Craig Counsell

Lore & Background

Counsell was an infielder who played 16 seasons in MLB for five teams, and was known for his unique batting stance. He won the 1997 World Series with the Florida Marlins, batting in the tying run and scoring the winning run. He was on-base for the Arizona Diamondbacks when they subsequently won the 2001 World Series.

Reader's Guide

Counsell was born in South Bend, Indiana. He grew up in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, and attended Whitefish Bay High School. He attended the University of Notre Dame, where he played for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish baseball team. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 11th round of the 1992 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Rockies on September 17, 1995. In July 1997, the Rockies traded Counsell to the Florida Marlins. He played a pivotal role in their 1997 World Series victory. In June 1999, the Marlins traded Counsell to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers released him during 2000 spring training, and he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. His stay with the Diamondbacks lasted four years. He won the NLCS Most Valuable Player Award in 2001. In Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, he was hit by a pitch by Mariano Rivera to load the bases for Luis Gonzalez, after which Gonzalez drove in the winning run. After the 2003 season, the Diamondbacks traded Counsell to the Milwaukee Brewers. With the Brewers, Counsell started at shortstop in 2004. After one season with the Brewers, he returned to the Diamondbacks as a free agent for two more seasons. Counsell returned to the Brewers as a free agent for 2007. He recorded his 1,000th career hit on August 16, 2008. In 2011, he tied the all-time record for consecutive at-bats without a base hit for a position player, going hitless over a streak of 45 at-bats. Counsell retired as a player in early 2012 and took a front office position with the Brewers. In 2014, he was named a part-time color analyst for Brewers radio broadcasts. On May 4, 2015, he was hired as manager of the Brewers. He became the Brewers' all-time leader in managerial wins on June 15, 2022. His contract with the Brewers expired on November 1, 2023. On November 6, 2023, he was hired as manager of the Chicago Cubs on a five-year contract worth over $40 million.

Did You Know?

• Randy Johnson was named the NLCS Most Valuable Player in 2001, not Counsell.
• Counsell set a Brewers franchise record with 45 consecutive at-bats without a base hit in 2011, but the all-time record for a position player is held by Eugenio Vélez (46 at-bats).