I’d like to think I would’ve been able to be gracious and understanding if I were in David Ross’s shoes this week, following his abrupt dismissal from the Cubs.
But, honestly, I think I would just feel so angry and bitter and sad and betrayed. I understand why the Cubs did what they did – and VERY much approve of the Craig Counsell hire – but how can you not see it from Ross’s perspective, too? He’s beloved among Cubs fans, regardless of what he accomplished (or didn’t) as a manager. It definitely produces mixed feelings to imagine how he has been this week, and, as I said, I would not be calm and kind about it.
David Ross, however, is unbelievably gracious and understanding. Almost impossibly so.
In his first set of comments since being fired earlier this week by the Cubs, Ross tells the Tallahassee Democrat that his primary reaction is … thankfulness:
“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. I get mad from time to time but I have a lot to be thankful for.”
That isn’t to say that Ross agrees with the decision or feels he did a poor job as manager. He’s still in the process of figuring out what he wants to do next – there will always be jobs for him in baseball if he wants them, I’m quite certain of that. It sounds like he’s trying to use this as an opportunity to step back, re-evaluate things, and see where the next opportunity takes him.
More from the Tallahassee Democrat here. I expect we’ll hear more from Ross in the coming weeks and months, and I do hope that, whatever comes next, it’s a great opportunity for him.