Craig Counsell’s Surprise TIME100 Honor: Cubs Manager Joins Elite Ranks as Influential Leader in Sports.vc
NEW YORK — In a stunning nod to baseball’s quiet revolutionaries, Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has been named to TIME Magazine’s 2025 TIME100 list of the most influential people in the world, announced on April 16, 2025. Amid global icons like Jalen Hurts, Serena Williams, Simone Biles, and WNBA trailblazers Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Counsell stands out as the list’s sole MLB representative—hailed not just as a tactician, but as a “warrior, leader, and pioneer” who has reshaped the Cubs’ culture from perennial underdogs to 2025 NL Central champions.
“More than just a coach, he is a symbol of trust, of fighting spirit… and of a true winning culture,” TIME wrote in its tribute, penned by Cubs executive Theo Epstein. The recognition has sent shockwaves through the MLB community, where Counsell’s bold five-year, $40 million hire in November 2023—shattering managerial salary records—already marked him as a disruptor. Yet, his TIME100 inclusion elevates him to a pantheon alongside pioneers like Biles (the most decorated Olympic gymnast) and Hurts (the Super Bowl MVP quarterback), underscoring his off-field impact on player empowerment and team-building in an era of analytics and activism.
From Milwaukee to Wrigley: Counsell’s Transformative Path
Counsell’s journey to influence began humbly: a gritty infielder who won World Series rings with the Florida Marlins (1997) and Milwaukee Brewers (as manager, 2017 and 2018). After guiding the Brewers to five straight winning seasons and three NLCS appearances, his 2023 defection to the Cubs—Chicago’s crosstown rival—ignited a firestorm. The move, reportedly leaving Milwaukee blindsided, symbolized a new era of managerial mobility and leverage, inspiring figures like Stephen Vogt and Matt Quatraro to demand similar deals.
In Chicago, Counsell delivered: a 92-win 2025 campaign fueled by Pete Crow-Armstrong’s breakout and Justin Steele’s ace dominance, culminating in the Cubs’ first division title since 2017 and a deep playoff run. But TIME spotlights his intangibles—fostering a “trust-based” locker room where veterans like Kyle Tucker mentor rookies, and analytics meet empathy. “Craig doesn’t manage games; he manages people,” Epstein wrote. “In a sport of superstars, he’s building a dynasty through quiet conviction.” His influence extends beyond wins: Counsell’s advocacy for mental health resources and equitable pay for minor leaguers has rippled across MLB, earning nods from the Players Association.
MLB Shock and Cubs Ecstasy
The announcement blindsided the baseball world. On X, reactions poured in: “Counsell over Ohtani? TIME’s got vision,” tweeted one analyst, while Brewers fans lamented, “He left us for this glory—karma’s a curveball.” Rivals like the Cardinals called it “overhyped,” but Cubs Nation erupted in jubilation, with Wrigleyville billboards already teasing a “TIME100 Champ” parade. While fans are still basking in the glow of their first postseason since 2017—despite a heartbreaking NLCS loss to the Dodgers—Counsell’s honor feels like validation after decades of drought.
At 60, Counsell joins TIME’s “Leaders” category alongside global titans like Donald Trump and Elon Musk, but his profile emphasizes sports’ power to unite. “Influence isn’t about headlines; it’s about legacy,” Counsell said post-announcement, tipping his cap to Chicago’s “unbreakable spirit.” As the Cubs eye a 2026 repeat, this accolade cements him as the architect of their renaissance.
The full TIME100 list, revealed at a New York gala on April 24 (airing May 4 on ABC), features 100 trailblazers from 32 countries, including 16 CEOs and six Trump administration members. For Counsell, it’s a capstone to a career defined by resilience—much like the Cubs he now leads.
