Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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IRISH IN THE PROS was drafted in the 11th round of the 1992 MLB Draft and reached the majors within three years, debuting for the Col- orado Rockies. He went on to play for the Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodg- ers and Arizona Diamondbacks, but the Brewers are the professional team he identifies himself with. "I've worked here as a player and in the front office," he said during his introductory news conference May 4, according to The Milwaukee Journal Sen- tinel. "I've watched Brewer games for 35 years. I'm a Milwaukee Brewer. I've always felt that way. Baseball in this city is important to me. It's part of me. I feel a responsibility for it. I always have and I'm proud to have that responsibility. "It's a great honor to move forward and try to give our fans what they de- serve." Counsell, the 19th manager in fran- chise history, signed a three-year deal that runs through 2017 despite not hav- ing any coaching or managerial experi- ence. What he does have is a playing ré- sumé that boasts two World Series titles, including one with the 1997 Marlins that saw the infielder score the winning run in the 11th inning of game seven. He was also named MVP of the National League Championship Series while helping the Diamondbacks to the crown in 2001. "It's not surreal," he said of his new title. "It's a place where I feel like I've prepared myself to be. Surreal was playing. This is probably more where I thought I would end up, in a position of leadership like this. It's an honor and it's humbling, but I feel like this is what I was meant to do. "I think I'll be better at this than I was at playing." Counsell, who started his managerial career with a 6-7 record through May 17, has the full confidence of his players — including right fielder Ryan Braun, one of eight on the roster who played with Counsell as a teammate. "I couldn't imagine them bringing in somebody that would be a better fit than Craig Counsell is," Braun told The Mil- waukee Journal Sentinel. "If there's any- body that is Milwaukee Brewers base- ball, aside from probably Bob Uecker, it's him. He grew up here, lives here, played here for a long time and had a ton of success as a player. [He] was widely respected, probably the best leader that I ever played with. "[He's] inexperienced, but I don't think that's something that would pre- vent him from being great at what he does." MLB PLAYER UPDATES Through May 17 • John Axford (Played at Notre Dame from 2002- 05), RHP, Colorado Rockies: Has pitched in eight games out of the bullpen for the 13-21 Rockies, compiling four saves and an ERA of 1.29 … Struck out seven and allowed just one earned run in seven innings of work. • David Phelps (2006-08), RHP, Miami Marlins: Has pitched for the 16-22 Marlins out of the bull- pen and as a starter … Through eight appearances, including six starts, he was 2-0 with a 2.68 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 37 innings … Has allowed two earned runs or less in each of his six starts, while going at least six innings in each of his last five outings. • A.J. Pollock (2007-10), OF, Arizona Diamond-