Murphy Apologizes: Manager Clarifies Yankees Remark

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy expressed regret over a viral comment directed at outfielder Jake Bauers during the team's championship celebration.

The remark occurred on Monday night at Tropicana Field after Bauers caught the final out in a 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. This win secured the first World Series title in Brewers history. Video of the interaction showed Murphy telling Bauers to remember when he played for the "horses, Yankees team" where players were "playing for yourself." The clip spread widely on social media the following week.

Murphy discussed the incident on Tuesday during an interview with the New York Post's 'The Show' podcast. He stated that he did not realize he was on a hot mic when speaking with Bauers. Murphy said he immediately contacted Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to explain his intent. The two men had a productive conversation, and Murphy noted he did not mean to criticize the current 2026 Yankees roster.

The manager clarified that he was referencing a general archetype of wealthy teams that sign many players. He described these teams as having high expectations where individuals prioritize personal gain over collective effort. Murphy compared this to the opposite of the "Little Engine that Could." He acknowledged that while the Yankees are an iconic franchise, his phrasing was not smart.

Bauers, who was traded to Milwaukee by New York in November 2023, had a breakout 2026 season. He posted career highs in batting average at .266, home runs with 26, RBIs with 86, and OPS at .874. He was named the MVP of the National League Championship Series after batting .286 with six RBIs in a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Murphy said his comments to Bauers were consistent with the routine banter they shared throughout the postseason.

Bauers is scheduled to become a free agent this offseason. Murphy said he told the outfielder that he would likely leave Milwaukee once he became wealthy. The manager explained that he used this specific rhetoric after every celebration to remind Bauers of the team's culture before he departed.