As teams fall by the wayside and head home from the playoffs with dashed World Series dreams and disappointed fans, the Stew will be there to document their expiration with The Nail in the Coffin.

Second in the playoff ground are the Milwaukee Brewers, who had the Beer City's most memorable season since Harvey's '82 Wallbangin' Squad, yet were still unable to turn that Wild Card success into an extended run. Even dreams have expiration dates.

So it is with deep sorrow that we note the passing of the Brew Crew, who survived their manager by more than two weeks. In lieu of flowers, please send all donations to the CC Sabathia Retention Fund and, as always, luncheon at Steve's Lounge follows the service. 

The 2008 Milwaukee Brewers

Time of death: Oct. 5 after 6-2 loss to Philadelphia. Lost NLDS, three games to one.

Causes: Ben Sheets being unable to pitch one playoff game; Shane Victorino's power too much for CC Sabathia; Too many Wisconsinites still focused on Packers; Phillies not allowed pregame opportunity to injure selves on Bernie Brewer's slide

PECOTA projection: 87 victories Regular season total: 90

Moments in the Sun: Team accepts first postseason bid in 26 years; Ned Yost finally fired; CC Sabathia gives HoF Answer Man interview; Club still boasts best tailgating scene anywhere; Milwaukee TV station gets in slam at Cubs fans; Ryan Braun wins hearts, one autograph at a time; Bob Uecker talks at length about Mr. Belvedere days; Uecker proves to be a Golden God

Moments of Despair: Prince Fielder opts for vegetarian lifestyle; CC again has trouble in the postseason; First Ned Yost firing report proves untrue; Four-game party canceled by Cubs;   Geovany Soto temporarily puts Crew's wild card hopes in doubt 

Others remember: "Eventually, though, reality will make itself manifest in a harsh sport that, without a salary cap, does not abide small markets for long. The Brewers called all-in for this year with Sabathia and a $90 million payroll that put them in a position where they were expected to make the playoffs, but is any of this really sustainable? Not to detract from anything just completed, because 90 victories and the wild card were certainly milestones to be cherished, but now that the standing ovations have gone quiet, you are left with the feeling that the Brewers might not pass this way again for who knows when." — Michael Hunt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10.06.08

Related: The Nail In The Coffin, 2008 MLB playoffs, NLDS - Phillies vs. Brewers