“Wanted to Kill Me” – Brewers Manager Drops Striking Confession on Ex-Teammate While Revealing Their Unbelievable Evolution

Known for his sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude, the Milwaukee Brewers‘ Manager is not someone to shy away from tough love, even if it means earning the wrath of players first. Amid growing buzz over the NL Manager of the Year race, his raw and candid confession about a rocky player relationship unveils the true power of tough love in forging a strong bond.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy is definitely a crowd favorite, he didn’t win the 2024 NL Manager of the Year for nothing. Well-known for his sharp sense of humor, he’s always known how to keep the heat under control. But as a manager, there are times when you need to be bold and direct, and tailor that firmness to each player’s needs. In a recent podcast, Murphy came clean about one ex-Brewer, now-retired Eric Thames, and how their relationship evolved.

While in conversation with Diggin’ Deep hosts Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, he recalled the time when Thames was around:
“This guy wanted to kill me for part of the year because I would just go right at him. And we became close, you know what I mean? But you know, it’s because he needed that love.” And yes, as a manager, that’s often what it comes down to, knowing how to love your players. And for Murphy, it worked out well with Thames.

Murphy has a knack for being exactly who you need in tough moments. And all a struggling Thames needed was that kind of tough love. During his time with the Brewers from 2017 to 2019, Thames had once struck out three times in a row. Frustrated, he returned to the dugout gripping only the handle of a broken bat. Murphy, then the bench coach, looked at him and said: “Next time, why don’t you grab the tennis racket in my office?” And that’s all it took for Thames to break into laughter and cool off, according to The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen.

Murphy knows how to manage his players, and that has paved the way for a fatherly kind of bond in the Brewers’ dugout. And ever since he took over as manager after Craig Counsell’s exit, he’s been leading the team with a strong ‘win now’ mentality. At times, his light-hearted digs even touch on front office decisions, always with the team’s best interest in mind. He’s been the force behind the team’s resilience, and now, as they gear up to face the Phillies for the second game, he has spearheaded a roster shuffle.

Pat Murphy sends Joel Payamps to the Minor League

The Brewers’ bullpen hasn’t been able to pick up where it left off over the past two seasons. This year, they’re struggling — and it’s clearly evident. They currently rank 20th in MLB with a 4.00 ERA, a stark contrast to their top-tier performances in recent years. With several pitchers on the IL and others overworked, reshaping the bullpen dynamics made sense. That’s how right-handed reliever Joel Payamps ended up in the minors.

His slow start to the season made it difficult to keep him on the roster. Payamps cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville earlier this week, just a week after being designated for assignment. It’s hard to fault the team—manager Pat Murphy had little choice, as Payamps’s struggles on the mound were simply too glaring to overlook. How bad was it? In 23 appearances this season, he posted an 8.31 ERA. Over 18.1 innings pitched, he managed only 16 strikeouts and gave up 3 home runs. So, the move came as no surprise.

Meanwhile, Brandon Woodruff is working toward a comeback and is currently on a rehab stint with Nashville. Getting the former All-Star pitcher back to the majors remains a top priority for the Brewers. Each of these moves reflects the team’s resilience. They’re currently third in the NL Central with a 30–28 record. Every move Murphy makes has one clear goal: to push this team further. And guess what? They’re riding a five-game winning streak.

Will they keep it going when they face the Phillies again in the second game of the series on June 1?