Craig Counsell threw a jab at the Milwaukee Brewers during the first Chicago Cubs Spring Training game.

It came as a surprise when it was announced that Craig Counsell was hired to be the next manager of the Chicago Cubs this offseason.

Counsell had interviewed with other teams, including the New York Mets, where he had a connection with president of baseball operations David Stearns. Most observers were surprised when the Cubs stealthily signed him to the largest deal in baseball history for a manager.

Serving as the Milwaukee Brewers manager since 2015, Counsell has a career record of 707-625. He did all he could with the Brewers, despite the payroll issues that come with a smaller-market team.

The Chicago-Milwaukee rivalry is one of the best in sports. It doesn’t matter if it’s in baseball, basketball, or football, people from Milwaukee and Chicago aren’t fond of each other.

Counsell, a Wisconsin native, understands that after managing the Brewers for nearly a decade. During the Cubs’ first Spring Training game, he took the opportunity to throw a jab at his former team.

“Huge crowd on day one so you know you’re in a different place, no question about it.”

The subtle jab was a positive sign that Counsell recognizes that Chicago fans are some of the best in baseball.

Of course, the Cubs were playing the White Sox, and that had something to do with the crowd as well. The Cubs won the game, 6-0.

Counsell’s presence in the Cubs’ dugout makes this start to spring training just a bit different than in years past under David Ross. It’s also unclear if the Cubs will make any additional moves in free agency, as several stars remain free agents, including Cody Bellinger.

Counsell managed his former team to the playoff several times despite not having the resources the Cubs have.

Now Counsell is the highest-paid manager in baseball — with all the resources and expectations that come with it.