Murphy criticises former Yankees team as Brewers celebrate World Series title

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy criticised the New York Yankees team that Jake Bauers played for in 2023 during celebrations after Milwaukee clinched the World Series on Wednesday night. The Guardian reported that video showed Murphy addressing Bauers, who is approaching free agency, and contrasting his former club with the Brewers.

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Murphy accused the players on that Yankees team of putting themselves first and urged Bauers to remember the difference between his experiences in New York and Milwaukee. His remarks also referred to the money the player could earn as a free agent. They concerned the 2023 Yankees, the team Bauers represented before being traded to the Brewers, rather than an assessment of New York's current side.

That season ended with the Yankees fourth in the American League East and outside the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Bauers hit .202 with 12 home runs across 84 games for New York. Those figures provide the backdrop to Murphy's remarks, which came after Bauers had helped Milwaukee turn a successful postseason into a championship.

Bauers produced career-best figures during the 2026 regular season, batting .266 with 26 home runs and an OPS of .874, according to the Guardian. His contribution continued in the National League Championship Series, where he was named the most valuable player. Milwaukee swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in that series to secure the club's first World Series appearance since 1982, before going on to win the title.

Murphy also enters the awards discussion after another successful season. The Guardian described him as the favourite to win National League Manager of the Year for a third consecutive season, although that honour has not been confirmed. His comments to Bauers were part of the post-title celebrations, rather than an announcement about the player's next contract or future team.

The Yankees were not the only rival mentioned as Milwaukee celebrated. Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill, asked by MLB reporter Ben Verlander for a message to supporters, encouraged fans to enjoy having a championship to bring up with Chicago followers. His response added another rivalry reference to the celebrations following Milwaukee's World Series victory.