Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - Cubs manager Craig Counsell loses his cool after a bad baserunning drill

Episode Date: March 3, 2026

Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris shared what had Cubs manager Craig Counsell upset recently.

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Me Harrison Grody. Could you imagine Lovey Smith doing the whole good, better, best thing? And saying bleep the Packers. Come on, guys, good better best. Never let it rest. I'll see on Tuesday. Middays 10 to 2 on 104 3, the score. This is Rahimi Harrison Grotie on 1043, the score.

And apparently there was a bit of gossip to chase down at Cubs camp yesterday. Is that what we're calling it, gossip? Yeah, because it was Jesse Rogers who was like, who boy, Craig counsel just lit up his team. I don't think Jesse would ever say, who boy, I really did add that. And that's how it starts, okay? One person reads something, that another person says something, the next thing you know, the whole message is messed up. I very much enjoyed the game telephone when I was in elementary school.

Because it was wild what happened between kid one and kid 20. That's it. And that did not change by any means. In fact, dare I say, it got worse. as time has gone on, despite you being able to refer to people's stuff like a tweet, for example, on the actual post. That's not exactly how it's gone.

So I'm going to scroll back and find it because it was, here it is. I'm not sure I've ever heard Craig Counsel raise his voice, but he just gave it to his team during base running drills. In parentheses, they deserved it. This is about as hot gossip as you can get from spring training as far as I see it. Normally it's like, oh, how did you,

PFP go. What pitch are you working on? Did you let loose too many hum runs when you were working on your seventh pitch today? Something along those lines, as we discussed earlier. But this, this needed further investigation. And I guess our own intrepid reporter, Bruce Levine, got to it, Ray, because the way you sold it was also pretty entertaining. That's right. Bruce Levine, of course, he does every day, joined Mullen Haw this morning. And he set the scene for how Cubs manager, correct counsel, reacted when things went wrong during that drill you referred to in Mesa. So Ron Coomer and myself, Jesse Rogers, were watching base running drills yesterday. And most of the time, you know, it's just, it's eye wash.

But this time, the Cubs were practicing tagging up, balls hit to the outfield. and then the base runner deciding if they have to tag or go halfway, and counsel totally lost it. Kevin Alcantir was confused as to whether to tag or be halfway. Counsel went out and just let everybody had it and said, if you don't know, and he wasn't pointing to Alcantra, but to everybody, if you don't know how to run the bases by the time camp ends, you're not going to be on this team.

Okay, so it was a very pointed, very hot moment for Craig Counsel, who's usually watching with the other coaches and just taking it all in. But he lost it a lot of pacing. One thing about Craig Counsel, when he's upset, if you're a, if you're a Cub fan, you're watching on TV, and you see him pacing in the dugout, means he's really upset, and that's the only way he shows it. I love the body language tell there from Bruce,

so now everybody, of course, is going to be seeing, hey, is Craig standing still in that dugout or is he moving? After anything big happens in the game all season long, that's what's about to happen. I lost it when he said a lot of pacing. Like, that's the only way you can tell is when he takes steps. I'm going to go ahead and just this is my own assumption as well. when things were not going well in the playoffs,

I saw Craig Counsel not have the hat on and was running his fingers through the hair. That's another tell. So if he's pacing and running his fingers through his hair? He got some height on that hair. Like Craig Counsel's hair is impeccable, especially for somebody over the age of, I don't know, 35. And so when you consider that,

and then how much height he can get on that hair and the fact that it's still brown, despite his look of bewilderment or worry at times. Very impressive. But yeah, the hair, wasn't there one day where it was like full poof ball? Oh, it was nuts. It was a really like crazy looking hair day. After a game, like we got to give him the grace of like you just went through managing an MLB game.

You used 45 pitchers in this game in the postseason. But that hair was crazy. And it was a picture that got snapped that was like that I saw going around on social media. you know, it's post-game media availability. And his hair was, was together after that. I think somebody, if not Craig himself, somebody in Craig's circle was like, sir, we need to get you a haircut. No, you know how I feel about the defiant no haircut for men?

