Pat Murphy took over as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers last offseason after Craig Counsell jumped ship for a division rival. One year and one division title later, Murphy won the National League Manager of the Year award.
Murphy was named the winner Tuesday, beating out finalists Mike Shildt of the San Diego Padres and rookie manager Carlos Mendoza of the New York Mets. Murphy received 27 of 30 first-place votes from the BBWAA, and Shildt, Mendoza and Rob Thomson of the Philadelphia Phillies received one each.
Murphy is the first Brewers manager to win the award, dating back to 1983.
Both Shildt and Mendoza led their teams to the playoffs after major disappointments last season, but Murphy won the award by doing something different. His team won one more game than last year’s group, despite widespread expectations of a step back for a franchise that has consistently punched above its weight.
Pat Murphy helped the Brewers overcome great losses and difficulties
If we go back to last offseason, the Brewers were in an awkward situation.
Losing Counsell hurt me. One of MLB’s most respected managers not only left after more than eight years to sign a record five-year, $40 million contract, but he also joined the team that many expected would knock the Brewers off their perch. position in the National League Central Division. .
Also gone are team architect David Stearns, who received more money from the Mets, and Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, whom the team opted to trade for younger talent before he left in free agency. Rotation stalwart Brandon Woodruff was also out for the season with a shoulder injury. Other players left as well, and their replacements weren’t exactly decisive.
Vegas didn’t like the odds on the Brewers’ rebound, and BetMGM gave them worst divisional odds than the Cubs, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds.
To replace Counsell, the Brewers hired the man who coached him in college at Notre Dame and was his bench coach for eight years. Men turning 65 are rarely the first choice for leadership positions, but Murphy’s experience with the organization was invaluable after the loss of so much leadership.
To win the NL Central again and make the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years, Murphy did much of what previously worked for the Brewers. The team’s pitching staff was fluid, tying a franchise record with 17 different starting pitchers, plus 12 relievers recording at least one save, while the offense posted its most productive season (777 runs) since 2009.
The Brewers finished 93-69 and winning the division, although they were stopped by the Mendoza Mets in the wild card round (that doesn’t figure in the BBWAA voting, which takes place at the end of the regular season).
Perhaps the most important part of the job for Murphy was managing Jackson Chourio. The super prospect made his MLB debut at age 19 and struggled to start the season, hitting .210/.254/.327 through the end of May. The Brewers could have sent him back to the minors or reworked his role in the offense, but instead they banked on his talent and stayed the course.
Their reward was a guy who hit .303/.358/.525 for the rest of the season and will anchor Milwaukee’s lineup for years to come, with Murphy taking his place on the lineup card.