William Contreras Named World Series MVP After Leading Brewers to Title
The Milwaukee catcher batted .381 in the four-game sweep over Tampa Bay, becoming the eighth catcher to win the award.
By Dominic Foster ·
William Contreras was named the Most Valuable Player of the World Series on Wednesday after leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a four-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays. The 28-year-old catcher finished the series with a .381 batting average, marking his first World Series victory.
Standing in St. Petersburg, Florida, with the Venezuelan flag draped over his shoulders, Contreras expressed confidence in his performance. He stated that he felt like the best catcher in the league while emphasizing that he did not wish to offend other players in the position.
Contreras was instrumental in the Brewers' pitching strategy and defensive operations. He recorded four stolen base attempts and successfully challenged the automated ball and strike system on 10 of 13 appeals during the series. In the decisive fifth game, he hit a two-run double in the 4-1 win that secured the championship.
Manager Pat Murphy praised Contreras, describing him as a pit bull that one should not approach casually. Murphy noted that Contreras was disappointed his statistics were not higher and that he did not win the Gold Glove award, indicating the player's high standards.
The award makes Contreras the eighth catcher to receive the World Series MVP honor. He joins Gene Tenace, Johnny Bench, Steve Yeager, Darrell Porter, Rick Dempsey, Pat Borders, and Salvador Perez in that select group. Contreras is the first Venezuelan to win the award since Perez in 2015.
During the regular season, Contreras led Major League Baseball in challenges against the automated umpire system with 185 attempts and 105 reversals. He batted .270 with 18 home runs and 94 runs batted in, setting a personal record. The Brewers won their fourth consecutive National League Central Division title.
Contreras also became one of four players to win both the World Baseball Classic and the World Series in the same calendar year. He was part of the Venezuelan team that won its first World Baseball Classic title in March. He joins Alex Bregman and Luke Gregerson in this distinction.
After receiving the trophy, Contreras hugged his older brother Willson, a first baseman for the Boston Red Sox who won the World Series with the Chicago Cubs in 2016. Contreras identified Willson as his role model and primary source of advice. He expressed deep pride in representing Venezuela, calling the dual victory historic for his country.
