Craig Counsell retires

[Dback Jon]

Always one of my favorites!

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Brewers infielder Craig Counsell has decided to retire and join the club's front office.



The Brewers said Tuesday that Counsell will become special assistant to general manager Doug Melvin. Counsell is a Milwaukee native and follows his father into the Brewers' front office. John Counsell worked there from 1979-1987.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7470907/craig-counsell-retires-join-milwaukee-brewers-front-office

 

[Bert]

MVP, MVP, MVP! Still remember chanting that for him at game 1 of the world series after he won NLCS MVP.

Congrats Craig on a great career, forever a DBack for me.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Craig will forever be a Diamondback in my mind.

Here's a tip of the cap to what's been a very respectable MLB career. Thanks for the memories Craig, and one hopes the front office here gives you a job as a scout, coach, etc. Few deserve it more.

 

[BC867]

From the day I first posted that Craig Counsell batting leadoff rather than Tony Womack made the D'backs a better team (probably on a site that preceded ASFN), Couns' has been my all-time favorite D'back.

In all my decades of following baseball, he was the most fearless two-strike hitter I ever saw.

Having spent six years each with the D'backs and Brewers, ending his playing career with the Brewers and with his Dad's history with the Brewers, it really is fitting that he moves into their front office.

I wonder if he is going to hold his pen high above his head before he starts to write.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

I wonder if he is going to hold his pen high above his head before he starts to write.

This.

 

[Mulli]

you all have made me do it:

solid player, but....overrated.

 

[UncleChris]

He played great (for the D-Backs) at a great time. Lighting up "the Moose" in game one was definitely a signal to the Yanks... AND to the 'backs. Good luck, sir!

 

[Mulli]

He played great (for the D-Backs) at a great time. Lighting up "the Moose" in game one was definitely a signal to the Yanks... AND to the 'backs. Good luck, sir!

He did. I take it back. Now where was the fanfare for Reggie Sanders and Danny Bautista!?

 

[BC867]

He did. I take it back. Now where was the fanfare for Reggie Sanders and Danny Bautista!?

During one game as I sat in the RF bleachers, I had to look right through Reggie Sanders to see home plate.

Not once did he crouch, poised to go after a ball hit his way. Not once.

Not surprisingly, he got an error on one play and mis-handled two others.

I have never seen an outfielder or infielder in Major League or Minor Baseball stand nonchalantly while the pitcher was delivering the ball. Never!

Reggie Sanders typified players with a world of potential who blew it with their attitude.

Craig Counsell typified players with little natural talent who maximized their game and, as I posted, made the rest of his team better.

Couns' overrated? You've got to be kidding.

 

[Mulli]

Sanders also hit 33 HR with 90 RBI. Ya Couns was scrappy .that is great, but he is a .255 hitter.

During one game as I sat in the RF bleachers, I had to look right through Reggie Sanders to see home plate.

Not once did he crouch, poised to go after a ball hit his way. Not once.

Not surprisingly, he got an error on one play and mis-handled two others.

I have never seen an outfielder or infielder in Major League or Minor Baseball stand nonchalantly while the pitcher was delivering the ball. Never!

Reggie Sanders typified players with a world of potential who blew it with their attitude.

Craig Counsell typified players with little natural talent who maximized their game and, as I posted, made the rest of his team better.

Couns' overrated? You've got to be kidding.

 

[Bert]

Sanders also hit 33 HR with 90 RBI. Ya Couns was scrappy .that is great, but he is a .255 hitter.

In what way is he overrated? I dont see anyone in this thread saying he was the greatest player ever or that he was even the "best" Dback player, just that we liked him and that he had a good career for someone who looks like they are 12 and has a funny batting stance. Plus he played a key role in Arizonas only major sports championship.

It's cool though, I know you just like to be contrary.

 

[AzStevenCal]

In what way is he overrated? I dont see anyone in this thread saying he was the greatest player ever or that he was even the "best" Dback player, just that we liked him and that he had a good career for someone who looks like they are 12 and has a funny batting stance. Plus he played a key role in Arizonas only major sports championship.

It's cool though, I know you just like to be contrary.

Agreed. He wasn't overrated, if anything he was overlooked. But, simply put, we loved him because he was an overachiever.

Steve

 

[UncleChris]

Sanders also hit 33 HR with 90 RBI. Ya Couns was scrappy .that is great, but he is a .255 hitter.

Couns hit a very respectable .275 in 2001. As I pointed out, he played great in a great year (and didn't even juice....)

 

[Lefty]

Agreed. He wasn't overrated, if anything he was overlooked. But, simply put, we loved him because he was an overachiever.

Steve

Agree. Everyone remembers Counsell's home run off Mussina in game one of the World Series but I think his biggest hit as a Diamondback was in game three of the 2001 NLDS against the Cardinals. I remember thinking when Craig came up against the lefty the odds weren't good for him getting a hit, but he surprised me and crushed a home run that put the Diamondbacks up and they won that crucial game. Best of luck to him in his new job with the Brewers.

 

[AZ Native]

I believe you had to watch Counsell day in and out to appreciate him as a baseball player. If seems fantasy baseball has turned every argument into statistics, but you have to look past that to see his contribution to his team. All the little things he did made his teammates and his team better. He was so good at the fundamentals in a time when all anyone cares about is the stats. I would rather watch his hustle and love for the game than watch a player with all the talent in the world, but only cares about his stats and does not play as a team player. Craig could never be overrated, not based on his effort and grasp of the fundamentals of baseball. Great player? No. But with the tools he possessed, he made the most of his talent and was a pleasure to watch. My kids loved watching his style of play (even though his batting stance made him look like a chimney sweeper).

 

[jwmann2]

He had a great career. Looks great for 42 years of age. Will always remember him for his batting stance.