Celebrating his team’s victory with a bottle of orange soda recently gave Milwaukee Brewers rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt an unexpected opportunity to talk about his Latter-day Saint faith.
A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Pratt doesn’t drink alcohol. Nonalcoholic drinks, such as sparkling cider, are usually available for him at team celebrations.
But after the Brewers defeated the San Diego Padres, 3-1, to win the National League Division Series on Oct. 7, the sparkling cider had been forgotten.
That was no big deal to Pratt. Wanting something to spray during the celebration, he went to the cafeteria and found glass bottles of Fanta.
“I was like, ‘Oh, this will work,’” Pratt told the Church News.
The 22-year-old returned to the clubhouse, unaware that his choice of drink would draw attention to his beliefs.
Cooper Pratt is popping bottles — Fanta bottles. https://t.co/zHNiaC9sEu
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) October 8, 2026
“What turned into me just grabbing a soda to celebrate turned into a bunch of people realizing and talking about my faith,” he said. “I didn’t expect it to blow up the way that it blew up. ... I just don’t drink.”
Visit the Church News to read more about Cooper Pratt’s journey and how he gained a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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