The keys to Counsell's success as Cubs manager? Preparation, courage, connection

David Ross was a good major-league manager.

In his four seasons in the Cubs' dugout, Ross made one trip to the playoffs and twice had winning records.

Ross was expected to be back with the Cubs in 2024, and possibly beyond, but that changed when Craig Counsell's contract with the Brewers expired at the end of the season.

After president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer met with Counsell on Nov. 1 and offered a five-year, $40 million deal two days later, Ross was out and the Cubs had themselves a new manager.

"This is no knock on Rossy, who I think incredibly highly of," Hoyer said. "But Craig is at the very top of the game. From afar I've always admired Craig. I know I'm certainly not alone in that. I've admired how he always seemed to get the most out of every team that they had. I admired how his teams always seemed to play with a intensity that mirrored his own."

MLB players are judged on a lengthy list of statistics that take every facet of the game into considerations.

MLB managers are different.

It's basically wins and losses, and Counsell did a lot of the former the last nine seasons in Milwaukee.

He also made it to the playoffs five times in the past six years with Brewers teams that were assembled with low payrolls.

What's made Counsell so successful?

"I won't tell you I completely know the answer to that question," the 53-year-old manager said. "My responsibility is a couple things: I have to be prepared. I have to have the courage to be myself.

"You're going to have flaws, you're not going to be perfect. That's OK. I have to connect with people because that brings out the best in them. Put them in place to succeed."

Counsell played 16 major-league seasons with the Rockies, Marlins, Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Brewers. He had some memorable moments, highlighted by being voted MVP of the 2001 NLCS, but he was mainly a utility infielder.

Knowing how it feels to struggle, to ride the bench, to fail as a player has helped Counsell become a successful manager. He made his players in Milwaukee comfortable by keeping communication lines open and has the same plan with the Cubs.

"The Brewers have meant a lot to me," said Counsell, a Milwaukee native. "I've had great relationships there. The relationships I have there are the relationships I'm going to try with all of me to build in Chicago. They're what's important about this game. The connection to the people is what makes this thing go.

"It's the connection to the staff, the players, the fans. That is the challenge I have ahead of me. It's a big one, it takes time, but it's the one I have to get right."

Given his track record, it's a challenge Counsell is going to meet.