David Ross to return to Cubs Convention as part of 2016 team festivities

To the surprise of many, former Chicago Cubs catcher and manager David Ross will be attending Cubs Convention as part of the 2016 World Series team reunion, per Bruce Levine. This will be the first time fans see Ross at any team event since his shocking departure in Nov. 2023, when the Cubs relieved him of his manager duties and hired Craig Counsell to replace him.

Ross was not on the initial guest list the Cubs sent out on social media. There were likely few who expected him to be there, considering the abrupt ending to his tenure with the organization. While his termination as manager was not due to problems he caused or poor conduct off the field, it's hard to imagine someone wanting to attend an event for an organization that dumped you for someone else.

Give some credit to Ross, because it's very easy to feel petty even several years after the Cubs' decision to pivot to Counsell. He would not show up if he did not want to be there, and even if he still does feel some hurt, to still show up for his former teammates and fans is pretty cool.

David Ross returns to the fold, along with many 2016 Cubs teammates

With all of that said, having him at the World Series anniversary celebration feels right. His role on that team as a leader for the young core and catching the likes of Jon Lester in big games was crucial in breaking the 108-year drought. One of the most famous images of the 2016 Cubs' triumph was Ross being carried off the field by his teammates, as Game 7 was his final contest as a player.

In the 2016 postseason, Ross hit .250/.300/.688 with two home runs and four RBI in eight games. Not only was his Game 7 home run off Andrew Miller huge, but he drove in the game-winning run in Game 5 of the World Series on a sac fly. For a backup catcher at the end of his rope, he hit pretty well that postseason. Even in that regular season, he hit a respectable .229/.338/.446 with 10 homers and .784 OPS in 67 games.

There's no doubt his tenure as Cubs manager from 2020-2023 garnered mixed feelings, one cannot deny his importance to the rejuvenation of 2015 and reaching the top of the mountain in 2016. He should get a nice, deserved round of applause at the convention.