(South Bend, IN) - The Chicago Cubs formally introduced their new manager Monday at a press conference. Serious baseball fans may know that the new skipper, Craig Counsell, has ties to this area.

Counsell was born in South Bend in 1970 and played collegiately at the University of Notre Dame from 1988 to 1992. Counsell's father played for Notre Dame in the 60s and later coached there. Craig followed in his father's footsteps, becoming team captain of a talented Irish team that came within a game of the College World Series in his senior season. Counsell still holds the school record for walks with 166, while striking out only 82 times.

In his 16-year MLB career, Counsell won two World Series with two different teams. After managing the Milwaukee Brewers for nine seasons, Counsell recently signed a record-setting 5-year $40 million deal with the Cubs.