Let’s hope David Ross is a better dancer than basketball player.
In photos and video from his guest appearance with the Harlem Globetrotters in his hometown of Tallahassee, Fla., on Wednesday, the retired Cubs catcher mostly sat on the bench.
In one clip, he missed a jumper, then was given a second chance from a Globetrotter and bricked a layup attempt.
Florida State University’s Tucker Center tweeted, "Rough start for @grandparossy_3 but he finishes with 2 points in the first half!"
It plays well with Ross’ self-deprecating humor, which was on display in an interview with WSCR-AM 670’s "The Mully and Hanley Show" Thursday. Ross tackled several topics from his predicting how his old team will adjust to roster changes this season to what skills he bring as a contestant on this season’s "Dancing with the Stars."
On packing his schedule with a new book, ESPN role, Cubs front office job and Raisin Bran endorser in addition to "DWTS"
You guys sounds like my wife: ‘I thought you were retiring.’ We got all these opportunities. I tell these guys all the time, I text (Anthony) Rizzo and KB (Kris Bryant), and the boys, Jonny (Jon Lester) and Lack (John Lackey), you guys have created so many opportunities for me that I can’t turn down. I’m busier now than I was when I was playing.
On how he’ll juggle all these opportunities
Everybody knew about ("DWTS"). We had this in the works for a couple months; they brought it to me early. I tossed and turned with the idea. Do I want put my dancing skills on national television? I finally made that decision. (Cubs management) said go have fun. I’m still going to poke my head in and do some ESPN stuff and do some stuff for the Cubs. … I’ve never had so many emails and had to look at a calendar so many times in my life.
On whether he’s physically ready for "Dancing with the Stars"
I’m going let you guys know. I got the first practice this afternoon. What happens in retirement is the love handles start to creep out more and more. You go to the pantry a little more when you’re bored. Hopefully this is give me something to keep me exercising and in a little bit of shape and keep me busy.
Kris Bryant calls David Ross the ‘early favorite’ on ‘Dancing with the Stars’
Kris Bryant discusses former teammate David Ross’ upcoming stint on "Dancing with the Stars," calling the ex-catcher "the early favorite," on March 1, 2017. (Paul Sullivan/Chicago Tribune)
Kris Bryant discusses former teammate David Ross’ upcoming stint on “Dancing with the Stars,” calling the ex-catcher “the early favorite,” on March 1, 2017. (Paul Sullivan/Chicago Tribune)
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On whether he’s ever had any dance training
Seriously no. Not one bit. When I was coming up, the girl used to back her rear end next to you and I stand there. … I’m anxious to learn, especially the ballroom part. I’ve seen some of the salsa stuff in the locker room with the Latin guys, and fooling around with them a little bit, but I have no idea what I’m doing. We’ll start from scratch today.
On whether the 39-year-old Ross, nicknamed "Grandpa Rossy," remembers fellow contestant Charo
I’m old enough to know Charo and Mr. T. Mr. T is like my idol. It’s the other ones that I got to Google. I gotta Google some of the reality TV stars and ‘The Bachelor’ and all these shows I don’t really watch. I don’t know the young crowd, I know the older crowd.
On which baseball skills translate to dancing
The thing I got going for me is I know what hard work looks like, so I’m going to work really hard and do the best I can. … Hopefully I’ll be able to keep my emotions in check and my heart rate semi-down when those lights turn on, those cameras turn on and I start to dance in front of millions of people. Other than that, I got nothing going for me other than I got a great coach (professional dance partner Lindsay Arnold). I’m going to work hard and have fun — that’s my goal.
Dancing With the Stars cast Craig Sjodin / ABC
Lindsay Arnold will dance with former Major League Baseball player David Ross, who won World Series with the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs.
Lindsay Arnold will dance with former Major League Baseball player David Ross, who won World Series with the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs.
(Craig Sjodin / ABC)
On recent baseball rule changes, such as the no-pitch intentional walk
The thing that bothers me the most that is every year it’s something, right? It’s something new whether it’s can’t keep a foot in the box or the pitching clock. They don’t seem to stick by anything. It’s just kind of the fad that year trying to make somebody happy up top. … The intentional walk thing, I’m fine with, I guess. You’re going to take a couple seconds, maybe a minute off the game. What’s the big deal in
that?
On a proposal to put a runner on second base to start extra innings
I never thought we would have a pitch clock, so you know? You never know. The game’s changing at a rapid pace. … I love the intricacies of the game and the fine details, I just hope we don’t get too crazy of just always trying to find the new baseball fan and stick to the baseball fans that love game and are into the traditions and what is American baseball. I just don’t want to lose that fan. I’m all about gaining new fans and the millennials and the young kids, I just don’t want to lose the true baseball fan.
On helping Willson Contreras fill his old role of catching for Lester
I’m staying out of it, man. I gave Willy my cell phone number and said hey man, (anything) you need. … I want their relationship to be formed naturally and organically and I don’t want to go tell Willy this and that. Let him figure out Jon for himself. Jon knows. Jon’s got three World Series rings, it’s time for him to mentor the young kid and show him the way.
On Kyle Schwarber’s desire to catch at least part-time
I wouldn’t tell him, hey, you can’t catch, I would try to monitor as best they could. They got a handle on that, Joe (Maddon) does a good job of that. Give him a little bit of a taste but don’t feed him.
On Schwarber leading off
I’m interested to see how this plays out. I’m more of a faster leadoff guy, I think a traditionalist, in baseball, but again the game is changing. … I love it. The guy’s got a great eye and he can get on base; he can set the tone. I don’t think KB or Rizz are bunting anybody over. The more (Schwarber) gets on base, the more he strikes the fear and that pitcher has to come out and use his arsenal from the get-go. They don’t get to get comfortable with their fastball, they got to mix their pitches right away. That’s tough on the opposing pitcher.
On whether the Cubs are vulnerable to a championship hangover
They’re in a spot they’ve never been in before, but they’re still hungry, they’re young. … Javier Baez has never been a starter full-time, Addy’s (Addison Russell) still growing and KB’s still growing, and Schwarber missed all last year. Jon Jay’s going to be new and Albert Almora’s going to be trying to get his foot in the door. Willson Contreras hadn’t had a full year. You got a lot of guys that are trying to prove themselves in baseball and there shouldn’t be any lag.
Joe Maddon: David Ross is ‘the perfect guy’ for ‘Dancing with the Stars’
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said former catcher David Ross is "the perfect guy" for ‘Dancing with the Stars." Maddon also discussed shortstop Addison Russell’s spot in the batting order on March 1, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said former catcher David Ross is “the perfect guy” for ‘Dancing with the Stars.” Maddon also discussed shortstop Addison Russell’s spot in the batting order on March 1, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
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