Jake Bauers Emerges as Star in Milwaukee

Former Yankee Jake Bauers is quickly making a name for himself in Milwaukee. The Brewers’ first baseman was named the NLCS MVP after driving in six runs during the team’s four-game sweep of the two-time defending champion Dodgers.

His remarkable performance included hitting a pivotal two-run homer in Game 3, marking him as the first Brewer ever to win this championship series accolade. That homer seemed to really shift the momentum of the series.

After the Brewers’ decisive 6-4 victory, Bauers reflected on his journey, saying, “I don’t know… I just let it all come to me. I didn’t chase it. I didn’t want anything. I just wanted to be a part of something, and that’s what I got.”

Interestingly, the last time the Brewers won a league pennant, back in the 1982 ALCS, the MVP award went to Fred Lynn of the Angels.

Just two years ago, Bauers was contemplating retirement. It’s been a real rollercoaster for him. He managed a .202 batting average with twelve home runs while playing for the Yankees in 2023, and he was later traded to Milwaukee at the end of that season. In his first stint with the Brewers, he struggled, hitting only .199 in 2024.

His mindset changed when he learned his wife was pregnant—suddenly, he had a bigger reason to keep going and support his growing family.

Despite having some decent moments with the Yankees, including working his way up from Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre, his final stretch in August and September wasn’t great, finishing with a .495 OPS. The Yankees ended up trading him to the Brewers for a couple of minor league outfielders.

Now, he’s on the verge of facing the team that gave him his start in the World Series—he was drafted by the Padres in 2013, traded to the Rays, and made his debut in June 2018.

After bouncing around between major and minor leagues, Bauers broke out this season, boasting a .266/.389/.484 line and 26 homers.

Now, after four trades, three releases, and thoughts of retirement, he has helped lead the Brewers to their first pennant since 1982, just a year after being swept by the Dodgers in the same series.

Bauers’ MVP-worthy performance included four hits over 14 at-bats. Those hits spoke volumes. He contributed a crucial two-run double in Game 4 and hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning of Game 3, which secured the Dodgers’ lead.

Teammate Christian Yelich praised Bauers: “He’s been huge for us all season, and I’m just really proud of him… He did a great job.”

Looking ahead, Bauers and the Brewers are set to open the World Series against the Guardians or Rays on October 23 at American Family Field.