David Ross #8

David Ross is in his second season with the Cubs, having helped the club to the postseason in 2015 ... marked the sixth time he's advanced to the playoffs (also with the Dodgers in 2004, the Braves in 2010 and 2012 and the Red Sox in 2008 and 2013) ... the catcher is a veteran of all or part of 14 major league seasons with the Dodgers (2002-04), Pirates (2005), Padres (2005), Reds (2006-08), Red Sox (2008, 2013-14), Braves (2009-12) and Cubs. In the last 11 seasons dating to 2005, has thrown out 36.1 percent of attempted base stealers (132-of-397), the second-best rate among active major league catchers, minimum 600 games behind the plate (Yadier Molina, 44.4). In a five-season stretch from 2009-14, recorded a 3.29 catcher's ERA, the best five-year stretch from a catcher in MLB since 1998 ... in that span, Boston's Clay Buchholz (1.73 ERA) and Jon Lester (2.77 ERA), as well as Atlanta's Kris Medlen (1.54 ERA) and Craig Kimbrel (0.00 ERA), excelled while pitching to him. Hit .261 (177-for-679) with 41 doubles, two triples, 28 homers and 104 RBI in 263 games from 2009-12, ranking second among N.L. catchers (min. 600 plate appearances) with a .463 slugging mark to Buster Posey (.503). From 2006-07, ranked second among N.L. catchers with 38 homers for the Reds, including a career-high 21 blasts in 2006. Received the 2013 Good Guy Award from the Boston Baseball Writers. Owns a 3.11 catcher's ERA in 16 career postseason games behind the plate (12 starts). Started seven games for the Red Sox in their 2013 postseason run to the World Series title, including each of the final three contests and all four World Series wins. Selected by the Dodgers in the 19th round of the 1995 June Draft, but did not sign ... again selected by the Dodgers, this time in the seventh round of the 1998 June Draft. Attended Auburn University from 1996-97 and was a member of the 1997 Tigers team that went to the College World Series ... transferred to the University of Florida as a junior in 1998 ... with the Gators, hit .332 with 21 doubles, 19 homers and 69 RBI to help his squad advance to the College World Series. w Teammates on his 1998 Gators team included major leaguers Josh Fogg, Mark Ellis and Brad Wilkerson. Graduated from Florida High School in Tallahassee. While with Boston, was active with the Red Sox Foundation, the team's charitable arm ... also visited victims of the Boston Marathon bombings in the hospital.

2015

In his first season with Chicago, David Ross played in 72 games and recorded a 2.66 catcher's ERA (120 ER/402.1 IP) ... Cubs were 23-8 in his final 31 starts behind the plate and went 30-16 in his 46 starts behind the dish on the season. Was behind the plate for eight of the Cubs shutouts. Cubs allowed one run or less in 15 of his 46 starts behind the plate and two runs or less in 21 of his 46. Threw out 15 of 64 baserunners attempting to steal (23.4 percent). Batted .176 (28-for-159) with six runs, nine doubles, one homer and nine RBI. Delivered his fifth-career walk-off hit, May 31 vs. the Royals ... singled in the 11th inning to drive in Kris Bryant for the 2-1 win. Hit his lone homer of the season, July 26 vs. the Phillies Hector Neris. Became the first Cubs position player to make multiple appearances on the mound in the same season since Doug Dascenzo in 1991. Tossed a 1-2-3 eighth inning, May 9 in Milwaukee, in a 12-4 setback ... his first career appearance on the mound. Reported that it was his first time on the mound since Little League. Was the first position player to pitch for the Cubs since John Baker, July 29, 2014 vs. Colorado. Again took to the mound, July 26 vs. Philadelphia, and threw a 1-2-3 ninth inning ... led off the top of the ninth with a solo homer. He became the first to throw a 1-2-3 ninth inning and hit homer in the ninth since the Mets Sid Fernandez, September 21, 1989, at St. Louis. Played in three post-season games, going 0-for-4 with two walks.

