Milwaukee Brewers rookie Cooper Pratt has captured a piece of Major League Baseball history during the Fall Classic, establishing a new World Series record for consecutive hits by a first-year player.
Playing at Tropicana Field during Wednesday night’s Game 5, the 22-year-old singled to spark a run-scoring rally for Milwaukee, notching a hit in his sixth consecutive plate appearance. The milestone performance also places Pratt in elite company as the first player of any experience level to record a hit in six straight World Series trips to the plate since Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz accomplished the feat in 2013.
Pratt’s historic streak began during Game 4 when he drove home a run with a double in the fourth inning. He followed that extra-base hit with a single in the sixth, another single in the ninth, and a dramatic, go-ahead home run in the 12th inning. Although the Brewers ultimately dropped that contest on a walk-off finish, Pratt picked up right where he left off on Wednesday, lining an RBI single in the second inning. In the fifth inning, he singled again to surpass New York Yankees player Brian Doyle, who previously held the rookie record with hits in five consecutive World Series plate appearances back in 1978.
The all-time record across any player classification is held by Billy Hatcher, who recorded a hit in seven consecutive World Series plate appearances during the 1990 postseason. Alongside Pratt, Ortiz, Doyle, Hatcher, the exclusive list of players who have managed hits in six straight trips to the plate includes Thurman Munson, Norm Cash, and Goose Goslin.
Following his record-breaking single in Game 5, Pratt’s overall batting average in the World Series reached .444, going 8-for-18 overall with three of those hits accounting for extra bases.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy praised the young infielder’s approach and maturity ahead of Game 5. Noting the intense pressure facing a young player who has already signed a long-term contract, Murphy highlighted Pratt’s dedication to his craft. This kid just continues to amaze you, Murphy said, pointing to the player’s willingness to be open to growth and his development into a diligent student of the game.
