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Chicago Cubs: So, about those David Ross as manager rumors
David Ross has reportedly been linked to the potential Chicago Cubs managerial vacancy this offseason. But would hiring the fan favorite be a good idea?
David Ross is a Chicago Cubs legend. Though he was only with the team for two years and served as the backup catcher, his ability to be a leader and a mentor, especially to the Cubs’ young core of talent, endeared him to fans. He since has been working for ESPN, though even before he retired many people mentioned him as a candidate to manage in the big leagues someday.
With current Cubs manager Joe Maddon‘s contract expiring and his future with the team uncertain, given their less than inspiring play for much of the past two years, rumors have naturally come up that David Ross might be the Cubs’ manager next year. But how likely is that? And is it even a good idea?
Before we get too carried away with the David Ross rumors, let’s not forget that Maddon is still the manager of this team and will be through the end of this season. Let’s also not forget that the Cubs dropped another manager who was doing a decent job (Rick Renteria) after just one year to get Maddon. Of course, he’s gone on to lead them to four-straight playoff appearances and a World Series title. Dumping him after this season, even if we agree that the team has underperformed the last two years, would be a difficult decision.
Chicago Cubs: There’s precedent for picking someone like Ross
Yet even if the Cubs were to retain Maddon, given his age and the stage of his career, he likely would only be around a couple more years, which means the Cubs should be thinking about who his replacement would be.
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Ross would certainly be a candidate and he might be well-served to be a bench coach or a minor league manager for a couple of years first. Although, he was already reportedly a candidate for the Minnesota Twins’ vacancy last offseason, so maybe he could do what Aaron Boone has done successfully and jump right into a managerial role in a big market.
Thinking about Ross potentially taking over as Cubs manager, I can’t help but think back to several years ago, when Ryne Sandberg was a candidate to manage the Cubs. I was against that hiring, but it wasn’t because I didn’t think Sandberg could do the job.
Rather, I was afraid that if he didn’t succeed (which was possible if not likely, given the Cubs’ lack of talent and lack of direction in the early 2010s), it would complicate his legacy as a Cubs legend.
Indeed, his tenure with the Philadelphia Phillies did not go well. Remember also that Alan Trammell‘s tenure as Detroit Tigers manager was nothing short of a disaster, either.
Chicago Cubs: Is Ross the man for this particular job?
Would the same thing happen to Ross? It’s not as likely, given that the Cubs have more talent than the Tigers under Trammell or the Cubs pre-Theo Epstein did. But the expectations would be enormous, and if the Cubs were to fail to win a championship under Ross, it would complicate his legendary status. Imagine Ross receiving some of the criticism that Maddon has.
In thinking about Ross managing this particular team, it’s also important to remember his relationship with some of the players, many of whom are still around from his playing days. How would both sides handle the transition from Ross being a peer (though he was also a mentor) to the boss?
It would be a learning curve for both sides. It could potentially be done, but it’s hard to imagine there not, at the very least, being some awkwardness.
Next. . dark
So, while I do believe that David Ross has what it takes to be a big-league manager, I’m concerned about how well it would go with the Cubs. Maybe things would go well, but there’s the potential for a lot of things to go wrong. Still, if Ross wants to manage someday, I hope he gets that chance somewhere.