Craig Counsell #30 of the Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers secured the win in the first game of their four-game series at American Family Field against the Chicago Cubs. Despite an initial pitching duel between Brewers rookie Robert Gasser (six innings pitched, three hits, no runs, and seven strikeouts) and Cubs left-hander Justin Steele (seven innings pitched, three hits, no runs, one walk, and eight strikeouts), Milwaukee managed to break through in the eighth inning with five runs.
Sal Frelick scored on an error, followed by Willy Adames hitting a three-run home run to put the Brewers up 4-0. Jackson Chourio later added an RBI double. Although the Cubs scored a run in the ninth inning off Hoby Milner, the Brewers held on for an emotional victory.
Emotional Brewers Victory Marks Craig Counsell’s First Game Against Former Team
The intense emotion in the victory stemmed from the fact that it was Cubs manager Craig Counsell’s first game managing against his former team in Milwaukee. Before the game, the Brewers played a tribute video for Counsell, the winningest manager in franchise history, which was met with a chorus of boos from the fans.
In the hours leading up to the game, both Counsell and Brewers manager Pat Murphy downplayed the rivalry, treating it as just another game. However, for the fans, it was far from ordinary, and the Milwaukee players clearly fed off that energy.
After the game, Willy Adames, who hit the three-run home run, commented, “I feel like [the fans] were a little extra today because of Counsell. But we love that.” He also expressed hope that the energy in the stands would remain high for the entire series.
Counsell Reveals Influence Behind Departure from Brewers
Before the game, Counsell had an extended media session with Milwaukee reporters. When asked about when he began considering leaving Milwaukee, he said:
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“I think when you are at a place for a long time, it’s natural to think about what if I did something different. Frankly, David Stearns made me think about it a lot.”
David Stearns, the former Brewers general manager who initially hired Counsell, left Milwaukee to become the President of Baseball Operations for the New York Mets. Though Stearns only assumed that role this past offseason, it had been rumored for years that he would leave the Brewers once his contract ended. In 2020, the Brewers promoted Matt Arnold to general manager while Stearns remained as the President of Baseball Operations.
Counsell, on the other hand, always presented himself as a hometown guy who grew up in Milwaukee and managed the team he cheered for as a kid. This connection made him very popular in MLB’s smallest market.
While Stearns’ departure was anticipated, Counsell’s decision to leave surprised many and created feelings of betrayal, especially since he joined the Cubs.
