One of the most shocking moves of the MLB offseason was Craig Counsell leaving the Milwaukee Brewers to become the next manager of the Chicago Cubs. Even though they already had David Ross under contract, Chicago interviewed Counsell and offered him the job (they then sent representative to Ross’ home in Florida to fire him).
Of course, it was a decision that deeply angered Brewers fans. For years, Counsell had garnered fan support by marketing himself as a hometown kid who had grown up to manage his favorite team. The resentment led to a vandalized sign at a little league park that had been named after the former Milwaukee manager.
Now, Milwaukee is 30-21 with a three-and-a-half game lead over Counsell’s Cubs. The Brewers have won two games in a row against the Boston Red Sox on the road while Chicago has lost three in a row. With Counsell and the Cubs scheduled to play at American Family Field starting on Monday, it sounds like Brewers fans might not be the only ones booing their former manager.
Chicago Cubs Fans Are Fed Up with Former Milwaukee Brewers Manager Craig Counsell
While Counsell is the winningest manager in Brewers franchise history, he was not without his critics. Specifically, fans often bemoaned Counsell’s use of relief pitchers and how long he would let starters pitch.
Even though he has been their manager for less than half a season, it appears Cubs fans are already sick of the same things that some Brewers fans found frustrating:
Ross was a scapegoat. The Cubs were a better offensive team while he was here I’m being deadass
— BRUTALLY TORTURED CUBS FAN (@bedsy_muse) May 26, 2024
From what I’ve seen so far as a #Cubs fan, the only thing Craig Counsell is “the best manager in baseball” at is pulling pitchers one batter too late 😒. We were sold that this was an upgrade from Rossy. So far, I don’t see it.
— Ricardo Quesada (@bildongers) May 26, 2024
Just a reminder the Cubs are paying Craig Counsell 8 million dollars this year for this managing master class. David Ross has to be laughing his ass off.
— Wood (@Hwoodt) May 26, 2024
Is the Cubs’ bullpen trash or something?
Pretty bad managing from Craig Counsell there to keep Taillon in this long
— Swiss Army Don (@thestlcardsfan4) May 26, 2024
Milwaukee still doing what they did last year.
Cubs still doing what they did last year.
Remind me again how Craig Counsell changes the dynamic of this team.
— BDubya (@FlytheDubya_) May 25, 2024
Pulling Ben Brown after 66 pitches and he only allowed 1 hit, WTF IS THAT. Is Craig Counsell still working for the Brewers???
— Violator (@nic_snook) May 24, 2024
Weird-Brewers off to their best start since the year before Craig Counsell was there for 9 years. Cubs off to their worst offensive start in history. Coincidence? Davis Ross is and was the right guy for this team. Counsell can’t manage. Pitching nor hitting.
— Steven Millard (@packerbadgercub) May 26, 2024
Earlier this season, the Brewers dropped two of three games to Counsell and Cubs at Wrigley Field. This week they play a four-game series in Milwaukee. If the Brewers win the series, one has to wonder what the reaction of Cubs fans will be like on social media.
Milwaukee Brewers Manager Pat Murphy Is Having a Better First Season Than Craig Counsell Did
After Counsell bolted for Chicago, the Brewers made the decision to promote his bench coach, Pat Murphy, to manager. Brewers legend Rickie Weeks was also hired as associate manager. With Murphy and Weeks at the helm, the Brewers are off to one of their best starts in franchise history.
In fact, Murphy has won the third-most games in his first season (through 50 games) of any Brewers’ manager.
Pat Murphy (29-21) has produced the third-most wins of any @Brewers manager through their first 50 games.#ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/EfmMWiBYTr
— Mike Vassallo (@MikeVassallo13) May 25, 2024
Some may point to the fact that Counsell took over a team that was rebuilding as a reason why he did not win as many games in his first season; but look at what Murphy has had to overcome:
- Trade of Corbin Burnes
- Five starting pitchers getting injured
- A lineup composed of multiple rookies
- Devin Williams, his closer, being hurt all season
It is possible that the Brewers would be this successful with Counsell at the helm this season, but it could also be argued that they would not.
In any case, Murphy has proven to be the right man for the job.
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