Watch the brutal moment Cubs manager Craig Counsell receives ‘some of the loudest boos you’ll ever hear’ on Milwaukee return

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell’s first game at American Family Field since he was hired away from the Milwaukee Brewers included a warm scoreboard message and a chorus of incredibly loud boos.

A brief video shown before the first pitch of the game showcased some highlights from Counsell’s tenure as Milwaukee’s manager before displaying him wearing a Brewers cap alongside the message, ‘Thank You No. 30.’ 

Brewers fans booed throughout the video, and then made their anger known once again when he was introduced as the Cubs’ manager.

Video posted to social media captured these moments – with the crowd deafening in their display of exasperation towards the Brewers legend who left the team to coach the Cubs in the offseason.

‘Look, cheer, boo, whatever, man,’ Counsell said before the game when asked about what kind of reception he expected. ‘Just have a good time at the game. 

The Brewers sent him home with a loss thanks to Willy Adames (center) hitting a home run

‘That’s what fans get to do. Just have a good time. It’s Memorial Day. You don’t have to work today, let’s all have a good time.’

Counsell did receive a little applause from the substantial portion of Cubs fans in attendance – Cubs-Brewers games in Milwaukee generally have a pretty even split of supporters for both teams – but the cheers were drowned out by the boos.

Counsell managed the Brewers to five playoff appearances over the last six seasons and set franchise records in wins and games managed before the Cubs lured him away with a five-year deal worth more than $40 million.

This wasn’t the first time Counsell had managed against his former team – the Cubs won two of three against the Brewers at Wrigley Field from May 3-5 – but it was his first time in Milwaukee.

For the fans of the Brewers, while they may have arrived angry, they sure left happy after Milwaukee beat their division rivals 5-1 on Memorial Day.

After a scoreless tie went into the eighth inning, pinch runner Sal Frelick scored a run before a Willy Adames three-run home run extended the lead to 4-0.

By the inning’s end, Milwaukee had scored its fifth run and despite giving up the shutout on a sac-fly, sent their old manager out of the ballpark unhappy.