MILWAUKEE — Manager Craig Counsell’s family met for dinner Friday before the first game of the season between the Cubs and Brewers.
In Counsell’s retelling, his brother-in-law Todd kept rushing the group to get to the ballpark.
“They were like, ‘Why do we have to go?’ ’’ Counsell said.
Todd’s answer: “I want to see Craig get booed.”
They made it in time for the lineup announcements. And sure enough, when Counsell’s headshot appeared on the video board, the home fans of the team he’d managed for nine years didn’t hold back.
Neither, apparently, did Todd.
“They showed me a video of him booing,” Counsell said with a chuckle.
It’s Counsell’s second season at the helm for the Cubs after signing what was then a record-setting contract with the Brewers’ division rivals.
And the boos are still almost as strong as they were when he first returned to American Family Field with his new team.
“I think it’s gonna happen for a while,” Counsell said. “That’s OK.”
Suzuki will play outfield
Designated hitter Seiya Suzuki has only started in the outfield once this season, back on April 2. But Counsell doesn’t expect Suzuki to get so little time in the outfield all season.
“He’s been slowed in the outfield play with the wrist, frankly,” Counsell said. “So, actually, this series has been his most active throwing series.”
Suzuki missed three consecutive games in mid-April, and another game the next week, with a sprained right wrist. He threw long toss at 150 feet Saturday, Counsell said.
“It’s something I would like to do,” Counsell said of playing Suzuki in the outfield. “We had so many off days, and he was kind of in the middle of [the injury]. We’re hopefully getting past that, so absolutely.”
Brasier takes next step
Reliever Ryan Brasier (strained left groin) threw live batting practice at the Cubs’ Arizona complex. It was another step in what already has been more than a five-week recovery. Brasier’s lone appearance for the Cubs came during the Tokyo Series.