aaron Sele (5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 73 P)

Well, how about that!
Folks, the champagne is flowing and the celebration is on here in the Milwaukee 1994 Brewers’ clubhouse as they put the finishing touches on a marvelous Field of Dreams Series #216 championship, dispatching the Seattle 2000 Mariners by a final score of 4–2 in Game 5 and taking the series four games to one!
The heroes tonight? Oh my, where do you begin?
Trailing 2–0 after back-to-back third-inning homers by Edgar Martinez and Jay Buhner, the Brewers didn’t blink. With the temperature chilly and the wind blowing in from center, it was not a hitter’s night—but it sure didn’t stop young Tyrone Ward, who crushed a two-run home run in the 5th off Aaron Sele to tie the game and inject new life into the crowd and his teammates. The outfielder had been quiet all series—but oh, how sweet the sound of the bat was tonight!
Then came the 7th inning, and with two men on and two outs, Jose Valentin—the straw that stirred the drink all series—lashed a double down the line to drive in both runs, giving Milwaukee the lead they’d never surrender. That gave him two hits, two RBIs, and one unforgettable moment in Brewers lore.
Now let’s talk about that pitching staff, folks. They bent early but didn’t break. Starter Bill Scanlan gave up a pair of long balls but kept the team in the game, and then the bullpen took over with an iron grip. Graeme Lloyd, Jesse Orosco, and finally Mike Fetters, who notched his third save of the series, slammed the door shut with calm and command. Here in this locker room, it’s nothing but smiles and soggy jerseys. Kevin Seitzer, who had two home runs and 10 RBIs this series, told me, “This group never quits. We might not be flashy, but we got heart—and we got each other.”
Manager Phil Garner, beaming and dripping from a celebratory dousing, said it best: “These guys believed in one another, and now they’re champions. This is for Milwaukee.” As the music blares and the cheers echo off the walls, the Brewers know this was no fluke. They took down a powerful Mariners squad with stars like Alex Rodriguez and Edgar Martinez by playing hard-nosed, team-first baseball—the kind that makes Milwaukee proud.
From chilly Milwaukee County Stadium, where the '94 Brewers are dancing in the aisles and legends were written on cool October winds—this is Mel Allen saying…
“So long everybody—and congratulations to the 1994 Milwaukee Brewers: champions of Series #216!

1994 Milwaukee Brewers Win Series 4 Games To 1

Series MVP:

(.450, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 5 R, 5 2B, 1.000 SLG)