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Cubs’ Craig Counsell manages against Brewers for the first time since leaving for their division rival

John Antonoff / For the Sun-Times

Craig Counsell stands during the national anthem during the Cubs Spring Taining opener at Sloan Park in Mesa, Az. 02-23-2024

MESA, Ariz. – The Cubs’ 6-1 win against the Brewers on Wednesday marked manager Craig Counsell’s first game against Milwaukee since leaving to join their division rival this offseason. The spring training game was also Counsell's first time managing against his longtime friend Pat Murphy.

Counsell and Murphy have known each other for well over three decades. Murphy was Counsell’s head coach at Notre Dame from 1989 to 1992.

“As a player, I took a ton from Pat,” Counsell said Wednesday morning, before heading over to American Family Fields of Phoenix.