Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras made MLB history on Wednesday, delivering a remarkable performance as his team defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in Game 5 to capture its first World Series title in franchise history.
The 28-year-old became the first catcher since 1938 to accomplish a rare World Series feat while earning Most Valuable Player honors.
During the World Series, Contreras stole a base while also throwing out three opposing baserunners attempting to steal, including Tampa Bay’s Chandler Simpson, the American League’s stolen-base leader.
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The achievement placed Contreras alongside Bill Dickey, who accomplished the same feat in 1938. They are the only catchers to steal a base and catch the opposing league’s leading base stealer in a World Series won by their team.
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Contreras played a crucial role on both sides of the ball, helping Milwaukee secure the championship with his offensive production and outstanding defensive work behind the plate.
He was instrumental throughout the series, recording eight hits in 21 at-bats with four RBIs. He also threw out four of nine attempted base stealers, helping neutralize a Tampa Bay running game that had been perfect in the postseason before facing Milwaukee, converting all 11 of its previous stolen-base attempts.
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His performance earned him World Series MVP honors, making him the first catcher to receive the award since Salvador Perez won it with the Kansas City Royals in 2015.
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Contreras has spent four seasons with Milwaukee after beginning his MLB career with the Atlanta Braves. During the 2026 regular season, he batted .270 with 18 home runs and a career-high 94 RBIs, establishing himself as a key contributor to the Brewers’ championship campaign.
His success in 2026 extended beyond MLB. Contreras also won the World Baseball Classic with Venezuela earlier in the year, alongside Brewers teammates Antonio Senzatela and Jackson Chourio.
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The trio became just the second group of teammates to win both the World Baseball Classic and the World Series in the same year. The first were Alex Bregman and Luke Gregerson, who accomplished the feat with the Houston Astros in 2017.
With a championship, an MVP award and a place in baseball history, Contreras has capped an unforgettable year. His combination of offensive production, defensive excellence and timely contributions proved vital to Milwaukee’s historic run, securing his place among the defining figures of the Brewers’ first World Series championship.
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