Chicago, IL (EETV) - A former Auburn catcher is joining the elite ranks as the new manager of the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs confirmed Thursday that David Ross signed a three-year contract with the team.
In a statement released by the Cubs, Ross said, "My time with this organization has been special since the day I joined, so to continue with the club in this role is a blessing for which I'm very thankful. We have accomplished so much together since 2015, and my desire to lead this organization to another World Series championship could not be any stronger."
Ross is one of 51 former Auburn players to make an MLB debut and becomes the second former player to be named a big league manager. Auburn's Bill Hitchcock spent portions of five seasons as a manager for the Detroit Tigers, the Baltimore Orioles, the Atlanta Braves from 1960-1967.
At Auburn, Ross was a two-year letterwinner from 1996-1997, appearing in 80 games and earning 41 starts. Following helping Auburn make its fourth College World Series appearance in 1997, Ross was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1998 MLB Draft. He played for seven different teams throughout his 15-year MLB career.
Since retiring as a player in 2016 from the Cubs, Ross has served as an analyst for ESPN and a special assistant in baseball operations for the Cubs.
