On top of boasting an unparalleled Canadian flavour, the free-spirited and unconventional Milwaukee Brewers are more fun to watch than the reserved New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers. And they could be poised for a deep post-season run. As famous for his Fu Manchu as his nasty slider, John Axford, who just two years ago had all but given up on a big-league career and was bartending at East Side Mario’s in Hamilton, recorded 46 saves in 2011. (Mark Hirsch/Getty Images) The Milwaukee Brewers should mimic a ravenous grizzly or an angry beaver in their “Beast Mode” celebration. After all, this colourful cast of characters is the most Canadian team ever to compete in the post-season.Assembled by general manager Doug Melvin (Chatham, Ont.) and assistant GM Gord Ash (Toronto), this spirited squad features three Canucks – John Axford (Simcoe, Ont.), George Kottaras (Scarborough, Ont.) and Taylor Green (Comox, B.C.) – on its post-season roster.This is just the second time three Canadians have appeared together on a post-season roster. Justin Morneau (New Westminster, B.C.), Corey Koskie (Anola, Man.) and Jesse Crain (Toronto) were members of the 2004 Minnesota Twins that were defeated by the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series.As famous for his Fu Manchu as his nasty slider, Axford, who just two years ago had all but given up on a big-league career and was bartending at East Side Mario’s in Hamilton, recorded 46 saves in 2011. He has also pitched the ninth inning in both of the Brewers’ National League Division Series wins.Kottaras cemented his spot as the backup catcher with a strong offensive campaign. On Sept. 3, he became the first Canadian to hit for the cycle since the 19th century.The next Matt Stairs?And though only summoned to the big leagues on Aug. 27, Green is quickly becoming the next Matt Stairs. A third baseman by trade, the 24-year-old B.C. native hit .417 as a pinch-hitter after being recalled.And the Brewers’ Canadian links don’t end there. Shaun Marcum, the Blue Jays’ 2010 opening day starter, pitched Game 3 of the NLDS and won 13 games during the regular season. And if you’re hanging out at Miller Park, you’re bound to run into ex-Jay Garth Iorg – now the Brewers’ first base coach – and former Jays’ hitting coach Larry Hisle, who serves as the Brew Crew’s youth outreach manager.And there’s more. Brewers’ slugger Prince Fielder was fittingly born in Ontario, Calif., in 1984, while his father Cecil was toiling in the Jays’ organization. And Nyjer Morgan – “Tony Plush” himself – was merely “Tony Slapshot” in 1999-00 when he was a forward for seven games with the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats. It also doesn’t seem coincidental that the Brewers’ leadoff hitter is named Corey Hart, who, for the record, doesn’t wear sunglasses at night.If you study the Canadian clubs that have appeared in the post-season, none of them had more than one Canuck on their roster. The 1981 Expos, 1985 Blue Jays and 1992 Blue Jays didn’t have any, while Rob Ducey (Toronto) was the sole Canadian on the 1989 and 1991 Jays’ post-season rosters, and Rob Butler (East York, Ont.) represented Canada on the 1993 squad.Unparalleled Canadian flavourOn top of boasting an unparalleled Canadian flavour, the free-spirited and unconventional Brewers are more fun to watch than the reserved Yankees, Phillies and Rangers clubs. But when your team is called the Brewers, I guess your clubhouse should be more like a keg party than a board meeting.But looking past their fun-loving approach, the Brewers could be poised for a deep post-season run. Their rotation consists of five pitchers with at least 11 wins each and the 1-2 punch of Francisco Rodriguez and Axford at the end of their bullpen evokes memories of Duane Ward and Tom Henke. Led by Fielder and the red-hot Ryan Braun, who are hitting a collective .455 in the NLDS, their offence is also potent, and a growing number of baseball pundits believe that this free-spirited bunch is capable of beating the powerful Philadelphia Phillies.First things first, however, the Brewers still need one more win against the Arizona Diamondbacks to advance to their first League Championship Series in 29 years. But whatever happens, one thing is for sure, the Canadian, er, Milwaukee Brewers sure are fun to watch. And if they do make it to the next round, I’d suggest they alter their “Beast Mode” celebration to mimic a charging caribou or an agitated loon.Want more Brewers Can-con?Three coaches also played in the minors in Canada:Dale Sveum, batting coach – AAA Vancouver Canadians (1985, 1986), AAA Calgary Cannons (1993 to 1996)Rick Kranitz, pitching coach – AAA Vancouver Canadians (1982, 1983)Jerry Narron, bench coach – AAA Edmonton Trappers (1983), AAA Calgary Cannons (1987) Back to accessibility links