About a year before that flight, the Brewers had boarded the same westward connection after Game 4 of the NLCS, lifting off from mild California weather and setting down in Wisconsin where the temperature had dropped considerably. Following their sweep at the hands of the Dodgers, the Brewers had nothing left to shield themselves from the elements.

That outcome arrived the following year. On Oct. 16, as players, coaches, and front office staff filed off the team plane, cartons of winter hats bearing "WORLD SERIES" lettering sat ready to greet each person who descended the steps.

Trailing by four runs through the second inning — a deficit deepened by a Shohei Ohtani three-run home run for the Dodgers — Milwaukee proceeded to put up seven consecutive runs without answer, a turnaround that wrapped up the franchise's first World Series berth in over four decades, all within the span of the previous day's play.

Crowds gathered at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport to welcome them back. One employee, wearing a Jacob Misiorowski jersey under an orange work vest, spent a day off standing in the cold as passengers made their way down a staircase and boarded a waiting bus.

Pulling away from the LAX gate at 12:17 p.m. PDT, United Airlines flight 3783 rolled out 47 minutes after its scheduled departure time. The aircraft finally departed following a further 46-minute wait on the taxiway.

Just past six o'clock in the evening CDT, a convoy of eight buses rolled through the gate and out across the tarmac. Nearby, a handful of other reporters took similar steps. Some attendees pushed against the perimeter, attempting to negotiate their way through staff manning the barriers. Between them, two items were on display — a flag carried by one person, a sign held by the other.

The aircraft reached Milwaukee's runway at 6:44 p.m., after daylight had already given way to dusk. Two fire trucks stood positioned on either side of the taxiway, their water cannons raised to release crossing arcs overhead as the aircraft rolled through — a customary gesture of welcome known as a water salute. A yellow Brewers flag appeared through the cockpit window, held aloft by a hand from inside.

At 6:52 p.m., two people stepped off the aircraft ahead of everyone else — one carrying the flag, the other holding a trophy. Pat Murphy stepped forward, holding his winter hat in his hands. Stepping toward airport workers and the waiting cameras, Milwaukee's manager offered a wave to the assembled group before pausing to shake one staff member's hand.

Attanasio, the club's owner, took the floor next. Roster members then made their way out — Milwaukee contributors among them, exchanging waves and smiles with the assembled crowd, the NLCS MVP counted among those on hand.

Around 7 p.m., the buses — now full — pulled away one after another. Alert tones sounded across the area. The motorcade — alternating buses and patrol cars — made its way back along the road toward American Family Field, where Milwaukee Brewers players would collect their vehicles and head home for the night.

A week from now, both clubs return to the diamond for the opening game of the World Series.