(670 The Score) Looking to recapture the approach and performance that defined their championship-winning ways of 2016, the Cubs introduced David Ross as their new manager at Wrigley Field late Monday morning.
A member of that Cubs in 2015 and 2016 and a two-time champion in his 15-year playing career, Ross takes over his new position with no managerial experience, a fact that he and the Cubs acknowledged but one that they didn't express a much worry about.
"We believe David has truly special gifts as a leader and that he'll become a great manager setting a new way forward and providing and cultivating all those ingredients that create a consistent winner," president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said.
The 42-year-old Ross takes over for Joe Maddon, whose contract expired and whom the Cubs let go after going 84-78 and missing the playoffs this past season for the first time since 2014. Ross spent the past three years as a special assistant to Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer. Epstein pushed back at the idea that the Cubs were "grooming" Ross for the manager's job over the past few seasons, but he did admit they wanted to expose him to as many parts of the organization as possible to make him a well-rounded baseball leader.
Ross made clear what his goal is in leading the Cubs, and he was quick to address his inexperience in the dugout.
"I want to win multiple championships," Ross said. "I want to bring championships back to Chicago.
"There's been a lot of questions about me and my lack of experience. I want to say I've had an eye on this my entire career. Guys have said I fit this role. I'm super excited about being in this role.
"I've been a part of a lot of winning teams. I know what winning looks like. There are things I'm going to expect out of the players, out of myself that entail winning. Some of those things come with respect, trust, commitment, effort, hard work and accountability. These things are important to me. My players can expect that from me, and I will expect that from them."
Ross was teammates with a handful of Cubs who remain from the 2016 team, but he emphasized that won't affect how he approaches the task of being their boss.
"I know there's a fun-loving Grandpa Rossy theme out there," Ross said. "But if you ask any of my friends or ex-players what kind of teammate I was, I didn't shy away from the tough conversations.
"There's a little bit of a misconception maybe about the fun-loving Grandpa Rossy, which I love and am very thankful for. But I don't think that's me in the dugout as much as I would love to say that I'm guy. To the core, I'm a guy that has a lot of expectations when I come into work. I'm very professional. I expect professionalism. Those traits that I talk about -- the effort, the accountability -- I don't shy away from having those tough conversations, good or bad."
Ross didn't reveal any updates on whether the Cubs coaching staff will remain intact or who he might tab as his bench coach, only saying he'll have those conversations in the coming days. Asked about how much input he wants to have on roster decisions made by the front office, Ross replied that he'll leave that job to Epstein and Hoyer but will provide as much feedback as they seek.
For his part, Epstein brushed aside the notion that Ross will simply be an extension of the front office, a common refrain that's heard as teams across the baseball landscape turn to younger managers who are only a few years removed from their playing careers.
"If you're a front office and you want a puppet, you don't hire David Ross," Epstein said.
Ross plans to implement some of what he learned from Maddon and some of his style while also "being himself."
"I'm going to put my own stamp on it," Ross said. "Big shoes to fill, but I'm excited to put my stamp on it."
