How about some more Brewers baseball news in January? Here it is: Craig Counsell will remain the Milwaukee Brewers' manager through the 2023 season.
Counsell and the Brewers agreed to a three-year contract extension and announced that this morning. In a news release, Brewers President of Baseball Operations and General Manager David Stearns issued the following:
“We are pleased to extend the contract of one of the best managers in the game today. Over the last five seasons, Craig has led our team with a passion and intelligence that has resulted in some of the greatest success in the history of the franchise. I am confident in Craig’s abilities to lead, teach and compete as we continue our mission of bringing a championship to Wisconsin.”
Craig Counsell, the 49-year-old who grew up a Brewers fan in Whitefish Bay (like you didn't already know that!) is the 19th manager the Brewers have ever had. He replaced Ron Roenicke in 2015 and the team has gone 405-381 (.515) since, including two consecutive postseason appearances for just the second time in franchise history - the other time was 1981 and 1982. Counsell finished second in both 2018 and 2019 National League Manager of the Year voting after finishing fourth in 2017.
Counsell had this to say in a statement:
“Leading this organization on the field continues to be a great honor and unique privilege. I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish during a short period of time through our collaborative efforts, and look forward to what the future holds.”
Here's a wild stat: Counsell is actually is the longest-tenured active manager in the National League; he's the fifth-longest active manager in the MLB overall. That's a lot of turnover across the league!
The Brewers are celebrating their 50th anniversary season in 2020 and will host the Chicago Cubs for Opening Day at Miller Park on March 26th. Here's the rest of their schedule. Pitchers and catchers report next month!