Paper, Tape, and a Hundred Home Runs

Puerto Cabello

The Contreras boys — Willmer, Willson, and the youngest, William — played infield with baseballs they made themselves, wadded paper wound in tape. Their father William Sr. worked long hours in business; their mother Olga was a school janitor. The brothers snuck away from their studies to play, and William later called those unsupervised sessions beautiful moments that shaped him.

He is 28 now. On September 9, he hit his 100th career home run.

He signed with the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent in February 2015, for a $10,000 bonus, and converted to catcher. He debuted on July 24, 2020, and was a member of Atlanta's 2021 World Series championship team. In seven seasons and 734 games, he has 743 hits and 392 RBI. After three years with the Braves, he was traded to Milwaukee in a three-team deal on December 12, 2022.

When his agent called with the news, Contreras initially demanded to be traded back. He reacted with disbelief at landing in Milwaukee. He later reflected that the move proved fortunate — that he embraced the city, the organization, the fans, and hoped to stay long-term and help deliver a first franchise World Series title.

What Peralta Saw

Freddy Peralta recalled sensing he had been waiting for Contreras after the trade. He saw constant hustle — extra hitting sessions outside official practice times — and bonded with him over clubhouse dominoes and off-day barbecues. Peralta viewed him as someone who quietly takes care of the pitching staff every day.

In Milwaukee, Contreras has twice been the team's MVP and won two Silver Sluggers. He has made three All-Star teams, including this season, with 15 home runs through 135 games. He is the Brewers' catcher, 28, in his fourth year in Milwaukee.

Reporting: MLB.com, The Players' Tribune, Baseball-Reference. Career and biographical data: MLB StatsAPI, via the Fever engine.