Could David Ross be Cubs' next bench coach?

Share

LAS VEGAS — Who would've thought Dec. 23, 2014, would go down as a day that changed the course of Cubs history as we know it?

That's the day the Cubs officially signed David Ross, otherwise known as "Grandpa Rossy" to a large contigent of the fanbase.

Ross hasn't put on a Cubs uniform since Game 7 of the World Series, but the two years in between then and now have been a roller coaster for the popular backup catcher.

Want to know how much Ross still resonates with the fanbase? Check out Twitter or Facebook/Instagram comment sections anytime there's a mention of Ross.

Like this week, for example, when Ross was referenced Monday by Cubs GM Jed Hoyer as the perfect example of leadership the front office hopes to find from a veteran position player this winter. Then, news came out Tuesday evening that Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde would be leaving his post to take over as manager of the Baltimore Orioles, prompting many to speculate — or hope, in the case of many fans — that Ross could be Hyde's replacement as Joe Maddon's right-hand man.

So...would Ross be an option for Cubs bench coach now that there's an opening?

The short answer is — yes, absolutely. The Cubs would love to be able to make that move, but it's not just about them.

Ross has only been out of the game for two years and in that time, he's been very busy with Dancing with the Stars, writing a book, working as a broadcaster/analyst for ESPN and also serving as a special assistant in Theo Epstein's front office.

But none of that would preclude Ross from taking a role in uniform as an official member of the coaching staff.

It's a question of whether he'd want to do it. He still has a young family and part of the reason he didn't join the Cubs coaching staff a year ago was because he is enjoying time at home, being a dad and husband. 

Serving as a coach on a big-league roster is a major time commitment that would require Ross to be away from his family for an incredible amount of time. Most coaches actually spend more time at the field and away from their families than players and that's especially true nowadays with all the gameplanning and strategy and video work.

It's understandable that Ross — who turns 42 in March — would still want another year or more to spend with his young family before beginning the next step of his career, even though there's no question he has all the makings of a future coach or manager.

Even if Ross decides to stay out of uniform for at least another season, the Cubs have already been talking with him about being around the team more to help guide these young players that look up to him so much.

"I think his mere presence is helpful," Jed Hoyer said Monday before any news of Hyde's departure came out. "Those guys trust him. The timing of David Ross being on this team was perfect in that those guys were 21 and 22, so he had such an influence on those guys. 

"I still think they look up to him, so when he's around, they'll gravitate towards him and talk to him. We couldn't hire anyone from the outside that could have that kind of influence. I think it's more about that. 

"There's probably some natural reaction when he's around where it feels like it did in '15 and '16 a little bit. But yeah, having him around is really valuable and I think he will have a big impact."

Contact Us