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Chicago Cubs: How successful will David Ross be?

When Joe Maddon came aboard as manager before the 2015 season, most fans agreed that it was a good hire and had confidence that he could be the guy that could lead the Chicago Cubs to a new level of competition. He did indeed have success, but after five years, he’s out and David Ross is in, with Cubs fans more divided on whether it was the right hire.

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Ross was a fan favorite when he served as backup catcher and mentor to the younger players during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Now, he returns to the Cubs’ dugout with no managing or (official) major league coaching experience. He did spend three seasons in the Cubs’ front office, yet many fans, though they loved him as a player, are skeptical that he has what it takes to lead this team, between his lack of experience and “closeness” with some of the players.

The Cubs’ front office clearly chose Ross because they believe that he has what it takes to be a major league manager, and it’s obvious that they’ve felt that way for some time. Yet Cubs fans are divided on whether he’s the right guy; with the entire fan base on edge right now, every move that Ross makes figures to be scrutinized right off the bat.

For all the qualifications that Ross may have to be a good MLB manager, how much success he will have in the first year and beyond depends on what kind of roster he has to work with. And right now, it’s still unclear as to how much talent he’ll have, as the front office has not done anything of note to improve 2019’s 84-78 squad. It may take a few years before we can draw any conclusions on Ross.