The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional team based in Milwaukee , Wisconsin . The franchise began its existence in 1969 as the Seattle Pilots, created as part of that year's MLB expansion along with Kansas City , Montréal, and San Diego . The team was renamed as Brewers in to honor Milwaukee 's beer-brewing traditions. The club became the Brewers originated as the Seattle Pilots, a team that joined the AL in 1969. In 1970 the Brewers finished in 4th place in the AL West with a 65-97 record. The Brewers franchise reached its summit in the early 1980s, in 1981 the team won the second half of the season and played the New York Yankees in a playoffs mini-series that they lost ultimately. Milwaukee made its first trip to the World Series in 1982, but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Brewers in 1983 season with an 87-75 record made in to 5th Place in a tough Eastern Division. Following their two playoff years, the club quickly retreated to the bottom of the standings, they could never end their seasons higher than fifth (out of seven) in their division from 1983 to 1986.Milwaukee Brewers Jerseys