Earlier this offseason Chicago Cubs backup catcher David Ross announced 2016 will be his last. Once news spread around the Cubs players they let their affection for Ross be known, and promised the farewell tour would be well documented.
In the typical Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo fashion, they decided to start an Instagram account to mockingly document Ross’ 15th and final year as a pro ballplayer. Of course, in a jokingly manner, the pair chose what they considered the best possible handle for the grizzled veteran, GrandpaRossy_3 was born. The Instagram page already has a couple of pictures posted, and is certain to be a must follow for all Cubs fans all season long.
While there will certainly be some playful ribbing going on all season in the Cubs clubhouse, and a lot of it will be directed towards Rossy, there has already been a huge gesture by one of his current and past teammates. Before anyone had reported to Mesa, Jason Heyward sent David a text which will change Rossy’s entire season.
“That’s one of the first emotional moments I had in the offseason,” Ross told MLB.com. “[Heyward] texted me this nice long message about supposedly what I’ve done for him. That was cool to start reflecting back and people you’ve played with start saying nice things.”
Well along with a nice emotional text JHey is also paying for a suite for David for every road game all season long.
Along with the social media accounts and gifts, teammates and manager Joe Maddon had plenty of nice things to say about Ross as well, and they continued to explain the importance of having David on the roster.
“Too many times you portray players as clubhouse leaders and that’s done way too loosely for me,” Maddon said. “With him, it’s legitimate. He is a clubhouse leader. Despite not hitting .275 or better, he still maintains his stature in the clubhouse because of the respect people have for him for how he goes about his business. When he says something, it’s pertinent and right on.
“I really don’t care what he hits batting average-wise — it makes no difference to me,” Maddon said.”Whatever he hits is gravy for me, for us.”
Rizzo had chimed in as well.
“I’m going to be emotional all year with him,” Rizzo said. “It’s my older brother-slash-dad.”
In a game where each and every out is so important, a man who barely bats his weight might be one of the most important piece for the Cubs success. While I’m not going to pretend to understand everything Ross brings to this Cubs clubhouse, I have been apart of clubhouses that had that guy that brings everyone together and was undeniably the reason for the team’s success. I’ve even seen it in the business world as well, those individuals that made you look forward to going to the office, and learning from, even when it’s a job you hate.
So stay tuned to the David Ross farewell tour Cubs fans. It will certainly bring laughs, tears, and hopefully ends in very late October with a Cubs parade through our city.
