Ahem, the Door is Open Coach Ross
Aug 4, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher David Ross (3) enters the dugout before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Chicago won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Reports are saying the Chicago Cubs bench coach, Dave Martinez will be the new manager of the Washington Nationals. The Nationals, who will not announce the news until the completion of the World Series, would have hired their fourth manager in the past six years.
Congrats to former teammate Dave Martinez on the Nat 's job great baseball guy good luck ?
— Wade Boggs (@ChickenMan3010) October 27, 2017
This should pave way for Chicago’s favorite grandpa to rejoin the Cubs on a more permanent basis. David Ross has long been rumored to eventually be a coach or manager in this league, with an opening and Ross’ familiarity with the roster, he is a popular name to fill the opening.
David has been a long respected player, having had huge impacts on many young players in the league. Jon Lester attributed a lot of his success to Ross’ ability to get him on track during games. He was instrumental in the growth of Anthony Rizzo as a leader and Kris Bryant and many others as a big leaguer. Perhaps the most profound impact he had was on Jason Heyward when the two were in Atlanta.
Jason has given thanks (in words as well as in dollars) and has said Ross helped him become a professional, and showed him how to live as a Major League Baseball player.
I wouldn’t guess that Ross steps right into a bench coach role, partially due to his familiarity with the guys and his lack of coaching experience. The team would certainly want an experienced coach in that seat, with Rossy watching close behind.
Ross doesnt want to do it he retired for a reason and people forget that these players have a life and family too which he wants to spend as much time as he can with.
The benefit of retiring is spending time with family, the reason he retired is he just couldn’t play the game any longer.