The Chicago Cubs dropped a stunning revelation on us on Monday afternoon. Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, they hired former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell as their new clubhouse leader. That’s great for them because Counsell is quite good but, uh … wasn’t David Ross still their manager?
Something doesn’t quite add up here.
News of Counsell’s hire came as a shock to the MLB world because the Cubs seemingly offered zero notice that Ross — Chicago’s manager since 2020 — wouldn’t be returning to the organization. In fact, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts even went as far as to say that Ross was their guy moving forward after the 2023 season ended. So, again, what changed between early October and now? And why didn’t anyone with Cubs brass say anything in advance?
Wow. David Ross was under contract through next season with a club option for 2025.
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts and president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer had both publicly supported Ross at the end of the season with Ricketts saying, “He’s our guy.” https://t.co/YyUNCXn0eO
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) November 6, 2023
Ross’s apparent sudden departure from the Cubs had MLB fans speculating about what could’ve happened when Counsell officially took over as Chicago’s manager.
David Ross trying to get into Wrigley Field this morning pic.twitter.com/gcMccZ1wLy
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) November 6, 2023
I’m just shocked the Cubs moved on from David Ross in this fashion versus parting ways at the end of the season.
That’s like a dude seriously dating someone for 4 years only to dump them for a hot model the minute the girl is single instead of breaking up a month earlier. #Cubs
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) November 6, 2023
David Ross finding out from Jeff Passan he’s been fired pic.twitter.com/H5GNpULM20
— Austin (@2_seamfastball) November 6, 2023
David Ross following the news cycle … pic.twitter.com/zOBvjJrUV4
— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) November 6, 2023
"David, you remember how you played 'backup' catcher for so many years so successfully? Well, do I have a surprise for you!"
– Cubs to David Ross right now
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) November 6, 2023
David Ross sitting at home like pic.twitter.com/1MotYGRNKa
— Dallas Brewers (@DallasBrewers) November 6, 2023
Craig Counsell and Tom Ricketts going out to a casual offseason dinner with David Ross pic.twitter.com/LdKcXxpiJa
— Untimed Down Sports (@untimed_down) November 6, 2023
David Ross walking into his office pic.twitter.com/3zdthDSg71
— Dr. Hawkize, M.D. (@stillnothawkize) November 6, 2023
Business is business. But tough way to treat David Ross after saying he was still your guy.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) November 6, 2023
David Ross has now learned that it’s just business, it’s nothing personal. https://t.co/POdmJkKVcg
— David P. Samson (@DavidPSamson) November 6, 2023
I really do feel for David Ross because he wasn’t that bad but good lord
— Payton J. Havermann (@paytonisnotroll) November 6, 2023
Gonna be hilariously awkward watching David Ross call Marquee games next season
— Trevor Vallese (@TVallese) November 6, 2023
Cubs to David Ross today pic.twitter.com/hvTO1nAUy8
— Billy (@WhiteSoxCenter) November 6, 2023
