Ross admits he wasn't sure how to break news to Chicago Cubs all-stars
David Ross admitted he wasn't quite sure how to deal with the responsibility of informing Kris Bryant and Craig Kimbrel they'd made the all-star team.
Miami manager Don Mattingly tried to make a viral video out of it, at first telling rookie pitcher Trevor Rogers he was being optioned to the minor-league Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp before switching the story to an all-star congratulations.
The Marlins video was kind of a dud. Ross played it straight.
"I was kind of feeling awkward, I had never done it before," Ross said before Monday's game. "I almost called one of my former managers to see what's the protocol on that. I just wanted to congratulate them, the team gave them a nice round of applause and a lot o high-fives afterward, so it was cool. No pomp and circumstance or anything like that."
One interesting fact about the Cubs' situation is Ross was teammates with both players - with Bryant on the Cubs in 2015-16, and with Kimbrel in Atlanta from 2010-12.
"It was a cool moment for me for sure and (Bryant) said it was cool for him, just a former teammate being able to give him that news," Ross said. "It was a special day yesterday letting those guys know they're representing us in the All-Star Game. They deserve it."
Something else Bryant and Kimbrel have in common is they are coming off bad seasons. Kimbrel had some rough moments in both 2019 and '20 after signing with the Cubs two months into the 2019 season. This year, he's got 20 saves and an 0.59 ERA.
Bryant hit a career-low .206 in 2020. He's making his fourth all-star appearance, while Kimbrel is on No. 8.
"It never gets old," Bryant said. "I'm super thankful, grateful for the recognition and I can't wait to get to Denver."
• Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls