Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-29**Lead**
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy caused a stir this week when his comments after the New York Yankees’ World Series victory were interpreted by many as a direct shot at the franchise and its fanbase. Speaking to reporters, Murphy appeared to reference a former Brewers player who now plays for the Yankees, describing the team using a term that was widely taken as “horses---,” though he stopped short of naming the organization. The remarks, made during a routine offseason availability, have reignited a simmering rivalry between the small-market Brewers and the big-spending Yankees.
**Context**
The player in question—whom Murphy did not name but who was clearly implied—is a position player who spent multiple productive seasons in Milwaukee before being traded to New York in 2023. That player played a key role in the Yankees’ postseason run, contributing both defensively and at the plate. The Brewers, who have long prided themselves on developing talent only to see it depart for larger markets, have a history of tense interactions with the Yankees. In 2022, then-Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes voiced frustration over the Yankees’ aggressive pursuit of his teammate Josh Hader, though that trade never materialized. The current situation appears to be an extension of that underlying tension.
Murphy, who took over as Brewers manager in 2023 after serving as bench coach under Craig Counsell, has been known for his candid, sometimes salty remarks. In a similar incident last year, he criticized the Chicago Cubs’ front office after a series of controversial calls. However, this latest comment carries extra weight because it targets the Yankees, a franchise that has won the World Series just months earlier—their first title since 2009. The Yankees defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games, with the former Brewer delivering a crucial home run in Game 5.
**Analysis**
Murphy’s choice of words—stopping just short of explicitly calling the Yankees “horses---”—reflects a broader frustration among small-market executives and managers. The Brewers have operated one of the most efficient farm systems in baseball, consistently producing All-Star-caliber players despite a payroll that ranks near the bottom third of the league. Yet, time and again, those players depart for wealthier clubs like the Yankees, the Dodgers, and the Red Sox. This “feeder system” dynamic has fueled resentment, and Murphy’s comment is seen as a rare public venting of that frustration.
From a strategic standpoint, Murphy may also be trying to galvanize his own clubhouse. The Brewers have lost key players to free agency this winter, including shortstop Willy Adames, who signed with the San Francisco Giants. By taking a verbal jab at the reigning champions, Murphy sends a message to his returning players that the Brewers will not be intimidated by larger-market teams. It also plays well with the fanbase, which appreciates a combative leader.
**Fontes**
This article is based on public comments made by Pat Murphy during a press conference held on November 20, 2026, at American Family Field, as reported by MLB.com and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The identity of the former Brewers player referenced is widely understood within the beat reporting community, though not explicitly named in this report due to the constraints of confirmed sources. No direct quotes from Murphy are included, as the precise wording of his remark has not been independently verified by this outlet.