As the Chicago Cubs gear up for their playoff run on Wednesday, former manager David Ross finds himself watching from home after being dismissed from his role last year. Ross, who led the Cubs from 2020 to 2023, was let go in November when the team made a surprise move to hire Craig Counsell from the rival Milwaukee Brewers. Over his four years with the Cubs, Ross compiled a record of 262-284 (.480) as the team went through a mini-rebuild while missing a key postseason opportunity in 2023.
Despite the setback, Ross is eager to return to the managerial ranks. Speaking with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, he expressed a strong desire to manage again, stating, “Badly. It’s an itch that hasn’t gone away.” The former catcher, who won two World Series championships during his playing career, has been overlooked by teams seeking new managers in the past two offseasons. However, with at least eight teams currently searching for new head coaches, Ross is ready to explore his options.
In his interview, he opened up about his feelings regarding his firing, revealing that he felt blindsided by the decision. He reflected on the importance of building better relationships within the organization, including with president of baseball operations Jeff Hoyer and general manager Carter Hawkins. Ross also shared a brief phone conversation with Counsell that lasted only 15 to 20 seconds.
He welcomed the opportunity to engage with clubs that have championship aspirations as well as those in rebuilding phases. “Here’s the way I look at it. Obviously, you want to win. But there’s something rewarding about building,” Ross emphasized. He acknowledged that every managerial position comes with its challenges, referencing the difficult roles of managers like Aaron Boone and Alex Cora.
As of Wednesday afternoon, eight teams, including the Los Angeles Angels, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, and Washington Nationals, are searching for new managers. Their performance this season has varied significantly, with records ranging from 81-81 to an unfortunate 43-119. This provides a diverse array of opportunities for aspiring candidates like Ross.
With his passion and experience, Ross remains hopeful about his future in baseball management, ready to tackle whatever new challenges come his way this offseason.