GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- There’s a long story about how Brewers manager Pat Murphy first connected with Vanderbilt University head football coach Clark Lea, but that’s not the point. The point is that it’s become a fruitful friendship for both men, which is why Lea was in camp earlier this week not only to address Brewers players, but to be in the dugout for Monday’s game against the Dodgers.
“I think coaches just respect the [heck] out of each other,” Murphy said.
That’s certainly true in this case.
“The call may be different,” Lea said, “but the problems are the same. When you find people who are learners and are curious, it becomes almost therapeutic to engage outside your own sport.”
It’s no surprise that Murphy is drawn to college football coaches. He began his coaching career as one of them, since he served as an assistant football coach in addition to duties as head baseball coach for Maryville College and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at the start of Murphy’s career.
When he landed a life-changing opportunity as head baseball coach at Notre Dame in 1987, Murphy was naturally drawn to legendary football coach Lou Holtz. They became so close that Holtz was the very first call Murphy received when word broke that the Brewers were promoting him from bench coach to manager in November 2024.
“He took me in when I was 28 years old, and he knew I had a little bit of a football background at small colleges,” Murphy said. “I got to be in his meetings. I got to go to practice every day. He treated me like gold. I stood on the sidelines and he would tell me the first play from scrimmage. I would always try to correct him, and I could see when he wasn’t in the mood that day.
“He was a great man. I talked to him probably a month and a half ago in January and he was still sharp as a tack.”
Holtz died last week at age 89. Murphy paid his respects to the family in his own unique way.
“Whenever somebody in my contacts dies, I text their phone, knowing someone is going to get that,” Murphy said. “Like, ‘Coach, may you rest in peace. You’ve done it. The greatest gift you’ve given on Earth is what you’ve given people. Me being one of them, I’m just so thankful for your impact.’
“It’s kind of my own eulogy to them.”
Priester to see specialist
Still sidelined by the right wrist soreness that first plagued him last August, right-hander Quinn Priester traveled to Dallas this week to see a vascular surgery specialist. The Brewers had hoped offseason rest would be enough, but Priester has struggled with on again, off again symptoms this spring.
The most recent update from the team’s medical staff is an estimated April return, meaning Priester will begin the season on the injured list.
“He’ll have a bullpen and feels great, and then the next bullpen, he can’t do it,” Murphy said last week. “Whenever you’re dealing with whatever up the arm, [starting at] the wrist, it’s concerning. But I’m optimistic.”
First time under the lights
The Brewers have night exhibition games each of the next two Thursdays, beginning with a game against the Guardians in Goodyear. Christian Yelich will make a rare road trip to get at-bats under the lights, and organizational newcomer Jett Williams is also expected to start in his comeback from a quad injury.
Williams strained his left quad legging out a triple against the Padres on Feb. 23 and has not played since, though he’s picked up at-bats in live batting practice and has been doing infield drills.
“Obviously I would have loved to play, but it was just more giving it time to not turn into something [major],” Williams said. “It’s been more annoying than anything.”
The Brewers acquired Williams with right-hander Brandon Sproat from the Mets in the Freddy Peralta trade. While Sproat appears trending toward a spot in the Opening Day starting rotation, Williams, barring a change, probably will begin the season in the Minors.
“He just hasn’t spent a lot of time at Triple-A,” Murphy said. “It’s hard for guys to just jump over that. I guess [Jackson] Chourio did, but he might be the exception.”
Last call
To be a fly on the wall for this conversation: MLB Commissioner Emeritus Bud Selig spent a long time in the staff dining room on Monday with Rudy Ruettiger, the real-life subject of one of Selig’s favorite films, Rudy. Murphy, who first met Ruettiger at Notre Dame, put the two together so Ruettiger could deliver a signed jersey and other gifts to display in Selig’s office in Milwaukee.
In starting pitching news: Brandon Woodruff is scheduled to make his next outing in a simulated game on Friday as he continues to build pitch count. And righty Logan Henderson, who missed a start against the Dodgers this week because of renewed elbow soreness, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday. If it goes well, he could be back in a game on March 15.
Outfielder Akil Baddoo strained his left quad running to first base on Monday against the Dodgers and underwent an MRI scan. He was scheduled to meet with Brewers head physician Dr. William Raasch on Wednesday to chart a course of action.