Milwaukee Brewers’ manager Pat Murphy is cruising down I-94 towards Mitchell International Airport, rocking out to Bruce Springsteen’s “Racing in the Streets.”

“Now, some guys, they just give up living,” Murphy sings along with Springsteen, “and start dying little by little, piece by piece.”

As he lowers the volume, clears his throat, and begins speaking, it’s clear he’s not ready to give up living just yet.

In fact, at 65 years old, he feels rejuvenated.

With his best friend in baseball heading to Chicago, his Cy Young award-winning pitcher traded to Baltimore, three starting pitchers out for the season, a former MVP undergoing season-ending back surgery, and his All-Star closer missing the entire first half, Murphy still has his team radiating confidence like the ’27 Yankees.

The Brewers, playing in the smallest market with the 22nd-highest team payroll, sometimes field lineups featuring as many as six rookies, and their bullpen is so low-profile that they need ID just to enter opposing ballparks. Yet they stand as one of baseball’s most remarkable success stories And the nemesis of the Chicago Cubs.

Despite facing numerous challenges (including a franchise-record 17 different starting pitchers), the Brewers are currently leading the NL Central with a remarkable 10-game advantage over the St. Louis Cardinals.

They are on the brink of securing their sixth postseason appearance—and fourth division title—in just seven years And this season feels the most rewarding.

“This is the most enjoyable I’ve had since I took ownership of the team,” Brewers owner Mark Attanasio told YSL News Sports. “This team is extraordinary. You can see it in the way they play.”

Fans in Milwaukee are still upset over manager Craig Counsell’s departure after last season to the rival Cubs. Their former president, David Stearns, moved on to a lucrative role with the New York Mets. Additionally, the Brewers traded Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles when it became evident he would not re-sign as a free agent.

“No one ever believes in us from the outside,” veteran pitcher Wade Miley, who had Tommy John surgery in May yet continues to support the team by traveling to most games, stated. “People always count us out year after year.

“But here in Milwaukee, it’s expected to be in the playoffs every year. This is our division.”

Let’s be honest, there wasn’t enough bratwurst or beer to convince anyone outside of Milwaukee that this team would be so dominant.

The Cubs were predicted to take the division after hiring Counsell, signing Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga, and re-signing Cody Bellinger.

The young talent of the Cincinnati Reds was expected to make a significant impact this year.

The St. Louis Cardinals were anticipated to rebound with the addition of three veteran starters.

Even the Pittsburgh Pirates were supposed to show remarkable improvement. But the Brewers?

Yet they find themselves tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the second-best record in the National League as of Sunday, leading their division for almost all of the season.

“We faced a lot of struggles in the offseason,” Brewers GM Matt Arnold said. “We had the odds stacked against us. It was a challenging time for the franchise.

“But we still believed we had the right combination of people to guide us through one of the toughest periods in Brewers’ history.”

Could Arnold imagine how formidable this team would be if they still had Burnes, who is competing for the AL Cy Young award after being traded to the Orioles just before spring training?

“I don’t think it’s good to think that way,” Arnold remarked. “We have to make tough decisions, trading players like Josh Hader and Corbin Burnes. We acknowledge their talent.

“But we have to approach things differently than many teams. Our aim is to have the right elements for sustainable long-term success and to strive for a championship in Milwaukee.”

This is why Arnold opted to stay in Milwaukee despite strong interest from the Mets to take over as GM in 2021. And why Murphy also chose to remain, instead of following Counsell to Chicago. This is also why legends like Robin Yount and Ryan Braun never left, and Christian Yelich opted for a nine-year extension to conclude his career with the team.

While there are certainly more lucrative opportunities elsewhere, the beautiful summers in Wisconsin and the dedicated fan base make Milwaukee one of baseball’s best-kept secrets.

“When I arrived here, I honestly didn’t know what to expect,” commented first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who signed a two-year, $34 million free-agent deal. “I had heard many positive things about the organization, the city, and the community.