2014

In his second-straight season with the Red Sox, David caught 50 games...Boston was 22-25 (.468) in his 47 starts compared to 49-66 (.426) otherwise...Threw out eight of 40 attempted base stealers (20 percent)...Half of his 28 hits went for extra bases (seven doubles, seven homers), the highest rate on the team (min. 15 games)...His seven homers tied for the most among A.L. players with no more than 50 games played (also the White Sox Avisail Garcia)...Averaged 21.7 at-bats per homer, third-best in the A.L. as a catcher (min. 100 plate appearances)...Homered in consecutive games, June 22 at Oakland and June 28 at the Yankees...Homered five times in his final 24 games beginning June 22 after going deep twice in his first 26 games on the year...Had a season-high three hits, July 22 at Toronto...On the 15-day disabled list with right plantar fasciitis, August 2-19...Ejected by first base umpire Vic Carapazza in the eighth inning, August 23 vs. Seattle, his first career ejection.

2013

2013: Appeared in 36 games and made 33 starts at catcher, both of which ranked 2nd on the team to Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Served 2 stints on the 7-day concussion DL, missing a total of 65 games...Originally landed on the DL from 5/12- 24 after taking a pair of foul balls off his catcher's mask on 5/11 vs. TOR. Returned to the DL from 6/18-8/18...Was transferred to the 60-day DL on 6/25...Played in 7 rehab games overall between Double-A Portland (3 games) and Triple-A Pawtucket (4 games), going 2-for-19 (.105) with 2 doubles and 2 RBI. After being activated from his 2nd DL stint on 8/19, hit .270 (10-for-37) with 3 doubles, 4 RBI, 3 walks, and 3 runs scored in 13 games. Red Sox pitchers posted a 3.12 ERA in games he caught, the lowest catcher's ERA among AL backstops with at least 20 games. Threw out 34.5 percent of attempted base stealers (10-of-29), the 5th-highest mark in the AL (min. 20 G)… Marked the highest caught stealing percentage by a Red Sox catcher (min. 20 G) since Tony Pena threw out 37.3 percent (31 of 83) in 1993. Hit .259 (14-for-54) vs. LHP compared to .167 (8-for-48) vs. RHP. Started on consecutive days 4/20-21 (G2), 5/1-2, and 9/3-4...Appeared in 4 straight games from 9/3-6, hitting .333 (3-for-9) with the club going 4-0 in those contests. Threw out 2 attempted base stealers in his Red Sox debut on 4/4 at NYY. Hit a game-tying solo home run on 4/13 in the 5th inning off TB's David Price, helping BOS to a 2-1 win in 10 innings...Was his 1st home run as a Red Sox and 1st career homer in the AL after hitting 84 in the NL. Set a career-high with 4 hits on 4/26 vs. HOU, going 4-for-4 with 2 homers, 2 RBI, and 3 runs...It was his 1st multi-homer game since 4/26/11 at SD while with ATL. After collecting 1 multi-hit performance in his 1st 26 games of the season, had 2 in a 5-game span from 8/31-9/6, going 5-for-12 (.417 AVG) in those games with a double, RBI, and 2 runs The Red Sox won 7 of his last 10 starts from 8/24 to the end of the season and went 20-16 overall when he appeared behind the plate. Had a .280 AVG (7-for-25) in September, his highest mark of any month of the season. Threw out 3 attempted base stealers on 9/21 vs. TOR, a career high and most for a Sox catcher since Scott Hatteberg caught 3 on 4/30/98 vs. LAA. After the season, received the Good Guy Award from the Boston chapter of the BBWAA…The award is given to an individual - player, coach, or executive - who consistently and professionally handles

