Rachel Chaparas, manager of Kelly's Bleachers on Blue Mound Road, has heard stories of Milwaukee Brewers players coming to the bar in the '80s, back when it was called The Main Gate.
Chaparas said Brewers legend Robin Yount came to Kelly's Bleachers a few years ago and told her if she "heard any stories about Paul Molitor... they were, for sure, true."
"It sounds like they used to get crazy back in the day," Chaparas said.
The baseball bars around Milwaukee have long been the setting for stories of players coming in and sharing pints with locals.
Now with the Brewers in the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, those bar room walls are telling stories from past seasons, as fans create new stories this season.
"I highly recommend anybody who's thinking of staying at home and watching the game – don't," said Brittney Ellis, general manager, of Magoos on the Mound. "Whether you come to Magoo's or you come to any bar, doesn't have to be mine, but go out watch it with your people in the community."
Brewers, bars share a long history
In West Allis, 4th Base sits in the shadow of American Family Field. It's been around since the 1970s and has memorabilia and photos on the walls to prove it.
"We're basically trying to prepare as much as you can for an event you've never had before," said CJ Papara, manager at 4th Base. "I've prepared for a lot of opening days, but I've never prepared for the World Series."
At 4th Base, baseball lore hangs from the ceiling in the form of a prosthetic leg.
Papara claims the prosthetic leg is former Brewers manager Harvey Kuenn's leg.
"As far as I've been told, I mean, that thing has been up there since the 90s," Papara said. "I don't think anybody DNA tested it."
If the Brewers win the series, Papara is thinking of finding a way for fans to drink out of the leg "and have an event like 'Hey, drink out of Harvey Kuenn's leg.' Hopefully it doesn't offend his kid. But he comes here; he'll be alright."
The bar also has four seats from the old Milwaukee County Stadium which was home of the Brewers from 1970 to 2000.
Near the bathrooms there's a framed photo of a still image from the movie Major League. Much of the movie was filmed in Milwaukee, but in the photo it's a group of Cleveland Indians fans sitting around a bar watching the game on TV.
That bar in the movie is 4th Base.
"Being able to sit at the bar from the movie Major League while you're watching the Brewers in the World Series is a story you can't really make up," Papara said.
Brewers players, staff at the bars
Before Ellis became general manager at Magoo's, she split her time between working at the bar and working at American Family Field.
"I see a lot of staff from the stadium come here whether it's ushers, whether it's bartenders, whether it's people who sling the beers or work the gates, or are in the parking lot," Ellis said. "That's been really cool to see staff from American Family Field choose Magoo's after the game."
Over the year, the Brewers have hosted events at the bar that included players serving drinks.
Stephanie Cramer, manager at Dugout 54 on Blue Mound Road, remembers being in awe of then-Brewers shortstop Willy Adames handing out drinks.
"It was insane. It didn't feel like real life," Cramer said adding this run to the World Series is extra special for those who have lived and walked to the games from the bars.
"I've seen so many different stories about people who have lived in this neighborhood their whole lives and they walk to games. There's people with dogs that you can throw a ball to when you walk to games," Cramer said. "Milwaukee loves their baseball, their beer and their brats. I feel like it's their soul. It's everything."
Erin Rhiel, manager at Broken Bat Brewing Co. in the Third Ward, said several players have bartended at the baseball themed brewery that's adorned with trading cards and bobbleheads.
"It ends up being such a fun atmosphere," Rhiel said.
Increasing staffing, inventory for World Series
Most bars are handling the World Series in similar ways: Increased staffing; ordering more food and beverages and making sure the shuttles are ready to deliver fans to the ballpark.
Bob Schindel, co-owner of J and B's Blue Ribbon Bar and Grill, said the bar is increasing staffing by 40%.
"During the regular season, people come in here, it fills up and it empties out and people go to the game," Schindel said. "Now with this postseason, people stay. We fill up, we take a lot of people to games, and then we have a lot of people stay and watch the game here."
For the World Series, Rhiel said the brewery is not taking reservations.
"We're keeping it wide open and letting everyone know we want you here, we want you part of it, but come early," Rhiel said. "Come early. Snag a table. Be kind to one another and our bartending staff."
"There's been so many (Brewers) runs that have been so close and each one of those have been fun and heartbreaking at the same time," Rhiel said. "I feel like our four walls are bursting at the seams for this World Series opportunity."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee's baseball themed bars soak up World Series excitement