Like, I kind of like the rebellion. You know what I mean? Like, I always think it's funny when guys are like, oh, I got to get a haircut. I'm like, why? Who's telling you to get the haircut? Who? The Yankees? Not everybody plays for the Yankees.

but there's a bigger note to be had here, Marshall. It's the fact that Craig Counsel, now when we know sometimes why, oh, I don't know if so-and-so gets more at bats and I don't know why this guy gets more at bats, well, we may have just found a reason. Okay, so was that specifically addressing the individual there or the whole team when you talk about not going to be on this team?

That's what's what's what Bruce clarified in that comment. He didn't single Alcantra out. It was to the whole team, but to be clear, it was Alconra that made the base running mistake. So Alconra made the mistake, but you won't be on this team was for anybody who can't run the base. The message to the team. Yeah, there was that triple play last week with old Matt Shaw. And that didn't look great where Bregman runs to third, but Matt Shaw's at third. Maybe that was in the back of his head.

You know what? I'm not giving him. I'm not giving him old Matt Shaw because old Matt Shaw wouldn't make that. old anybody wouldn't make that type of mistake. You miss the old Matt Shaw? That's young Matt Shaw. That's very green Matt Shaw. Well, I was being a little sorry.

Oh, I know. I know, but I just can't believe, like, you're playing Major League Baseball, and you don't understand when two people are on the same base, who's out and who's not. That's something they teach you when you are a child. Damn it, we should have cut away to Craig Counsel then and seen if he was pacing. I mean. Cardio to relieve stress.

Good for Craig Counsel, though, to get your thoughts out there. Make sure it's been openly communicated. Also, Ray, I immediately thought of the Andrew Vaughn home run and the zoom in to Craig Council on the phone. Yep. Yep. That's a pacing moment if there ever was one. Okay, so did Michael Conforto add to this? Yes, he did.

Michael Conforto is a recent addition to Cubs Camp. And so our guy, Bruce Levine, asked him about what it's like to, What has been like to get to know, Craig Counsel? He's been very vocal, especially in some of the latest team staff. He definitely wants to make his points and make them firmly and loud. And it's been great. You were out there yesterday for that teaching moment.

That's as animated as Craig Counsel gets. But obviously, when at certain point in spring training, managers have to get their point across that regular season's close right yeah i mean we're a few weeks away and one of the strengths of this team is is uh is base record kind of towing that fine line of aggressive and reckless um there's a sweet spot there that you don't give outs away but you take everything that the other team gives you and um you know i think i think it's good to be aggressive You know, it's good to be on the aggressive end. It's harder to stay safe and then push guys forward.

But, you know, as the point he's getting across is, hey, you know, we have to be smarter too. So let's understand the game situation and, you know, think of all the things that we need to be aware of. So I thought it was good, man. A lot of guys had open ears in those moments. I'm Sarah Austin-Ginesse. executive producer and longtime host of the Moth podcast. Every week, we share true stories told live and without notes by real people from all walks of life. Stories about disastrous haircuts, May-December romances, photographing Pluto, fighting for justice, and so much more.

Some stories make you laugh, some make you think, and many stay with you long after they're told. Discover the power of story. Follow and listen to The Moth wherever you get your podcasts. Man, Michael Conforto just telling us what's up. Wisdom. Wisdom. Wisdom being shared. He can be old Michael

Confordo. How about that? The only ones I've determined are actual old are everybody in general and players who have an IR rest on their practice designations. Okay.

But if it's a pitcher, we're going to go ahead and skip his turn through the rotation, even though he's been pitching. Fine. Yeah, me. Maybe. Maybe then. This is Rahimi Harrison Grotty on 104-3, the score. And apparently, Bruce also got to the bottom of this with Craig Counsel. You had some important, what it seemed like, important instruction moments for your guys doing base running and doing drills for relays yesterday.

Is that just a general part of spring? Or, I mean, it was, you know, you got a little animated during that. Yeah, that happens, actually, more than you think. Sometimes you just have to try to emphasize your points. Make sure they make sure it's understood. Good enough? That was a very direct answer. Yeah.

