David Ross (baseball) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Ross
Ross in 2022
Catcher / Manager
Born: (1977-03-19) March 19, 1977 (age 48) Bainbridge, Georgia, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
June 29, 2002, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Last appearance
October 1, 2016, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
Batting average	.229
Home runs	106
Runs batted in	314
Managerial record	262–284
Winning %.	.480
Teams
As player Los Angeles Dodgers (2002–2004) Pittsburgh Pirates (2005) San Diego Padres (2005) Cincinnati Reds (2006–2008) Boston Red Sox (2008) Atlanta Braves (2009–2012) Boston Red Sox (2013–2014) Chicago Cubs (2015–2016) As manager Chicago Cubs (2020–2023)
Career highlights and awards
2× World Series champion (2013, 2016)
Medals Men's baseball Representing  United States World Junior Baseball Championship Gold 1995 Massachusetts Team

David Wade Ross, born on March 19, 1977, is an American former professional baseball catcher and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 15 seasons. After his playing career, he managed the Chicago Cubs from 2020 to 2023.

Ross played college baseball for Auburn University and the University of Florida. He even played in two College World Series. He started his major league career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002. He also played for several other teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves. Ross won two World Series championships. One was with the Boston Red Sox in 2013 and the other with the Chicago Cubs in 2016. The Cubs later chose him to be their manager before the 2020 season.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Ross was born in Bainbridge, Georgia, in 1977. He grew up in Tallahassee, Florida. His father, David Ross Sr., played in a men's softball league. His mother, Jackie, played basketball. Two of his uncles were college football players. Ross attended Florida High School in Tallahassee, Florida. There, he played high school baseball for the Florida High School Demons. David is one of five children in his family.

College Baseball Journey

Ross earned a scholarship to play baseball at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. He played for the Auburn Tigers baseball team from 1996 to 1997. In 1996, he also played summer baseball for the Brewster Whitecaps. A big moment in his college career happened in 1997. During the College World Series regional tournament, he hit a game-winning home run. This helped Auburn advance to the regional final. The Auburn Tigers made it to the College World Series that year.

After the 1997 season, Ross moved to the University of Florida. He played one more season of college baseball for the Florida Gators baseball team in 1998. Ross is one of the few players to play in the College World Series with two different colleges. He played with Auburn in 1997 and then with Florida in 1998. After his junior year with the Gators, Ross decided to become a professional player. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Playing in the Major Leagues

Starting with the Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers first drafted Ross in 1995. But he chose to go to Auburn University instead. In 1998, the Dodgers drafted him again. This time, he decided to sign with them.

Ross played his first MLB game on June 29, 2002. He hit his first major league home run on September 2, 2002. This home run came off of first baseman Mark Grace, who was pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ross stayed with the Dodgers until 2004. However, the Dodgers had many catchers, which limited his playing time.

Time with Pirates and Padres

The Dodgers traded Ross to the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 30, 2005. After playing 40 games with the Pirates, he was traded again. On July 28, 2005, he joined the San Diego Padres. He played in 11 games for the Padres.

Playing for the Cincinnati Reds

Ross playing for the Cincinnati Reds in 2008

The Padres traded Ross to the Cincinnati Reds before the 2006 season. On January 15, 2006, Ross signed a two-year contract with the Reds. He often caught for pitcher Bronson Arroyo. Many Reds fans thought Ross should be the main catcher because of his good hitting.

On November 20, 2006, another Reds catcher, Jason LaRue, was traded. This opened up more playing time for Ross. However, Ross had a tough start to the 2007 season. On April 21, 2007, he hit into a rare triple play. Ross finished the 2007 season with a .203 batting average and 17 home runs. He was released by the Reds on August 18, 2008.

First Stint with Boston Red Sox

Ross signed a minor-league contract with the Boston Red Sox on August 22, 2008. He joined the MLB team on August 29. He became a free agent after that season.

Years with the Atlanta Braves

Ross with the Atlanta Braves in 2012

The Atlanta Braves signed Ross to a two-year deal on December 5, 2008. In 2009, Ross hit .273 in 54 games. On July 27, 2010, he signed an extension to stay with the Braves until 2012. He had his best hitting season in 2010, batting .289 in 59 games.

Ross was the backup catcher for the Braves behind Brian McCann. He was known for his strong defense. In 2009, he made only one error in 52 games. In 2012, Ross hit the first home run ever in the new Wild Card Game playoff format.

Return to the Boston Red Sox

Ross with the Red Sox in 2014

Ross signed a two-year deal on November 10, 2012, to return to the Red Sox. He was meant to be more than a backup but not the main catcher.

In 2013, Ross had two concussions and missed over two months. But he got healthy and played a big part in Boston's run to the World Series championship. He started four games in the World Series. He also drove in the winning run in Game 5. He was behind the plate when the Red Sox won the series in Game 6. In 2014, Ross often caught for pitcher Jon Lester.

Joining the Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs signed Ross to a two-year contract on December 23, 2014.

On May 9, 2015, Ross pitched for the first time in his professional career. He threw a perfect inning against the Milwaukee Brewers. On July 26, he did it again against the Philadelphia Phillies. Then, he hit a home run in the next inning.

On April 21, 2016, Ross caught his first no-hitter with pitcher Jake Arrieta. This was against his former team, the Cincinnati Reds. Ross hit his 100th career home run on May 27, 2016.

Ross announced he would retire after the 2016 season. He had played 15 seasons in the major leagues. During Game 7 of the 2016 MLB World Series, Ross hit a home run. This made him the oldest player to hit a home run in World Series history at 39 years old. The Cubs won Game 7, giving Ross his second World Series ring. After retiring, the Cubs named Ross a special assistant for baseball operations.

Playing for the Kansas Stars

After retiring from MLB, Ross joined the Kansas Stars. This is an independent baseball team made up of former MLB stars. They play in a short tournament each year.

After Playing Baseball

The Cubs hired Ross as a special assistant after he retired. In January 2017, ESPN hired Ross as a baseball analyst. He would talk about games on TV.

Managing the Chicago Cubs

Ross with the Cubs in 2023

On October 24, 2019, the Cubs hired Ross to be their manager. He signed a three-year contract. Ross started his managing career on July 24, 2020. His team won 3–0 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

On March 11, 2022, the Cubs extended Ross's contract through the 2024 season. The team also had an option to keep him for the 2025 season. However, Ross was dismissed on November 6, 2023. Craig Counsell was then hired as the Cubs' new manager.

Managerial Record

Dancing with the Stars Appearance

On March 1, 2017, Ross was announced as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars (season 24). He was paired with professional dancer Lindsay Arnold. Ross was the first professional baseball player to compete on the show. Even though he didn't always have the highest scores, Ross and Arnold made it to the finals. They finished as runner-up.

Personal Life and Other Work

David Ross has three children. As of 2016, his family lived in Tallahassee, Florida.

Ross is a Christian. He has worked with several charities in Chicago. These include Cradles to Crayons, which helps young people in need.

Ross worked with author Don Yaeger on a book. It was called Teammate: My Life in Baseball and came out in May 2017.

Ross has appeared on Saturday Night Live with some of his Cubs teammates. This was to celebrate their championship win. He also appeared in commercials for "The Bryzzo Souvenir Company." In these ads, he played an intern trying to meet the demands of his bosses, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo.

See also

In Spanish: David Ross para niños