Friday, October 30, 2026

The All-Time Red Sox/Brewers Team

Congratulations to the Milwaukee Brewers, who won the 1st World Series Championship in the their 57 year history, ending the second longest title drought among the franchises (only Cleveland has waited longer). Personally, I helped contribute to the overall declining TV viewership numbers by not watching a single game. My family cut cable a few years ago, so no FOX channel. Instead I went old school, listening to the local radio broadcasts for each team courtesy of the MLB app. 

Back in 2018, when the Red Sox faced the Dodgers, I thought it would be fun to create a lineup consisting of players who have played for both teams. Since then, every new World Series champion has gotten the "Former/Current Red Sox who also played with that team" treatment. If you're interested, here's the list so far:

2019 - Washington Nationals (with a bonus Montreal Expos lineup!)
2020 - Since the Dodgers won, I didn't bother doing them again. Mookie Betts would have been the only change.
2023 - Texas Rangers
2024 - Los Angeles Dodgers (updated with newer players)
2025 - Back to back wins by the Dodgers = no reason to repost the same lineup as last year
 
Now it's time for the Milwaukee Brewers! Who are the greatest players that have suited up for both the World Champion Brewers and my beloved Red Sox? Surprisingly, no Hall of Fame players (unless you count Rollie Fingers' notorious 3 days as a member of the Red Sox) but this lineup is full of All-Stars, Gold Glovers and award winners!
 

Catcher: Jonathan Lucroy

2014 Topps Update #US-255

2020 Topps Heritage #561

Lucroy barely makes the team! Although he was a 2-time All-Star with the Brewers, his tenure with the Red Sox is as forgettable as it gets - he managed to get into just one game as a Red Sox player, catching the final two innings of a blowout win, not even getting an at-bat!

1st Baseman: Cecil Cooper

1984 Fleer #198

1974 Topps #523

Cooper has the fun distinction of playing for the Red Sox in the 1975 World Series and for the Brewers in the 1982 World Series! A fan favorite in Milwaukee, he was selected to 5 All-Star teams, won a pair of Gold Gloves and 3 Silver Slugger Awards.  
 

2nd Baseman: Mark Loretta

1997 Fleer - Tiffany #132

2007 Topps Heritage #479

Loretta spent his 1st 8 years with the Brewers before becoming a star player for the Padres. His trade to the Red Sox is considered noteworthy because the Red Sox traded backup catcher Doug Mirabelli for him. (Mirabelli was Tim Wakefield's personal catcher, and when no one on the team could catch his knuckleball, the Red Sox hastily reacquired Mirabelli a month into the season). In his lone season with the Red Sox, he was selected as the starting 2nd Baseman for the AL All-Star team.

Shortstop: Jody Reed

1994 Collector's Choice #564

1988 Donruss The Rookies #44

Jody Reed was a solid ballplayer for Boston, averaging over 3 WAR from 1988 - 1991. He even led the  league in doubles for the 1990 season. Reed's contract with the Brewers is considered one of the greatest "D'oh!" moments in free agency. When he was with the Dodgers, he was offered a three-year, $7.8 million contract extension, but turned it down in order to become a free agent. He eventually wound up signing a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers for only $350,000 plus incentives.

3rd Baseman: George Scott

1977 Topps #255

1977 O-Pee-Chee #210

I'm cheating a little here. Normally an 8-time Gold Glover at first base would be an obvious choice for, well, first baseman. However the choices at this position were thin, and "Boomer" did play over 200 games at third when he was in Boston. Besides, I had to include him just so I can show off these 1977 cards side by side! Scott was involved in two separate trades between the Red Sox and Brewers, going each way. Those two trades also included 3 other players from this list! 
 

Outfielder: Ben Oglivie

1987 Topps #586

1973 Topps #388

Oglivie started his career with Boston but found success with the Brewers. In 1980, he became the first non-U.S. born player to lead the AL in home runs when he hit 40 (tied with Reggie Jackson). He was a 3-time All-Star who was also on the last Brewers World Series team.

Outfielder: Jackie Bradley Jr.

2021 Topps Gypsy Queen #95

2019 Topps Heritage #199

Jackie Bradley Jr. is the greatest defensive center fielder I have ever had the privilege of watching play (although current player Ceddanne Rafaela is getting close!) The 2018 AL Championship Series MVP also had his moments with the bat too!

Outfielder: Tommy Harper

1971 Topps #260

1975 Topps #537

Harper was a member of the single season Seattle Pilots before they moved and became the Brewers in 1970. He became the first Brewers player to come to bat that season, and later that season was their first All-Star and their first 30-30 player. In 1973 with Boston, he led the league in stolen bases with a franchise record 54 swipes (since broken).
 

Designated Hitter: Tom Brunansky

1993 Leaf #226

1992 Upper Deck #543

Brunansky is best known as a slugger for the Minnesota Twins, but played for these two franchises towards the end of his career. His claim to fame in Boston is a diving catch in 1990 that helped clinch the AL East for the Red Sox.

Starting Pitcher: Jim Lonborg

1972 Topps #255

1969 Topps #109

"Gentleman Jim" won the AL Cy Young Award in 1967, leading the league with 22 wins and 246 strikeouts. That made him the 1st Red Sox player to win the award. Injuries hampered the rest of his time in Boston and he was eventually dealt (with George Scott) in a 10 player trade to Milwaukee (Harper was part of the return). He only pitched a single season for the Brewers. 

Relief Pitcher: Mark Clear

1989 Donruss #528

1983 Fleer #181

In 1982, Clear was an All-Star with the Red Sox and finished the season with 14 wins and 14 saves. He continued being a solid relief pitcher for the Brewers.  
 

Manager: Ron Roenicke

2012 Milwaukee Brewers Police

2021 Topps #436


Roenicke was the Brewers' manager from 2011–2015. In his first season as a major league manager, he guided the NL Central champion Brewers to a franchise-record 96 regular-season wins (since broken). His stint as Boston's manager occurred during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. He was previously the Bench Coach under Alex Cora, and took over when Cora was suspended for his shenanigans in Houston. Cora returned as Red Sox manager after the 2020 season. No Red Sox cards of Roenicke exist, but I'm fairly confident he's in the background of the above card...

Congrats to the Milwaukee Brewers on a surprisingly dominate World Series. You can't help but be happy for the fans who have waited almost 60 years for this moment!

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