Breaking Down The David Ross Press Conference
Alright hand up - I understand this is a real dry blog before we even get going. Transcribing generic quotes and interpreting them for substance is inherently lame. I'm well aware.
In fact, Breaking Down The David Ross Press Conference might be the single worst title my brain has ever manufactured on the blog. So go right ahead and lay it on me.
The Bears Suck
David Ross Is Overrated
No One Cares About His Press Conference
You Need Help Carl
Scouts honor all you guys can kiss my ass.
This is a landmark day for Cubs' fans. I've said before I'll say again - probably the biggest decision Theo has made in his Cubs tenure. And whether you admit it or not, this is a day EVERY Cubs' fan has anticipated at some point.
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Obviously hit the Hype Video
hits hype video
Good thing we got all that footage of him in uniform. I imagine the Joe Espada video would have turned out a lot different but I digress and thankfully, we'll never know.
Point is we got our #1 guy David Ross and it feels soooo fucking good. Especially after watching all 30 minutes and 26 seconds of his introductory press conference. For my diehards…
If you left your headphones at home or generally don't care to watch another man speak into a microphone for 30 minutes, here's the meat you missed:
- There's Opening Nerves = That's A Good Thing = it's obvious he's fired up and DIDN'T consider this a slam dunk. For as much shit as people have talked about how he's being gifted the manager spot, his demeanor couldn't be any different. That's the disposition of an excited, ambitious, grateful professional.
- He kinda reminds me of the guy in class or at work that knows the material sooooooo fucking well but really doesn't want to lead the powerpoint. Everyone knows that guy. A+ brain and a real expert. But generally speaking someone else can take care of the slides while Ross handles the excel analysis and writes the report.
- 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 hammers home the word Accountability REPEATEDLY in this press conference. Like if we were holding him accountable for his use of the word Accountability today, we'd be very satisfied with his efforts.
- On Difficulty Of Holding Friends Accountable =
"I know there's a big fun loving Grandpa Rossy theme out there but if you ask any of my friends or ex teammates, I didn't shy away from tough conversations. I know there's a strong relationship with me and Lester. If I would have been mic'd up from some of those conversations on the mound, they're rarely friendly. So I think there's a little misconception 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 that guy. I'm just to the core a guy who has a lot of expectations when I come into work. I'm very professional. I expect professionalism. And those traits I talk about. Effort and Accountability. I don't shy away from those conversations good or bad. I know these guys. I hope to build their trust and respect. They will have mine but I hope to gain theirs. The Grandpa Rossy thing is overblown."
I mean what more do you need to hear from the source himself?
This has been criticism 1A against Ross. He's wayyyyyyy too comfy with his boys!
People forget that David Ross carved out a 15 year career on 6 different clubs. He played for Bobby Cox, Terry Francona, and Joe Maddon. He's caught and lead some of the best pitching staffs in his career arc. He's won two World Series Championships WITH A BETTER CAREER OPS THAN YADIER MOLINA.
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At what point in any of his history as a professional athlete does that resume = being a pushover? A guy too close with his friends to make tough decisions?
Fuck out of here guys. Ross is a competitive nut job. That's the only explanation for building his career on his baseline skillset. There are countless catchers out there with his tools that didn't even sniff AAA.
Point is I wouldn't be worried about whether or not David Ross is a professional Baseball Guy. He knows how to win and be competitive in the dugout and what success looks/feels like. The fact that he hit a monumental game 7 home run against Andrew Miller 3 years ago to help bring home the Cubs' first title in 108 years should not count against him. That he was on the best team in Cubs history with a notable core still remaining should not count against. That he knows the personnel and is extremely comfortable with them as human fucking beings should DEFINITELY Not. Count. Against. Him.
Carl you mentioned two major criticisms. What's criticism 1B?
- On Relationship With Front Office =
Ross - "I've known these guys for a long time, and I know what their expectations are. It's a HOF type front office I get to work with daily and learn. I think it's a collaborative effort for all, but I will be making my own decisions with continued feedback from the group. We got a lot of smart people in the FO. But I'm going to be myself and figure out who I am and my passion on the field.
In other words, the FO is going to give him the information and it's up to Ross to use it. Same shit with Joe Maddon and I don't ever anticipate Theo getting away from de-centralizing control to the dugout.
The more analytics evolve, the more this becomes a delicate balance. And spoiler alert: it's already pretty fucking delicate. Just ask Joe Maddon.
Moving forward, Ross is likely going to be pretty conservative going against the FO grain early. I can see him first getting comfortable with the FO on how they want to work and communicate with him. And then I see him adapting and changing his style based on how THEY effectively communicate with him. In other words it should take some time to get his Decision Making Process ironed out.
But based on Ross's answer, Theo's history and my interpretation of how they work together, it would seem Ross will have much more authority than the knee-jerkers care to suggest.
