Ex-Braves catcher Ross interested in Atlanta job

ATLANTA -- David Ross, the erstwhile Atlanta catcher and Chicago Cubs manager, said Thursday that he's acceptable to negociate again and said returning to the dugout with the Braves "would beryllium amazing."

In an interrogation with The Associated Press, Ross declined to accidental overmuch astir his involvement successful the Braves without knowing if he'll beryllium connected the database of candidates to regenerate Brian Snitker.

Ross, a autochthonal of Bainbridge, Georgia, was 262-284 successful 4 seasons managing the Cubs from 2020 to 2023. Under Ross, the Cubs won the NL Central successful 2020.

Snitker, 69, announced Wednesday that helium volition not instrumentality aft 10 seasons arsenic the Braves' manager.

Ross, 48, who played for the Braves from 2009 to 2012 successful the mediate of his 15-year career, was included successful aboriginal speculation astir imaginable candidates to regenerate Snitker. Braves wide manager Alex Anthopoulos did not place immoderate candidates astatine Wednesday's quality league to denote Snitker's decision.

Ross said Thursday, "I'd emotion to negociate again."

"Obviously, Atlanta would beryllium amazing, but there's thing to truly elaborate on," Ross said, adding helium realized helium has been mentioned successful speculative lists. I don't privation to speech astir thing that doesn't person immoderate legs yet. Hopefully, my sanction pops up, but we volition hold and spot connected that."

Ross began his playing vocation with the Los Angeles Dodgers successful 2002. He was a vocation .229 hitter and had immoderate of his astir productive seasons arsenic a part-time starter successful Atlanta. He deed .273 with 7 homers successful 2009 and .289 the pursuing season.

Ross, who was a respected person successful the Braves' clubhouse, said Thursday, "I loved my clip there."

Snitker led the Braves to the 2021 World Series title arsenic the item of astir a half-century with the organization. He volition stay with the enactment successful an advisory relation and volition beryllium inducted into the team's hallway of fame successful the 2026 season.

Snitker led Atlanta to 811 wins, 6 NL East part titles, 1 wild-card berth and the 2021 World Series title successful his 10 seasons arsenic manager.

The Braves finished 76-87 this season, the last twelvemonth of Snitker's contract.

Braves president Terry McGuirk presented Snitker with keys to a caller motortruck astatine the quality league and announced that the squad was sending Snitker and his wife, Ronnie, connected a abrogation to Hawaii.

The Braves had 2 coaches connected Snitker's 2025 unit with acquisition arsenic a manager. Bench manager Walt Weiss is Colorado's erstwhile manager. Third-base manager Fredi González is simply a erstwhile manager with Atlanta and the Marlins.

Among different imaginable candidates are erstwhile Braves infielder Mark DeRosa, Cubs seat manager Ryan Flaherty and erstwhile Marlins manager Skip Schumaker.