“But being present, witnessing the Brewers’ presence in this community, seeing the passion people have for the team, and the way we are treated has been nothing short of amazing.”

The Brewers are cherished across Wisconsin. Recently, the Wisconsin state legislature and city officials approved over $500 million in public funds to update the Brewers’ 22-year-old stadium. They have consistently attracted over two million fans in every non-COVID restricted season since 2004.

“Baseball holds significant meaning for both the city and the state,” Attanasio expresses. “We receive tremendous backing. It’s been incredibly fulfilling for everyone involved.”

Interestingly, the one person not taking a moment to relax and enjoy the success is Murphy. Instead of celebrating with a cold beer on Water Street, he arrives at the ballpark each morning before anyone else, stays late, and isn’t planning to celebrate until they clinch the division officially.

“Our focus is on winning tonight—that’s our mantra,” Murphy remarks. “We’ve faced numerous challenges. We’ve had players discarded, told they weren’t up to the mark. But these players earned my faith. They thrive on competition.

“However, we still haven’t achieved anything yet.”

The Brewers were candid; they were uncertain about what to anticipate once Counsell departed. This was a man with two World Series championships as a player, the most wins as a manager in Brewers history, and suddenly he was no longer in the picture, with Murphy possibly following suit.

“We made the decision to keep the team intact,” Attanasio shares. “And we’re extremely pleased with that choice.”

The players and the entire organization had unwavering faith in Murphy. He wasn’t just a former college coach who spent eight years as a bench coach under Counsell, who played for him at Notre Dame. He never aimed to win everyone over as a buddy. He chose to be honest, and you had better brace yourself for the truth.

“We have to acknowledge Murph,” Miley states. “He’s truly passionate about baseball. That’s why I returned. No disrespect to Counsell, but they differ drastically. Murphy is more extroverted. He’s a great motivator.

“He knows exactly what to say at pivotal moments. Sometimes it’s personal, and some players might take it that way, but he ignites the passion within you.”

“After a victory, he shows minimal reaction. His focus is already on ‘How do we win tomorrow?’ The players genuinely want to give their all for him. It makes you want to go the extra mile for him.”

Murphy, a frontrunner for NL Manager of the Year, initiated a monthly tradition where the Brewers hold a clubhouse meeting. In these sessions, anything and everything is up for discussion. If you have grievances, need clarity on decisions, or want to share thoughts, this is the time to do so. Everyone is welcome to speak up.

“It’s fantastic to have open lines of communication,” Hoskins comments, “where you can voice opinions on how to improve. It fosters connection and comfort within the team.”

The Brewers are aware they don’t possess the most talented roster. They also lack the highest-paid players in the league. Yet, they have cultivated a solid system for identifying and developing talent, alongside a distinct team culture that consistently positions them as contenders, leading the NL Central yet again.

“That’s why nobody here is surprised by our current performance,” Miley asserts. “It stems from their mentality. They work diligently in the minor leagues to ensure players are ready when they join our ranks. It’s all about bringing in the right personalities for the clubhouse. We have a great group.

“And you know what?

“We’re here to stay.”

Cherishing the Memories

Brewers GM Matt Arnold, originally from Bakersfield, California, grew up an ardent fan of the Oakland A’s, even once carving his initials into the left-field bleachers for future reference.

He mimicked Dave Stewart’s pitching stance, performed Rickey Henderson’s left-field snap catch, celebrated like Dennis Eckersley after strikeouts, and adopted Carney Lansford’s third-base crouch and glove position.

He even practiced driving in the Oakland Coliseum parking lot.

“My dad would enjoy a beer in the parking lot after games while I practiced driving with no cars around,” Arnold reminisced. “He used to say, ‘If you hit a light pole here, it’s your own fault.’

“There are countless cherished memories from those days.”

This weekend, as the Brewers face the A’s for the last time, Arnold brought his whole family back to the Bay Area. He attended the games alongside his parents, sister, brother-in-law, and nephew.

