In appreciation of David Ross

Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty ImagesBy now, you have heard the news that David Ross has been let go as Cubs manager and replaced by Craig Counsell, the former manager of the Brewers. Counsell received a five-year deal for a reported $40 million, so it’ll be a while before we have another Cubs manager, presumably.

There will be plenty of time to discuss Counsell, his managerial tendencies and how he might do things differently than Ross.

What I want to do here is thank David Ross for his contributions to the Chicago Cubs, and they were considerable.

Consider this: Ross managed the Cubs for four seasons. Only one of them — this past one — was what we might consider a “normal” baseball season,…