Former Sky Sox Player Craig Counsell Named New Brewers Manager

Published on May 4, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Milwaukee Brewers have named former Sky Sox player Craig Counsell the 19th manager in franchise history, signing him to a three-year contract through the 2017 season. Counsell replaces Ron Roenicke, who was relieved of his duties last night. The announcement was made by President - Baseball Operations and General Manager Doug Melvin.

"I am grateful and honored to have the opportunity to manage the team that I rooted for, played for and worked for in the front office," said Counsell. "In the 10 years that I have been a member of the organization, I have grown to feel a great responsibility to baseball in the city of Milwaukee. This has been a difficult time for the Brewers, and we all share the responsibility. I understand the work ahead to be the team our fans deserve. We have challenges ahead of us and I look forward to working tirelessly to achieve our goals."

Counsell, 44, played for the Sky Sox over parts of the 1995-97 seasons hitting.301 with 12 HR and 126 RBI in 238 regular season games and was a member of the 1995 Sky Sox Pacific Coast League Championship team. He becomes the 8th former Sky Sox player to manage at the Major League level joining Terry Francona, Joe Girardi, Eric Wedge, Dave Clark, Sandy Alomar Jr., Bo Porter and Brad Ausmus.

He joined the Brewers front office on January 17, 2012 as special assistant to the general manager. The former infielder enjoyed a 16-year Major League playing career, batting .255 with 42 HR, 390 RBI and 103 stolen bases in 1,624 games with Colorado (1995, '97), Florida (1997-99), Los Angeles (1999), Arizona (2000-03, 2005-06) and Milwaukee (2004, 2007-11). He was a member of World Series championship teams with Florida (1997) and Arizona (2001), and was named Most Valuable Player of the 2001 National League Championship Series.

Counsell, a 1988 graduate of Whitefish Bay High School and 1992 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, resides in Whitefish Bay with his wife, Michelle, their sons, Brady and Jack, and daughters, Finley and Rowan. His father, John, worked in the Brewers front office as director of the speakers bureau (1979-85) and director of community relations (1986-87).

The 2015 Sky Sox season is in full swing at Security Service Field. For ticket information, game schedule, promotions calendar or for additional information about the Sky Sox, call (719) 304-5610, visit SkySox.com, like us on Facebook or follow the team on Twitter at @skysox.

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