Cooper Pratt has emerged as one of the stars of this year’s Major League Baseball playoffs over the past few weeks, both on and off the field.
He is now a World Series champion.
Pratt’s Milwaukee Brewers won their first championship in franchise history Wednesday night, winning the series by beating the American League’s Tampa Bay Rays four games to one.
Few players had a better Fall Classic than Pratt, as the rookie shortstop hit an excellent .421 (8-for-19) with a home run and seven RBIs.
“It’s one of the toughest but most fun baseball games I’ve ever been a part of,” an emotional Pratt said after the game.
“I made mistakes a few times during the playoffs, but the guys picked me up. We’re here and we’re world champions. It’s so special, man. I’m so blessed. I owe everything to my Heavenly Father. It’s amazing.”
Pratt’s effort even turned out to be historic. In the previous 121 World Series, no rookie had ever had four hits and a home run in a single game, and no rookie had ever had hits in six consecutive at-bats.
Pratt accomplished both feats against the Rays, and without teammate William Contreras, he could have easily won World Series MVP honors.
In Game 4, Pratt’s solo home run gave the Brewers a 12th inning lead and put them on the doorstep of glory, needing only three outs to complete the series sweep.
Milwaukee’s bullpen subsequently melted, however, allowing Tampa Bay to rally for the victory and negating Pratt’s heroics.
That ultimately wouldn’t matter to the Rays, who were content to delay their elimination for one more night.
Although his Game 4 home run was drowned out by the loss, Pratt had already delivered a game-changing moment a few days earlier by placing the game-winning run in Game 2.
In 74 regular-season outings after his debut in June, Pratt posted a .281 batting average with three home runs, 34 RBIs, 19 stolen bases and Gold Glove-caliber defense at shortstop.
Pratt, whose uncle Trent is currently the head baseball coach at BYU, is the first Latter-day Saint to win an MLB title since Jeremy Guthrie in 2015.
Cooper Pratt’s faith found national prominence throughout the postseason, as he went viral for celebrating Milwaukee’s series victories with orange Fanta and sparkling cider rather than the traditional champagne and beer.
Latter-day Saints are taught to abstain from alcohol, and Pratt’s decision to follow that advice with his celebratory soft drinks gave him an unexpected opportunity to share his beliefs with the world.
“I promise you that if you give time to the Lord, you will be blessed,” Pratt told Church News earlier this month. “Choose right, do your best, and work hard.” »
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