Odd path to playoffs: Kratz, Voit, Brasier take longer road

Of course Erik Kratz kept hoping for a moment like this. That’s why he stuck around, through a dozen big league organizations, a couple of cruel demotions in the minors, a bunch of nearmisses in October.

And the time he accidentally shot himself in the hand with a nail gun.

“I really feel like I’ve played my last game for the last 12 years because the game doesn’t owe anybody anything,” the Milwaukee catcher said. “When you understand that, you appreciate these times more than anything else.”

Luke Voit certainly never expected to hear crowds at Yankee Stadium chanting his name in October, especially when he was stuck at Triple-A for St. Louis in late July.

Ryan Brasier’s path to these playoffs was unusual, too. The Red Sox reliever is a rookie — even though he made his major league debut in 2013.

This postseason is full of stars, including Christian Yelich, Jose Altuve and Mookie Betts. Ronald Acuna Jr., Miguel Andujar and Walker Buehler are among the many talented newcomers.

To see them here, now, that’s probably not a huge surprise.

But Kratz?

Still scrapping at 38, he was a .211 career hitter in the bigs, the very definition of a veteran backup catcher. He did have a piece of World Series jewelry, however — he went 0 for 4 in the regular season for Kansas City in 2015 and even though he was nowhere near the playoff roster, the Royals rewarded him with a ring.

Kratz was in the minors this June when the Yankees traded him to Milwaukee for a player to be named. He impressed the Brewers with his work regimen and knowledge, and produced enough to earn a spot in the playoffs.

Against Colorado last week, he became the oldest position player to start in his postseason debut since Lave Cross for the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1905 World Series.

“Lave Cross from Milwaukee, yeah, he was a really good third baseman. We played together in rookie ball,” Kratz kidded.

“It’s something that is part of history, so maybe in 113 years, some dude is going to be like, Erik Kratz — is it Kratz? What is that?” he said.

No joke: Kratz went 5 for 8 in the NL Division Series sweep of the Rockies, and his Milwaukee teammates started chanting “MVP! MVP!” at him in the bubblysoaked clubhouse.

“It’s gone from an unsung season to kind of a frontand-center role right now,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.

During the series, Kratz reflected on his future in baseball. He realizes time is running out.