Whitefish Bay native Craig Counsell was acquired by the Brewers this winter in a much talked about multi-player trade for Richie Sexson. At 33, he's not a future prospect. Instead he's a proven veteran with World Series experience from both the Marlins and the Diamondbacks.

Counsell, who now lives in Mequon year 'round, brings a work ethic -- and perhaps a quiet leadership -- to a team that has few veterans. He's looking forward to the challenge of playing for the team he grew up around, but most importantly his mission is to help the Brewers win more games.

We caught up with Counsell a few days before he left the frigid Milwaukee winter to head back to Phoenix to begin working out for the upcoming season. Here's what the Brewers sole Wisconsin native had to say, in this latest edition of Milwaukee Talks:

OMC: I've heard a lot about how you practically grew up at County Stadium while your dad, John, worked for the Brewers. They say you spent a lot of time watching Robin Yount, a childhood hero, who eventually became a coach with your former team, the Diamondbacks. How much of that is true and much of this is PR hype?

CG: It's very true. He worked there from '78 to '88, during the stretch that they had good teams. I'd spend weekends there, and get my mom to drop me off after school. I had great experiences (at County Stadium), and I don't think I'd be in the big leagues if I didn't spend all that time there to soak all of it in.

OMC: Did you ever think you'd be in a position where you and Robin would be on the same team?

CG: It was really cool, almost a little strange. Generally, when you're a kid and have a hero, you don't usually become close friends with him. He was my hero, then he was my co-worker, but he's what I thought of him as a kid: the most humble man you'll ever meet.

OMC: Have you been exposed to all the former Brewers who are still working in the organization, like Gorman Thomas, Cecil Cooper and Jim Ganter?

CG: Not yet, but I think it's neat that those people are still involved. Those were who people remember. They create a link, not only for the fans, but for the players.

OMC: Do you remember Ned Yost from your childhood?

CG: I knew him, but I know him more from when he was a coach with Atlanta.

OMC: Did you ever get a chance to play at County Stadium?

CG: I played there when I was with the Marlins, yeah.

OMC: I really miss it, personally.

CG: I agree with you. I have great memories from there.

OMC: You've played for some pretty good teams, but lets be honest, the Brewers won't be contending for a pennant this year. Take the "coming home" stuff away -- is it a letdown to be traded to a team like the Brewers?

CG: You have to approach it in a different way. This team is not going to go to the World Series. The chances are pretty slim. But I look at it as a challenge and something that is new for me. And that's exciting, to be able to come to a city that I grew up in and maybe be a part of something that's on its way up.

OMC: You're 33 years old, which puts you in the latter half of your career. Did that sneak up on you?

CG: Right now, I'm the oldest player on the team.

OMC: Does that seem weird? Do you feel old?

CG: I don't feel like an old guy, no. I don't feel old at all, but I know the end is not that far away, within five years, probably. But I'm not in the twilight of my career. I still have a long time to play.

{image2}

OMC: Baseball guys within the Brewers organization have been comparing you to Jim Gantner. Are they referring to your leadership skills or your athletic similarities with Gumby?

CG: (As far as leadership skills), it's more important to me to help us win games. Everyone wants to be a labeled a leader, but that stuff just happens. Being great in the clubhouse doesn't necessarily win games, to be honest with you. I think what Jim Gantner was good at was being so tough and hard-nosed, and it rubbed off on other people. Is that leadership? I don't know.

OMC: People always describe him as so overachieving, it sounds as if he's handicapped or something. I never understood that.

CG: I've heard people describe me as overachieving, too. It means, physically, you're not as gifted as some other players, which is probably accurate. But that's what you learn. There's more than one way to play the game.

OMC: When you played for Arizona, did you still live in Milwaukee during the off-season?

CG: I moved back here in 2001.

OMC: Let me get this straight: you lived in Arizona in the summer and Milwaukee in the winter. Did people make fun of you?

CG: Frequently. We were pretty sure that we were the only people who did that. We came back because this is home, and we wanted to have roots somewhere.

{image3} OMC: You had a baby this year?

