Pat Murphy rejoined Brewers for the first time since suffering a heart attack

Pat Murphy is back on the bench for the Milwaukee Brewers.

One of Craig Counsell’s most important hires as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers was bringing former Padres coach Pat Murphy on to serve as the team’s bench coach. While the coach has been noticeably absent from Milwaukee’s dugout during 2020 as he recovers from a heart attack, coach Murphy finally returned in triumphant fashion.

The 61-year-old Murphy, who was considered for the Mets’ managerial vacancy this offseason, returned to the Brewers bench for the first time today since the heart attack. Perhaps just as important, his dry, sardonic sense of humor is back as well, as he wore a shirt with the number three on it, claiming that “three up, three down” is the struggling Brewers’ offensive philosophy.

Pat Murphy might ignite the struggling Brewers offense

The Brewers, fresh off a 6-0 win over the Cardinals in which Ryan Braun hit career home run No. 350, are unfortunately proving his pregame declaration strangely prophetic tonight, as they are struggling to get much of anything going against a moribund Kansas City Royals team. It can’t be a coincidence that several star hitters have seen noteworthy statistical declines without Murphy’s keen eye for coaching on the bench. Hopefully, a return can help fix these issues.

While superstar Christian Yelich has hit a noticeably less elite clip with Murphy, his return has seemingly helped Yelich get back on the right track in the closing days of the season, as the 2018 NL MVP launched a home run to get the Brewers back in the game. This looks more like the player who won an MVP and was robbed of a second one last year.

It’s good to see Murphy not only recovering from the heart attack but doing so to the degree that he’s able to resume his coaching duties and get back in the dugout.