Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito has unusual tie to Milwaukee Brewers' last World Series run
Zito served as a high school bat boy for the 1982 Brewers and credits then-manager Harry Dalton with shaping his career
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In case you missed it, the Milwaukee Brewers are heading to the World Series.
The Brew Crew swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, erasing an early four-run deficit to capture their first pennant in 44 years.
Milwaukee is now just four wins away from their first World Series title in franchise history, but their championship pedigree might run a little deeper than it might seem on the surface.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy speaks during the on-field presentation after Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Katelyn Mulcahy/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
You see, the last time the Brewers made it to the Fall Classic, Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito was the team's bat boy.
Zito famously manufactured the blueprint that led to the Panthers winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025, but on this day 44 years ago, he was just a high schooler happy to play a small part in another team's run to a title.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}According to the New York Post, Zito revealed in an interview with NHL writer Matt Larkin just how much of an influence then-Brewers manager Harry Dalton had on his career in the league.
"He took me under his wing," Zito said. "It was the 1982 Brewers, who went to Game 7 of the World Series. He was so kind to me and afforded me the opportunity. I could go up to his office whenever I wanted, I could learn scouting. He took the time to explain everything to me and always encouraged me to get into the management side."
Bill Zito, general manager of the Florida Panthers, answers a media question at Brady Tkachuk's introductory press conference at FTL War Memorial in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on June 23, 2026. (Getty Images)
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It seems like everything this guy touches in his life turns to gold, so if the Brewers were smart, they'd bring Zito back as an honorary bat boy or at the very least have him throw out a ceremonial first pitch for one of their home games this series.
If that happens and Milwaukee ends up winning The Commissioner's Trophy as a result, you can go ahead and add that to Zito's extensive resume as a winner.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, Florida Panthers President Bill Zito, Panthers Equipment Manager Teddy Richards and Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk pose with a puck to celebrate their Olympic gold medal before an NHL game between the Maple Leafs and Panthers on Feb. 26, 2026, at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. (Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Now if the NHL would just award him that much-deserved GM of the Year award that has eluded him these past few seasons, he'd really be cooking.