Continuing as Milwaukee's skipper in 1981, Buck Rodgers led the team to their first postseason appearance by winning the Second Half AL East Division title. They were eliminated in the American League Division Series by the New York Yankees. Rodgers was dismissed on June 2, 1982, and replaced by hitting coach Harvey Kuenn. The 1982 Brewers captured the AL East Division title before winning the American League Championship Series over the California Angels. Kuenn's Brewers were defeated in the World Series by St. Louis. Kuenn returned to lead the team in 1983, but they were unable to make it three postseason appearances in a row. Over parts of three seasons as manager, Kuenn accumulated a .576 winning percentage, the highest among all Brewers managers over a full season or more.