CHICAGO — Craig Counsell has long been synonymous with Milwaukee Baseball, but as of Monday, the former Brewers skipper is officially a Chicago Cub.
Counsell reiterated multiple times throughout Monday's introductory press conference that he was ready for a new challenge in his managerial career and that Chicago felt like the right move.
Officially official.
— Ashley Washburn (@ashleyjwashburn) November 13, 2023
Craig Counsell has been introduced as the @Cubs 52nd manager in franchise history.
“It feels good.” pic.twitter.com/4OJGRfOOTX
"I just thought that a new challenge was where I had to push myself,” Counsell said. "Through this process, that has already happened. That's another thing that just tells you this is right."
Counsell spent 17 years with the Brewers splitting time as both a player (2004, 2007-2011) and manager (2015-2023). He led the Brewers to five playoff appearances in six years, including three NL Central titles.
The former Brewers skipper said in Monday's introductory presser that he underestimated the mental hurdle this move was going to cause.
"This was much harder than I imagined," he shared. "Seventeen years of relationships — that just hits you hard. Truthfully, that hits you really hard. The Brewers have meant a lot to me. I have great relationships there. The relationships I have there are the relationships I am going to try with all of me to build in Chicago. They're what's important about this game."
The Whitefish Bay native shared that Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs, called him on Nov. 1 to gauge his interest in potentially joining the franchise. The two met in person that same day before Counsell flew to New York for his interview with the Mets.
Less than a week later on Nov. 6, Counsell agreed to a five-year, $40 million contract with the Chicago Cubs making him the highest-paid manager in Major League Baseball.
His hiring replaced David Ross who managed the Cubs for four seasons.
Craig Counsell says he received a text from David Ross before the official news broke last week that he was taking over as the #Cubs next manager.
— Ashley Washburn (@ashleyjwashburn) November 13, 2023
Counsell said he called him immediately and that he believes the two had a great conversation.
Before rounding out his coaching staff for the 2023-24 season, Counsell said he "needs to do more homework" on the current Chicago Cubs staff.
He did note that Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy is technically not employed by Milwaukee at the moment. Murphy is said to be a candidate for the Brewers vacant manager job, but there's always a chance he could join Counsell in Chicago or go to a different franchise.
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