Diamondbacks All-Time Top 10. #8. Craig Counsell

by Jim McLennan on Jan 15, 2006 2:53 AM EST in Diamondbacks News

Craig Counsell

Acquired: 3/23/00 and 12/21/04. Signed as a Free Agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Career with AZ: .268/.352/.359 - 20 HR, 163 RBI
Best year 2001: .275/.359/.362 - 4 HR, 38 RBI
Records: None
Other facts: 3rd in OBP (.352) and SB (53), 4th in walks (245), 6th in hits (516) and games played (559). Has never lost a post-season series (6-0), and is 14-for-35 in NLCS action.
Biggest moment: MVP of 2001 NLCS vs. Atlanta, going 8-for-21.
Departed: 8/18/2003. Traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Milwaukee Brewers, in the Sexson deal. But returned, hooray! :-)

Even if his numbers with the bat have never been stellar, Counsell is one of those players it's almost impossible to dislike. He makes this list on a combination of defensive excellence, hustle and fan support - he's likely second only to Gonzo in terms of popular appeal. He's a rare "two time" Diamondback, having signed twice as a free-agent, returning after being sent to Milwaukee in the Sexson trade, thereby neatly avoiding the 111-loss season suffered here!

One of Counsell's strengths is his flexibility: in five seasons here, he played most games at third in two years, most at second twice, and in 2001 was most often seen at shortstop. But he also plays these positions well, and is a safe and reliable pair of hands at any of them - he may be the best defensive infielder in franchise history. Take 2001 for instance:
SS: Counsell Fielding percentage .975 in 58 games; league avg .968
2B: Counsell .996 in 55 games; league avg .983
3B: Counsell .977 in 38 games; league avg .950

At the plate, he's never going to destroy the opposition (his batting average high is .282 for a full season), but is patient at the plate, and this is reflected in a career OBP 85 points better than his BA. 2005 saw him back with Arizona, leading off, and he discovered both a running game (cracking the top 10 in the NL for SB) and his "power", setting a career high with 9 homers. His output did decline towards the end of the year, but he'll be a regular again this season, and Counsell will likely enter the top 3 in games played for the franchise by the end of 2006.

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Comments

Another good call

Second only to Luis Gonzales, I think, Craig Counsell is one of those players that is the face of the Diamondbacks. Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling both are too identified with other teams, but when you think of the Diamondbacks uniform, you can't help but think of Counsell in that hilarious batting stance.

by kishi on Jan 15, 2006 7:58 AM EST reply actions

Big moment #2

Lead-off homer in game 1 of the World Series.

Finally a pick I can agree with.

by nihil67 on Jan 15, 2006 1:11 PM EST reply actions

counsell

My beef with Counsell is that he can't or won't hit to the opposite field. He is a little pop hitter that tries to pull the ball. Maybe it is his funky batting style.

by kylerkenney on Jan 16, 2006 9:59 AM EST reply actions

actually

If you go look at his spray chart on MLB.com, he puts the ball all over the field. His power is definitely not to the opposite field, but he'll put it over there.

It probably has a lot to do with his stance, but more to do with the way he slaps at the ball and his follow-through. How he hasn't torn a few rotator cuffs, I don't know.

by nihil67 on Jan 16, 2006 11:32 AM EST up reply actions

he's got my vote

I love statistical analysis, but Craig is one of the few who breaks the mold and truly can't be appreciated by his numbers. Love this guy. Love him. There's no D-Back past or present I more hope to see as the D-Back's manager down the road.

by johngordonma on Jan 17, 2006 11:08 PM EST reply actions