Former Chicago Cubs manager David Ross recently opened up about his departure from the club. The long-time veteran Major League Baseball catcher earned the job with the North Siders in 2019 despite not having any managerial experience. Ross was, however, seen as a rising leader after completing his playing career in Chicago.
Despite his lack of coaching experience, Ross led the Cubs to a National League Central division championship in his first season at the helm. Due to the COVID pandemic, the 2020 campaign was shortened. As a result, Ross did not get his first MLB managerial win until nine months after he was initially hired. After earning the three seed in the N.L., Chicago was ultimately swept by the Miami Marlins in the first round of the playoffs.
Ross eventually spent three more years with the Cubs before being fired after the 2023 season. Chicago never made it back to the postseason with the former catcher as manager. In a refreshingly honest new interview, Ross admitted that he felt “embarrassed” after being sacked by his team. The former coach even told the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast that he rooted against the Cubs during the 2024 campaign.
“I was really following the Cubs probably super hard in ’24 just because it’s like, that’s my team,” claimed Ross. He was then asked about the dynamic of watching his former team so soon after being let go. “Oh, it’s the worst. Well, you’re rooting for the players, but you hope they lose,” replied Ross while laughing. “It’s a terrible, terrible way to feel.”
David Ross is Rooting for the Chicago Cubs Once Again
GettyDavid Ross had a .480 winning percentage as manager of the Chicago Cubs.
Despite the initial animosity towards the Chicago Cubs organization, Ross claimed that he looks back with fondness on his time with the team. “Looking back, like I was so glad,” continued Ross. “The people there are great, the fans are great. Tom [Ricketts], the ownership. [President of baseball operations] Jed [Hoyer], I really enjoyed working with him. Like, I’ve got no real ill will [towards the Cubs].”
Later in the podcast, the former Cubs coach admitted that managing an MLB team is not exactly fun. “People ask me all the time, ‘Did you enjoy managing?’ And I’m like, ‘It’s not an enjoyable job,'” Ross said with a smile. “You grind over the losses, and you’re absolutely miserable over every loss. And three losses feel like you’re never winning again.”
In 2016, Ross previously helped the Cubs win their first World Series title in over 100 years. During the massively important campaign, the catcher split time with Miguel Montero behind the plate. Ross hit two home runs in just 16 at-bats for Chicago during the postseason run. The veteran also picked up a World Series ring with the Boston Red Sox in 2013. He has not managed another MLB team since leaving Chicago in 2023.
Ross Receives High Praise From Former Chicago Coach
Ross’ former Chicago Cubs manager, Joe Maddon, recently gave the catcher some seriously high praise. During a piece for The Athletic, Maddon specifically named Ross as one of the top three leaders he ever coached. According to the former Tampa Bay Rays manager, Ross was never afraid to ruffle a few feathers if it helped his team. As Maddon put it, the vocal catcher was “the bad cop, in a good way.”
Craig Counsell, the manager who eventually replaced Ross, remains at the helm in Chicago. At the moment, the Cubs are one of the hottest teams in baseball and currently lead the N.L. Central.
Former Cubs Coach Wanted Club to Fail After Firing