So you want to be a Major League manager?
If you do, you probably wouldn’t have picked 2020 as the year to do it, but it was the hand that Cubs’ manager David Ross was dealt and despite all of the years challenges both on and off the field, things couldn’t have gone much better for the first-year skipper.
Sure, winning a World Series title in your first season as a manager would be as good as it gets, but realistically, as a first-year manager with no prior managerial experience, Ross checked a lot of boxes in ‘20.
If you asked anybody around the Cubs or baseball about what Ross’ strength as a manager would be, most would tell you that his ability as a communicator was his biggest strength. But after an honest self-scouting of himself this offseason, that strength is what he wants to improve most.
“If I could go back, I probably would be a little less patient and push some either ideas I had or talk a little more baseball [with players],” Ross said. “I’ve talked to multiple players and I think the guys want more conversation from me, because I tried to separate that manager-player spot [in me] at times and also come in as how I know them.
“So maybe just a little bit more communication from me on where I think we can have things that are short-term. ... I just wish I would have brought some stuff to guys a little bit earlier that I saw, but I tried to be patient and trust in their adjustment abilities.”
The relationship between Ross and his players has always been his foundation. As his responsibilities have changed, going from player to special advisor and now manager, he’s continuing to ensure that him and his coaching staff are always on the same page.
“That’s the one that’s really hit home is the dynamic where I was out of baseball and had a lot of relationships with the front office,” he said. “Obviously playing, I know what it’s like to be a player, I know what it’s like to communicate with those guys and [with] those guys, we have built up respect and friendships, but managing a coaching staff was definitely different, where you have men and communicating with them about your wants and needs.
“Just keeping those lines of communication open. I think I can do a better job at that. I wouldn’t say I was terrible. I just want to continue to build on the relationship with my coaches and get in there with those guys and find the time to interact with everybody. You’re trying to touch all bases.”
In his first season as manager, the Cubs went 34-26 and captured the National League Central title for the first time since 2017. But as he goes into year two of his tenure, he’s looking to take his “game” to another level.
During the 2020 season, Ross often deferred to his experiences as a player because, frankly, they were the only ones he could lean on while he was learning on the job. As expected, there were growing pains of a first-year manager along the way. Combine that with an offense that evaporated, a struggling closer and the highs and lows of a season. Not to mention the daily task of managing a baseball team during a global pandemic.
But Ross fared well and now has something he didn’t have a year ago when he took the job, or even six months ago when the season began and that’s managerial experience. And after having a few months to evaluate his performance, he’ll continue to be his own worst critic as he makes adjustments in 2021.
“I think everybody’s hard on themselves in this job because you want to be better,” Ross said. “The wins are awesome and you turn the page and the losses, you kind of agonize over and carry into the night and try to be a new guy the next day and come in with a fresh attitude.”
