Brewers, manager Craig Counsell agree to 3-year extension

MILWAUKEE (AP) The Milwaukee Brewers and manager Craig Counsell announced a three-year contract extension through the 2020 season Friday.

The 46-year-old Counsell just finished his first full season as skipper. He has a 134-165 record since taking over in May 2015 for the fired Ron Roenicke. The rebuilding Brewers finished 73-89 this past season, a five-win improvement from 2015.

A former infielder, Counsell played 16 years in the majors, including six seasons over two different stints with the Brewers.

Counsell grew up in the Milwaukee area. His father, John, worked in the Brewers front office in the 1980s.

The younger Counsell then joined Milwaukee's front office in 2012 as a special assistant to former GM Doug Melvin before moving into the dugout three years later.

''Craig has been a Brewer in the truest sense and is as much a Brewer in here as anyone,'' said David Stearns, who just finished his first full season as general manager. ''Craig understands the passion of this fan base.''

Counsell said he was determined to see the Brewers play meaningful baseball in October. The NL Central figures to be competitive for years to come, especially with the World Series champion Chicago Cubs atop the division.

''This is really the only place I want to part of October baseball. In 2015 we knew there was going to be some pain going through this,'' Counsell said. ''We're taking the right steps, good steps and now I feel like I will see it for sure.''