Pat Murphy continues to prove he's the best skipper in baseball with unique managerial techniques

Milwaukee Brewers fans have been fortunate to have Pat Murphy as part of their organization for more than a decade. Murphy originally joined the club in November 2015 as Craig Counsell’s bench coach. Eight years later, in November 2023, he took over as manager following Counsell’s shocking departure, and his impact on both young, inexperienced players as well as proven veterans has made a world of difference.

In 2024, what many expected to be a rebuilding year for the Brewers instead became a testament to Murphy’s ability to get the most out of his group of “Average Joes.” He instilled a “win tonight” mentality and developed a style of baseball that quickly became known as “Murph Ball," where giving 100% every time out and doing whatever it took to win games was an expectation for everyone.

That year, Murphy also established a culture of showing up to the ballpark hungry every day and ready to work. That mindset was embraced by veterans like Willy Adames and William Contreras. Adames played in every game except the final day of the regular season, while Contreras put together a streak of 101 consecutive games played. Their consistency and commitment helped set the tone for the younger core, including Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, and Sal Frelick, who followed their lead both on and off the field.

Last season, in 2025, Murphy showed no signs of letting up. He continued to challenge his players to improve, even going as far as benching Caleb Durbin and Sal Frelick mid-game following a series of mental mistakes from both players. By staying true to his values and holding his players accountable, Murphy once again guided the Brewers to a highly successful season, highlighted by a franchise-best 14-game winning streak during the dog days of summer and the best overall record in baseball.

As one would expect, we have seen more of Murphy’s managerial approach pay off in significant ways this season. From standing behind Trevor Megill through his slow start, challenging Joey Ortiz after his move to third base and the promotion of rookie Cooper Pratt, removing pitchers Brandon Sproat and Robert Gasser in the middle of at-bats, and benching Pratt after failing to execute on bunt opportunities and not hustling, Murphy has continued to hold his players accountable while keeping their drive and confidence levels high.

Last night, Murphy’s approach was on display again, this time in the form of a pep talk to Luis Lara prior to a crucial extra-inning at-bat against the division rival Chicago Cubs.

Pat Murphy's direct, hands-on managerial style is rare in today's game, but it's working for the first-place Brewers

On Labor Day, the Brewers and Cubs opened their final three-game series of the regular season. Monday’s matchup quickly became one of Milwaukee’s most impressive wins of the year, as the Brewers erased a late deficit by scoring three runs in the eighth inning before Lara and Jackson Chourio each made spectacular catches in the ninth to preserve a one-run victory.

A day later, that same duo once again made the difference, this time at the plate. Chourio delivered a game-tying, two-run homer in the ninth inning before Lara came through with a walk-off single in extra innings. Before Lara stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and one out, Murphy offered some words of encouragement to his young hitter, who had gone 0-for-4 up to that point, yet left with a huge smile on his face and beaming with confidence before ending the game one pitch later.

When Lara was asked after the game about his conversation with Murphy, he said, “He asked me if I was ready, and I told him, ‘Yes.’ He told me he had confidence in me, and it’s what he’s always told me. I appreciate him a lot.”

It’s not often you see a manager seek out a hitter before a pivotal at-bat, but that is exactly what Murphy did. It’s those little moments that set him apart and help explain why he has become such an important part of the Brewers’ success, even if Murphy himself would never be the one to admit it. It's no coincidence that since Murphy took over as the skipper in 2024, the Brewers have more wins than any other team in baseball.

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