“Three generations of Arnolds,” he noted. “I wanted to experience it one last time.”

Arnold, who once sat in the left-field bleachers before the Oakland Raiders turned it into Mount Davis, vividly recalls that day he, his father, grandfather, and uncles carved their initials into the bleachers.

So, considering this is their final visit, why not carve their initials again?

“It was much simpler to sneak a pocket knife into the games back then,” said Arnold, a graduate of the University of California-Santa Barbara. “I doubt we could get a pocket knife through security nowadays.”

Arnold chuckles, knowing that regardless of everything, he’ll always carry these treasured memories.

“It’s bittersweet,” he expressed. “I’m certainly going to miss that venue.”

News from the Baseball World

MLB managers, who still face unjustly low pay, were taken aback this past week when Tennessee coach Tony Vitello secured a five-year deal worth $3 million annually, while Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle will earn $2.68 million per year for the last five years of his seven-year contract.

Only six managers in baseball earn as much as Vitello: Craig Counsell of the Chicago Cubs, Alex Cora of the Boston Red Sox, Bob Melvin of the San Francisco Giants, Bruce Bochy of the Texas Rangers, Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Davey Martinez of the Washington Nationals.

≻ It’s unfortunate that Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais learned of his firing through social media rather than from team president Jerry Dipoto, who informed him an hour and a half later.

“It’s shocking that this was how I found out,” Servais told several Seattle reporters.

In fact, the Mariners made the decision to dismiss Servais about four days ahead of time, as per an official from the Mariners, but wanted to confer with Dan Wilson first to see if he would accept the position.

≻ Shohei Ohtani may have secured his third MVP title on Friday night with a dramatic walk-off grand slam, joining the exclusive 40-40 club, but he expressed greater joy over the Dodgers’ win in their tight NL West race over his personal achievements.

Ohtani is now the sixth member of the 40-40 club. Could he be the pioneer of the 50-50 club?

The Dodgers began Saturday with 33

With only a few games left, it’s worth noting that in the last 33 matches, he recorded 11 home runs and stole 17 bases.

In the American League, while Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. has had an outstanding season, he will need an exceptional September to surpass New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge for the AL MVP title. Judge is on track to become just the third player in MLB history to hit 60 or more home runs in two separate seasons.

Judge’s performance over the last 100 games is remarkable: a .378 batting average, 45 home runs, and 106 RBIs.

He’s made history as the only player to maintain a batting average of .375 or better with a minimum of 45 homers and 100 RBIs across any 100-game period, as reported by OptaSTATS.

≻ The San Diego Padres are on the brink of improvement as they aim for their first World Series title.

Yu Darvish is set to make his comeback after a three-month absence due to personal issues.

Outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is starting his rehab assignment this week after being sidelined with a bruised femur.

Furthermore, Joe Musgrove just returned from the injured list and pitched a one-hit shutout for seven innings against the New York Mets in his first game back. Second baseman Xander Bogaerts is performing impressively with a .349 batting average and an .850 OPS since his return on July 12.

≻ The Atlanta Braves have faced significant challenges, losing ace pitcher Spencer Strider after just two starts and reigning MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. back in May. They are missing third baseman Austin Riley and second baseman Ozzie Albies, and they went two months without center fielder Michael Harris and catcher Sean Murphy. Currently, one-third of their lineup consists of players who were released earlier this season.

Despite these setbacks, Atlanta was only five games behind the Philadelphia Phillies as of Sunday.

≻ In an unfortunate incident, when Ohtani hit his historic 40th home run, a fan fumbled the ball, which bounced back onto the field, becoming a prized keepsake for both Ohtani and the Dodgers. Unfortunately, Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Jose Siri picked it up and threw it back into the stands.

≻ Billy Milos of the Colorado Rockies is possibly the best scout for talent in independent leagues, having identified players who could succeed in the majors.