Sometimes, sometimes there's a little. little fun in it too. You could have caught that part of it. Well, I said when you said you won't make this team if you get doubled off. I didn't say that. I said you won't be on the team. So that's obviously an exaggeration. Very similar. Well, no, it's not. It's a very, because you won't make the teams very different than,

we have some people that are going to be on the team. Okay. Some players that are going to be on the team. Even if they get doubled off. Even if they get doubled off. They're going to be on the team. I understand. That's what's different about this.

You know what I mean? This isn't, you know, they're going to be on the team still. No, I understand. The fun part I might have missed, but what would you say was the fun part of that? Well, there's, yeah, I think I'm not going to explain that to you. Sometimes some things are best not explained. That's not in our world. Well, yeah, we understand your own.

You can't just be, if you want to be a good Major League base runner, like we can teach you technique. Yeah, we're going to get technique right. There's some technical things you're going to get right. And then you also have to understand like the scoreboard, which is a huge part of it, which I think big differences. So the scoreboard is about winning and losing, and it's about game state and understanding your role as a base runner.

in particular game states. And that's something, when you're on second base, and you don't have a coach whispering in your ear after every pitch, you're on your own to figure that out. And you have to figure that out and you have to understand that. And so we talk about the game state a lot, which is kind of a fancy way of just saying, you know, what's the situation, right?

And you've got to figure that out. And we try to put some, the point of it, is a little bit too, is to put some pressure on when we do the drill, because we can't operate everything at like a game, a real game. But sometimes my voice can apply some pressure to the situation. That's all we're trying to, because that makes it a little more game-like. Man, Craig Cowell's out here. He's the one having all the fun.

Oh, my God. I need more of that exchange between Craig and Brooke. Did you like the pregnant pauses? What was your favorite part of the interaction? And Bruce held the line. That's what happened. Like Bruce didn't know. That's the best.

Okay, I'm giving away more state secrets. Number one, glitter is girl code because it always tells you where it's been. Number two, let somebody finish a sentence. And when you pause like that in an interview, if they just keep talking, it was his answer until he was done. And then Jesse chimes in and backs up, except Bruce, but where he goes? but where he goes, I miss the fun part. I'm not going to explain that, Leila. I lost it.

I'm not going to explain that, Leila. Why not? I don't think that needs to be explained. That was probably one of the best parts. Marshall is now playing the role in Craig Counsel. But like Bruce is, that is some A plus interviewing by Bruce. Because when he says, I miss the fun part, play confused, see what the other guy says. And then he's still mad.

Isn't he? He's not happy. He's not happy. He's like, why am I dealing with this with Major League Baseball players? Basically is the sentiment that I got from that. Also, no, it's not good enough because I want to know what the hell your third base coach is doing half the damn time. I was going to ask, where's Quentin Berry fit into this equation, if you will? Because on that triple play, guess what happened? He was turned away from the runner going. I'm not going to explain that too. So if that's... But why can't you explain? You just explained everything else. Also kind of funny, he is right. You can't make it.

the team would be bad at base running. Unfortunately. Unfortunately. But then he's like, I apply pressure. See, I don't deal in that card game. Subtalties, that's not my thing. Never been my thing. Fascinated by those who have that thing.

So I'm like, are you telling us how this is going? Because like the pause is just so good. It doesn't make people nervous. It's so efficient. which I am not. It's something else. I'll tell you that. It's something else.

What did you think? About which part? All of it. Oh, I loved it. I need more of that Craig counsel going forward, the one who lights up his players in real time, and also the one who doesn't really want to explain, but he'll play the game with you like he did with Bruce.

I love it. More of that all season long, please. Yeah, and also six three hours a good question. If pacing, as Mad Craig. Are we worried the bullpen phone cord might not stretch long enough? Get a cordless phone for Craig. You get that right?

Yeah, it's 2026. A lot of pacing. Pacing and pausing. Cubs get Craig a cordless phone in that bullpen, please. No, I hope to hell he doesn't need a cordless phone. He won't that part. Yeah. Ray keeps signaling at us to break, and I just don't want to because it's so funny.

Marshall. The Bulls did something that they hadn't done in an entire calendar month. And the Thunder are here. And I think you have the right level of concern about this. I'm going to hold it until after the break, but I'll explain to you why the Bulls can't be doing what they just did. A lot of pacing. Okay.

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