Bleacher Bums Forum

Ron, I heard Theo's comments re Ross more favorably.  Referenced Ross's "worldview"; said his past connection would not be a detriment; and said he'd be evaluated on his merits. 

Theo could have easily iced Ross speculation, by emphasizing need for outside voice, or more strongly talking up value of experience.  (Seemed token valuation to me.)  He didn't. 

It could be that Theo wanted to simply shoot down any notion that, should he decide to choose Ross, that the decision would be based on his relationship with the players and his identity being tied to the 2016 team. 

I seriously doubt that Theo knows who is going to be the next manager, and that he's open to a variety of options at this point.  This is not a 2015 Joe Maddon situation.

  I was angry that I couldn't remember the dick's name.  Dale Sveum.  Did anyone else know that the Cubs gave him a World Series ring?  I wonder if they gave Renteria one too.

Yep. 
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/cubs/2017/08/17/no-hard-feelings-cubs-give-ex-manager-rick-renteria-world-series-ring/576104001/

Exactly.  He's going to go through due process for sure. 

I guess I had assumed Ross was just a media name, and that the Cubs wouldn't actually take him seriously.  So after Theo's comments, I felt surprised that he brought up Ross like three different times, and that none of his comments to me seemed to downplay Ross's chances to be taken seriously, or perhaps to even end up getting hired.  Certainly it's nothing like Maddon's targeted hiring.  And certainly none of the comments suggested that Ross was pretty much pre-determined. 

Ross would make a terrific bench coach, smoothing things between a new manager and the players.

He'd never take that job.  If he doesn't get the manager gig he'll keep working part-time and hang out with his kids.

Craig, for my part I never doubted the Cubs would take Ross seriously as a potential manager.  They've always seemed enamored with him.

Whether the Cubs are interested in him is another matter, but Girardi just basically said on the radio he wants the job.

I don’t think Girardi sits out 2019 waiting on the Cubs job unless his back-channel communications were that he had a shot.

Thanks, dihard.  That's helpful to hear. 

Cubs admin have a reputation for being really smart/intellectual.  I'd like to get somebody who's really intelligent and smart.  Maddon is, no question there.  But I'm not sure all of their managerial hires, or batting-coach hires, have necessarily mirrored that.  Think they have maybe tended to go more for style.  Elan, the word Theo used several times.  Soft skills. 

I hope they get somebody who's got good soft skills, but who's also an intelligent and thoughtful guy too. 

That rules out WJ