CG: Yeah, he's eight months old.

OMC: So it must be nice to stay in the same city year round?

CG: It makes it easy when you start a family. Grandma lives down the street and baby sits, you know?

OMC: You must be one of the only Brewers who resides in Milwaukee year round.

CG: I am the only one. I know that for a fact.

OMC: Is it comforting, in any way, to have some of the other Diamondbacks who came to the Brewers in the trade, still on your team?

CG: It's not critical, since I think you get to know everybody (on the new team). But there is some familiarity, especially with Junior (Spivey).

OMC: Being on the Brewers is the not the highest profile celebrity job, I'd imagine. Yet you've had some pretty memorable career moments. Between the winning run in the World Series in Florida, and playing in a big baseball city like Phoenix, you must be used to getting noticed. Are you more anonymous in Milwaukee?

CG: It is different.

OMC: Is that nice?

CG: It is. I enjoy it. I like that part about it. That's kind of my style. I think, ultimately, you want the Brewers to become big, so that might change.

OMC: I noticed you there's a bobble head version of you selling on eBay. That has to be cool. Do you have a bunch at home?

CG: I think there are some in the basement.

OMC: Hey, if I had my own bobblehead, I'd have them all over the house.

CG: It's one of those things, like when you're nephew says he was you in Sega baseball. Right now, it's not a big deal, but when I look back on it, I think it will be pretty cool.

OMC: Did you imagine your career being at this point when you were just starting out? I know you were a walk-on at Notre Dame, and you weren't drafted in the first round.

CG: It's where I hoped to be. I didn't expect the World Series stuff, but if you would have asked me at 21 if I hoped to still be playing baseball at 33, I would have said yes, but I wouldn't have known if it could happen. I feel lucky.

OMC: I heard someone once asked you after college what you would do with your accounting degree, and you said hopefully nothing.

CG: That's true. I feel like I'm 33 and have never had a job. How many people can say that?

OMC: Baseball is work, I suppose.

CG: Yes, but it's what I did when I was a kid, too.

{image4} OMC: Do you pick up a baseball during the off-season?

CG: Oh yeah, but not yet. There's a bat sitting in the living room that I swing every day in front of the mirror. But I don't start playing catch until after the holidays.

OMC: What else do you do during the off-season?

CG: I've spent a lot of time being a dad. I like going to Marquette games. I played a lot of golf during October.

OMC: Are you a Packers fan?

CG: I am, but I didn't go to any games this year. But I watch the games and root them on for sure.

OMC: What do you like about Milwaukee?

CG: I guess it's home, which is the best way to describe it. I'm comfortable here. I know what to expect from people. I don't live here because of the restaurants or the nightlife.

OMC: Did you ever think or hope to be a Brewer?

CG: I think I always did, but I didn't think it was realistic after how my career has went. For me, it's a challenge. And that's how I'm approaching it.

OMC: How long are you signed with the team?

CG: This year.

OMC: Do you think you might finish off your career in Milwaukee?

CG: I have no idea. If I had played here for a year, I could probably tell you, but I haven't put the uniform on yet. It's still so early. I don't have a feel for the team's plans or goals yet.

OMC: Should the Brewers bring back the old "ball and glove" logo?

CG: I would be a fan of that, yes. It would be a good marketing thing, and they haven't had any success in these uniforms.

OMC: They haven't had a winning season without that logo, actually.

CG: I think it would be pretty cool.

OMC: Ulice Payne told me he'd put the logo on the batting practice jerseys, but who knows now? It would probably cost too much.

CG: I'm not gonna comment on that stuff.

OMC: Who got the better end of the trade?

CG: You can't tell right now, but the Brewers could have gotten a lopsided trade. They players we got could be compared to a stock, and Doug (Melvin) bought low. We're all coming off not great years. But if you went back a year, there's no way the Diamondbacks would have made that trade. If you believe that we're not bad players, this could be a great trade for the Brewers.

OMC: What can fans expect from you as a player?

CG: I'm healthy, and I'm looking forward to playing every day. I want to help the team get better. And I think that's what people want to see.