Pat Murphy Makes MLB History With Third Straight NL Manager of the Year Award

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy has been named the National League Manager of the Year for the third consecutive season, becoming the first person in Major League Baseball history to win the award in three straight years.

The announcement was made Tuesday night on MLB Network, recognizing a 2026 campaign in which Murphy led the Brewers to a franchise-record 103 regular-season wins and their first World Series championship.

Record-breaking achievement for Murphy

Murphy, who is 67, received 20 of 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, finishing with 124 points. He was the only manager to appear on every ballot submitted by the 30 voters, who cast their selections before the start of the postseason.

The Brewers’ skipper accepted the honor while recovering from hip replacement surgery, appearing on the broadcast from his hospital bed while wearing a green gown. I had the hip replaced, feel good and very grateful, Murphy said.

His three-year run of accolades distinguishes him from all other managers since the award was established in 1983. He is the tenth manager to win the honor at least three times, joining a group of legends that includes Bobby Cox, Tony La Russa, Buck Showalter, Dusty Baker, Terry Francona, Jim Leyland, Joe Maddon, Bob Melvin, and Lou Piniella.

Competition from Weiss and Mattingly

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss finished second in the voting with 86 points, including seven first-place votes. Philadelphia Phillies skipper Don Mattingly placed third with 25 points, edging out Padres manager Craig Stammen by a single point. Murphy’s path to the award saw him overcome competition from finalists Walt Weiss and Don Mattingly, who were also recognized for their leadership.

Murphy’s recognition is rooted in a consistent upward trend for the Brewers, who won 93 games in 2024, 97 in 2025, and 103 in 2026. Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold praised the manager’s impact, stating, 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.

Venable takes American League honors

In the American League, Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable earned Manager of the Year honors in his second season. Venable is the first White Sox manager to win the award since Ozzie Guillen in 2005.

Murphy built a winning record through coaching roles

Murphy’s baseball journey includes 318 wins at Notre Dame—where he coached future Cubs manager Craig Counsell—and 629 wins at Arizona State, including four trips to the College World Series.

He later managed the San Diego Padres on an interim basis in 2015 before Counsell brought him to Milwaukee as a bench coach in 2016. Following Counsell’s departure, Murphy took the helm and has won the NL Manager of the Year in every season he has served as manager.

Despite playing in one of the league’s smallest markets and operating with a below-average payroll, the Brewers have secured the NL Central title in all three seasons under Murphy’s direction.

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