Following the news that Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy received a new three-year contract, star outfielder Christian Yelich reacted to the news. 

“Yeah, I'm happy for him. I mean, obviously, well deserved, and he had a great first two years,” Yelich told the media on Friday. “And we love having him around, and I know this was his last one that he had. So, it's good that he'll be here for this year, at least a couple more and hopefully into the future.” 

Murphy joined the Brewers as a bench coach ahead of the 2016 season under former manager Craig Counsell. Meanwhile, Yelich began his tenure with the club in 2018, providing the two with a longstanding relationship in Milwaukee. 

“Well, I was glad to have him,” Yelich added. “It was a continuity; he'd been there the whole time I've been here. He'd been with Couns that whole time, and we were all familiar with him.

“He was familiar with us," Yelich said. "He kind of just knew how we did things, ran things, and spring training the day to day during the season. So, it was good to have somebody that had been around and things didn't change a ton when he took over.” 

Yelich noted that while Murphy and Counsell operate differently, he also reiterated the importance of familiarity that Murphy provided. 

“Obviously, him and Couns, different personalities, different way of going about things, but he was familiar with us and the way we did things. And I was glad that he was the one that was taken over. And obviously, it went really well the first couple years.” 

In leading the Brewers to consecutive National League Central Division titles, Murphy helped the Brewers achieve a franchise-best 97 wins and a trip to the National League Championship Series.  

In his first two seasons at the helm, Murphy has won the NL Manager of the Year Award. It makes him just the second manager in MLB history to win the award in consecutive seasons. The first was former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox in 2004-05. 

In Yelich’s view, there is so much that goes into Murphy’s job title, and he realizes it is difficult to quantify the responsibilities. 

“Well, I think manager, right, is what the name is,” Yelich said. “You're managing people, you're managing personalities. You have things that you have to help navigate throughout the season. 

“You have to try to get the best out of guys, motivate guys, get everybody pulling in the same direction," Yelich said. "And I think he does a really good job doing that. Like you said, it's hard to quantify.” 

The way Murphy can balance the responsibilities that are attached to his job title makes it better for Yelich and his teammates across the course of a long season. 

“Success and all that starts from the top and works its way down,” Yelich added. “And when you have somebody that has a strong, consistent message and is good at motivating people, good at bringing the best out of guys and getting guys on the same page, it makes a difference over the course of six months.”  

Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!

It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.

Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!