Cubs Reportedly Hire David Ross as New Manager

The Chicago Cubs have reportedly hired David Ross to be the team's new manager. A formal announcement is expected to be made tomorrow. He would succeed Joe Maddon with whom the Cubs parted ways after five seasons after failing to make the post-season. During Maddon's tenure, the Cubs its first World Series in 108 years in 2016 and Ross was an integral member.


Ross, 42, spent 15 seasons as a backup catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox (twice), Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs. He earned two World Series rings with the Red Sox and Cubs in 2013 and 2016, respectively. Ross is remembered for his Game 7 home run off then Indians reliever Andrew Miller.

After earning his second ring, Ross retired and went on to greater fame as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars in 2017. Ross also worked as a special assistant to Cubs President Theo Epstein and appeared as a color commentator for ESPN.


While Ross has never managed at any level, he is widely respected for his knowledge of the game and has close ties to the players remaining from the 2016 championship team including Jon Lester, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant. The question is whether the Cubs will return to their winning ways under Ross or if he will be viewed as a holdover from the previous regime. It will be interesting to see how long Ross gets to dance this time.