Watch: Pat Murphy stops Brewers’ celebration to welcome Bob Uecker as team clinches NL Central
After defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 on Wednesday, the Milwaukee Brewers hit the magic number for winning the NL Central as they improved to 88-64, a 11.0-game lead ahead of the second-placed St. Louis Cardinals. Special moments call for special celebration as Pat Murphy introduced one of Brewers' biggest fans.
At one point, Murphy asked for a stop as he went on to bring Bob Uecker in the midst of the celebration. Uecker, the former World Series champion and the primary broadcaster for the Brewers, received a warm reception from Murphy.
“There is no one who epitomizes being a champion like this man does,” Murphy said as he introduced Uecker in the house.
Pat Murphy delivers a motivating speech after clinching division
Ahead of this season, not many would have expected the Milwaukee Brewers to be the one on top of NL Central, let alone clinch it with almost two weeks still remaining.
The team lost their longtime manager, Craig Counsell, to rivals, the Chicago Cubs. However, new manager Pat Murphy didn't let it affect team morale and throughout the season gave consistent efforts on the field.
“No one in Spring Training would have said the Brewers will win the NL Central except maybe a few guys in that room,” Murphy told the media. “It just talks to one thing, this is a game about people.”
The Brewers traded out Corbin Burnes and also without Brandon Woodruff, ruled out of the season due to a shoulder injury. Despite the odds stacked against them, they have been proving many wrong.
“You can throw as many adversities our way as you want… it's still about people and you have no idea what their best is,” Murphy continued.
“These guys don't know what their best is, and didn't know what their best is and still don't. But they know one thing: Pulling together competing, being doubted is something that can vault you forward into a championship.”
Milwaukee's starting rotation include Freddy Peralta, Colin Rea, rookie Tobias Myers and Aaron Civale. Closer Trevor Megill has been impressive throughout the season and so has the bullpen. In the absence of All-Star outfielder Christian Yelich, other hitters, including Willy Adames, rookie Jackson Chourio and William Contrearas, have done well.
The Brewers will enter postseason as a dark horse capable of taking down big names.