Ross D. Franklin/AP
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Cubs were without their manager for a second consecutive day, and no one around the club seemed to mind. In fact, knowing camp would run smoothly with bench coach Ryan Flaherty at the helm made Craig Counsell being away to watch his daughter play basketball seem like a win-win for all involved.
“Early in camp, he made sure each staff member would have a day to take off,” said Flaherty, who coordinates the Cubs’ spring camp plan. “It’s Craig’s [turn], and he gets to see his daughter play in a big basketball game.