Craig Counsell admits he 'underestimated emotion' from Brewers after taking Cubs manager role

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Craig Counsell was introduced officially as manager of the Chicago Cubs on Monday, though the shocking move has been discussed at length in the baseball world for the last week. 

The Milwaukee Brewers saw Counsell become a true free agent as a manager, and he was expected to be a hot commodity for those with a vacancy. 

Instead, Counsell and the Cubs reached an agreement that led to David Ross' firing as the team's manager. 

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Craig Counsell is introduced as the Chicago Cubs new manager at Wrigley Field on November 13, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images)

Counsell was a name Brewers fans knew for 17 years as a player and manager, so heading to an NL Central rival hurt the masses in Milwaukee. Speaking with reporters from his now-former city, Counsell admitted he didn't realize the backlash that would come with his decision. 

"It was 17 years," Counsell said. "I started to understand that. It’s a long time. It was people that mean a lot to you and will continue to. But that dynamic has changed. I understand it all. I understand the emotion.

"And I did. I underestimated the emotion of that all. And that’s probably why it hits you so hard."

Counsell spent six years in a Brewers uniform as a player, including his final five years from 2007-2011 before taking over as the team's manager in 2015. And in that gap, Counsell was a front-office member of the Brewers immediately after retiring, while also serving as a radio analyst to call games. 

BREWERS OWNER THROWS SHADE AT CRAIG COUNSELL SAME DAY SIGN WITH FORMER MANAGER'S NAME FOUND VANDALIZED AT PARK

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