Last year, he discovered and signed four independent players projected to advance to the major leagues with the Minnesota Twins: 5-foot-7 infielder Payton Eeles, 6-foot-8 outfielder Carson McCuskers, reliever Kyle Bischoff, and pitcher Jarrett Whorff.

He also signed MLB pitchers Nick Anderson and Randy Dobnak from independent leagues.

≻ Scout reports suggest that backup catcher Adrian Del Castillo is the top pure hitter in the Arizona Diamondbacks system, and he is making an impressive debut, batting .342 with three home runs and 14 RBIs, posting a 1.010 OPS in his first 11 major league games.

≻ Remember the excitement in Colorado when the Rockies secured Kris Bryant with a seven-year, $182 million contract before the 2022 season?

However, after three seasons, he has only managed to play 159 games.

This season, he has found himself on the injured list three times, hitting just .218 with two home runs and a .301 slugging percentage over the 37 games he has participated in.

≻ Baseball can be brutally professional, as shown when the Dodgers released outfielder Jason Heyward, a fan favorite, after his impactful pinch-hit three-run homer the night before. The organization decided to part ways with him due to the presence of utility players Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez, along with center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.

≻ The Blue Jays are considering the option of having Vladimir Guerrero Jr. play third base next season, intending to use him in that spot more frequently in September. Guerrero hasn’t been a regular at third in four years, but with a strong group of free-agent first basemen available this winter, it would be simpler to fill a first base position than third base.

≻ The Texas Rangers might be looking towards next season, despite a disappointing current year, especially with the anticipated return of Jacob deGrom, alongside the addition of rookies Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker.

≻ Joey Votto, who failed to receive a major league offer after the Cincinnati Reds opted not to activate his $20 million option last year, spent his season trying to prove critics wrong at Triple-A Buffalo in the Blue Jays farm system, but injuries hindered him.

He formally announced his retirement last week, expressing disappointment that he wouldn’t make it back to the Blue Jays this year. “I’m really saddened that I wasn’t able to make it happen,” Votto told reporters, reflecting on his hope to represent the city and country he grew up in. “But this isn’t my organization. I couldn’t show up and make it my day. I think it’s disrespectful to the game and to the fans who pay for high-end performance.”

≻ The Baltimore Orioles, anticipating starting depth from Trevor Rogers following a trade, were instead disheartened by his poor performance, leading to his demotion after accumulating a 7.11 ERA across four starts.

≻ The Pittsburgh Pirates insist rookie sensation Paul Skenes will not be shut down, even as he competes against Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill for the NL Rookie of the Year title.

≻ Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander is poised to have a lucrative offseason as a free agent, given he’s having the best season of his career, boasting 38 home runs and 86 RBIs.

≻ A heartfelt moment occurred for Hall of Famer Rod Carew, who officially became a U.S. citizen this week at the age of 78.

“It took a lifetime, a great lifetime, but I’m in,” Carew shared with reporters during the ceremony.

≻ Since the All-Star break, seven National League teams have held winning records, with four hailing from the NL West:

• Diamondbacks: 24-8
• Padres: 23-8
• Dodgers: 21-11
• Giants: 18-15

≻ Chicago White Sox starter Chris Flexen made an unwanted mark in history this week, as the team suffered their 19th consecutive loss in games he started, breaking a single-season record previously set by Walt Dickson in 1912. During this streak, he is 0-9 with a 5.75 ERA and has 10 no-decisions.

≻ This season, the Padres have only had to utilize 20 position players, the fewest they’ve used since 1985 when they only required 18 players.

≻ Kudos to Yankees starter Marcus Stroman, who recently awarded $25,000 in scholarships to two high school students from the Bronx.

≻ Congratulations to ex-closer Brad Lidge, who is now working as a practicing archaeologist in the Italian village of Murlo after earning his master’s degree in ancient Roman archaeology. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D.

“My achievements in baseball don’t matter much in that field,” Lidge explained to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “We’re examining different subjects in our lab and making comparisons. I want to achieve something beyond my baseball career.”

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