Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy has contacted New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to apologize after a hot mic captured derogatory remarks Murphy made about the 2023 Yankees. The comments were recorded during a post-game celebration with first baseman and NLCS MVP Jake Bauers.
Hot Mic Captures Remarks to Jake Bauers
During the recorded exchange with Bauers, who is entering free agency following a career-best season, Murphy spoke about the contrast between Milwaukee’s culture and Bauers’ previous team. Bauers played for the 2023 Yankees, who finished with an 82-80 record and missed the postseason.
Murphy was overheard telling Bauers: “You’re gonna be a rich f—er, but just remember when you were on that horseshit Yankees team and you guys were all playing for yourself, just remember, say, ‘this is the way we used to do it.'”
Murphy Explains Inside Joke and Contact with Cashman
Addressing the incident on the New York Post podcast “The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman,” Murphy explained that he reached out to New York’s general manager as soon as he learned the audio had become public.
“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 stated that the comment stemmed from an ongoing private banter he had with Bauers regarding his upcoming free agency and expected payday, as Milwaukee would likely be unable to match market offers.
“After every celebration, I’d shake his hand. I’d say, ‘You rich so-and-so, you’re going to leave us,’ ” Murphy explained. “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.”
Murphy added that his broader point was about the challenges of managing rosters with high-earning players, rather than a specific attack on the Yankees franchise.
“I was just referring to the teams that have a lot of high-paid, long-contract players,” Murphy said. “That sometimes it’s harder to get all those guys together to play together. And I used the Yankees because I knew Jake was with them before. … I regret saying it, but that was Jake and I’s humor behind the scenes and I got caught.”
As reported by CBS Sports, Bauers earned $2.7 million last season, double his previous career high, and enters free agency seeking a long-term contract.
