The well-traveled first baseman drove in half of Milwaukee's runs in a 6-4 series-clinching win at Dodger Stadium.
Jake Bauers has finally found a home, and it comes with a trophy. The Brewers first baseman, who bounced through Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Seattle and a brief stop with the Yankees before Milwaukee picked him up off the scrap heap nearly three years ago, was named NLCS MVP after the Brewers swept the Dodgers to reach the World Series.
Bauers saved his best for Game 4, driving in half of Milwaukee's runs with a crucial two-run double that helped put the Brewers ahead in a 6-4 victory at Dodger Stadium on Thursday. It capped a postseason run full of what one outlet called signature moments for a player who had spent years looking like he couldn't stick anywhere in the league.
The honor is the first LCS MVP in Brewers history, a notable distinction for a franchise that has been to the pennant round before but never had a player take home the hardware, including during their 1982 World Series run. For a team built on finding value in overlooked players, Bauers is as fitting a symbol as any.
Milwaukee now moves on to face its World Series opponent, carrying the momentum of a sweep and a newly minted postseason star.