Milwaukee Brewers: Former Crew Members as Current Managers

Of the thirty current Major League managers, six once sported Milwaukee Brewers uniforms with pride. Though some served longer tenures than others, they all have connections to the Crew.

Several former Milwaukee Brewers players have found a place in the MLB even though there playing careers are over. Of those is current Brewers manager Craig Counsell. Also among former Milwaukee players in a managerial position now is leader of the Crew’s conference foe, the St. Louis Cardinals. Mike Matheny once wore blue and yellow during his playing career.

Also in the National League is Gabe Kapler, as the leader of the Philadelphia Phillies.

The final three former Crew members are positioned at the helm of teams in the American League Central. Those are Paul Molitor for the Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona, and Ned Yost of the Kansas City Royals.

An Honorary Member

In addition to these six, there is yet another current manager that has ties to Milwaukee. Oakland A’s manager Bob Melvin was a part of the Milwaukee Brewers organization from 1996-1999. He served a different role each year that he was with the Crew. In 1996, he was a scout. He then transitioned to the role of a roving instructor in 1997, the assistant to the General Manager in 1998, and the bench coach in 1999.

When Phil Garner transitioned to the manager of the Detroit Tigers in 2000, Melvin left with him. Before that, he also coached the Crew’s Arizona Fall League team in 1999.

Though he never played for the Crew, he is an honorary member of this list for his duties with the Milwaukee Brewers that jump started his managerial career.

What’s on Tap?

Because former Brewers players make up one-fifth of the current Major League managers, it can be hard to keep track of them. They each took different paths on their journeys to becoming MLB managers, but each and every one of them can proudly say that they were once involved in the Milwaukee Brewers organization.