Craig Counsell has officially been installed as manager of the Chicago Cubs.
And now it appears his mentor is in line to replace him as head of the Milwaukee Brewers.
According to a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic on Monday night, Pat Murphy is expected to be named the 19th skipper in Brewers history (20th in club history), although the team has not made any official announcement.
Murphy, who turns 65 on Nov. 28, just completed his eighth season on the bench alongside Counsell, his former charge at the University of Notre Dame.
The news that Murphy is taking the reins isn’t altogether surprising as one pieces together information that has been gleaned since Counsell unexpectedly bolted for Milwaukee’s rival a week ago.
The biggest piece of evidence came from Brewers general manager Matt Arnold, who last Wednesday at baseball’s GM meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz. mentioned only Murphy by name when addressing candidates to replace Counsell.
“We have agreements with all our coaches,” he said. “And I want to clarify something: Pat Murphy is in very real discussion for our managerial opportunity.”
In the days that followed, multiple sources confirmed that indeed, Arnold and the Brewers had zeroed in on Murphy with an emphasis on potentially keeping as much continuity as possible with a team that finished 92-70 and advanced to the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six years.
There have been some indications, however, that Milwaukee might instead seek to pull back, trade veteran players like Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames and enter a rebuild with an eye on contending again down the road.
Murphy is regarded as affable but also a no-nonsense sort in the dugout who had helped Counsell with in-game strategic decisions as well as player relations in the clubhouse.
If Murphy is indeed the Brewers’ choice and with the rest of the coaching staff all under contract and returning, that would leave only Murphy’s former role of bench coach to be filled.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see someone younger named to the post, with the idea of that person learning and growing in the position.
Toronto coach Don Mattingly, Los Angeles Dodgers coach Clayton McCullough, Chicago Cubs bench coach Andy Green, Houston coach Troy Snitker and San Diego coach Mike Shildt were all believed to have been considered for the Brewers’ opening, although it’s unclear who was actually interviewed.
Murphy takes over with limited major-league managerial experience, having served as interim manager of the Padres in 2015. He went 42-54.
He also managed in San Diego’s minor-league system and before coming to the professional ranks served as head coach of the baseball programs at Division I Notre Dame and Arizona State.
After Counsell’s departure, it had been assumed Murphy would wind up at Wrigley Field.
Now, however, it will be teacher and pupil matching wits, adding even more spice to what was already a healthy rivalry between the two National League Central Division foes.
Daniel Miller is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. His coverage spans from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis for sports enthusiasts.
