WHITEFISH BAY, Wis. — In a surprising turn of events, Craig Counsell is set to take the reins as manager of the Chicago Cubs. Just hours after the news broke, the sign at Craig Counsell Park in Whitefish Bay was vandalized.
Some fans in Counsell’s hometown of Whitefish Bay felt betrayed, while others view the transition as part of the cold business in the world of professional sports.
Erin Ormsby, a Whitefish Bay native, said she is one of the many in her community saddened to see Craig Counsell leave the Milwaukee Brewers after leading them for nine seasons.
“I am wholeheartedly heartbroken,” said Ormsby.
Being close to the park where someone spray-painted a profanity across the Craig Counsell park sign, Ormsby said she understands the anger of some Brewers fans.
“There’s something really special about the Brewers and Milwaukee,” said Ormsby. “I don’t know. I would have to be a completely different person. So, do I get that someone vandalized it? A little.”
For Ross Wallace, it’s a win in his book. A lifelong Cubs fan and someone who has lived in Chicago before moving to Whitefish Bay, he said he’s excited about the transition.
“Feel pretty bad for the Brewers fans, but as a Cubs fan, I’m pretty excited,” said Wallace.
He admited that he was surprised by the switch to the Brewers’ archenemy.
“I think it’s a big deal because it’s the Cubs for sure,” said Wallace. “Any other team, it would be understandable. I think it’s got to hurt that the front office for the Brewers didn’t fork over the cash.”
Paula Fine, a Bayside resident who has lived in Whitefish Bay for four decades, said she can’t help but feel the loss.
“I’m sad,” said Fine. “He was from Whitefish Bay, and my children I think went to school with him. I lived in the Bay, and I feel sad about it.”
For some, this is just another chapter in the saga of baseball business. One University of Wisconsin (UW)-Milwaukee student said he understands it’s a family matter. The Counsell’s two sons are playing collegiate baseball in the Midwest and their two daughters are still in high school in Whitefish Bay.
“I mean, we all know it’s best for his family and his kids,” said Timothy Greene, a student at UW-Milwaukee. “They grew up here in Whitefish Bay, and they go to school here, so we understand how maybe it would be best if he went there rather than the Mets and other organizations that were in the rumors of him going to. We could understand that but overall, it’s just a business.”
As for Ormsby, she said she thinks there is probably some symbolism within the vandalism.
“I hope he doesn’t take too much offense,” said Ormsby. “He must at least get that we are very strong, heartfelt here in Milwaukee, and I hope he sees it as a, 'We will miss you so much.”'
From Brew City to the Windy City, the local hero will be moving, but it may take Counsell’s hometown residents and Brewers fans across the state a while before they can adjust and move on themselves.