'It was pretty nutsy': Former Milwaukee Braves player reflects on 1957 championship as Brewers celebrate

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Nearly 70 years after celebrating a World Series championship in Milwaukee, John Demerit is watching another generation of baseball history unfold.

Before the Milwaukee Brewers, there were the Milwaukee Braves. And at just 21 years old, Demerit was part of the team that defeated the New York Yankees in seven games to win the 1957 World Series.

“All of a sudden, here it is. It was a lot of fun,” Demerit said.

The championship celebration was one he will never forget.

“It was pretty nutsy after that because we had to get back to Milwaukee on the same day. That parade was from the airport all the way into town,” Demerit said.

Demerit has kept reminders of that historic season close over the years, including newspaper clippings, photographs, his 1957 World Series ring and a bat signed by every player on the championship team.

He also has memories of playing alongside some of baseball's biggest names, including Hank Aaron.

“Drove to the ballpark with him once in a while,” Demerit said.

Nearly seven decades later, Demerit watched another Milwaukee team reach the top. But he noticed some differences between the two championship celebrations.

“The '57 team didn't go through that because we had dinner at the athletic club but with very few people, the team and news, so it was a different scenario,” Demerit said.

Thousands of fans filled the streets for the Brewers' championship parade and rally.

Demerit also noticed the connection between the players on the Brewers roster, saying the team's relationships stood out to him.

“They really seem to care for the guy next to them and the guy on the bench. It looked like there were true friendships that developed, and that doesn't happen everywhere,” Demerit said.

Demerit watched the Brewers' celebration from home. After experiencing a championship parade himself in 1957, he said it was amazing to see how Milwaukee celebrated this time around.

Two championship teams, nearly 70 years apart, now share a place in Milwaukee baseball history.