Statement by David Ross on being new Cubs manager |
New Chicago Cubs manager David Ross released the following statement on Thursday on becoming the 55th manager of the Cubs.
"I'm honored by this opportunity to be the next manager of the Chicago Cubs. My time with this organization has been special since the day I joined, so to continue with the club in this role is a blessing for which I'm so very thankful. We have accomplished so much together since 2015, and my desire to lead this organization to another World Series championship could be any stronger. "A lot has been made, and rightfully so, of my connection to the 2016 World Series team, and the notion that I'll now be managing players I once counted on as teammates. Having those relationships going into this will be a bonus, no doubt about it. But those guys know I'll be the first to hold them accountable, the first to demand their best daily effort and the first to let them know about it if they give anything but their best. I never had a problem dishing out a lot of tough love as their teammate, and that won't change as their manager. We'll have our fair share of fun along the way, but working hard as a team, playing fundamental team baseball and winning a lot of games will be our top priorities. "There will be people I want to thank on Monday, but for today I'd especially like to thank my family and two of my mentors Bobby Cox and Joe Maddon, for their guidance and support throughout the years. I'd also like to thank the Ricketts family, Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and the Cubs for this opportunity of a lifetime. Now let's get to work."