There's no doubt that Pat Murphy loves Bruce Springsteen, and The Boss gave the manager a ring before the Milwaukee Brewers start the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Murphy, who has a tattoo quoting the song “No Surrender” that reads, “No retreat, no surrender,” received a phone call from The Boss himself, as he told USA Today. He was getting a call from an unknown number that was trying to FaceTime him.
However, upon looking at the area code (732), which is from Freehold, New Jersey, he knew who it was. They had a 10-minute chat that left Murphy “blown away,” though it's exactly “what I expected” from a phone call with Springsteen.
“It was as real as you can get,” the Brewers' manager described, “like we knew each other.”
As the Brewers returned home from Los Angeles after beating the Dodgers to secure their spot in the World Series, Murphy was alerted that The Boss had called the office asking for his number. He wanted to speak with the manager, but it didn't happen when he expected. Instead, it happened early in the morning when his kids were still sleeping.
Murphy couldn't help but fanboy a little bit. He told The Boss how he's inspired him throughout his life and how a “big night out” is listening to Springsteen on Broadway while eating at home.
Article Continues BelowLuckily, he wasn't starstruck or nervous talking to him. He explained, “I felt pretty normal. It's like you knew him your whole life. I feel like I do know him because I know so much about him. It was just as real as always, just like you'd want it.”
He wishes he could do it all over again. After all, his fandom dates back decades. Murphy drove in the pouring rain to see Springsteen's River Tour in the '80s.
Now, the focus is on the Brewers winning the World Series. Springsteen didn't say he was rooting for the Brewers. Murphy said, “he didn't go that far.” He has a few chances to “Prove It All Night” to The Boss.