Former MLB catcher, World Series champion and longtime manager David Ross returned to ESPN as an MLB analyst in 2026. Ross provides analysis across ESPN’s Major League Baseball coverage, including game telecasts, studio programming and SportsCenter. He previously served as an ESPN analyst during the 2017 season and contributed to the network’s coverage of the MLB Postseason in 2014 and 2015.

Following his retirement as a player after the 2016 season, Ross joined the Chicago Cubs as a special assistant to baseball operations in January 2017. In that role, he contributed across multiple areas of the organization, including major league operations, player development, professional scouting, amateur player evaluation and front office initiatives.

Ross was named manager of the Chicago Cubs in October 2019 and spent five seasons leading the club from 2020-24. During his tenure, he guided the Cubs to a National League Central Division title and a postseason appearance in his first season as manager. Ross compiled more than 400 managerial victories while overseeing the club through a period of transition and development.

Ross enjoyed a 15-year Major League playing career with seven organizations and captured two World Series championships. He won his first title with the Boston Red Sox in 2013 before helping the Chicago Cubs secure their historic 2016 World Series championship, ending the franchise’s 108-year title drought. Ross famously homered in the final game of his playing career, Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, before retiring at the conclusion of the season.