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Chicago Cubs: Three reasons I’m willing to trust David Ross
David Ross will be the new manager of the Chicago Cubs. It’s a controversial move, but as fans, we have to put our trust in him early and often.
As many of us expected, the Chicago Cubs have hired their former catcher David Ross to be their next manager. The move has come with plenty of controversy; unlike in 2014, when most Cubs fans believed that hiring Joe Maddon was the right thing to do, this hire has received a solid mix of positive and negative responses.
Of course, Ross seemed like the favorite from the get-go. After riding off into the sunset hoisted upon the shoulders of his teammates after Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, he joined Theo Epstein’s front office, working as a special assistant for the last three years.
Even with all that in mind, I have been among those who were against the hire, as I believed that there were more qualified candidates available and that hiring Ross could complicate his legacy as a Cubs legend. However, now that we know he’s the manager, we as Cubs fans need to come together and put our trust in him. I can identify three reasons why.
Chicago Cubs: David Ross has earned the players’ respect
Many fans have expressed the concern that Ross is “too close” to the players, that he is friends with them and that would, therefore, make it difficult to command respect as an official leader. It’s a legitimate concern, though it may be a simplistic way to look at his time playing for the Cubs.
Despite being against the Ross hire, I never have viewed him as this cuddly uncle type. I have always believed that he knows how to hold players accountable and has a lot to teach to this generation. Plus, being a career backup catcher, he’s had plenty of opportunities to learn from and observe many great players, coaches, and managers.
In listening to some of the comments that players have made over the years about Ross, we can tell that he’s earned these players’ respect. He is someone they will listen to and seek out for advice if necessary. His familiarity with this organization and with many of the current players is an asset he’ll bring to the Cubs’ dugout.
Chicago Cubs: We have to trust this front office
Some Chicago Cubs fans are upset that the front office didn’t give the other candidates, including Joe Espada and Joe Girardi, a fair chance. Yet it’s been clear from the beginning the Ross was the favorite for the job. The other candidates needed to do something spectacular to pass Ross on the front office’s list. None of them did so.
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Yes, this front office has made some moves that haven’t gone as expected. They’ve made some trades that haven’t worked out, while some of their free agent signings haven’t lived up to expectations.
Yet this is the front office that brought us our first World Series championship in 108 years. This is the front office that made the bold move to go out and get Joe Maddon as soon as he became available. Though I’m skeptical about how Ross will do, Epstein and Co. have a lot of faith in him, and I am going to respect that.
Chicago Cubs: The Cubs are my team
The Chicago Cubs have made a lot of moves over the years that I’ve disagreed with. Yet that doesn’t mean that I’ve abandoned them. And I’m certainly not going to now.
Viewing my Twitter feed, there are a lot of angry fans out there right now. I get that. And many of them make valid points to be concerned about with Ross. Yet anger isn’t going to make the Cubs play any better. And it’s not going to help the former fan favorite become a better manager. Like it or not, he’s the guy in charge now, so we have to rally behind him and give him the respect that this front office and all the players have.
These guys will have monster years under David Ross. dark. Next
David Ross has a lot of doubters out there. I think we should give him every opportunity to prove them wrong. I would love nothing more than for this guy to win a World Series as Chicago Cubs manager and I hope we see it soon.