(670 The Score) There’s no doubt the process of the Cubs hiring Craig Counsell as their new manager was an awkward one.
That’s because the Cubs already had David Ross installed as their manager, and ownership and management had praised his leadership and work at season’s end after the club’s 83-win campaign in 2023. Ross also had a year left on his contract, but that didn’t stop the Cubs from firing him on Nov. 6 and replacing him with Counsell, who joined the organization after managing the Brewers for the past nine seasons.
Shortly after he was informed by president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer that he had been fired, Ross reached out to Counsell in a text message, Counsell said Monday as the Cubs introduced him as the 56th manager in franchise history. Ross made contact so quickly that Counsell believed the text was sent before news of the change had broken publicly.
Counsell and Ross then had a conversation on the phone. Counsell didn’t reveal many details about that discussion, but he explained that he has immense respect for Ross.
“David is a very good man,” Counsell said. “David texted me, probably before the news broke here. I called him back immediately. We had what I think was a very good conversation that gave me – I’ve always had great respect for David, that gave me the ultimate respect for David, the way he handled the conversation. Part of this business is really difficult, and it’s really cut-throat. As a player, I’ve lived it, David has lived it, every player lives it every day. But I respect the heck out of David Ross.”
Counsell, 53, managed the Brewers from 2015-’23, compiling a 707-625 record (.531 wining percentage). He guided Milwaukee to the playoff five times in those nine seasons, including the National League Championship Series in 2018. The Brewers won the NL Central in 2018, 2021 and 2023.