BREAKING – Former Cubs Skipper David Ross Reveals He’s Ready to Manage Again, Says Dream Return to Braves Dugout Would Be “Amazing” and Sends Shockwaves Through MLB Circles
ATLANTA — David Ross has always been a figure who seems to bridge generations. Known as the gritty, reliable catcher who spent parts of his career with the Atlanta Braves and later became a World Series champion with the Chicago Cubs, Ross transitioned seamlessly into managing. Now, less than a year after his departure from the Cubs dugout, he says he’s ready to return — and he would welcome the chance to do so with the Braves.
“Honestly, to be back with the Braves would be amazing,” Ross said Thursday, speaking with the same straightforward candor that defined both his playing and managing days. “I’ve had time to reflect, and I know I still have that fire. I love the game, I love leading players, and I’m ready.”
Ross, 47, spent 15 years as a major league catcher before retiring in 2016 after helping the Cubs break their 108-year championship drought. In 2020, Chicago entrusted him with the managerial role, and over four seasons he guided the team to moments of promise but also inconsistencies. His tenure ended abruptly in 2023 when the Cubs moved in another direction, leaving Ross on the sidelines for the first time in decades.
But his name has never strayed far from speculation lists. Around baseball, Ross has been viewed as a strong communicator, a clubhouse unifier, and a leader whose experience resonates with younger players. His history with the Braves — where he played from 2009 to 2012 and earned a reputation as one of the game’s most respected backup catchers — adds another layer to the intrigue.
The Braves, of course, are not currently seeking a new manager. Brian Snitker remains under contract and continues to guide a team built around young superstars and championship aspirations. But Ross’s comments immediately sparked conversation among Braves fans and MLB observers alike about what a potential reunion could mean.
“It would be a storybook kind of thing,” said one Braves insider. “Ross understands the culture here. He’s respected by players, and he knows how to handle the spotlight. The idea of him eventually stepping into that role isn’t far-fetched.”
For Ross, the pull of Atlanta is clear. It’s where he matured as a player, working with veteran pitchers, mentoring younger teammates, and helping the Braves through transitional years. Returning as a manager would represent more than just a job — it would be a full-circle moment.
“I owe a lot to the Braves,” Ross admitted. “The relationships I built here shaped me. I think coming back, if it ever happened, would be about giving back to the organization and to the fans.”
For now, Ross remains a manager without a team, but not without a vision. He continues to stay close to the game, working in broadcasting and mentoring players. But he made it clear this week: the fire to manage again still burns as brightly as ever.
Whether the Braves — or another franchise — offer him the next opportunity remains to be seen. What is certain is that Ross’s voice carries weight in any conversation about leadership. For a man who has lived baseball from every angle, the next chapter may still be waiting to be written.
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