Oct 1, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Cubs manager David Ross looks on from the dugout in the eighth inning during game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Former Chicago Cubs manager joins ESPN

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Zack Pearson | Last updated Mar 4, 2026 12:51 PM ET

Former Chicago Cubs manager David Ross will be remembered for his role helping the team win the World Series in 2016. It was “Grandpa Rossy’s” final year in major league baseball and he went out on top as the Cubs captured their first title in 108 years.

But after the team parted ways with Joe Maddon, Ross took over as manager. Although he found success early, the Cubs could never really get over the hump as the team went 262-284 in his time. They also failed to win a playoff series, falling in the 2020 Wild Card round in their lone appearance under Ross.

It was also a bit of a sour exit.

When the chance to hire Craig Counsell was available, the Cubs moved on from Ross and went with Counsell instead. Since then, we’ve rarely heard from Ross as he’s taken some time off. But now he’s back in baseball.

David Ross makes his return to baseball

After his retirement, Ross spent a few years working as an analyst for ESPN from 2017-19. Now, he’s back with the network.

On Tuesday, ESPN announced that Ross was re-joining the network as an analyst. He appeared right away on ESPN’s broadcast of Team USA vs. the San Francisco Giants as they are prepping for the World Baseball Classic.

“I’m so fired up,” Ross, who is serving as Team USA’s bullpen coach during the World Baseball Classic, said during the broadcast. He will serve as an analyst on the network both in studio and during games.

Former Cubs manager and current Team USA WBC bullpen coach David Ross is returning to ESPN as an MLB analyst. #MLB pic.twitter.com/stmEO9p0az

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 3, 2026

Ross spent 15 years in the major leagues after being a seventh-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1998. He won two World Series titles including the one that ended the Cubs’ long drought.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: