MLB MANAGER OF THE YEAR PAT MURPHY, BREWERS

Murphy is the man in the middle of the Brewers' recent run of success, with division titles in both of his seasons at the helm and an MLB-best 97 wins in 2025

- by TODD ROSIAK

Pat Murphy calls the shots on the field for the Brewers.

But to hear one of his players tell it, he's also positively affecting lives.

"I've grown tremendously playing under the man for the last two seasons," said Jake Bauers, a six-year MLB veteran. "Not only as a baseball player, but as a man. He's changed my perspective on life a little bit. I feel like he's made me a better husband, made me a better father.

"That's something I'll never be able to repay, but I appreciate everything he's done for me." The feeling is mutual for Murphy, who in his second season as manager guided a Brewers team of which little was expected externally entering spring training to a third consecutive National League Central title, a franchise-record and MLB-best 97 wins and Milwaukee's first appearance in the NL Championship Series since 2018.

There was also the pocket pancake-a hilarious moment that went viral after a national broadcast in which Murphy pulled a pancake out of his pocket during a live interview and took a bite-more heartwarming postgame news conferences featuring Murphy's two young sons, Austin and Jaxon, and countless wisecracks along the way.

No question, the 67-year-old is one of a kind as well as a perfect fit with the small-market yet big-thinking Brewers.