Brewers manager with Springsteen tattoo got call from The Boss before World Series

Brewers manager with Springsteen tattoo obtained call from The Boss before World Series.

Key points

• Murphy was quoting the refrain from Springsteen's "Last Man Standing" song on his 2020 studio album, "Letter to You."
• More: Robin Yount and Milwaukee 'starving' for this Brewers World Series title Exclusive.
• Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy shares his admiration for the Tampa Bay Rays and explains what makes the organization so respected.
• MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy was sitting at his kitchen table Wednesday morning when his cell phone rang.
• Murphy fell in love with Springsteen when he was in college, and drove to the Hollywood Sportatorium in Florida in pouring rain.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy on why he has so much respect for Rays.

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy was sitting at his kitchen table Wednesday morning when his cell phone rang. It was from unknown caller. And this person was trying to FaceTime him.

Murphy looked closer at his phone. It was from a 732 area code. Wait, the call was coming in from Freehold, New Jersey.

"The first thing I think of, " Murphy informed USA TODAY Sports in his office, "You got to be (expletive) me!"

Murphy hurriedly swiped open the phone, and there he was, sitting in a chair by himself.

Not only is he Murphy's favorite singer in the world, but an iconic figure in his life.

"He was just sitting in a chair myself, he asks how I was doing, " Murphy remarked. "We just sat there for 10 minutes having an straightforward talk. I was blown away, but it was just what I projected. It was as real as you can obtain, like we knew each other."

Springsteen's office called the Brewers last week to obtain Murphy's number. He had watched the teeam's pennant-clinching game over the Los Angeles Dodgers, and heard Murphy addressing his team in the clubhouse shouting, "We have to be the last man standing."

We're on the plane riding back from LA, Murphy remarked, and Ben comes up to me and stated, 'You're not going to believe this, but Springsteen's office called and noted he wants to call you.' I thought it was going to be on Monday, and it never came. Sure, enough, then he calls at 8 in the morning with my kids still asleep. I'm just by myself.

So, just how was it talking to The Boss, fulfilling his dream?

It couldn't have been more serene and peaceful, just like you'd expect, Murphy remarked. It was authentic. It was peaceful. Everything was perfect.

I just informed him a couple stories concerning the way he impacted my life, and continues to impact my life. I informed him a sizeable night out for me is to turn on YouTube, ' and put on his Broadway show, and sit there and listen to it, and have a good meal. Was Murphy nervous or even star-struck?

Not really, he remarked. I felt pretty normal. It's like you knew him your whole life. I feel like I do know him since I know so much concerning him. It was just as real as always, just like you'd want it.

"I wish I could do it again 10 times, " Murphy remarked. "It was just awesome."

Murphy, 67, sits back in his chair and shakes his head. He looks down at his tattooed left forearm where he has "No retreat, no surrender, " from Springsteen's hit.

"He played for 5 ½ hours, " Murphy remarked. "I was just amazed. It wasn't even how good the music was, or bad. It was The River Tour, and it was incredible. So, it sparked my interest."

Meanwhile, the rest is history, and now Murphy can recite every song, every verse, every word.

The message just resonated, Murphy remarked last week. He grew up a Catholic kid in New Jersey. I was a Catholic kid from upstate New York. There's just so much that resonates with me how he speaks regarding things. I don't know what it is. His language, his way of relating to individuals, it's just incredible.

"I'm not a connoisseur of music, necessarily, or know anything regarding it. I can't carry a tune or play an instrument. But this guy just speaks to me, man."

Murphy has had numerous chances previously to meet Springsteen backstage, but he always wanted that first session to be personal. Just the two of them. A one-on-one conversation. And now, it's finally happened.

So, is Springsteen now rooting for the Brewers to win the World Series? "Well, " Murphy remarked, laughing, "he didn't go that far." Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale. SMS Facebook Twitter Email. Share your feedback to support improve our site! Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, brewers manager with Springsteen tattoo got call from The Boss before World remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.