Contreras wins World Series MVP with .381 average and 10 of 13 ABS challenges

William Contreras hit .381 in the World Series to earn the Most Valuable Player award on Wednesday. The Milwaukee Brewers catcher guided his team to a 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. This win secured the club’s fourth consecutive National League Central division title.

Contreras is the eighth catcher in history to receive the World Series MVP honor. He joins a list that includes Gene Tenace, Johnny Bench, Steve Yeager, Darrell Porter, Rick Dempsey, Pat Borders, and Salvador Perez. His performance included throwing out four base runners and succeeding on 10 of 13 automated ball and strike challenges.

The 28-year-old All-Star utilized the new automated umpire system more effectively than any other player in the league. During the regular season, he recorded 185 challenges and 105 reversals. In the postseason, he was correct on 22 of his 33 attempts. Contreras attributed his success to daily experience rather than luck, stating that the process relies on consistent play throughout the year.

Manager Pat Murphy described Contreras as a "pit bull" who is not easily approached. Murphy noted that the catcher was disappointed by his own statistics and his lack of a Gold Glove award, despite his crucial role in the team's success. Murphy said he told Contreras before the final game that he would be the MVP, and he saw no doubt in the decision.

Contreras embraced his older brother Willson after receiving the trophy. Willson, a first baseman for the Boston Red Sox, won a World Series with the Chicago Cubs in 2016. William Contreras identified his brother as his primary role model and closest friend. He said he asks Willson for advice on almost every question he has.

The Venezuelan native also reflected on his country’s recent baseball success. He was part of the team that won its first World Baseball Classic in March. Although he went 0 for 13 in that tournament, he and teammates Jackson Chourio and Antonio Senzatela joined a select group of players who won both the World Classic and the World Series in the same year. Contreras called the achievement "history" for Venezuela.

The Brewers had other strong candidates for the award. Cooper Pratt set a rookie record with six consecutive hits and matched Gil McDougald’s 1951 rookie mark with seven runs batted in. Jackson Chourio recorded 11 hits, the most for any player in a five-game World Series. Jacob Misiorowski went 2-0, allowing one run in 10 and two-thirds innings. Aaron Ashby pitched 5 and two-thirds scoreless innings, including a save and nine strikeouts.

Contreras finished the regular season with a .270 average, 18 home runs, and a career-high 94 runs batted in. In the divisional series against San Diego, he hit .444 with two solo home runs. He hit .357 with one home run and three runs batted in during the sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the championship series.