Theo had more…
Theo - "If you're a front office and you want a puppet, you don't hire David Ross. Even as a player, I remember one time I didn't love how he was calling certain pitches for a young pitcher we had just called up. We sat down for about 5 minutes in the dugout before a game and I shared with him 'Here's what we have on this pitcher. And here's what worked for him. Here's our scouting report and what the analytics say.' I was kind of expecting just because he's the backup catcher not to know the guy. But instead it was Serious Pushback right in my face. 'Here's in reality what it looks like he can and can't do. Here's why I'm doing this. Have you ever thought about it this way? Because that's what we need to do to win.' It was the furthest thing from a puppet and he is absolutely his own man. I think his teammates knew that when he was playing. We knew it in the FO. He's been that way as a special assistant. I'm really proud and looking forward to partner with him but I don't expect a YES MAN in the least. I'm looking forward to someone with his own ideas especially strong conviction about winning and what winning looks like and how to build it. And it's not always going to be what we agree with. It's going to lead to conversations that lead us all better as an organization SMIRK BECAUSE HE NAILED THE ANSWER
How do we know David Ross can create AND DEFEND his own opinions to Theo?
Because David Ross has already created and defended his own opinions to Theo.
That's how.
Reading between the lines though, doesn't Ross seem like a real Son Of A Bitch? Or do you think most backup catchers would tell Theo Epstein to kick rocks on a rookie pitcher's scouting report?
So just imagine this from Theo:
You haven't played Albert Almora in 9 days…
"Because he sucks against everyone." - David Ross, probably
- On His Role In Building The Roster With The Front Office =
"These guys are pretty darn good at their job. I think I got enough on my plate. I want as much input as they want, from players I like around the league or experiences that I've had. The great thing about being with ESPN is watching a lot of different big leaguers perform, who you like and their game. You get to interact with them in the locker room and see their personality, so I think background stuff is important. But they're really good at their job and putting a roster together and I'm gonna leave that to them."
NAILED IT.
"Not my job"
Butttt…. if you want his opinion, he's in a position to contribute to what he likes but he knows that's not what he's here for. Not in the least bit.
- Winning At Home Vs. Losing On The Road
"This team needs to find a better routine on the road. I know that was a stickler this year. You can't always put your finger on the reasons for winning and losing. Especially in different environments. But, my goal is to find a comfort on the road that these guys feel good to perform their best. And hold them accountable. Wins and losses are going to come and go. What matters to me is the winning ways I've seen across my career. If we bring that to the field every day then I'll be able to sleep well."
Idk what Joe's routine was specifically but what I'm specifically reading here is there were MAJOR process problems with Joe about how he took the boys on trips. And I don't mean stupid outfits. I mean the fundamental components of getting to the field, taking BP, having your head on straight, expectations. Everything.
To me that says a lot about weaknesses in 2019.
Obviously the road was a weakness.
But really what I mean is The Way we approach the road and having a routine. All goes back to Accountability and building an environment where players are individually pursuing their best behaviors.
- Will There Be Coaching Changes? Who Is The Bench Coach?
"Great Question. I've sent a message to all coaches. I'm gonna reach out. I haven't started that process yet. I've been waiting for this day to move forward. I've had a lot of change in life last couple days, adjusting to that. I'll know more going forward."
Don't hear Mark Loretta's name there and no surprise. Just "Bench Coach" which means expect some long time veteran to saddle up next to him. Idk who, but it's going to be critical.
The safe bet is you'll get a mix of platoon style players-turned-coaches from the early to mid 2000's that Theo/Jed once held contracts to… See: Eric Hinske, Craig Breslow, Will Venable, Mark Loretta, Termel Sledge, Chris Denorfia.
This is important because Ross's success initially as a manager (not the team's success, I'm talking purely from Ross getting up and running) will rely heavily on his supporting cast. All the more reason to expect some familiar faces per usual.
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- Progression of Competition Throughout Interview Process = No quote here… I just think it's interesting how Ross really bought into the competitive part of the interview process. He talks about the 1st interview being friendly and smiles but once he realized he was actually in the running and it settled on him, another gear took over. Theo emphasized how amazed they were with his presentation. That his 2nd round interview blew them away and he was so prepared and focused.
That's the competitive junky in David Ross right there. When I say He's A Winner and stress his career as a backup catcher, this is what I'm really getting at. I'm talking about him competing against other managers to have the best: team, environment, relationships, trust, accountability, all that shit.
So gun to my head, push comes to shove, give me David Ross trying to beat someone else on a baseball field 100 out of 100 times. It's literally wired in his DNA and if you don't believe me, let's take another look at his last professional AB.
Listen I'm not asking you to believe in God.
I'm just saying this David Ross storyline should make you think twice.