The dismissal of Chicago Cubs manager David Ross and the hiring of new manager Craig Counsell took all of baseball by surprise earlier this week.
That goes for Cubs players like Ian Happ, too.
Happ, who just won a Gold Glove for his work in the outfield in 2023, got emotional when ABC News caught up with him after the managerial change.
"Definitely a bunch of emotions,” Happ said. “Rossy is a great friend and was an awesome manager; maybe the guy that I'll play for the longest," said Happ. "He and I have a fantastic relationship. He gave me a chance to play, and I really grew under him. I have nothing but respect for him and admiration for everything he did for us."
The Cubs made Happ their first-round pick in 2015 out of Cincinnati, and he made it to the Majors in 2017. Since then, he’s been a fixture with the Cubs and has a lifetime batting slash of .249/.343/.454/.797 with 125 home runs and 392 RBI. He’s one of the best defensive outfielders in the game, as he’s won two straight Gold Gloves. He was also an All-Star in 2022.
He’s under contract in Chicago through 2026.
So, next up for the 29-year-old outfielder is getting to know Counsell, who helped the Milwaukee Brewers to three NL Central titles and five playoff berths. His five-year, $40 million contract — the richest in managerial history — comes with massive expectations for him and, by extension, his new players.
Of course, Happ knows Counsell to some degree. He’s spent his entire career playing the Brewers in division play and watched them pull away this September to win the division.
Happ says he’s looking forward to the new challenge.
"Seeing Counsell from across the field quite a bit over the last seven years, I've always been impressed with the way he manages and the way he controls the bullpen," said Happ. "I'm excited to get going with him and pick his brain about everything baseball."
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