The Cubs have announced the signing of David Ross to a three-year managerial contract running through the 2022 season with a club option for 2023. Ross, a former hero of the club’s 2016 title run, will be formally introduced at a press conference on Monday afternoon.
The Cubs had previously been said to be in serious consideration of Astros coach Joe Espada for the opening, but it appears that they will turn instead to an in-house option in replacing the departed Joe Maddon. Ross has spent three seasons in the Cubs front office as a special assistant to baseball operations following a fifteen-year year playing career that saw him win World Series titles in both Boston and Chicago.
Though he does not have direct managerial experience to his name, Ross is a well-respected former catcher who has shared dugouts with some of the most revered names in the occupation’s history. As a player, Ross suited up for championship winners Maddon, Bobby Cox, Bruce Bochy, John Farrell, and Terry Francona.
At 42 years of age, Ross becomes the youngest Cubs manager since Jim Riggleman was hired to the post in 1995, and his hiring is in keeping with the wider trend of youthful managers being installed around the game (Ross will not even be the youngest manager hired this afternoon, as reports indicate the Padres have hired 38-year-old Jayce Tingler as their own newly minted skipper).
Following an 84-78 season that saw their postseason hopes crumble down the stretch, the Cubs and manager Joe Maddon parted ways at the conclusion of the 2019 season. Maddon, who helped the club break a 108-year World Series drought with their championship in ’16, has since found employment with the Angels.
I’m building a Backup Catcher Hall of Fame and Ross is in the first class of inductees. Who else should go in?
Bob Tillman?
Any Molina brother not named Yadier
bengie was a starter for quite some time. it was a shame that the angels didn’t keep him.
Yup, Jose was the backup of the bunch, and he should get some recognition here.
George Mitterwald aka The Baron
Wellington Castillo – no not him – should be his agent.
It’s safe to say the cubs aren’t rebuilding/reloading any time soon with this hire. Get used to being a .500 team cubs fans.
Paul Bako
Kirt “What is that” Manwaring
Pat “Messy” Borders
Love it congrats Ross!, Looking forward to seeing you coach. Also it’s gonna help Lester down in games when Ross comes out to the mound to talk to him to settle him down.
Looking forward to the next ball season!
It would be interesting to see the manager come out to the mound to not take a pitcher out. Usually that’s reserved for the pitching coach, but with Lester that could be a possibility
Ross would be better off served relieving Contreras and catch Lester himself. Better option then either Wilson or Caratini.
Considering the fact that Ross hasn’t played in 2 years, and wasn’t exactly great in 2016 (and outright terrible in 2015) outside of a handful of memorable ABs here and there… that would be a pretty dumb idea. Ross is a “clubhouse guy” who does seem very intelligent and knowledgeable about the game. However, he has 0 coaching experience other than playing the mentor for Rizzo, Baez, Russell, Bryant, and (most importantly) Contreras in 2015-16. Perhaps he filled that role while with Boston and Atlanta as well, but it’s still not actual coaching experience. I was thinking that it would be a good idea to bring Ross in as either the bench coach, 1B/3B coach, or some sorto f assistant hitting or strategy coach (let him learn under Espada while providing moral support and mentoring to the guys).
I think that’s a strategy for when they suck, the fans can’t hate on the manager
Oh man, they’re already hating on Ross here.
I personally do not like the move. I think that Espada or Girardi were probably the best choices. However, I was keen on the idea of hiring Ross as a coach in some capacity, and be groomed as a potential future manager. I just don’t like the idea of hiring a manager with 0 coaching experience… and is known to be a bit to chummy with the players. I hope it works out, and this isn’t just some means of hoping the players respond positively… rather than going for the more qualified candidate. Then again, for all we know at this point, Espada and Girardi may have turned the Cubs down.
Kris Bryant to the Yankees for Urshela, Clint Frazier ,Loasaga
GM Cashman is not insane.
The Yankees never do deals like that. They only trade away useless players for All-Stars unless it’s a rental to the cubs.
So a bunch of spare parts for Kris Bryant. Seems legit.
This is surprising, I thought Espada was a better pick. If Ross shows anything that could be mistaken as favoritism towards the players he played with, he’s going to be skewered by the media and fans. Especially if the Cubs are in a close race.
He can’t be any worse than Matheny was though, so there’s that at least.
Bill Plummer
Andy Etchebarren….one of the greatest catcher stories of all time-plus he passed away last week.
Manager roles now a days seem to be about establishing/maintaining organizational culture and applying compliance standards. Gone are the days of assessing players physical, mental or emotional status. Everything is based on historical analytics and players who are beaten down, banged up or just have their swing messed up will be in the line up. It’s been apparent in the playoffs Alvarez/Correa are striking out at 50% clips, but because of analytics they play.
Wasn’t Etchebarren the primary Orioles catcher for most of his career? If so, dunno if he qualifies for this HOF!
I love it—a Cub story thread that the comments have very little to do with the Cubs (and White Sox) and much to do with who can name the crappier catcher. So refreshing to only have to skip a handful of comments.
Awfully sensitive, aren’t you?
As a Nats fan, I love this. Can’t see this working out well so keeping the Cubs spending and out of the playoffs is music to the ears. I just hope they give him an interminable extension a la Preller after his first few years of failure. Good October 31st present.
Because of the Nat’s brilliant management history? One good post season and you’re already full of yourself. You sure have short term memory loss, pal.
Fart noise
Mirabelli definitely! Don’t know of any other professional athlete to get a high speed State Police escort to the ballpark to catch a game that night!
We in Cardinal nation wish to express that we hope this hiring goes almost as well as us hiring Mike Matheny.
Welp, lets see what happens in 2116 cubs? Ws run for sure.
I believe the cub management was saying thank god we got Chapman back in 16 just like the astros management was saying about Ozuna this year. Wonder why no one of them was fired.
John Wockenfuss
I think the cubs will be great to have Ross. He was a legend with Chicago in his times playing. He’s a ’16 champ. He has the experience and he really cares so they will do good this coming up season.