Brewers' Jake Bauers Thanks Wife Lauren for His NLCS Performance

{ "articleTitle": "Jake Bauers Credits Wife Lauren for NLCS Heroics and Return to Baseball", "articleDescription": "Milwaukee Brewers player Jake Bauers attributed his National League Championship Series performance to his wife Lauren, revealing he nearly retired after the 2024 season before her pregnancy prompted his return.", "articleBody": "

Bauers Attributes NLCS Success to Family Support

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Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers credited his wife, Lauren, for his performance during the National League Championship Series, stating that her pregnancy was the primary factor in his decision to continue playing professional baseball.

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Bauers, who hit .286 in the NLCS, revealed that he had considered retiring after the 2024 season. He told Fox Sports that the only thing that brought him back to the sport was the news that his wife became pregnant. Bauers explained that he kept playing because the family needed health insurance for their children.

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His standout moment in the series came in the seventh inning of Game 3, when a two-run home run put the Brewers ahead 3-2. Before Game 2, Bauers publicly credited his wife for allowing him to chase his baseball dreams as they started their family. He noted that Lauren holds things down at home by herself much of the time and described their children as a blessing.

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Bauers admitted he was not always the best husband or father but credited his wife for supporting him during difficult moments. Lauren Bauers responded to her husband's public gratitude, stating she was not surprised he gave credit to everyone else because they deserve it. She added that he built himself to be the man and baseball player he is.

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Performance Context and Previous Struggles

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The NLCS heroics marked a significant turnaround for Bauers, who hit under .200 during the 2024 season, the year he considered stepping away from the game. The Brewers' strong showing in the playoffs has set up their next matchup.

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According to reports, the Brewers will take on either the Tampa Bay Rays or the Cleveland Guardians in the 2026 World Series, which is scheduled to begin on Friday, October 23.

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Broader World Series Landscape

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While the Brewers prepare for their potential World Series appearance, other teams have already advanced. The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 in World Series Game 2 on Saturday, October 25.

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Celebrations followed the Dodgers' victory. Chelsea Freeman, wife of Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, shared celebratory posts on Instagram after the win on October 25. Additionally, Haeley Snell, wife of Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell, shared a throwback video from his 2012 rap track \"Rising Stars\" to celebrate his performance in NLCS Game 1