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  "path": "/cubs/2026/03/05/cubs-craig-counsell-watches-his-son-bradys-professional-debut-from-opposite-side",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-05T23:36:41.100Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
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    "@maddie_m_lee"
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  "textContent": "<p>MESA, Ariz. – As <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Cubs</u></a> manager Craig Counsell strode toward home plate, lineup card in hand, a young man wearing the same last name across the back of his Diamondbacks jersey matched each step on his way from the opposite dugout.</p><p>Craig’s son Brady, the Diamondbacks' 10th-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, met his dad for the lineup card exchange before their teams played in a Cactus League game Thursday at Sloan Park. The two clasped hands and patted each other on the back. Brady was just seven innings away from his professional debut.</p><p>“It's exciting, it's fun,” Craig Counsell said Thursday morning. “I'll close my eyes and watch the video later.”</p><p>That was a joke, Counsell clarified. He wouldn’t risk missing his son’s first professional at-bat. But Counsell was anxious.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center><div class=\"Enhancement-item\"> <div class=\"ExternalContent-wrapper\" > <div class=\"TweetUrl\"> <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A pair of Counsells exchanging lineup cards before this Cactus League game, manager Craig Counsell for the Cubs and his son Brady for the Diamondbacks. <br><br>Brady Counsell was Arizona’s 10th round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. <a href=\"https://t.co/iaziBN2TZM\">pic.twitter.com/iaziBN2TZM</a></p>— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/maddie_m_lee/status/2029650477332451472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script> </div> </div> </div></div><p></p><p>Brady Counsell, in minor-league camp with the Diamondbacks, found out Wednesday night that he was going to be part of the travel squad for Thursday’s game against the Cubs.</p><p>He told his mom, Michelle, but kept it a secret from his dad, his roommate this spring. Craig said when he texted Michelle a photo of the Diamondbacks’ game day roster, her response was: “I know.”</p><p>The Diamondbacks also played a large role in the elder Counsell’s playing career. He spent six seasons in Arizona, split into two separate saints. And he was a postseason hero for the club en route to the 2001 World Series title.</p><p>It was a sweet twist of fate that his son would end up in the same organization.</p><p>“At that point, you just want him to get picked,” Counsell said. “But to have a connection to the organization is cool. … That makes it a little more.”</p><p>The family resemblance is clear, but Brady stands several inches taller than his father. And Craig agreed that the younger Counsell has more power in his offensive game.</p><p>According to Craig couple of the Diamondbacks coaches said to him: “He's pretty big, I'm not sure that’s your son.”</p><p>Brady Counsell entered the game at third base in the bottom half of the seventh inning. He drew a walk in his first professional plate appearance, hustling out of the box in a called-third strike off the plate – “It was a ball, actually, he was right,” Criag Counsell said – and returning for a fifth pitch outside of the zone. </p><p>Counsell quipped: “I’m going to get on [bench coach Ryan] Flaherty because he tried to pick him off.” </p><p>Counsell looked on from the line of chairs positioned on the warning track by the entrance to Cubs’ dugout, calm on the outside at least. He said moments from Brady’s life flashed through his mind.</p><p>“Really wish my dad could have been here to see it, for sure,” Counsell said of his father John, who died this past winter. “Probably thought of that first first, honestly. But I'm happy for him and proud of him and thankful that I got to witness it.”</p><h3><b>Notes</b></h3><p>Cubs left-hander <b>Jordon Wicks</b>, who was shut down from throwing to address inflammation in his left elbow, progressed to playing catch Tuesday. He isn’t expected to throw off a mound this week, Counsell said, but he’ll continue to build up on flat ground, Counsell said.</p><p>First baseman <b>Jonathon Long</b>’s left elbow sprain has lingered longer than he and the Cubs hoped.</p><p>“He’s able to do some stuff but still has some hesitation as the volume ramped up hitting,” Counsell said.</p><p>If Long doesn’t progress by the end of the weekend, he’s expected to undergo further testing.<br></p>",
  "title": "Cubs' Craig Counsell watches his son Brady's professional debut from opposite side",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-05T23:36:41.100Z"
}