For the first time in franchise history, the Milwaukee Brewers have a skipper who was named Manager of the Year. In his first season at the helm, Pat Murphy was named the 2024 NL Manager of the Year, taking home 27 of 30 possible first place votes. Mike Schildt of the San Diego Padres came in second while Carlos Mendoza of the New York Mets came in third.
Craig Counsell of the Chicago Cubs did not receive any votes.
Interestingly, former Brewers catcher Stephen Vogt took home the award in the American League, winning in his first season as the skipper for the Cleveland Guardians. Per a report by ESPN, it is just the second time in MLB history that two managers won Manager of the Year in their first year on the job.
Prior to Murphy’s win, the Brewers were the only team in Major League Baseball that had not had a Manager of the Year winner.
The Milwaukee Brewers Thrived Under Manager of the Year Pat Murphy
When Counsell declined Milwaukee’s contract offer (which would have made him the highest-paid manager in baseball) for an even richer offer from the Chicago Cubs, many people inside and outside of the fanbase believed that the Brewers would take a massive step backwards.
When Murphy was first hired, some assumed he was just a cheap option that would hold place until Milwaukee decided to open their pocketbook again, or until associate manager Rickie Weeks was ready to take over the helm.
Instead, Counsell’s former bench coach guided the Brewers to a 93-69 record, another National League Central Division crown, and put his young players in position where they would be the most successful.
Prior to the season, Murphy said he expected second baseman Brice Turang to take a quantum leap in 2024. Turang went on to win both the Gold Glove at his position and the NL Platinum Give Award, given to the league’s best defensive player.
Right fielder Sal Frelick also won a Gold Glove, and William Contreras repeated as the NL’s Silver Slugger at catcher.
Despite the early playoff exit (again), it is hard to call the Brewers’ season a disappointment. They overcame the Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, Wade Miley, and a literal handful of other starting pitchers to compete day in and day out. Throughout the year, Milwaukee was the only team in Major League Baseball that never lost four games in a row.
Milwaukee Brewers Fans Taunt Craig Counsell After Pat Murphy Wins NL Manager of the Year
Counsell is the winningest manager in Brewers history and was up for Manager of the Year several times during his tenure. Of course, he never won it, a fact fans were quick to point out on social media:
Manager of year awards:
Pat Murphy: 1
Craig Counsell: 0 pic.twitter.com/TKvZ8UlQPa— Jake Reetz (@jajareetz) November 20, 2024
It is hilarious that Counsell wins no awards and Pat Murphy wins NL Manager of the Year in his first year of managing
— Quincy (@LukeQuincy) November 19, 2024
Not Craig Counsell https://t.co/GNojoiIncL
— Scary Alvarez (@barryisthedon) November 19, 2024
Craig Counsell rn https://t.co/ZMHejMyaUl pic.twitter.com/8fwEan8RMv
— ebo (@ebosays) November 19, 2024
Shoutout to Craig Clownsell @ThickChedr https://t.co/9HnnRW4yJ9
— JWAGS (@oitxdragon) November 19, 2024
Murphy signed a three-year contract before the 2024 season. Winning this award likely means he will be able to continue for as long as he wants for the foreseeable future, as long as Milwaukee stays competitive.
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