Curt Hogg and JR Radcliffe discuss Craig Counsell joining the Cubs
Curt Hogg and JR Radcliffe discuss Craig Counsell’s shocking exit. Watch the full conversation by downloading the Microbrew podcast.
About 24 hours after the shocking news that Craig Counsell was named manager of the Chicago Cubs, the former Milwaukee Brewers captain posed for a brief question-and-answer session with a select group of local media, including the Journal Sentinel, on Tuesday , available.
Counsell, who was reportedly given a record-breaking five-year, $40 million contract to replace David Ross on the home bench at Wrigley Field, made his intentions clear in advance.
This was an opportunity for him to explain his decision to fans and not rehash all the details that led him to leave the Brewers, although Counsell did provide a few brief insights into the process.
“My goal here is really to say thank you to the Milwaukee community,” Counsell said.
Counsell is scheduled to be introduced as the new Cubs manager on Monday in Chicago, and it’s possible more details will emerge at that time.
In the meantime, here’s what Counsell had to say.
Many Brewers fans are hurt by your decision. What do you tell them?
Counsell: “I think as I went through this process I realized that I needed and wanted a new professional challenge. At the same time, I am grateful to be part of this community. And hopefully that will continue, because that part of it has nothing to do with baseball. I’m looking forward to being part of a new community and hopefully having a good influence on our community. But as time went on, I realized I needed a new challenge.”
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Since this is all so new, do you plan on living in Whitefish Bay in the future?
Counsell: “It’s brand new. In the short term, I assume that nothing will change for me in this regard.”
The shock here isn’t so much that you left the Brewers, but that you left the Brewers to join the all-team Cubs. Can you explain your thinking?
Counsell: “When you look at my decision, you take a number of things into consideration, and the challenge in this industry is that there’s a job in 30 places in 30 different cities and I can still maintain what I think is a great situation (family ). -way). I managed that and got a professional challenge at the same time. But the proximity made it attractive.”
How difficult was it ultimately to pull the trigger and make the move, considering you were the Brewers’ ultimate lifer?
Counsell: “Yesterday was an emotional day. First I was sad, then happy, then I cried, then I laughed. So I looked through everything. It’s all the things that make a really full day. So that’s the immediacy. I mean, there was a lot going on yesterday. I understand that it was a decision that affected many people. And I take that very seriously. And of course that played a role.”
What do you think your legacy will be with the Brewers?
Counsell: “I mean, I’m grateful for my time here. In my eyes, my connection to people doesn’t change. I have built really beautiful, strong relationships that have, if anything, strengthened during an emotional time and will last forever. And you know, that’s your legacy to me, your relationships. And that’s why they mean a lot to me, and they’re strong and deep. And I’m proud of that. That meant everything to me yesterday in the phone calls with the players. That’s what’s important to me. The rest is, you know, a matter of the future.”
What else do you like about your new situation besides the closeness?
Counsell: “I mean, it’s just a challenge for me with an organization that’s very well positioned and just trying to do some special things. So that part of it is certainly exciting and enticing. And you know, it’s a challenge. It’s going to be difficult. Its scary. Because change is scary. But sometimes you have to get out of that comfort zone, and that’s what makes it exciting.”
Have you allowed yourself to think about next May 27th when the Cubs come to American Family Field for the first time?
Counsell: “Then I’ll give you another chance.”
When you called Mark Attanasio on Monday morning, was it solely to tell him you were leaving?
Counsell: “Yes. Of course we had discussions beforehand.”
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How important was it for you to reset the bar for managerial salaries in the major leagues?
Counsell: “Look, I just wanted the market to decide. That’s it.”
Can you say whether your relationship with management or owners has become more strained at all in recent seasons?
Counsell: “I don’t agree with that. I don’t think that’s the case at all. I really appreciate Matt Arnold. I really appreciate David Stearns. I really appreciate Mark. Mark was incredibly polite on our last phone call together. I have no hard feelings. They had to make a decision and I had to make a decision. That’s it.”
Are you considering bringing someone from your Milwaukee workforce to Chicago?
Counsell: “Of course I have to make these decisions, but I didn’t. I’m in a phase of hello and goodbye right now.”
Have you been out at all today? What were people’s reactions like when you did that?
Counsell: “A lot of people’s comments definitely just touched me. I’m grateful for that. Your connection to people doesn’t change – I don’t plan for that to change, and your connection to a community doesn’t have to change as a result. Because I know that maybe people know who I am because of baseball. But that has nothing to do with my connection to the community. And I think it’s separate. I know the fandom says that’s not the case, but I think it’s special.”
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