Pat Murphy wins unprecedented third straight NL manager of the year award

November 11, 2026

Pat Murphy continues to defy the odds.

Two weeks after leading the Milwaukee Brewers to their first World Series title, he was named the Baseball Writers Association of America’s National League manager of the year on Tuesday, Nov. 10 for an unprecedented third straight year.

Murphy, who turns 68 on Nov. 28, received 20 of 30 first-place votes and was the lone manager to appear on all 30 ballots. He beat out second-place finisher and close friend Walt Weiss of the Atlanta Braves (seven first-place votes).

Don Mattingly of the Philadelphia Phillies finished third (one first-place vote) while Craig Stammen of the San Diego Padres finished fourth (two first-place votes)

Murphy is the first manager since Ozzie Guillen of the Chicago White Sox in 2005 to win the World Series and manager of the year in the same year.

And in true Murphy fashion, he accepted the award and joined the awards show on MLB Network from his hospital bed after having hip replacement surgery.

“With his ‘win tonight’ approach, Pat Murphy led our club to another historic season and the first World Series championship in franchise history,” said Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold. “His leadership has played a tremendous role in our success, and this third consecutive manager of the year award is a well-deserved recognition of everything he means to our organization.

“We could not be more excited for Murph and his family.”

1 / 13

See Pat Murphy highlights in 2026 as he leads Brewers to best season

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy looks on prior to the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Milwaukee Brewers Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Sept. 20, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland. Photo by James A. Pittman-Imagn Images

(James A. Pittman / Imagn Images)

Robert Gasser #54 of the Milwaukee Brewers is taken out of game by manager Pat Murphy #49 of the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field on September 13, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images

(John Fisher, Getty Images)

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy relieves pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) during the seventh inning of their game against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy is shown during the first inning of their game against the Seattle Mariners Thursday, August 20, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy signs autographs before their game against the Colorado Rockies Sunday, July 26, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy (49) is seen during the sixth inning of the game against the Colorado Rockies at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 24, 2026.

(Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy prepares to bring in Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Chad Patrick (39) during the 5th inning of game against the New York Mets at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 21, 2026.

(Kiesen Williams / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2), designated hitter Christian Yelich (22), and manager Pat Murphy (49) before a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, July 4, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

(Rick Scuteri, Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images)

From left, Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Lane Grindle, Brewers manager Pat Murphy, Brewers player Christian Yelich, artist Mauricio Ramirez, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 Matt Dorner, and Brewers general manager Matt Arnold take a photo during a tailgate-themed celebration marking the completion of “Mr. Baseball,” a new 80-by-100-foot mural by artist Mauricio Ramirez depicting longtime Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 30, 2026.

(Jovanny Hernandez, Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Manager Pat Murphy #49 of the Milwaukee Brewers argues a call with third base umpire Alan Porter #64 in the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at American Family Field on May 09, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images

(John Fisher / Getty Images)

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy (49) argues with umpire Ryan Additon (67) that right fielder Sal Frelick (10) was safe at second base during the third inning of their game against the San Diego Padres Thursday, May 14, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy (49) signs autographs prior to the game against the against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix, Feb. 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Imagn Images

(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy (49) talks with Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect Ryan Birchard during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.

(Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Behind Murphy, the Brewers set a new franchise record with 103 victories against only 59 losses in 2026 while winning the NL Central for a record-setting fourth straight season, finishing 14 games ahead of the rival Chicago Cubs.

Milwaukee went on to defeat the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series, sweep the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series and then beat the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series, going a combined 11-2 in the postseason.

The Brewers became the first team to win 100 games in baseball history without the benefit of a winning streak of more than five games, posting an MLB-best run differential of plus-214 despite finishing tied for 28th in home runs.

Milwaukee also tied Tampa Bay for the best home record in baseball at 55-24 and finished second to the Dodgers with a 48-33 mark on the road.

Incredibly, 80 of the team’s 162 games were started by rookie pitchers.

Murphy becomes the 10th manager in either league to win the award three or more times since the award began being given annually in 1983.

Only three – Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox and Buck Showalter – have won it four times.

Including the postseason, Murphy’s 308 wins rank fifth all-time among managers in their first three years with a team.

Murphy signed a two-year contract extension in February that included a team option for 2029.

1 / 16

Brewers celebrate World Series championship with Milwaukee parade and rally

Tim Crispy dressed as Milwaukee Brewer player, Aaron Ashby makes an appearance with parade fans while waiting for the Milwaukee Brewers parade along N. Jackson St., in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Oct. 30, 2026. The Brewers won the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays in game 5.

(Angela Peterson, Angela Peterson/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)