It’s become fashionable in some parts of the Cubs fanbase to call for the firing of manager David Ross.
Something something lineups, something something bullpen, or something like that.
I’m here to tell you that not only should Ross not be fired, but he should — presuming the Cubs continue contending in 2024 — be given a contract extension.
The season just ended was Ross’ fourth year as Cubs manager. But really, in some ways it was his first, because the previous three seasons had extenuating circumstances:
2020: Pandemic season — in which, incidentally, the Cubs were the only team with zero covid cases among players
2021: Schedule rearranged by covid, then the Cubs have a massive selloff of players at the deadline
2022: MLB’s lockout
So this year was really Ross’ first chance to show everyone what he could do under “normal” circumstances.