Brewers’ Pat Murphy makes Manager of the Year history in the most Pat Murphy way possible

Despite winning the National League Central in 2023, 2024, and 2025, despite previously proving they could withstand the loss of an All-Star pitcher, despite advancing to the NLCS during the 2025 campaign, and despite having one of the most impressive periods of sustained success by a small-market team in MLB history, the Milwaukee Brewers were once again doubted heading into the 2026 season.

From projection models expecting the Brewers to win 80-85 games to experts picking the Chicago Cubs to run away with the division, few expected Pat Murphy's squad, which went on to win 103 regular season games and the World Series, to be the juggernaut that they were during the 2026 campaign.

As a result of this doubt and the Brewers' subsequent success, it's only right that Murphy has once again been named the National League Manager of the Year. An award that has essentially become "which team outperformed expectations the most" had to go to Murphy, whose team exceeded most projected win totals by 20 games.

Murphy's fellow award finalists, Walt Weiss of the Atlanta Braves and Don Mattingly of the Philadelphia Phillies, each put together impressive seasons with their respective clubs, but despite their star-studded rosters, neither reached the level of success of the Brewers' skipper. With the only argument against Murphy being voter fatigue, it's only right that the Brewers' manager has once again been named the best skipper in the National League.

In typical Pat Murphy fashion, however, the Brewers manager didn't let anything stop him from being a part of MLB Network's Manager of the Year show...not even hip surgery. Murphy called into MLB Network's show, during which he was named the NL Manager of the Year, from his hospital bed, as seen in the post below from MLB Network.

As absurd as the thought of a skipper accepting a record-breaking Manager of the Year award from his hospital bed is, it's fitting for Murphy, who actually delayed the surgery until now so he could keep coaching during the 2026 season. Murphy's relentlessness and dedication is infectious and thankfully so because they're demanded in the Brewers' clubhouse. Of course, Murphy isn't going to let a hip replacement stop him from doing what is asked of him.

Pat Murphy named NL Manager of the Year from his hospital bed while recovering hip surgery

Not only was Murphy rightfully awarded the NL Manager of the Year honor, but it's his third consecutive year receiving the award. Murphy has been a full-time manager for three years. That's right, since Murphy took over the Brewers' managerial role from Craig Counsell, he has been named the NL Manager of the Year in each of his three seasons at the helm. Murphy is the only manager ever to win three consecutive Manager of the Year awards.

Additionally, Murphy is now one of seven managers to have three total Manager of the Year awards. Only three skippers have ever won the award four times -- Bobby Cox, Tony La Russa, and Buck Showalter -- and no individual has won five Manager of the Year awards.

In just three years, Murphy has validated the Brewers' decision to hand him the reins and then some. Not only did Murphy deliver the franchise its first World Series title, but he's led the Brewers to the best regular season record in baseball in each of the last two seasons, and won the NL Central in his debut season back in 2024.

It's an incredible feat for Murphy -- one that speaks to the organization-wide success of the Brewers. Winning 103 games and a World Series title certainly takes more than just the leadership of one manager, but there's no denying Murphy's impact on the Brewers. From the high expectations he sets with mid-game benchings and mid-at-bat pitching changes, to the apparent confidence and trust he has in his players, to his awareness of the fact that every individual player needs to be led differently, but that doesn't mean they can't all buy into the same mentality, Murphy is truly unique in his ability to lead a baseball team. That excellence won't soon be forgotten, especially now that Murphy has a whopping three Manager of the Year awards to his name.

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