Brewers Name Former Player Craig Counsell As New Manager

As of Monday, the Milwaukee Brewers have a new manager: Craig Counsell, a former player for the team.

The Brewers named Counsell their field manager on Monday morning after firing Ron Roenicke Sunday night. The change comes at a time when the Brewers have the worst record in Major League Baseball.

Counsell’s father worked for the Brewers decades ago. While growing up in Whitefish Bay, Counsell said he was often at Brewers games. A few years ago he played for the team, and recently has been working in the front office.

“Baseball in this city is important to me,” said Counsell on Monday. “It’s part of me. I feel a responsibility for it. I always have.”

Counsell has signed a contract through 2017, but to make it that long, he’ll probably have to get the Brewers to improve their play.

Counsell played as an infielder for the team in 2004, and then for a second stint between 2007 and 2011.

Correction: The photo caption for this story contained a misspelling. The new manager is Craig Counsell, not Craig Counsel.