UECK AND COUNSELL
Uecker, Counsell have known each other for years
Among the special things that new Brewers manager Craig Counsell looks forward to is the daily radio interview and opportunity to form a relationship with Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Uecker (left). But Counsell didn’t have to start from scratch with Uecker on Monday. The two already had a long history.
There are innumerable changes that come with being named a big-league manager, especially when that shift comes during a season. Among the special things to look forward to as Milwaukee’s manager is the daily radio interview and opportunity to form a relationship with Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Uecker.
New Brewers manager Craig Counsell didn’t have to start from scratch with Uecker on Monday. The two already had a long history.
Counsell grew up in Whitefish Bay and was around the Brewers for much of his childhood because of his father John’s roles in the front office. As a player for the Brewers in 2004 and 2007-’11, one of Counsell’s favorite things was to get up early and listen to Uecker tell stories at breakfast.
Even before Counsell was formally hired, his first interview with Uecker as Milwaukee’s manager was something he consciously anticipated.
“I think it’s one of the things that go through your head before the first day,” Counsell said before Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. “It’s one of the things that went through my head because you’ve listened to that. You picture the summer nights throwing the ball on the roof, and I’m starting to sound corny and nostalgic here, but I can see it.
“You know that’s going to happen every day. I was looking forward to it. I said let’s have fun with this every day. It doesn’t have to be serious every day.”
The opening interview of the Counsell era wasn’t serious from the start. Uecker, who remembers Counsell running around the clubhouse and field at County Stadium as young as 8 or 9 years old, decided to have some fun with the new skipper.
The first question out of Uecker’s mouth came loaded with expletives, catching Counsell by surprise. Once the manager caught on to the prank, the two shared a laugh. The audio was then scrapped and they started fresh.
“We had fun,” Counsell said. “He got me a little bit. With Ueck, you better expect anything. That’s how I approach it.”
Uecker admitted that the managerial change was difficult for him after spending five seasons working with Ron Roenicke on a daily basis. He still is trying to wrap his head around saying, “The Craig Counsell Show.”
Though the transition is never easy, Uecker thinks highly of Counsell. He’s followed him through much of his life and appreciates how Counsell has always stayed close to his roots, mentioning that the friends Counsell made growing up in Whitefish Bay are still among his friends now.
“I had chances to go other places,” Uecker said. “I never wanted to go anywhere. This was where I was born and raised. For him, raised here. He was raised in a big-league environment with his dad working here. He was around this all the time.”
Over Uecker’s more than half century in baseball, he’s seen a shift in managerial styles. The tough disciplinarians have been phased out for younger former players who relate well with their players.
Counsell may be coming into a tough situation with the Brewers holding the worst record in the majors, but Uecker believes he has a personality that resonates with today’s players. He also has experience in the front office and as a scout that Uecker thinks gives him an important understanding of the whole organization.
“Bottom line is what (the players) think about him,” Uecker said. “They have to respect him. Here’s a guy that has two World Series rings. I think that’s really meaningful. You don’t have to harp on it, but he’s been there. He’s been a hero in the World Series. When you see stuff like that— some guys can’t handle it.
“Guys who were really good players sometimes can’t be good managers, because they expect everybody to play the game as easy as they did it. It is not that easy. Any guy that has come the way he has, he’s not a big guy, right? He’s not a big power guy. He’s just steady. He’s just one of those guys that beats you.”