After successful debut, Ross looks to get even better as Cubs manager
New president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer still has nearly two months before spring training is tentatively scheduled to open, but the Cubs still don't know who is going to be playing left field next season.
They still don't know who is going to follow Yu Darvish, Kyle Hendricks and, most likely, Alec Mills in the starting rotation.
There are other roster uncertainties around the infield and in the bullpen, but the Cubs have no worries at manager with David Ross in place.
"It is such an appealing part of this job knowing that we have an excellent manager now and a manager that I think will just continue to grow and get better and better," Hoyer said during an interview on Marquee Sports Network. "It's a hard thing to find, and we have one."
Asked to fill the large shoes left by Joe Maddon, Ross guided the Cubs to a 34-26 record and first-place finish in the NL Central during his first season as manager.
The solid debut was good for a third-place finish in NL Manager of the Year voting, but Ross also sees plenty of room for improvement.
"I think everybody's hard on themselves in this job because you want to be better," Ross said. "The wins are awesome and you turn the page. The losses, you kind of agonize over and carry into the night and try to be a new guy the next day and come in with a fresh attitude."
Ross always had a positive attitude during his 15 seasons as a major-league catcher. That character trait still remains in his new role.
"It's been unbelievable to play for him and the trust he has in all of us to take care of our business," Hendricks said. "But at the end of the day the biggest thing is just his energy and passion, how much he loves baseball. You can just see it every day."
As for improving as a manager, Ross is already making adjustments in preparation for the 2021 season.
"He's been working all winter with the R&D team to continue to further his growth," Hoyer said. "I think that's what ultimately is going to make him one of the best managers in the game, he has that desire to keep getting better. He doesn't think he knows it all and he's not ashamed to admit that he doesn't know it all."
Ross was teammates with Hendricks and many of the players still on the Cubs' roster. Shifting to manager was a tough transition, but he learned some valuable lessons.
"If I could go back, I probably would be a little less patient and push some ideas I had, talk a little more baseball," Ross said. "I've talked to multiple players and I think the guys want more conversation from me because I tried to separate that manager-player spot at times.
"I just wish I would have brought some stuff to guys a little bit earlier that I saw, but I tried to be patient and trust in their adjustment abilities."