Pat Murphy gave the speech. Then the players took over the room. If you want to know why the Milwaukee Brewers won their first World Series, listen to how they talk about each other.
William Contreras: “that’s my family”
Contreras, the World Series MVP, got choked up when he was asked about the group. He told everyone he loves his brothers in that clubhouse and that they are his family. He said he spends eight months of the year with them. When a catcher who just won MVP talks like that, you understand why the pitchers trusted him.
Cooper Pratt and the joyride
Rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt hit .421 in the series, 8 for 19. After the last out he would not put the trophy down. He said he was taking it for a joyride, and he carried it around the clubhouse like a kid at Christmas. A rookie, in the middle of the biggest night of his career, still having fun. That is the lesson. Do the work, then enjoy it.
Jake Bauers and the last out
Bauers caught the final throw at first base. His first words afterward were about everyone else: his teammates, the staff, the city. He said they did it together. Not one word about himself, and he had been the NLCS MVP two weeks earlier.
Christian Yelich and a promise to the fans
Yelich told Milwaukee the team knew the city had waited a long time, and that he was happy to bring this home. He also talked about Bob Uecker, and said Uecker was smiling. More on that in our Bob Uecker tribute.
Country Roads in the clubhouse
Jackson Chourio, David Hamilton and Abner Uribe stood with their arms around each other and sang Take Me Home, Country Roads. Nobody asked them to. That is what real teammates look like when the cameras are in the room and they forget the cameras are there.
What it means for the rest of us
Every one of these players deflected credit, and every one pointed at someone else. That is not an accident. Murphy told them in spring training to adopt an uncommon mindset, and they did it by caring about each other first. You can do that in your job this week. Thank somebody by name. Celebrate somebody else’s win out loud. Be the person who says we, not I.
Start with the story behind it: What Pat Murphy Told His Team Before the Champagne.
Sources
FOX Sports, inside the clubhouse. MLB.com, Brewers discuss becoming champions. Yahoo Sports, Yelich.
