Chicago Cubs: Five areas David Ross will improve in 2020

Chicago Cubs: Keeping all players accountable will lead to even more success

Do Simple Better.

Where have we heard that one before? Oh, that’s right- Maddon used that phrase as one of his mantras to start the greatest Cubs seasons any of us have ever witnessed. This is where Ross won’t be a whole lot different than Maddon in terms of baseball knowledge, expectations, or getting down to the nitty-gritty. While Maddon may have had a more “laissez-faire attitude,” as referenced by Kyle Hendricks in P.J. Mooney’s recent The Athletic article (subscription required)  the difference this year will be the smoldering intensity and energy that Ross brings to the clubhouse and dugout. Also, as Hendricks continued, “sometimes getting a new voice and getting new words from someone can really help a lot.”

Only time will tell if that voice and those words will resonate in the Cubs clubhouse in 2020.

Everyone remembers Grandpa Rossy as the guy who rode around Spring Training in one of those Rascal carts like my grandma used to deftly maneuver around town. Problem is, while the Gatorade throwing, Rascal-steering and trophy-hoisting Ross is what most fans remember, the guy captaining the ship this season for the Cubs probably won’t look a lot like that guy.

Expect to see a few smiles and lovable moments from the Cubs new skipper, but also expect an intensity and steeliness that will make you harken back to his starts behind the dish in 2015 and 2016. A zebra can’t change its stripes and a leopard can’t change its spots, so you’re going to get the straight-shooter who is fiery and competitive and holds people accountable. According to Hendricks, he’s already seen the difference.