Contreras Named MVP After Brewers Win First Title
The catcher hit a key double and scored the go-ahead run in Game 5, joining Sandoval and Perez as Venezuelan winners of the award.
By Harper Hassan ·
William Contreras was selected on Wednesday as the Most Valuable Player of the 2026 World Series. The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 1-4 in the fifth game to secure a 4-1 series victory. It marks the first championship in franchise history.
Contreras finished the series with a .381 batting average. He recorded eight hits, four runs batted in, and two runs scored across five games. The Venezuelan catcher also managed the bullpen and called the strikes with precision during the clinching contest.
In the sixth inning of the final game, Contreras hit a double that allowed Christian Yelich to score, extending the Brewers' lead to 3-0. Shortly after, he scored the fourth run on a sacrifice fly from Cooper Pratt. His defensive work included throwing out base runners attempting to steal.
"I am grateful to my teammates, to Pat Murphy, to my pitchers. I love these guys," Contreras said after receiving the trophy. He added that he felt proud of the group and urged the team to keep going.
Contreras is the third Venezuelan to receive the World Series MVP award. Pablo Sandoval won the honor in 2012, and Salvador Perez claimed it in 2015. Both previous winners played as catchers. Venezuela now has three such honors, trailing the Dominican Republic, which has five.
The catcher also belongs to a small group of players who won the World Series and the World Baseball Classic in the same season. Antonio Senzatela, Angel Zerpa, and outfielder Jackson Chourio are also on that list.
Source: El Diario La Prensa
