Behind The ScenesMLB

Ross dances his way back to Wrigley for Sunday from the Seats

David Ross will join Dan Shulman and Aaron Boone to call the game from the right field stands at Wrigley Field under the scoreboard seen above. (Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Images)

ESPN MLB analyst, two-time World Series champion and ABC’s Dancing with the Stars runnerup describe some of David Ross’ recent endeavors and accomplishments. When the Chicago Cubs host the rival St. Louis Cardinals this weekend on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball (8 p.m. ET), Ross will return to Wrigley Field where he made history with the Cubs a few short months ago.

Last November, the Cubs won their first World Series Championship in 108 years. Ross was a team leader on the field and in the clubhouse and a fan favorite.

On Sunday, Ross will call the game while sitting among the Cubs faithful in the right field stands with commentator Dan Shulman and analyst Aaron Boone as part of ESPN’s ongoing Sunday from the Seats series.

Ross spoke with Front Row about returning to Wrigley Field for Sunday’s telecast.

What will it be like for you to call Sunday’s game surrounded by the fans at Wrigley Field who watched you make history last season?

It’s a special opportunity to be out there sitting with the fans. I’ve always wanted to watch a game from the bleachers as a player. As a fan, I think it’s one of the coolest spots. Being on ESPN, talking baseball to the world is pretty special to me. I’m really looking forward to it.

How did the 2016 Cubs capture America’s imagination and create this surge of popularity for baseball last season?
I think our team, being the underdog for so long, fans were rooting for us to get over the hump. I think the fans and Chicago fell in love with the group of guys because of how open and out there we put ourselves. We weren’t afraid to go out on a limb and open ourselves for criticism and still produce. When you do that, you let the fans feel like part of our team. We did a great job of that last year because we had such genuine guys in the locker room.

What was your best/most memorable interaction with a fan as a player?
My favorite part was when I used to throw gum to kids right above from where I’d sit. I used to love the look on people’s faces. They couldn’t believe a player was actually interacting with the fans. That was always fun for me because you would see the kids light up and the grownups would even start to fight over it.

You played in many Sunday Night Baseball games. Talk about that experience and what it means to now call a Sunday night game as an analyst.

Sunday Night Baseball is the highlight of all of baseball. Everybody is watching. I remember even as a player when you got to play Sunday Night Baseball you knew all the other teams were watching. It’s the pinnacle, the very top of weekly baseball. To be a part of this group and talking baseball is truly something I’m cherishing and looking forward to.

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