Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy used the team's World Series victory celebration to criticize the New York Yankees, specifically referencing player Jake Bauers' past tenure with the team. The Brewers secured their first franchise title on Wednesday, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in Game 5.
During the on-field celebration, Bauers presented Murphy with the ball from the final out. According to reports, Murphy told Bauers, "You’re going to be a rich f--ker, but just remember when you were on that horses--t Yankees team and you guys were all playing for yourself, just remember, say, ‘This is the way we used do it.’"
Bauers, who is headed for free agency after being named NLCS MVP, played for the Yankees during their injury-plagued 2023 season, which resulted in the team missing the postseason for the first time since 2017. The Yankees traded Bauers to the Brewers after he played 84 games for them.
Murphy's comments echo sentiments expressed by players from the Los Angeles Dodgers, who defeated the Yankees in the 2024 World Series. Dodgers players, including Joe Kelly and Miguel Rojas, criticized the Yankees' performance, citing "lazy defense" and a lack of fundamental play. A report from The Post indicated that the Dodgers viewed the Yankees as a team with high talent but poor fundamentals, prone to self-inflicted errors when pressured.
This criticism highlights a perception among some in baseball that the Yankees, despite their historical success, may not command the same level of respect as in previous eras, particularly following their 2023 and 2026 postseason failures.