Cubs Skipper Craig Counsell Gets Into Tense Exchange With ESPN Reporter

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell had to shield one of his players after an ESPN reporter made a scathing comment on his recent performance.

Counsell defended Cubs third baseman Christopher Morel after ESPN's Jesse Rogers said the player was "swinging for the lake" after striking out in a crucial at-bat during Sunday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cubs survived a 10-inning slog, 2-1.

Still, Rogers wanted answers about Morel's struggle, which has been the theme of his 2024 season.

BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 10: Manager Craig Counsell #30 of the Chicago Cubs looks on against the Baltimore Orioles during the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 10, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Rogers asked, "Earlier in the game, some of the at-bats… In the seventh inning with Morel, there is a tying run at second. It looked like he was swinging for the lake there.

What do you think about some of those at-bats?"

Counsell decided not to take any crap from those crotchety guys at ESPN.

"Come on Jesse … Come on," Counsell responded. "That’s your comment? I think that’s a bad take. I think that’s a bad take. He’s swinging for the lake? That’s a bad take."

WATCH:

Counsell's emotional feedback preceded the Cubs' tough decision Monday to embrace selling at the MLB trade deadline. This signaled the end of a tough rookie year for Counsell as the skipper. 

Morel could gain some attention, coming off his strong 2023 campaign, where he led the Cubs in home runs (26).

Chicago (48-53) is third in the NL Central; meanwhile, the top spot is under the Milwaukee Brewers' control — coincidentally, Counsell's former team. Counsell's first year as manager in Chicago, after a successful reboot for the Brewers, had subverted all expectations, turning out worse than many had forecast. 

Counsell is bracing to take on his former team in Milwaukee, starting Monday.

The skip, Morel and the Cubs face a rocky second half of the season.

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