The Milwaukee Brewers shocked many in the MLB world when they announced the firing of manager Ron Roenicke Sunday night. With the team floundering in the standings at 7-18, the front office was quick to find a replacement, naming Craig Counsell manager Monday morning.

Counsell played in Milwaukee for six seasons near the end of his career. He played in 711 games with the Brewers, hitting .241 and driving in 130 runs. Upon retiring in 2012, he immediately accepted a job in the team's front office. The 44-year-old has been serving as a special assistant to the general manager.   

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman shared his reaction to the news:

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times noted that this isn't the first time Counsell has flirted with a managerial job:

Grantland's Jonah Keri shared an interview he had with Counsell in 2003 while at Baseball Prospectus. More than a decade ago, Counsell made it clear he wanted to be a baseball lifer.

"I want to stay in baseball, no doubt," he said. "It gets in your blood. I've done it my whole life, and I'd like to stay involved in the game somehow."

Counsell will have a tall task ahead. While injuries have plagued the Brewers all year, Milwaukee is ill-equipped to handle the rebuild that may be necessary.

Baseball America ranked the club's minor league system 19th before the season, and the team's veteran core isn't good enough to win the National League Central.