Well it’s official…the Chicago Cubs have hired David Ross to be their next manager, after not resigning Joe Maddon back in late September. If you’re the Cubs this has to feel like a great move. He’s one of the most beloved former Cubs players, even though he only spent two years of his fifteen year career with the team, which is mostly because he helped bring them their first World Series title in 108 years. The guy also has an electric personality – I mean everybody that meets him seems to love him, which makes him a total player’s coach.
And I’m sure Ross is stoked about it, as it seem like he has always wanted to get into coaching, and has been able to stay around the game while working for ESPN. The only downside in my mind is…how is it gonna work if he’s not a good manager and he goes from one of the most loved people in Chicago to one of the most hated? Because sports fans are intense, especially in a big city like Chicago, and i sure as hell can like a guy as a players but call him out if he sucks as a manager – gotta be able to differentiate between the two.
And there are plenty of more notable players who sucked as coaches: Wayne Gretzky, Isiah Thomas, and Ted Williams to name a few. But look, catchers have a very good track record as MLB managers (Bruce Bochy, Ned Yost, Mike Scioscia, Bob Melvin) because the really do have to be the smartest guys on the field. They’re good at dealing with the pitching staff and they also know how to talk to hitters – the most important qualities for a manager. And I wish him all the best, but it’s also a situation with a lot of pressure after the disappointing season they just had.
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