CHICAGO (670 The Score) — When Craig Counsell first walked through the gates of fabled Wrigley Field on Monday morning as the new manager of the Cubs, the significance of the moment wasn’t lost on him.
That was part of why Counsell was willing to make the move 90 miles south from Milwaukee to Chicago in a defining decision for his managerial career. He wasn't just bidding farewell to a Brewers franchise that he spent 17 years with as a player, front office member and manager. He was also leaving his longtime home for the next chapter of his life.
Counsell, 53, struggled with the circumstances surrounding his departure from the Brewers to the Cubs. Stepping into the Friendly Confines reminded him that he had made the right move.
“You walk into the history, you walk into the energy, you walk into a place where you already know it demands your best,” Counsell said. “That feeling is just a feeling that I need to have and I love to have. I love that to be a part of my daily job. That feeling that exists right now is really, really special for me.”
The Cubs introduced Counsell as the 56th manager in franchise history Monday morning, marking the culmination of a complicated and emotional process that started 12 days prior when Counsell officially became a managerial free agent for hire on Nov. 1.
With his contract with the Brewers having expired, Counsell was a coveted managerial candidate across MLB. He was set to fly out to New York on Nov. 2 to interview with the Mets, a team that's now led by president of baseball operations David Stearns, his former Brewers boss.
All along, the Mets were seen as the top suitor for Counsell’s services. Then came a phone call from an unfamiliar number not long after Counsell hit free agency on Nov. 1. He didn't pick up the call, instead letting it go to voicemail. It was Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer.
Before flying out to New York on Nov. 2, Counsell drove from Milwaukee to the northern suburbs of Chicago to meet personally with Hoyer at his home. Given the sensitivity of the situation with David Ross under contract as the Cubs’ manager, Hoyer informed only general manager Carter Hawkins and chairman Tom Ricketts of this meeting.
“I thought he was, from the outside, a fantastic partner from the sense of you watch what he has done with the Brewers,” Hoyer said. “Clearly, he gets the most out of his teams. He’s exceptionally bright. We talked a lot about him coming on board and being a partner.
“I’m really proud of where we are as an organization. I thought he was the perfect guy to take that to the next level.”
Counsell led the Brewers for nine seasons, posting a .531 winning percentage and leading Milwaukee to the playoffs in five of the last six years. He also led the Brewers to three NL Central crowns in his tenure with them. Notably, Counsell did so with a roster payroll that was never higher than 17th in MLB.
The Cubs went 83-79 in 2023 under the guidance of Ross, who encountered bigger expectations and greater scrutiny in managing a more competitive team in his fourth season. But the Cubs faltered down the stretch, losing 15 of their final 22 games to miss the playoffs after they had been in line for a National League wild-card berth and had pushed Counsell's NL Central-winning Brewers into early September.
Until Counsell became available, Hoyer, Ricketts and the Cubs had remained committed to Ross returning as their manager. Counsell's availability and interest in the Cubs wasn't a scenario Hoyer truly expected to unfold, as he figured Counsell would reach a deal at some point to return to the Brewers.
Admittedly, Counsell didn’t know much about the Cubs other than what he had seen from the other side in Milwaukee. But Hoyer sold him on the immediate resources at the Cubs' disposal to help them contend for a World Series championship in 2024 as well as the organization's long-term health, highlighted by a consensus top-five farm system.
The Cubs were preparing for a pivotal offseason in which Hoyer has already proclaimed they'll be ready to make "big moves" in free agency and on the trade market if the opportunity presents itself. Just as a baseball executive must make difficult decisions with players, Hoyer had a tough choice to make in his dugout. He saw the opportunity to become better with a new manager.
“I think you’ll make us better,” Hoyer recalls telling Counsell. “I think you’ll make me better. It’s because of who he is as a manager.”
Counsell bought in to the Cubs’ plan, informing Hoyer on Nov. 5 – just five days after his contract with the Brewers expired – that he would accept the job in Chicago. He signed a five-year, $40-million deal that makes him the highest-paid manager in MLB history.
“I believe in how Jed (Hoyer) sold the vision to me, absolutely,” Counsell said. “And that was impactful to me.”
After getting Counsell's commitment, Hoyer quickly booked a flight to Tallahassee in order to meet with Ross and inform him in-person of his firing. The Cubs put out their official release on Nov. 6 – CUBS RELIEVE DAVID ROSS OF MANAGERIAL DUTIES – and waited a week before formally introducing Counsell as their new manager.
During that week of reflection, Counsell realized his place as a beloved Brewers icon was no more. The goodwill he had in Milwaukee was seemingly lost, and his decision was about much more than a move 90 miles south. He understands he'll face immense pressure in managing the Cubs.
Counsell is embracing those demands and began encountering them Monday when he walked into Wrigley Field.
“It is time to be a Cub,” Counsell said. “There is momentum happening here. And it feels close. And that means there’s an exciting future ahead for us. Now, it’s my job to be part of taking us to the next level, and that’s the plan.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.