Milwaukee – In a story that blends perseverance with championship glory, Brewers manager Pat Murphy was announced as the National League Manager of the Year on Tuesday night, marking the first time a manager has captured the award three consecutive seasons.
Murphy, 68, was still recuperating in a hospital bed after undergoing right‑hip replacement surgery earlier that day. He joked with reporters, “I’ve got nothing to do. I’m just sitting here,” before accepting the honor that recognizes his leadership of a team that posted a franchise‑record 103 regular‑season victories and captured the club’s first World Series crown.
How the award was decided
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America conducted its ballot before the postseason, and the results were released Tuesday. Murphy secured 20 of the 30 first‑place votes, earning 124 points overall. He outpaced Walt Weiss of the Atlanta Braves, who received seven first‑place votes and 86 points, and former player‑turned‑manager Don Mattingly of the Philadelphia Phillies, who finished third.
Milwaukee’s historic run
Since taking over as manager in 2022, Murphy has guided the Brewers to the National League Central title in each of his three seasons. The 2026 campaign saw the club sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series and defeat the Tampa Bay Rays in a five‑game World Series, delivering the franchise’s second championship – the first since 1982.
Despite operating in Major League Baseball’s smallest market and maintaining a payroll in the bottom half of the league, the Brewers have posted the best overall record in the majors for the past two seasons, underscoring the effectiveness of Murphy’s approach and the team’s disciplined, family‑first culture.
White Sox manager also honored
In the American League, Chicago White Sox skipper Will Venable earned Manager of the Year honors after leading his club to the playoffs despite a recent history of 100‑loss seasons. Venable, a former big‑league outfielder, guided the White Sox to an 84‑78 record and a postseason berth, the first for Chicago since 2021. He received 15 first‑place votes and 111 points, edging out Tampa Bay’s Kevin Cash and Boston’s Chad Tracy.
Venable’s turnaround story mirrors the Brewers’ success, highlighting how strong leadership can lift teams out of prolonged struggles. He noted, “I’m really proud of the playoff appearance because it’s what the players believed from day one, even when few outside our walls believed we could get there.”
Historical context
Only three other managers have won three Manager of the Year awards with the same organization. Bobby Cox earned three with the Atlanta Braves (1991, 2004, 2005) and is the only other back‑to‑back NL winner. Terry Francona captured three with Cleveland (2013, 2016, 2022), while Dusty Baker won three with the San Francisco Giants (1993, 1997, 2000).
Murphy’s achievement adds his name to that elite list and reinforces the Brewers’ resurgence under his steady guidance.
Looking ahead
The awards ceremony concluded with a preview of upcoming honors, including the Cy Young and Reliever of the Year awards on Wednesday and the MVP announcements on Thursday. Fans in Milwaukee and across the league will be watching to see if the Brewers can sustain their momentum into the next season.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
