The Milwaukee Brewers issued a statement following their 8-1 NLDS Game 3 loss to Arizona that attributed the presence of Craig Counsell on the team’s playoff roster to an unfortunate clerical error.
“Many baseball observers and fans were shocked to see a .178 hitter on our playoff roster and I was too,” said GM Doug Melvin in the statement. “To be completely frank, we made a mistake and submitted playoff roster paperwork for him when we meant to cut him. We didn’t realize the mistake until he boarded the team charter to Phoenix earlier this week. And when we were down 8-1 in Game 3 so we figured we might as well give the guy an at-bat.”
Earlier this season Counsell went hitless in 45 straight at-bats. He flew out in his only plate appearance so far this postseason. Melvin said he was happy with the 41-year-old Counsell’s performance.
“Anytime Craig does anything other than hit a dribbler back to the pitcher we view it as a successful at-bat,” said Melvin. “Dear god, why doesn’t this guy just retire already?”
