David Ross is no stranger to tough love expressed through motivational smack talk. Hell, that’s his milieu and a big part of the reason the Cubs hired him to replace the most successful manager in club history despite having no managerial experience of his own. They wanted someone who was willing to push his players and even piss them off a little bit when needed, then come alongside them and offer a hug or a beer.
That paradox of leadership has on full display during the Cubs’ intrasquad scrimmages as Ross tries to root for both the batters and the pitchers trying to get them out.