Craig Counsell has always made a good first impression during a long professional baseball career that began in 1992 as a member of the Rockies’ first amateur draft class.
The Rockies chose Counsell out of Notre Dame in the 11th round of the June draft that year. After a whirlwind introduction in Denver, the first team to play a game in the Rockies organization assembled in Bend, Ore.
Pat Daugherty, the Rockies’ director of scouting 23 years ago, remembers meeting Counsell for the first time at a practice session at the University of Denver’s old field.
“He looked like an altar boy, but I found out later that he was tougher than nails,” Daugherty said Tuesday after it was announced that Counsell became the new manager of the Milwaukee Brewers. “He really had a career that was better than any of us expected.”
As a major-league player, the scrappy Counsell earned two World Series championship rings, one each with the Florida Marlins and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Former Rockies general manager Bob Gebhard remembered that Counsell was a little difficult to sign for a Rockies franchise that didn’t have a lot of money to throw around.
“Once we got the contract settled, he went to Bend and was a leader,” Gebhard said. “It was fun to watch him grow up. He has a solid baseball background, which should lead to success as a manager.”
Daugherty had his negotiating strategy.
“We let him (Counsell) sit for a while,” Daugherty said. “I finally gave our scout $20,000 and told him to sign Counsell and a pitcher we had drafted. We got them both.”
Former Rockies infielder Jason Bates believes Counsell, 44, landed his “dream job” and will do a good job.
“I’m tickled for him,” Bates said. “He (Counsell) was able to stay relatively healthy through a long playing career. He has functioned around superstars as well as players well down the ladder. He’s been around enough pieces of the game to be successful.”
Former Rockies pitcher Mark Thompson remembers that Counsell had a higher baseball IQ than any of his Bend teammates.
“Craig has the knack to be a good manager,” Thompson said. “He knows how to play the game and what it takes. He’s a hard-nosed guy. He was injured during the season at Bend and actually played in a couple of games with a fractured leg.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296, imoss@denverpost.com or
