8th Catcher: Contreras Takes World Series MVP as Brewers Defeat Rays

Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras was named the Most Valuable Player of the World Series on Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Florida. The 28-year-old Venezuelan became the eighth position player to win the award after leading his team to a four-games-to-one victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Contreras hit .381 during the championship series. He recorded four throwouts against baserunners and won 10 of 13 appeals under Major League Baseball’s automated ball-strike system. In the decisive fifth game on Wednesday night, he hit a two-run double in the Brewers’ 4-1 win. Manager Pat Murphy noted that Contreras challenged the automated system more than any other player, with 185 total challenges and 105 reversals during the regular season.

The catcher’s performance capped a historic 2026 season for Venezuela. In March, Contreras helped the national team win its first World Baseball Classic title. He joins Alex Bregman and Luke Gregerson as the only players to win both the World Series and the World Baseball Classic in the same calendar year. Contreras also recorded a personal best of 94 runs batted in during the regular season, batting .270 with 18 home runs. The Brewers secured their fourth consecutive National League Central division title.

The award history for catchers remains short. Only seven players had won the World Series MVP as a catcher before Contreras. The list includes Gene Tenace in 1972, Johnny Bench in 1976, Steve Yeager in 1981, Darrell Porter in 1982, Rick Dempsey in 1983, Pat Borders in 1992, and Salvador Pérez in 2015. Murphy called Contreras a pit bull and said he had no doubt about the award choice.

Contreras embraced his older brother Willson Contreras, first baseman for the Boston Red Sox, after receiving the trophy. Willson won a World Series with the Chicago Cubs in 2016. William described his brother as his model and friend. He also spoke about representing Venezuela, stating that winning both major titles in one year was history for his country.

The Brewers had several other strong candidates for the award. Cooper Pratt set a rookie record with six consecutive hits and matched a 1951 rookie record with seven runs batted in. Jackson Chourio led all players with 11 hits in a five-game series. Starter Jacob Misiorowski went 2-0, allowing one run in 10 2/3 innings. Reliever Aaron Ashby pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings, recording nine strikeouts and a save.

Contreras said he does not view the automated challenge system as magic. He attributed his success to the experience of playing every day during the season. He finished the postseason with a .444 average in the divisional round against San Diego and a .357 average against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the championship series.