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David Ross has enjoyed his time away from baseball, focusing on his children, traveling, golf and a new-found interest in pickleball.
But that doesn't mean he hasn't missed the game.
That's why Ross, the former Chicago Cubs manager and two-time World Series champion during his 15-year MLB career, is excited to return to the dugout.
Ross is one of nine assistants who will join Manager Mark DeRosa on Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC). DeRosa returns for the second consecutive Classic after leading Team USA to a silver medal in 2023.
In total, the 10-man coaching staff–which features six USA Baseball alumni, including Ross, a player on the 18-under national team in 1994 and 1995.
Ross will take over the bullpen coach duties for DeRosa.
"I am extremely excited to be apart of such an amazing group and wear USA across my chest again," Ross told the Tallahassee Democrat. "It's such a great opportunity to be in that locker room around the best in the world. I've missed baseball and the fellas, and can't wait to be in uniform again."
Team USA is looking to capture its second World Baseball Classic title in the sixth installment of the event in 2026.
The sixth edition of the WBC, which runs from March 5-17, will take place at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas; Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico; the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, and loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
The semifinal round (March 15 and 16) and championship game (March 17) will be held in Miami.
"Baseball is what I know and God continues to open doors for me," said Ross, who also thanked DeRosa MLB and Team USA for his selection.
David Ross takes over bullpen coach duties, bringing with him 15 years of playing experience and four seasons as a big-league manager. The former catcher most recently spent four seasons as manager for the Chicago Cubs from 2020-2023, guiding the Club to a playoff appearance in his first season in 2020. Prior to his managerial gig, Ross played for seven teams across 15 years in MLB. He debuted with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002 and played there for three seasons. In 2006, Ross posted a career-best season with 21 home runs and 52 RBIs for the Cincinnati Reds and later spent four seasons with the Atlanta Braves from 2009-2012. After winning a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2013, Ross concluded his playing career with two seasons with the Cubs, becoming the oldest player in MLB history to hit a World Series home run (39 years old) in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series to help Chicago win its first title since 1908. He was named a special assistant for the Cubs following his retirement and appeared as a baseball analyst on ESPN prior to being Chicago’s manager from 2020-2023.
Bio by Team USA
Manager: Mark DeRosaBench Coach: Skip SchumakerPitching Coach: Andy PettitteHitting Coach: Matt HollidayFirst Base Coach: George LombardThird Base Coach: Dino EbelBullpen Coach: David RossAssistant Manager: Fredi GonzálezAssistant Manager: Brian McCannAssistant Manager: Michael Young
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee resident, former Cubs manager David Ross named to Team USA staff
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But that doesn't mean he hasn't missed the game.
That's why Ross, the former Chicago Cubs manager and two-time World Series champion during his 15-year MLB career, is excited to return to the dugout.
Ross is one of nine assistants who will join Manager Mark DeRosa on Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC). DeRosa returns for the second consecutive Classic after leading Team USA to a silver medal in 2023.
In total, the 10-man coaching staff–which features six USA Baseball alumni, including Ross, a player on the 18-under national team in 1994 and 1995.
Ross will take over the bullpen coach duties for DeRosa.
"I am extremely excited to be apart of such an amazing group and wear USA across my chest again," Ross told the Tallahassee Democrat. "It's such a great opportunity to be in that locker room around the best in the world. I've missed baseball and the fellas, and can't wait to be in uniform again."
Team USA is looking to capture its second WBC title
Team USA is looking to capture its second World Baseball Classic title in the sixth installment of the event in 2026.
The sixth edition of the WBC, which runs from March 5-17, will take place at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas; Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico; the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, and loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
The semifinal round (March 15 and 16) and championship game (March 17) will be held in Miami.
"Baseball is what I know and God continues to open doors for me," said Ross, who also thanked DeRosa MLB and Team USA for his selection.
Here's a recap of David Ross' Major League Baseball career
David Ross takes over bullpen coach duties, bringing with him 15 years of playing experience and four seasons as a big-league manager. The former catcher most recently spent four seasons as manager for the Chicago Cubs from 2020-2023, guiding the Club to a playoff appearance in his first season in 2020. Prior to his managerial gig, Ross played for seven teams across 15 years in MLB. He debuted with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002 and played there for three seasons. In 2006, Ross posted a career-best season with 21 home runs and 52 RBIs for the Cincinnati Reds and later spent four seasons with the Atlanta Braves from 2009-2012. After winning a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2013, Ross concluded his playing career with two seasons with the Cubs, becoming the oldest player in MLB history to hit a World Series home run (39 years old) in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series to help Chicago win its first title since 1908. He was named a special assistant for the Cubs following his retirement and appeared as a baseball analyst on ESPN prior to being Chicago’s manager from 2020-2023.
Bio by Team USA
Here is the Team USA coaching staff for the 2026 World Baseball Classic
Manager: Mark DeRosaBench Coach: Skip SchumakerPitching Coach: Andy PettitteHitting Coach: Matt HollidayFirst Base Coach: George LombardThird Base Coach: Dino EbelBullpen Coach: David RossAssistant Manager: Fredi GonzálezAssistant Manager: Brian McCannAssistant Manager: Michael Young
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee resident, former Cubs manager David Ross named to Team USA staff
Continue reading...
