Deal sealed: Craig Counsell to manage the Milwaukee Brewers through 2020

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Brewers and manager Craig Counsell have agreed to a contract extension -- a three-year deal, the Brewers tweeted on Friday, November 11th.

Craig Counsell

According to Brewers.com, Counsell, 46, recently completed his second season as Brewers manager and first full season. At 73-89, the team improved its win total from 2015 (68-94) by five games, including going 17-13 over the final 30 games. Counsell became the 19th manager in franchise history on May 4, 2015, replacing Ron Roenicke, who was relieved of his duties on May 3, 2015.

“Representing this franchise is a great honor for me,” said Counsell said in a news release. “We’ve taken the first steps of a difficult process. I am encouraged and inspired by both the progress we’ve made and the possibilities that lie ahead. I look forward to working alongside the leadership of David Stearns and to the ultimate results that our collaborative efforts will yield.”

Craig Counsell

Following a 16-year Major League playing career, Counsell joined the front office on January 17, 2012 as special assistant to the general manager. The former infielder batted .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).