(670 The Score) When Cubs manager David Ross looked out to the mound at Wrigley Field on Monday evening and saw longtime friend and Nationals left-hander Jon Lester pitching against his team, he had mixed emotions.
"I got to be honest with you, my heart was torn," Ross said on the Laurence Holmes Show on Tuesday.
"A lot of memories came rushing in last night."
Ross joined the Cubs as Lester's personal catcher in 2015, not long after Lester signed his six-year, $155-million contract with Chicago. They were part of a World Series championship team in 2016, after which Ross officially retired.
Lester's legacy with the Cubs was highlighted by three NL Central crowns, five playoff appearances in six seasons and that championship flag flying at Wrigley Field. In his return Monday, he received multiple standing ovations from Cubs fans, including when he took the mound in the bottom of the first inning, when he stepped to the plate in the third inning and as he departed the game with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Lester was charged with five earned runs and surrendered three home runs as the Cubs beat the Nationals, 7-3. Ross could sense that Lester was battling the balance of emotions with his competitive nature.
"I was looking at him on he mound and knowing he wanted to take all that in," Ross said. "Wanted to feel the love from the fans but wanted to stay focused, compete and do the best he can."
The Cubs host the Nationals for three more games at Wrigley Field this week, including with a 6:40 p.m. first pitch Tuesday.