Guardians Receive Permission to Interview Brewers’ Craig Counsell

After asking for permission to interview earlier this week, the Guardians have received permission to interview Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell for Cleveland's manager position.

The Cleveland Guardians’ search to replace future Hall-of-Fame manager Terry Francona continues to intensify.

Earlier this week, the team conducted a second interview with Seattle Mariners bullpen and quality control coach Stephen Vogt. It was also reported earlier this week that Cleveland interviewed Chicago Cubs bench coach and former San Diego Padres manager Andy Green.

Now, the Guardians have received permission to interview a current MLB manager.

After previously asking for permission to interview earlier this week, the Guardians have received permission to interview Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell, per Cleveland.com's Paul Hoynes.

Oct 1, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell looks on before the game against the Chicago Cubs at American Family Field / © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The 53-year-old has a wealth of MLB experience as both a player and manager.

As a player, Counsell was an infielder for 16 seasons with five different teams. For his career, he hit .255 with 1,208 hits, 42 home runs, 390 RBI, 218 doubles, 40 triples, and 103 stolen bases.

Counsell also had considerable postseason success, winning two World Series with the Florida (now-Miami) Marlins (1997) and Arizona Diamondbacks (2001). He was also named the 2001 NLCS MVP, hitting .381 with eight hits, three doubles, and four RBI in the five-game series.

After retiring following the 2011 season, Counsell did not serve a coaching or managerial position at any level of baseball until 2015. He was named Milwaukee’s manager 25 games into the season, when they had MLB’s worst record at 7-18.

In his 8+ seasons as the Brewers’ manager, Counsell has amassed a 707-625 record, guiding the team to five postseason appearances. The furthest he has taken the Brewers is the NLCS, where they lost in seven games in 2018.

Cleveland is competing with the New York Mets for Counsell’s services. New York has a close connection to the Brewers’ manager, as former Milwaukee president David Stearns is now the Mets’ president of baseball operations.