VIDEO: Javier Baez Endorses David Ross for Cubs Manager
By Michael Luciano
The race to fill the Chicago Cubs' managerial vacancy is coming down to the wire, and star infielder Javier Baez has made it known loud and clear that he definitely has a preference on who gets picked to lead his club. Baez has thrown his full support behind David Ross, a former Cubs catcher who was an instrumental veteran leader on a young 2016 team that won the World Series.
This is Javier Baez talking about the wisdom David Ross provided in the clubhouse
— Cubs Live (@Cubs_Live) October 18, 2019
“...I used to ask a lot of questions. Especially to Ross. He told me that I needed to play & let the game teach me things... That was a big thing for me.”
I’m in on Ross. pic.twitter.com/6XTighClHe
The only strike against Ross is that he has no MLB coaching experience, as he has been an analyst for ESPN's Baseball Tonight ever since he retired. However, the success of Aaron Boone right out of the gate has likely quelled some of those concerns.
With Joe Girardi's name being linked more heavily to the Philadelphia Phillies in recent weeks, sources around the Cubs believe the team has narrowed the search down to Ross or Houston Astros bench coach Joe Espada. The last time someone hired a Houston bench coach, it was Alex Cora, and he won Boston a championship.
The Cubs managerial position is believed to be narrowed down two candidates. David Ross and the Houston Astros bench coach, Joe Espada. “With in-house candidate Ross holding the edge.” (Per, @GDubCub)
— Cubs Live (@Cubs_Live) October 17, 2019
Earning respect, or subsequently failing to do so, is something than can get new managers fired. If Ross walked back into that Cubs locker room, you can bet that every player on that team will be ready to go to war for him.