Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Craig Counsell Moves From The Field To The Front Office By Wes Morgan Craig Counsell squeezed all he could out of a 16-year career in Major League Baseball, suiting up for five teams, winning a pair of World Series rings, going through a stretch of seven years where he was the most efficient player at both second and third base, and loving every minute of it. Now the former Notre Dame infielder, born in South Bend, Ind., is finishing the first year of his second run in the big leagues as an assistant to Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin. As the fourth-oldest player in the majors in 2011, the signs were obvious that it was about time to hang up his cleats. Counsell, a spot starter and bench player at the time for Milwaukee, went 45 plate appearances without a hit, tying Bill Bergen (1909) and Dave Campbell (1973) for the all-time record. Fortunately, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Eugenio Valez went 46 at-bats without a hit just a few weeks later — the same day Counsell played his final professional game. Counsell fittingly recorded a single in his only at-bat. “It was not easy,” he said of retiring. “Even when you’re done you still think you can do it. I’ve had those thoughts during [this] season. It was just time. I struggled pretty badly last year. I thought I could do better, but you feel like you’re becoming a shell of your old self. It’s not a good feeling. “I’m still comfortable with my decision, but there are times during the season when you look out on the field and watch guys play and think, ‘I can do that.’ I don’t think it will ever go away, really.” Counsell — who had two stints with Arizona and played for the Dodgers, Colorado and Florida — will be remembered for an awkward batting stance, a great glove, a .255 career batting average, 1,208 hits and a National League Championship Series MVP trophy with the Diamondbacks in 2001. He was a key contributor in Florida’s World Series title in 1997 and Arizona’s crown in 2001. “It has been what I expected,” the 42-year-old said of the transition from the field to the front office. “What I expected was that there would be a lot that I didn’t know and a lot that I would have to learn. It’s a different way of thinking. You’re really responsible for a lot more. “When you’re a player, you’re responsible for yourself. There’s a lot more in this job that you have to keep your eyes on.” Counsell wasn’t ready to play golf six days a week after his career ended. “I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “Keeping yourself busy makes it easy. … Playing is the greatest job in the world, so you’re going to miss it. But when you feel like you’re heading in a direction where you’re being challenged and learning things, it does make it easier.” MLB Player Updates Through Sept. 6 • Jeff Manship (Played at Notre Dame from 2005-08) RHP, Minnesota Twins: Has made 12 relief appearances with a 0-0 record and a 7.89 ERA … Notched 12 strikeouts in 212⁄3 innings of work. • David Phelps (2006-08) RHP, New York Yankees: Has pitched in 27 games, including eight starts … Posted a 3-4 record and a 3.55 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 782⁄3 innings. • A.J. Pollock (2007-09) CF, Arizona Diamondbacks: Was called up to Arizona for three separate stints this season … Batted .250 (14 for 56) with one home run and five RBI in 22 games … Hit .318 with three home runs, 52 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 106 games with Triple-A Reno. • Jeff Samardzija (2004-06) RP, Chicago Cubs: Has started all 27 games he has appeared in … Stood 8-13 with a 3.91 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 1652⁄3 innings. • John Axford (2002-05) RP, Milwaukee Brewers: Logged 62 appearances out of the bullpen … Has a 5-7 record, 25 saves, a 4.87 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 571⁄3 innings … Has seven saves, a victory, a hold and a 2.46 ERA in nine appearances from Aug. 21-Sept. 5. NFL Notes Through Sept. 6 • After being beat out by Lorenzo Booker for a roster spot and cut, running back Armando Allen was signed to the Chicago Bears’ practice squad. • Third-year safety Sergio Brown, who had risen from special teams player to regular in the defensive backfield for the New England Patriots in 2011, was cut by the organization Aug. 31. Brown was then claimed off waivers by Indianapolis. • Veteran running back Ryan Grant, who was cut by the Green Bay Packers after the 2011 season, remains one of the league’s top free agents. He started 14 games and had 142 carries for 592 yards and two touchdowns last year. • Offensive tackle Ryan Harris was cut by the Denver Broncos Aug. 31 and signed by the Houston Texans two days later. • Rookie defensive end Ethan Johnson, who signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in April, was cut by the team. • Defensive tackle Trevor Laws (patellar tendon) will have to wait to make his St. Louis Rams debut after being placed on injured reserve. • Minnesota Vikings rookie safety Harrison Smith was fined $21,000 for an Aug. 24 hit on San Diego wideout Mike Willie. • In the process of trimming their active roster to 53 players, the Detroit Lions cut wide receiver Maurice Stovall. • Third-year receiver Golden Tate hurt his knee in the preseason finale and is expected to miss Seattle’s season opener and possibly the following week. • Delegates representing the state of New York at the Democratic National Convention were greeted by the voice of Giants star defensive end Justin Tuck when they received their morning hotel wake-up calls on Sept. 4 in Charlotte, N.C. • The Atlanta Falcons and cornerback Darrin Walls reached an injury settlement, and Walls was waived Aug. 25. He suffered a soft tissue injury on his right leg during a mid-August practice. Irish In The NFL As of Sept. 6 Name (Years At Notre Dame)Pos.Current Team Armando Allen^ (2007-10)RBChicago Bears Robert Blanton (2008-11)DBMinnesota Vikings Sergio Brown (2006-09)SIndianapolis Colts David Bruton (2005-08)SDenver Broncos John Carlson (2003-07)TEMinnesota Vikings Jimmy Clausen (2007-09)QBCarolina Panthers Jeff Faine (1999-2002)CCincinnati Bengals Anthony Fasano (2002-05)TEMiami Dolphins Darius Fleming* (2008-11)LBSan Francisco 49ers Michael Floyd (2008-11)WRArizona Cardinals Jonas Gray (2008-11)RBMiami Dolphins Ryan Harris (2003-06)OTHouston Texans Robert Hughes^ (2007-10)RBWashington Redskins J.J. Jansen (2004-07)LSCarolina Panthers Derek Landri (2002-06)DTPhiladelphia Eagles Trevor Laws* (2003-07)DTSt. Louis Rams Kyle McCarthy* (2005-09)SKansas City Chiefs Eric Olsen (2006-09)OLNew Orleans Saints Brady Quinn (2003-06)QBKansas City Chiefs Trevor Robinson (2008-11)OGCincinnati Bengals Kyle Rudolph (2008-10)TEMinnesota Vikings Harrison Smith (2007-11)SMinnesota Vikings John Sullivan (2003-07)CMinnesota Vikings Golden Tate (2007-09)WRSeattle Seahawks Justin Tuck (2001-04)DENew York Giants Ian Williams (2007-10)DTSan Francisco 49ers Sam Young (2006-09)OTBuffalo Bills Tom Zbikowski (2003-07)SIndianapolis Colts ^ Practice squad member; * suffered a season-ending injury