Contreras Named World Series MVP After Brewers' First Title

William Contreras has been named World Series MVP after leading the Milwaukee Brewers to the first championship in franchise history. The catcher hit .381 across the five games against the Tampa Bay Rays, going eight for 21 with four runs batted in, and recorded a multi-hit game in all four of Milwaukee's wins in the series. While Jackson Chourio and rookie Cooper Pratt had stronger series with the bat in pure power terms, Contreras won the award for the completeness of his contribution. Behind the plate he threw out four runners attempting to steal, repeatedly shutting down Tampa Bay rallies, and his handling of a pitching staff that surrendered just 12 runs in 48 innings was central to Milwaukee's dominance. In the clinching 4-1 Game 5 win, Contreras doubled home Christian Yelich in the sixth inning before scoring on Pratt's sacrifice fly as the Brewers built a 4-0 lead they never surrendered. The award caps a tremendous postseason in which he hit .373 with three home runs and nine runs batted in across 19 games. Contreras, who hit .270 with 18 home runs and 94 runs batted in during the regular season, now stands alongside Antonio Senzatela and Chourio as a World Baseball Classic and World Series champion.