After leading the Milwaukee Brewers to 93 victories, a National League Central Division title, and a sixth playoff berth in seven seasons, Pat Murphy was named the National League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America — the first Brewers manager to ever win the honor.

But as far as Murphy is concerned, it’s all just much ado about nothing.

“To be honest, it’s a little embarrassing,” Murphy said from the sidelines of a baseball field in Mesa, Arizona, where he was watching his 10-year-old son’s baseball practice. “We’ve got a great staff and we’ve got young, hungry players and they made me look good.”

Pat Murphy Shrugs Off Manager of the Year Honor, Looking Ahead to Next Year

While Murphy may shrug off the significance of the honor, it’s hard to ignore the job he did — and the obstacles he had to overcome — in his first full season as a big-league manager.

The longtime college coach at Notre Dame and Arizona State joined the Brewers in 2016 to serve as bench coach to Craig Counsell, his former player with the Fighting Irish.

Most expected Murphy to follow Counsell to Chicago when he stunned the Brewers and their fans by bolting to take the Cubs’ managerial job last fall.

Instead, after wowing general manager Matt Arnold in what Arnold admitted was initially a “courtesy” interview, Murphy got the top job. His charge was to oversee what most expected to be something of a rebuilding year for the Brewers.

Obstacles Overcome

Milwaukee was already heading into 2024 without one of its star starting pitchers. Brandon Woodruff would be out

for most if not all of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery last October.

Murphy took another blow just weeks before pitchers and catchers reported when Arnold traded staff ace Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles for a pair of top prospects. Then, the injury bug struck again during Cactus League play when All-Star closer Devin Williams underwent back surgery that would leave him sidelined until the All-Star Break, and outfielder Garrett Mitchell suffered a broken hand.

Yet, Murphy remained undaunted — a word that would become a mantra for his team. Milwaukee roared out of the gate with a season-opening sweep of the New York Mets, then kept on winning despite a stunning rash of injuries that led to Murphy using 17 different starting pitchers.

And just when people were finally starting to take the Brewers seriously, fate dealt another blow when Christian Yelich‘s resurgent season came to an abrupt end due to a back injury that kept him out for almost the entire second half.

Onto Next Season

None of that, though, mattered. Nor did the youth or inexperience of Milwaukee’s roster. By the time it was all said and done, the Brewers ran away with the Central. They finished 10 games ahead of Counsell’s Cubs and flirted with the NL’s best record heading into the final weekend of the season before their playoff run came to a stunning end in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Mets.

Arnold didn’t mince words when asked about Murphy’s efforts during his end-of-season press conference.

“It would be a crime if he’s not named Manager of the Year,” Arnold said.

Murphy, though, is already turning his attention to next year.

“This isn’t the end game or some incredible achievement,” Murphy said. “This is part of it but what do you do now, what’s next? I’m thinking about 2025 and what are the things we can do better, where our process can get better, and how we can squeeze a little more juice out of Player A or Player B.

“I’m grateful to get recognized. It’s nice and makes me look like I know what I’m doing … but you’re always trying to keep yourself in the right spot mentally so you disregard the good opinions and disregard the bad opinions and just be honest with yourself.”