Imagine a baseball team unintentionally sparking a revolution in the sport, only to find themselves at the center of a storm of smirks, groans, and record-breaking sales. That’s exactly what happened to the Milwaukee Brewers, whose rocky start to the 2025 season inadvertently ignited the 'torpedo bat' craze. Now, against all odds, they’re standing tall in the NLCS, leaving fans and critics alike scratching their heads. But here’s where it gets controversial: Did the Brewers’ early struggles pave the way for their success, or were they just lucky to bounce back? Let’s dive in.
It all began in New York, where the Brewers’ opening weekend at Yankee Stadium turned into a 27-inning nightmare. Pitchers surrendered a staggering 36 runs and 15 home runs, leaving the team reeling. 'It was like a boxer getting punched in the teeth right at the start of the fight,' recalled reserve infielder Jake Bauers. The culprit? The Yankees’ innovative 'torpedo bats,' designed with denser material in the sweet spot to maximize contact. This sparked a frenzy across Major League Baseball, with players and amateurs alike clamoring for these game-changing bats. Companies like Marucci, Chandler, Louisville Slugger, and Rawlings saw record sales, all thanks to the Brewers’ unintentional spotlight.
But here’s the twist: Despite the hype, the torpedo bats didn’t revolutionize the sport as expected. League-wide batting averages barely budged, rising from .243 to .245. 'After trying them out, we realized it wasn’t the bats,' admitted Bauers. So, what really changed for the Brewers? And this is the part most people miss: It was their resilience and strategic roster moves that turned their season around.
After trading away star closer Devin Williams and facing bleak postseason odds, the Brewers doubled down on their strengths. They promoted promising prospects, like Quinn Priester, who delivered a stellar 3.32 ERA in 157 1/3 innings. When Aaron Civale struggled and requested a trade, general manager Matt Arnold landed first baseman Andrew Vaughn, who became a postseason hero with clutch homers. Even missteps, like Nestor Cortes’ injury-plagued stint, were turned into opportunities, as the Brewers traded him for valuable pieces.
Owner Mark Attanasio now laughs about the torpedo bat saga, but it’s clear the Brewers’ success wasn’t just luck. It was a combination of adaptability, bold decisions, and a refusal to dwell on early failures. 'Maybe if we don’t go through that, we’re not able to bounce back the way we did,' Bauers reflected. But here’s the question: Did the Brewers’ early struggles make them stronger, or did they simply get lucky with their roster moves? Let us know what you think in the comments—this debate is far from over.
