Paul Molitor sparked the 1982 Milwaukee Brewers to their only American League pennant with relentless energy and strong performance. He scored a league-leading and career-high 136 runs and set new standards for himself. His first 200-hit season kept pressure on pitchers as a constant threat. Molitor added his first 40-steal campaign and pushed defenders into rushed mistakes. Known as the Ignitor, he also reached at least 300 total bases for the first time.

The Brewers captured the American League Eastern Division championship with Molitor’s steady help. Then in the five-game ALCS victory over the Angels, he ripped a double, smashed two homers, drew two walks, and drove in five runs.

Molitor carried that drive into his World Series debut in Game 1. He started at third base and led the attack against St. Louis. By game’s end he tallied five hits, scored a run, and knocked in two more. Molitor never slowed during the seven-game showdown. He finished the Series by going 11-for-31 with two walks. That produced a .355 batting average and a .394 on-base percentage. He gave Milwaukee every chance to win the title.

Though the Brewers dropped the Series, Molitor still delivered excellence. His 1982 season remains a landmark year in franchise history.