Pat Murphy says he reached out to Brian Cashman after his comments about the Yankees blew up, making clear he wanted to explain what he meant.
On Tuesday’s episode of The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, the Brewers manager said he contacted the Yankees general manager immediately after hearing the remarks had circulated.
“I called Brian Cashman right away when I heard it got out,” Murphy said. “I picked up a phone and called Brian right away, and had a good conversation. And the best I could try to explain that I wasn’t talking about the 2026 Yankees.”
Murphy, who led Milwaukee to the franchise’s first World Series championship, said the exchange that drew attention was tied to an ongoing joke with first baseman Jake Bauers, who is set to become a free agent and previously played for the Yankees.
“After every celebration, I’d shake his hand. I’d say, ‘You rich so-and-so, you’re going to leave us,’” Murphy said.
“We’re not going to be able to pay you. You’re going to leave us and you’re going to forget all about how we did things.
… I would just give him this rhetoric every time.”
The comments that sparked the backlash came after the Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series. Video showed Murphy telling Bauers: “You’re going to be a rich (expletive).
Just remember when you were on that horses---t Yankees team and you guys were all playing for yourself? Just remember, say, ‘This is the way we used to do it.’
”
The Yankees were swept by the Rays in the ALDS and still haven’t won a World Series since 2009. Since the season ended, several Yankees voices have taken public shots at the club’s culture, including Derek Jeter, Paul O’Neill, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Jorge Posada, Goose Gossage and former manager Joe Girardi.
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