Chicago Cubs: Veteran catcher David Ross still plans to retire after 2016

Is it me or does it feel like every player that we’ve watched growing up is on the brink of calling it quits? I understand these professional athletes are only able to do this for so long but as a fan, watching some of these great players walk away is depressing.

While the Los Angeles Lakers and their fans wait for Kobe Bryant to finish out his final season and the Denver Broncos waiting to hear back from Peyton Manning, the Chicago Cubs are preparing for catcher David Ross to ride off into the sunset.

Sure, Ross isn’t on Kobe’s or Peyton’s level but he is a good player in his own way. When thinking about Ross, the word ‘leader’ is the first thing that will pop up when looking back on his career.

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The 2013 World Series Champion made his big league debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers over 14 years ago after being drafted by them twice. First being in 1995 in the 19th round where he decided to skip professional baseball to attend Auburn University.

Three years would pass until the Dodgers drafted him again, this time in the seventh round. The same year guys such as Mark Prior, Adam Dunn, Barry Zito, Brandon Inge, Jody Gerut, Mark Teixeira, Javier Lopez, Aubrey Huff, Ryan Vogelsong, Matt Holliday, Pat Burrell, Mark Mulder, C.C. Sabathia, and Aaron Rowand were drafted.

Surely a group of players that will one day receive a call for Coopers Town in the future.

Now according to ESPN’s own Jesse Rogers, not only is David Ross dead set on retiring after the 2016 campaign, he’s looking to go out as a winner with this club stocked full of young talent.

“I’m going to try and write down more and take in the moments more instead of letting them pass by. Take in different cities maybe. Just do a little more.”

Ross went on to talk about everybody on the team being excited about this season and that they need to focus on getting better each day. Not only will he be preparing himself for one final run, he’ll also be responsible for working with slugger Kyle Schwarber.

Schwarber will rotate from left field to behind the dish from time-to-time but isn’t expected to Chicago’s primary catcher any time soon. Having his bat in the lineup is a huge advantage for this club as he proved in 2015 by swatting 16 homers and 43 RBI with a .246 batting average.

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Learning from a guy like Ross aside from Miguel Montero is going to be huge for Joe Maddon‘s 22-year-old phenom.

Now, when talking about a farewell tour – which is something that is done for veteran players who are on their way out – Ross had one of the best answers yet by saying, “Maybe they’ll give me a toilet bowl from each stadium.”

A classic comment from a 38-year-old catcher who will no doubt make a fine manager whenever he’s given the opportunity. Who knows, maybe it’ll be with the Chicago Cubs in the future.