David Ross Reflects on Cubs Dismissal and Management Aspirations

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — David Ross never anticipated that his typical Sunday would end with him losing his job as the Chicago Cubs‘ manager. The events unfolded drastically on November 6, 2023, when he fell asleep early, only to wake up to missed calls from Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer.

Ross, who was busy preparing to hire a catching coordinator, returned Hoyer’s call. When Hoyer revealed he was at Ross’s front door, Ross immediately knew the outcome: “I was like, ‘I’m fired,’” he recalled.

The decision came as the Cubs signed Craig Counsell to a record five-year, $40 million deal, leaving Ross stunned. The former backup catcher had celebrated a World Series win with the team in 2016 but found himself in a humiliating situation just two years later.

Despite the abrupt dismissal, Ross expressed a strong desire to return to managing. “Badly,” he stated during a recent interview, emphasizing that the itch he feels for a managerial role hasn’t faded away. At 48 years old, he is eyeing several open positions in teams like Texas, Minnesota, and San Francisco.

Last offseason, Ross did not receive any interview requests for managerial openings from teams like the Cincinnati Reds or Miami Marlins. After his dismissal, he now sees multiple job opportunities, especially with potential openings in Baltimore and Washington.

Ross’s managerial journey began when the Cubs hired him after the 2019 season, despite his lack of experience. In his four seasons, his record stood at 262-284, and he noted that much of that time involved the team rebuilding. Despite finishing his last season at 83-79, Ross felt blindsided by the firing.

He still supports his former players and shared that his firing occasionally weighs on him. When asked how he felt about Counsell taking his job, Ross admitted that the situation was complicated and acknowledged the considerable contract Counsell received.

In hindsight, Ross believes he has learned valuable lessons for the future, including the importance of maintaining strong communication with the front office. “It was a learning curve for me,” Ross said. Reflecting on his relationship with Hoyer, he stated that while managing, his primary focus was on winning games.

As Ross looks to the future, he remains open to opportunities in any organization. He appreciates the challenge of building a team and recognizes that success in baseball often comes with struggles. “Even when you have a winning team, there are tons of great opportunities,” he added.

Shortly after his firing, Ross had a fleeting opportunity to join another organization as a bench coach. At that time, however, family commitments took precedence. Now, as he gains perspective, his longing to complete his work in baseball grows stronger.

Although he retains some frustration regarding how it all ended with the Cubs, Ross appreciates the foundation the organization provided him. “There’s still frustration there from just how things ended. It just sucks. But it’s a business at the end of the day,” he remarked, recognizing the positives during his time with the Cubs.