Cubs name Craig Counsell manager

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today will introduce Craig Counsell as the 56th manager in franchise history, having signed a five-year contract through the 2028 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Counsell, 53, joins the Cubs following nine seasons (eight full campaigns) as the Milwaukee Brewers manager starting May 4, 2015. He led the team to three N.L. Central titles (2018, 2021, 2023) and five post-season appearances (2018-21, 2023) while amassing a 707-625 (.531) regular season managerial record. Counsell, this season a finalist for the N.L. Manager of the Year award for the fourth time in his career (also 2018-19, 2021), did not have any coaching or managerial experience prior to being named manager of the Brewers. He served the team as special assistant to the general manager from 2012-15.

The former infielder played 16 seasons in the major leagues with Colorado (1995, 1997), Florida (1997-99), the Los Angeles Dodgers (1999), Arizona (2000-03, 2005-06) and Milwaukee (2004, 2007-11). He batted .255 with 42 HR, 390 RBI and 103 stolen bases in 1,624 career games, and was a World Series champion with Florida (1997) and Arizona (2001). Counsell scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning of Game 7 in the 1997 World Series against Cleveland and was named Most Valuable Player of the 2001 National League Championship Series against Atlanta.

Counsell is a 1988 graduate of Whitefish Bay (Wisc.) High School and 1992 graduate of the University of Notre Dame. He and his wife, Michelle, reside in Whitefish Bay. They have four children, sons Brady and Jack and daughters Finley and Rowan. His oldest son, Brady, currently plays baseball at the University of Minnesota. His youngest son, Jack, currently plays baseball at the University of Michigan.

Craig’s father, John Counsell, was an outfielder in the Minnesota Twins organization from 1964-68.