Cubs’ Craig Counsell Appears to Take Swipe at Brewers During Spring Training Debut

Craig Counsell left the Milwaukee Brewers for the division-rival Chicago Cubs this offseason, eschewing an opportunity to join the New York Mets in doing so. 

Counsell, who made his spring training debut as Chicago's skipper on Friday in a game against the crosstown Chicago White Sox, seemingly took a subtle shot at his former team during a dugout interview with Marquee Sports Network.

Counsell made note of the sizable crowd that ventured out to Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz. for the team’s spring training debut, then subtly noted that it made him aware that he is “in a different place,” in a video shared by Cubs Zone on X (formerly Twitter). 

Craig Counsell on his first game as Cubs manager:

“Huge crowd on day one so you know you’re in a different place, no question about it.” ????

(????: @WatchMarquee) pic.twitter.com/0QGucBzPAA

— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) February 23, 2024

While it's possible Counsell was measuring up Cubs fans to any fan base in MLB, it's hard not to see this as a subtle dig at his former club. Counsell left the Brewers as the winningest manager in franchise history, creating plenty of good memories during his tenure in Milwaukee. 

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But any goodwill he may have earned with his successes may be forgotten when the Cubs come to town in Milwaukee for a four-game series in May.