Major Chords: Take a Bow, Craig Counsell
The first casting call was answered by Andy Fox. More recently, Augie Ojeda and David Eckstein have reprised the role. In Arizona franchise history, however, no one has played the part of scrappy utility infielder quite as famously as Craig Counsell.
Like fellow underdog Rudy Ruettiger, Counsell played his college ball at Notre Dame. Drafted in 1992 by the Rockies, he made his ML debut in 1995, but Counsell's Colorado career amounted to a total of one hitless at-bat in three games. A 1997 trade to Florida gave Counsell his first big break; in the post-season, he demonstrated his flair as a supporting actor by scoring a run in extra innings to win Game 7 of the World Series. The Fish sent Counsell to Hollywood midway through the 1999 season, but his spell with the Dodgers was panned by the critics.
Los Angeles released Counsell in the spring of 2000, and he soon thereafter signed with Arizona. He performed well in his first year with the Snakes, playing quality infield defense and shining with the bat (.316 / .400 / .421 over 152 AB) in limited duty. As the understudy to oft-injured veterans Jay Bell, Matt Williams and Tony Womack, Counsell logged significant time at 2B, 3B and SS and had another memorable post-season for the Diamondbacks' 2001 World Series club. His 3-run homer gave Arizona its margin of victory in Game 3 of the NLDS. For an encore, Counsell hit .381 / .381 / .524 against the Braves to win NLCS MVP honors. Once again in the spotlight in Game 7 of the World Series, Counsell absorbed a pitch from Mariano Rivera to load the bases ahead of Luis Gonzalez's title-clinching hit.
Having won the hearts of Diamondbacks fans along with his second ring, Counsell continued to get regular playing time in 2002 and 2003. Although his glovework remained solid, Counsell's bat was overstretched as an everyday player. Arizona eventually included Counsell in its ill-fated deal with Milwaukee for slugging 1B Richie Sexson, but he re-upped with the Diamondbacks as a free agent after the 2004 season. Counsell would spend two more years with the Snakes before returning to his native Wisconsin, where he has played with the Brewers since 2007.
The curtain may soon fall on Counsell's ML career. Milwaukee declined its $3.4M option on Counsell for the 2009 season, then re-signed him to a $1M deal. Back in Brewers' camp, Counsell scrapped the trademark high bat-waggle from his stance and enjoyed some early success in the Cactus League. But in recent weeks, swelling in the knee has kept the 38-year old off the field. An MRI this week confirmed a cartilage tear in his knee that will require surgery. Counsell has indicated that he will try to play through the injury, but an arthroscopic procedure will eventually be necessary and would sideline him for two to three weeks. That doesn't sound like much, but it's easy to imagine a player of Counsell's age may not recover quickly ... or at all.
Counsell was always an unlikely star, but more than once he found himself in the brightest spotlight and each time he stole the show. Those memorable performances delighted Diamondbacks Nation, and for that reason, Counsell's fame will endure.
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