The Cubs have hired David Ross as their next manager, hoping his close ties to the team from his playing days will help bring another title to Chicago.
The team announced the move Thursday, a day after news of the hire initially broke. Ross will get a three-year contract with a club option for a fourth season.
The #Cubs today named David Ross the 55th manager in franchise history, agreeing to terms on a three-year contract through the 2022 season with a club option for 2023. pic.twitter.com/gbIrUm5m2C
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 24, 2019
While many had considered Ross the frontrunner to replace Joe Maddon even before the previous manager's departure from Chicago became official, the hire still represents a departure of sorts for the organization.
Ross is only a few years removed from his playing days, having retired after helping the Cubs win the World Series in 2016, and has worked primarily as a broadcaster since then. You have to go back decades to find someone with a similar profile in the manager's role in Chicago — perhaps back to Phil Cavaretta's days as a player-manager in the early 1950s.
But hiring Ross would follow the trend that has taken hold around MLB of recent former players getting high-profile jobs with little prior experience, particularly Aaron Boone with the Yankees and Alex Cora with the Red Sox (though Cora did spend one season as Houston's bench coach).
Ross, 42, played for eight teams during his 14-year playing career, serving mostly as a backup catcher. But he was always well-regarded by teammates and coaching staffs and had a reputation as someone who would mentor other players in the clubhouse.
"David is as gifted a leader as I've ever come across, and I expect him to become a great manager," Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said in a release. "He is a natural connector with a high baseball IQ and a passion for winning. David has always stood out for his ability to cultivate the ingredients of a winning culture — accountability, hard work, hustle, competitiveness, trust, togetherness and team identity."
Ross has worked as an analyst for ESPN since retiring but has remained close to the Cubs, serving as a special assistant in the team's front office. He has made it clear throughout the process that he would be interested in taking over as manager and it appears he'll get his shot.
Astros bench coach Joe Espada was widely mentioned as the other top contender for the job.
With the Ross hire official and the Phillies (Joe Girardi) and Padres (Jayce Tingler) also reportedly filling their openings Thursday, four managerial vacancies remain: the Giants, Mets, Pirates and Royals.
