MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Harvey's Wallbangers still hold a special spot in the heart of Milwaukee baseball fans. And with the exception of Robin Yount, no one was as loved or beloved on the 1982 Milwaukee Brewers team as Paul Molitor. Recently, CBS 58 Sports Director Lance Allan caught up with Molitor near his Twin Cities home, where he talked about the '82 Brewers and why he so wishes he could have won a ring in Milwaukee.
"Those memories are going to last me a lifetime," Molitor said. "It's been a long time. It still brings a smile. And a chance to reflect. I'm sure you're familiar with Cameo. I would say 85% of my requests are connected to the memories of 1982."
Allan visited Molitor and had the chance to see his mementos.
"This is a ball from the '82 World Series," Molitor said. "With autographs from everyone. Simmons, and Vuckovich, and Moore."
Molitor is believing in the magic of Bob Uecker.
Paul Molitor
"It's hard not to think about it. I'm spiritual. He's got his eyes on it," said Molitor.
Looking back at the mementos brings back emotional memories.
"This man did so much for me," an emotional Molitor says. "He did a lot for me. Bud [Selig] was there for me."
The Hall of Famer loved the journey to the '82 World Series.
"In Baltimore, we lost three with four to play," Molitor said. "I'll always remember fans putting brooms on the bus windows. Seeing Bud, that's vivid for me. Against the Angels. I thought County Stadium was loud. But there were tremors. I still have a photo of the masses."
But falling in seven games to the Cardinals still difficult, four-plus decades later.
"I'm not bitter, I just regret we couldn't close it out," Molitor says.
Eleven years later? Molitor took it all, in Toronto. It would have been better, as a Brewer.
"In winning? I thought it would be better to win in Milwaukee. It meant more. I did have the thought this would have been sweeter in Milwaukee but yeah..." as Molitor's voice trails off.
These days? He still loves those who remember '82.
"We enjoy the respect that we still get," Molitor said. "If we get pushed aside with a championship run? That's all fine with me."
Now t's time for a new Crew to take over.
"I'm pulling for you Murph," Molitor says. "I work for the Twins but get it done!"
Lance Allan, Paul Molitor