Counsell thrilled about getting to opener
CHICAGO – Craig Counsell made it clear Friday that he did not take for granted that Major League Baseball would make it to opening day of its delayed 60game season, even with a summer camp that spanned only three weeks.
“A lot of people worked really hard to get us to this point,” the Milwaukee Brewers manager said before his team took the field to play the Chicago Cubs in their season opener at empty Wrigley Field. “It’s going to take a huge effort to continue playing games on a daily basis.
“I can’t underestimate that, and I don’t think we should forget about that. I think we’re all proud we got to this point, and we did it safely. So, that’s where we’re at.”
MLB announced another good week on the testing front, with only four players and two staff members testing positive for COVID-19 out of 10,939 samples collected, a positive rate of only 0.05%. With several states experiencing huge spikes in positive tests, baseball’s results reflected well on the comprehensive protocols put in place, on and off the field.
None of the Brewers players tested positive during the course of summer camp. Two players, left-hander Angel Perdomo and infielder Luis Urías, tested positive before reporting and remain on the COVID-19 injured list. Another, lefthander Eric Lauer, came in close contact with someone who tested positive and also remains sidelined on that IL, though he is throwing at the team’s alternate training site in Appleton.
“We get a little bit of a reward today with a game that counts,” Counsell said. “A game that’s going to feel like it really means something. Then we’re going to process how this game made us feel and how we’re going to process it, and then adjust accordingly.
“I’m thrilled we made it to this day, I really am. It’s an accomplishment that we did. I hope we can provide some entertainment. That’s what we’re here to do.”
Counsell reiterated that the real test for MLB in a pandemic will come now, with teams traveling to play road games during the season. Being away from the bubbles they created during summer camp creates more situations where players and staff can be exposed to the coronavirus.
“The road is going to be a test, no question,” he said. “It’s a test for anybody that travels. You’re away from your circle of people. There’s some boredom that goes with that. There’s more time away. That’s a challenging time.
“We’re trying to set up some situations for players so they can have a room in the hotel to provide some guest services for players. One of the things we understood immediately is we’re all going to have to make sacrifices. Going on the road, there’s a sacrifice we’re all making. It’s staying away from people, largely.”
Playing trick on Feyereisen
Having grown up in Whitefish Bay and going on to play for the Brewers, then manage them, Counsell knew what it meant for J.P. Feyereisen, a native of River Falls, to be told he made his homestate club. But he still played a trick on the relief pitcher when giving him the news.
“I did tell him I had some bad news,” Counsell said. “I told him he’d be making his debut in front of no fans.”
That part is a bummer, mostly because Feyereisen’s family will have to watch on TV and wait for him to make his big-league debut, rather than being on hand for it. But he still said it was one of the greatest days of his life to become a Brewer.
“This really is a dream come true,” Feyereisen said. “It’s crazy, when you think about it. To be a kid growing up in
River Falls and listening to Bob Uecker on the radio announcing the Brewers’ games. I always dreamed of pitching at Miller Park and having him say my name over the radio. Now, I have a chance for that to happen.”
With the entire broadcast crew, radio and TV, calling the game remotely from Miller Park, Counsell did his customary pregame show with Uecker on a Zoom session.
“It’s his 50th year (in the radio booth),” Counsell said. “We’re all proud he’s a member of the organization. Fifty years doing it means he has been the soundtrack for all of us, growing up, and many, many generations. It’s pretty special. A lot of Brewers fans will know the season is back when they hear him calling the game on the radio tonight.”
Braun makes the lineup
Veteran outfielder Ryan Braun, who never has missed an opening day since playing his first full season in 2008, was in the starting lineup as the designated hitter, no sure thing even three days earlier when an ailing oblique sidelined him.
Braun, 36, played in none of the seven games of the team’s “Blue & Gold World Series” but did suit up and play Wednesday night in a road exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox.
“He did a full workout yesterday,” said Counsell, who had Braun in the No. 5 spot in the batting order. “It was another good day. I think he had to feel good after yesterday. He reported feeling better than he did the day before. That’s a good sign.”
Make yourself at home
Before it was remodeled last year, the visiting clubhouse at Wrigley Field was more of a walk-in closet than a living space.
Now, with coronavirus protocols emphasizing social distancing for the players, that space has been remodeled again, allowing them so spread out even more.
“When you come in and walk to the left, out the back door is a lounge, a pretty big open space they turned into our clubhouse,” said Corbin Burnes, who will start the second game of the series Saturday. “They put some carpet down. It’s a lot more spacious than the actual visiting clubhouse.
“They’ve done a good job of getting us spread out in there. They’ve added some openings. All of our food is on the concourse. The weight room, the bags, everything is pretty much on the concourse level. It keeps us spread out.”
With only so much space in the dugout, a covered area was added down the first-base line to allow players to spread out there as well.
“I’m guessing most of the guys who aren’t in the game, pitchers who aren’t throwing that day, will be hanging out in that covered area,” Burnes said.
Because players aren’t allowed to report to the ballpark until five hours before a game, Burnes said he’ll have to change his routine before his start Saturday.
Normally, he’d come earlier to start game planning, looking at video, etc.
“I know we’ve got some portable video rooms and training room set up at the hotel so guys can get their stuff done before going to the field,” Burnes said. “So, there’s less sitting around there. You stay in the hotel room as long as you can before going to the ballpark.”
Back in the saddle
Burnes does not take lightly getting the chance to start again after quickly pitching his way out of the rotation during a miserable 2019 season.
Left-hander Brett Anderson originally was slated to take the second turn in the rotation before going on the injured list with a blister on his index finger, but Burnes was being stretched out in camp as a starter in any event.
“That was definitely good news,” Burnes said of getting another chance at starting. “Unfortunately, the way it happened with Brett going down with a blister, we want to get him healthy and back as fast as we can. Getting him on the mound and healthy makes us that much better a pitching staff.
“They were able to keep me stretched out through most of camp, whether it be for the fifth spot or if something did happen with COVID or injuries. It was definitely something I had prepared for throughout the off-season and quarantine. I think we’ve got pretty good depth as far as starting pitching and bullpen roles. Anyone could have stepped in and taken that job.”