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Brewers fans cheer, drink, shop

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Associated Press

The Milwaukee Brewers celebrate as they watch the broadcast on the scoreboard of the New York Mets-Florida Marlins game, after beating the Chicago Cubs 3-1 in a baseball game Sunday in Milwaukee. The Brewers clinched the National League wild card after the Mets lost to the Marlins.

MILWAUKEE — Here’s a little tip for those Milwaukeeans who haven’t experienced playoff baseball.

Apparently you’re not supposed to sleep.

Fans just wouldn’t leave Miller Park on Sunday night and Monday morning after the Milwaukee Brewers clinched their first playoff berth in 26 years.

About 50 fans -- some of whom had been aided by cocktails -- stayed for the midnight sausages at the stadium’s FanZone, said Tom Jennings, retail manager of the team store.

About 30 people were in the store when Jennings left around 2:30 a.m. The crowd dwindled, but shoppers again started streaming in around 6 a.m., according to a street sweeper who works at the park.

And fans slipped in before heading to work this morning, scouring for memorabilia while replays of Ryan Braun’s game-winning home run played on television screens above the checkout counter.

“It’s pretty amazing,” said Jeff Kars of Menomonee Falls, who bought a Brewers sausage doll for his 2-year-old daughter. He, his daughter and his wife were in the bleachers for Sunday’s game.

Kars, who grew up in Fond du Lac, said he barely remembers the Brewers playoff run in 1982. He was six. But he’s glad he brought his daughter. He grabbed some confetti from the post-game celebration. He said he plans to frame it along with his game ticket.

“I had a lump in my throat. Every time I see that Braun home run, I get a little teary eyed,” he said.

For those who went to the store this morning, there wasn’t a lot of playoff gear to be had. The locker room T-shirts were sold out, though a new shipment should be in by mid day. The on-field T-shirts that will be worn in the dugout for the National League Divisional Series were available, though supplies appeared to be low. More of those should be in Tuesday, Jennings said.

Hats like the players wore in the locker room during the post-game celebration are sold out and no more will be produced, Jennings said. Two other styles of hats should be in the store by Tuesday at the latest.

Other collectibles, like bumper stickers, key chains and commemorative pins could be in Tuesday or Wednesday.

John Waite, 20, of Menomonee Falls, called his mom on a cell phone to break the news that much of the playoff gear hadn’t arrived yet. He said his house shook with screaming when the New York Mets lost the game that clinched the playoff spot for the Brewers.

Waite bought a Robin Yount T-shirt in homage to the 1982 playoff team.

He can keep it along with the baseballs and other collectibles that his parents have hoarded over the years.

“Maybe some day, I can get this signed,” Waite said of the T-shirt. “It’s been way too long for this.”