As Craig Counsell gets introduced in Chicago, Brewers name Pat Murphy the next manager.

My reaction to watching Craig Counsell tip toe around legitimate questions from the Milwaukee media in attendance for his Cubs introductory press conference yesterday:

My man spent 10,000 words yesterday when all he had to say was this: ‘I never cared as much about the Brewers as I said I did, this is a business, I went to the team that was willing to pay me the most money and could actually spend money on players. I have an easier path to the World Series in Chicago.’

Scene.

Counsell also expressed surprise that the reaction from Milwaukee was as negative as it was. Jesus Christ, Craig. Do I need to play the video again?? Alright, I guess we have to:

Yup, hard to fathom why the Brewer fan base would react so negatively to you leaving without winning a title and taking the manager position with their most hated rival. Can’t believe how sensitive we’re being. It’s not like you claimed to be one of us and said it was your responsibility to bring a championship to your hometown. Now if you had said THAT, there’d be reason for fans to be upset.

Anyway, I’m over it at this point*. I don’t wish ill-health on Craig Counsell or anyone in his family, but I do wish ill will for the Cubs during his entire tenure as their manager. May they never make the playoffs and suffer misfortune at every turn. In Jobu’s name, amen.

Now, on to the Brewers. As we predicted on the podcast, Pat Murphy is going to be the next manager. He was Counsell’s bench coach since 2016, he had a cup of coffee as San Diego’s interim manager many years ago, and had an illustrious career as a college baseball coach. I think it makes sense for several reasons:

1. It’s the stable move. The Brewers need stability after having their world rocked by Counsell’s departure. The players know him, he knows the players.
2. His experience with young/college players should help develop the next crop of Brewer stars. Yes, he’s 62-years old. But this isn’t like hiring Grandpa Macha back in 2009. He’s worked with young baseball players his entire career. He should be able to help develop guys like Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, and eventually Jackson Chourio.
3. Like it or not, we’re headed for a couple of rebuilding years. I’d be stunned if Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames are on this roster on Opening Day. They might even trade Freddy and Devin. I think William Contreras is legitimately the only untouchable player. So as we stare down the barrel of a couple of (likely) 70-ish win seasons, it’s important to have a veteran at the helm.
4. He’s cheap. Mark Attanasio’s favorite!

It sounds like he’s going to be bringing in Rickie Weeks as his bench coach, so that does bring a bit of fresh air to the coaching staff as well.

At the end of the day, I think Murphy makes the most sense, but I’m also not stressing out too much about it. It does feel VERY likely we’re about to start a 2-ish year rebuild, so I’m not sure how much this managerial hire even matters. If he works out, and they overachieve, great! If they’re a blah team, he’s probably going to gone after his contract is up. This team is likely to be a division title contending team again in 2025, or 2026. Unless Murphy REALLY kills it (in a good way), he’s not likely to be the manager when the team is good again anyway.

*I am not.

PS: Hey, Brewers social media manager, pull your head out of your ass:

If you want to thank Craig at some point in the DISTANT future, when we’re living in a dystopian hellscape and sports no longer matter, fine. But don’t, DON’T, post something like this on the day he is donning a Cubs jersey for the first time. Take a lap.

Double PS: If the universe is just setting me up for Pat Murphy defeating Craig Counsell on the final day of the season to win the NL Central then I apologize for my bitterness.