This time around David Ross will call the game from the Cubs clubhouse. The 2019 World Series is in full swing, but that doesn’t mean teams aren’t already looking ahead to the 2020 season. While the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros are duking it out for the title, the Chicago Cubs are making some big moves of their own.
According to multiple sources, the Chicago Cubs will hire former catcher, David Ross as their next manager tomorrow (Thursday). The 42 year-old Ross beat out five other candidates to replace Joe Maddon, who was hired by the Los Angeles Angels.
Ross won the World Series in 2016 with the Cubs. After his retirement, he began working for the Cubs front office as a Special Assistant to Baseball Operations as well as taking on analyst duties for ESPN… oh and he was on Dancing with the Stars and wrote a book.
This choice looks very promising for Chicago. Many of the players Ross will be managing are his former teammates. He has already earned immense respect from players like Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant.
Ross was a fan and clubhouse favorite, nicknamed “Grandpa” by Rizzo. He played the final two seasons of his 15-year career with the Cubs. He famously hit a home run in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians.
From Behind the Plate to Skipper
Working in the front office for the past few seasons has allowed Ross to get acclimated to what life is like off the field as opposed to on it. He has big shoes to fill after the departure of a well-respected manager like Joe Maddon.
The Cubs also interviewed former Yankees manager Joe Girardi, Astros bench coach Joe Espada, former Phillies manager Gabe Kapler, and two internal candidates; Mark Loretta and Will Venable.
Ross and the core of Cubs players have already built a relationship, but that relationship will need to evolve if he is going to become their boss. They have won together before and will look up to him to do so again. Just because they share a past, doesn’t mean things will be easy. He is going from being Jon Lester’s personal catcher to taking Lester out of the game. The vibe is obviously going to be different, but I think this move will greatly impact the Cubs in the end.
Welcome back, Grandpa Rossy.
Born and raised in the Bay Area. My life has revolved around sports- specifically the A’s, Warriors, Sharks, and 49ers since I was a little girl. This May, I received my BA in Sports Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University… Go Aztecs!
