The world of professional sports is known for its ruthless nature.
David Ross, the former manager of the Chicago Cubs, is currently grappling with the reality of his termination. Despite the challenge, he expresses gratitude for the opportunity to have managed the club in the first place.
“I think the thing that comes over me is that I am extremely thankful for the opportunity, to be honest,” Ross told the Tallahassee Democrat’s Jim Henry.
“There was a lot of people who worked really hard alongside me. … I am really thankful for the four years I got, coming from zero coaching experience to getting the chance to manage such a great organization that has impacted my life in a great way. There’s great people there. I really don’t have a whole lot negative to say, to be honest.”
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On Monday, the Chicago Cubs parted ways with Ross, replacing him with former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell. This surprising move reverberated throughout the baseball industry, marking a notable shift in the Midwest rivalry.
Ross expressed feeling blindsided by the decision, learning about it when Jed Hoyer, the president of baseball operations, flew to his Florida home for a meeting on Monday.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, the former catcher, instrumental in the Cubs’ 2016 World Series victory before retiring, conveyed his intention not to linger on the loss of his managerial position for an extended period. Instead, he aims to pivot toward the next chapter in his life.
“Anger and all that stuff is poison for me,” Ross said.
“It’s time for me to figure out what’s next. I have a lot of gratitude. Some of the toughest times of my life, whether it’s getting released or different things in my career, on and off the field, have been blessings at some point, have made me a better man. There’s been a lot of good things after some really tough times in my life. Hopefully, this is another one of them.”
Over a span of four seasons, the 46-year-old guided the Cubs, securing a division title in the abbreviated 2020 campaign. Concluding his tenure with the Cubs, he accumulated a record of 262-284. Cubs fans will always hold a special place for Ross in their hearts.
