Chicago – The long-awaited face-off between Craig Counsell and the Milwaukee Brewers finally became a reality on Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field. About six months after he left to manage the Chicago Cubs, Counsell found himself guiding his new team against his old one.
“It’s just about winning the game,” Counsell said before the first pitch. “They’ve got a solid team, so you focus on figuring out how to beat them. It’s emotional seeing people I spent so much time with and built relationships with. I definitely miss them.”
At the top of Counsell’s list of people he misses is Pat Murphy, his former bench coach and mentor. Murphy was named Counsell’s replacement a week after he left Milwaukee last November. The two were tight when they worked together, but now their relationship has shifted.
“It’s funny, Pat and I don’t talk much anymore,” said Counsell, Milwaukee’s all-time winningest manager. “As managers, our focus is on improving our own teams. We just aren’t having those conversations now. We still chat about our kids and other things, but not about the teams.”
Murphy was in Chicago, but not managing, due to serving the second of a two-game suspension for his ejections in games against the Tampa Bay Rays earlier in the week. His absence meant that Rickie Weeks, who played with Counsell in Milwaukee, was filling in as the acting manager. Many view Weeks as a potential future manager for the Brewers.
Counsell’s Cubs entered Friday with a 19-13 record, just a game behind the first-place Brewers in the National League Central Division. Both teams have had their share of injuries, with key players like Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki on the injured list for the Cubs.
“The Brewers have been playing well,” Counsell noted. “Their offense has been strong, and they’ve scored a lot of runs. It’s a good team.”
The Brewers-Cubs rivalry has shifted through various phases, with Milwaukee holding a slight edge in the all-time series. Despite the rivalry, Counsell and Murphy maintain a healthy perspective on the competition.
“This is just baseball,” Counsell explained. “We’re here to have fun and compete. There’s no animosity; it’s just about beating the other guy.”
Murphy echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the value of these competitive games for the Brewers’ younger players. “It’s great for them to experience the intensity of big games,” he said. “It helps them grow and learn to handle the emotions.”
Fans on social media have been less kind, particularly towards Counsell, since his departure from Milwaukee. However, both managers see the games as an opportunity to compete and grow.
“Everyone wants to be a part of these big moments,” Murphy concluded. “You just have to keep your poise and play effectively.”
