Milwaukee Brewers: Rickie Weeks Promoted To Associate Manager

The Milwaukee Brewers made a few moves offical on Wednesday. The big one that fans were waiting for was when Pat Murphy was named the 20th manager in franchise history, taking the reigns from Craig Counsell who stunningly was hired away by the rival Chicago Cubs.

However, several other promotions also occurred on the coaching staff that day. That included former Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks making the jump from an assistant in player development to associate manager.

After retiring from playing in 2017, Weeks took a major step in preparing for a career in coaching as he elected to go back to school and earn a degree in sports management. He then joined Milwaukee’s front office in February of 2022 and served in a player development role.

Upon conclusion of the 2023 season the Brewers initially gave Weeks a new title of special assistant in player development. However, with Pat Murphy being promoted to manager the front office has elected to promote him again but this time into a role inside the dugout where he will get the opportunity to learn and work alongside Murphy.

This move presumably puts Weeks into an apprentice type role with the potential of becoming a manager someday either with the the Brewers or somewhere else. Milwaukee is a small market team that operates differently from other organizations, so having him learn the ropes now could set both him and the ball club up nicely for a future after Murphy.

Murphy’s managerial contract with Milwaukee is three years in length. There is no knowing how his term will play out, but should he not see it through to the end or need temporary leave for any reason Weeks likely would be the next man up in charge.

Overall this seems like a very smart move. Weeks’ gig as associate manager not only serves as a building block for a bigger job in the future but it will help him gain the experience and knowledge necessary to succeed in the future.