# Brewers star Jake Bauers nears quitting baseball, World Series MVP

> Jake Bauers nearly quit baseball in 2024 but returned to help Brewers reach World Series.
- Title: Brewers star Jake Bauers nears quitting baseball, World…
- Summary: Jake Bauers nearly quit baseball in 2024 but returned to help Brewers reach World Series.
- Keywords: jake bauers, milwaukee brewers, world series, national league championship series, tampa bay rays, baseball, mlb, news, local, Brewers, star, Jake
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/story/milwaukee-brewers-star-talks-quitting-baseball-heading-world-series/19961248
- Published: 2026-10-20T21:03:33+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: jake bauers, milwaukee brewers, world series, national league championship series, tampa bay rays, baseball, mlb, news, local
## Jake Bauers nears quitting baseball
Jake Bauers nearly quit baseball in 2024 after a disappointing season with the Brewers.

> I was beat up after a long season, we didn't necessarily know what was next, I was a free agent.
## Bauers and wife Lauren consider family
Bauers' wife Lauren, a former first and second grade teacher, supported him by helping with their growing family.

> I have a teaching background, so that was an easy fallback.
## Bauers' mindset shifts
Bauers decided to focus on family and his commitment to his wife and children after learning about their second child.

> I have a vivid memory of just making a decision that if I go back and if I continue playing, it's going to be different.
## Bauers re-signed with Brewers
Bauers re-signed with the Brewers in 2025 after nearly quitting baseball in 2024.

> I said, whatever happens is, that's what's going to happen.
## Brewers win franchise record
The Brewers won a franchise record of 103 games this season, now four wins away from World Series.

> It's been a really rewarding journey, we found something within each other.
## World Series matchup
The Brewers face the Tampa Bay Rays in World Series after defeating the 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers.

> We call ourselves the average Joes, best friends, hanging out all day.
## Bauers' perfect career
Bauers called his baseball career 'perfect' despite challenges, saying everything happened exactly as it was supposed to.

> I think I would say it's been perfect, once you zoom out, everything happened exactly how it was supposed to.
## Key takeaway

Jake Bauers nearly quit baseball in 2024 but returned to help Milwaukee Brewers reach World Series.