The Brew Crew wrapped up its 44

th
season without making the playoffs for the second year in a row.
This season the Brewers playoff hopes were dashed early with a dismal performance in May. But, to the
2,531,105 fans that turned out to Miller Park, the Brewers continued to provide great entertainment.
Ending fourth in their division (ahead of only the Chicago Cubs) the Brewers fell short of a .500 season
with a 74-88 record.
Mays poor performances took the Brewers out early this year. The Brewers went 6-22 in May putting
them at a 20-33 record, or 13 games under .500 by the end of May. The Brewers played decently the
rest of the season going 54-55, but their play was not great enough to recover.
Injuries to key players also hampered the Brewers. First baseman Corey Hart missed the entire season
with knee issues. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez was twice placed on the disabled list also with
recurring knee injuries. Ryan Braun battled thumb problems early on and missed the final 65 games
with a suspension related to performance enhancing drugs. The absence of this trio put a gaping hole in
the heart of the Brewers lineup. In 2012, the three combined to play 452 games with 300 RBIs and 98
homeruns. In 2013 the same three combined for 152 games with only 87 RBIs and 21 homers.
2013 also saw great performances from players who stepped up to fill the voids left by injuries and
Brauns suspension. Scooter Gennett eventually replaced injured starter Rickie Weeks at second, playing
solid defense for much of his 69 games. Gennett had success at the plate averaging .324 with six
homeruns and 21 RBIs. Rookie outfielder Khris Davis averaged .279 and powered in 11 homers and 27
RBIs in only 56 games. Pitching wise, both Tyler Thornburg and Jim Henderson finished strong for the
Crew. Starter Thornburg finished the season with a 3-1 record and a 2.03 ERA. Henderson finished the
season as the closer after John Axford struggles. The Brewers eventually traded Axford to the St. Louis
Cardinals on Aug. 29. Henderson compiled a 5-5 record in 61 games with an ERA of 2.70.
Shortstop Jean Segura and centerfielder Carlos Gomez also put together great seasons. At the plate
Segura averaged .294 and pounded in 12 homers and 49 RBIs. Perhaps, even more impressive was
Seguras defensive play which landed him a spot on the National League All-Star team. Gomez on the
other hand averaged .284 batting and swung in 24 homeruns and 73 RBIs. Like Segura, he strength lay in
his defense, where he was a dependable player and earned a spot on the All-Star Team as well.
At the end of the 2013 season the Brewers must begin preparing for the upcoming 2014 season in
which many decisions must be made including: Should Scooter Gennett permanently replace Rickie
Weeks? Will the pitching staff continue to perform as they did at the seasons close? Will Ramirez and
Hart be back at 100 percent? And, how will the team react to Brauns reinstatement?