'I can’t believe what we just saw!': Delirious Brewers fans rejoice in Game 2 walk-off win
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- There was never a doubt for the 40,000 faithful who packed into American Family Field Sunday, October 4, to see the Brewers walk-off win over the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of their National League Division Series.
Brewers fans say the dramatic, come-from-behind win is a sign of good things to come for the "Cardiac Crew."
Brewers left fielder Jackson Chourio knocked in the tying and winning runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, causing pure bedlam in the stands.
Diane Alexander was shaking, teary-eyed, and breathless after the win.
She told us, "It was amazing! I can’t believe what we just saw! I’m so happy! I’m so happy!"
Many fans admitted to nerves when the crew entered the 9th inning trailing.
A few claimed they weren't, with one fan telling us with mock indignation, "Nerves? Come on man. You knew we had it. You knew we had it."
Most were stunned by the biggest win at the most opportune time by the team with the best record in baseball.
Slaphappy fans staggered through the parking lots, searching for their cars and the words to explain what they just witnessed.
A young fan named Tucker told us he was confident the Brewers would win when Chourio came up. "And then he got the hit. And it was insane. It was nuts."
The offense struggled early, with no hits through four innings. But the fans fired on all cylinders from the start.
"The energy in there? Phenomenal. Phenomenal," one fan told us. "This is a lifetime dream for a lot of people."
Fan Lisa Young told us she was in the upper deck. "It was great. Everyone was hugging each other. It was fun. People are nice up in the 400 level."
The day started much calmer, and hours earlier. It was a pleasant fall day with
Tim Graf of Delafield told us at his tailgate, “It’s the life. It’s a fall day, grilling out, there’s forty thousand people here. It’s amazing.”
Wisconsin sports fans were rooting for a weekend sweep. The Badgers are resurgent, dominating Michigan State Saturday, 31-3.
“Happy to see the Badgers turn things around," said Joe Naylor of Lake Mills. "Hopefully they keep it up.”
And the Packers got back in the win column with a 17-14 victory over Tampa Bay Sunday afternoon.
Kesley, of Lodi, Wisconsin, was wearing his Packers jersey and told us, “They just have to get their offense in gear.”
As the sound of Packers football on the radio floated through the Brewers tailgate lots, so did the smell of just about anything that can be grilled or chilled.
Graf's menu was “Regular brats. And now we have Polish and Italians. Only Usinger’s, because they’re from Wisconsin.”
Rebecca Below of Madison was preparing “Bloody Marys and Miller Lite.”
We saw Dan Erdmann of Columbus, Wisconsin grilling piles of lunchmeat, then dousing them in 7-Up.
“Everybody loves the ham. The hot ham off the grill.”
He said his family usually makes hot ham and cheese sandwiches every Packers Sunday and adapted the technique for the grill. “I never heard of it," he said. "I just came up with it this morning.”
Kenosha Grillmaster Ben said his crew was having “Just traditional brats, jalapeño cheddar, and then regular beef hotdogs.”
Win or lose, people were grateful for the winning culture that's been established in recent years, and the sense of community.
Mike Smith was celebrating his birthday Sunday.
He told us, “It’s a great day and you’re hanging out with family and friends. I think, for me, that’s the most important thing and that’s the best part of it all."
Naylor said, “Everybody’s just great with each other. Super. Everybody is there for each other, everybody is kind, everybody’s all in it for the Crew.”
The preparation paid off for the sellout crowd.
We asked Rebecca Below how far she expected the Brewers to go. She said, “Oh honey, World Series. World Series, of course. We’re going to win.”
A few hours later, the dream finish to Game 2 had fans dreaming of even bigger gifts down the road.
A Milwaukee native named Lisa drove in from El Paso, Texas for the weekend to watch the Brewers. She's celebrating her birthday Monday.
"October 5, 1982, the last time they went," she said. "And that’s when I was born, baby. I’ve been waiting 44 years for this."
Many Padres fans we saw at the game took the tough loss well and reported no issue with their hosts.
Many Brewers fans told us they want to go to San Diego and see their team clinch the series.
An off-day Monday will give people a chance to catch their breath, to get their voice back, and to lower their blood pressure.