David Ross, a popular former Braves catcher, will replace Joe Maddon as manager of the Chicago Cubs, the Cubs announced Thursday.
“David is as gifted a leader as I’ve ever come across,” Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said in a news release distributed by the team. “And I expect him to become a great manager. He is a natural connector with a high baseball IQ and a passion for winning.
“David has always stood out for his ability to cultivate the ingredients of a winning culture -- accountability, hard work, hustle, competitiveness, trust, togetherness, and team identity.”
Ross, 42, was working as a special assistant to Epstein and as a baseball analyst for ESPN. He was a backup catcher for the Cubs in 2015 and 2016 and a key leadership role for the Cubs when they won the World Series in 2016.
The Cubs chose not to renew Maddon’s contract after this season, but he was hired last week to become manager of the Los Angeles Angels.
Ross played for the Braves from 2009-12, the longest tenure with any team in his 15 seasons in the majors. He also played for the Dodgers, Pirates, Padres, Reds and Red Sox (twice).