2012

2012: In his 4th season with the Braves, played in 62 games and made 47 starts behind the plate, both of which were his most since 2007 with CIN (112 G, 98 starts as catcher). Threw out 42.4 percent of attempted base stealers (14 of 33), the 4th-best rate among major league catchers with at least 40 games at the position. Posted a 3.56 catchers' ERA, 6th among National Leaguers with at least 45 games at catcher. Averaged a home run every 19.56 at-bats 3rd-best among NL catchers with at least 150 PA...His 9 homers tied for 2nd most in the majors among players with under 180 at-bats (WSH's Tyler Moore, 10 HR in 156 AB). Went 43-for-165 (.261) with a .467 SLG and all 9 of his HR in his 47 starts...ATL went 26-21 (.553) in his starts. Of his 9 home runs, 5 either tied the game or put the Braves ahead. Tallied his most hits (45), home runs (9), and total bases (79) since the 2007 season with CIN. Hit .348 (8-for-23) with 2 home runs in 8 games against AL opponents. Had a .347 AVG (25-for-72) and led the majors with a .694 SLG during day games (min. 30 PA). Batted .389 (14-for-36) when leading off an inning, the 2nd-best mark in the majors (min. 35 PA) after SF's Melky Cabrera (.424)...Overall, hit .327 (17-for-52) with a .916 OPS with none out. Ranked 4th in the NL with both a .391 AVG (9-for-23) and a .462 OBP in 10 June games (min. 25 PA). Batted .393 (11-for-28) with 3 homers and 6 RBI during a season-high 9-game hit streak from 6/17-7/19. Recorded 1st career stolen base on 8/8 at PHI, swiping 2nd base in the 7th inning. Scored the winning run on Juan Francisco's walk-off single in the 11th inning on 8/17 vs. LAD...Singled with 2 out to start the rally...POSTSEASON: Went 3-for-4 with a home run and 2 RBI as the starting catcher in the Braves' only playoff contest, a loss to the Cardinals in the NL Wild Card Game...Was his 1st start in a postseason game since Game 2 of the 2004 NLDS with LAD.

2011

In 42 starts behind the plate: .282 (40-for-142) with 6 HR and 21 RBI...The Braves were 28-14 in games that Ross started, including 8-5 when Ross and Tim Hudson combined to form the starting battery...On 7/27 vs. PIT, drove in the game-tying run in the sixth inning and connected for the walk-off, gamewinning single in the 10th inning. It marked his first walk-off hit since June 2009...Hit three home runs in a five-at-bat span, 4/26-5/2...Threw out 31% (10-for-32) of would-be base stealers.

2010

On 7/27, agreed to terms to two-year contract extension through 2012. ... Made his third career postseason appearance, but did not appear in a game (has only played in 2004). ... Hit his first home run of the season on 8/7 vs. SF. It was his first homer since 9/6/09, a span of 99 AB (second longest homerless drought of his career). ... Blasted his first career grand slam and matched his career high with four RBI (sixth time) on 8/31 vs. NYM. ... Made his 33rd start at catcher on 9/29 vs. FLA and went 3-for-4 with three doubles (career high). The three hits matched his career high (ninth time). ... Threw out 28% (7-of-25) of would-be base stealers in 2010 and is 36% (101-for-271) in his career.

2009

His seven home runs ranked second in the Majors for any player with 130 or fewer at-bats (Randy Ruiz, 10 HR in 115 at-bats)...Has thrown out 36% (93-for-162) of attempted basestealers in his career...While coming off the bench, hit two home runs on 6/14 at BAL...In September, hit .308 (4-for-13) with one home run and two RBI...Started the season on the disabled list with a strained right groin which he suffered during Spring Training...Spent two games at Rome (A) for a rehabilitation assignment (3-for-6, one home run and four RBI).

2008

Split the 2008 season between the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds organizations. He combined to play 60 major league games between the two clubs, his lowest total since appearing in 51 contests with the Pirates and Padres in 2005. ...Signed by Boston to a Triple-A contract on 8/20 after being released by Cincinnati on 8/18. ...Despite limited playing time, walked 32 times, the second-highest total of his career behind his 37 in 2006. ...Combined to throw out 10-of-36 (27.8%) attempted base stealers and has caught 35.3% (77-for-218) in his major league career. ...Hit .125 (1-for-8) with a run scored in eight games for the Red Sox. ...Debuted with Boston as a PR in the 6th inning on 9/2 vs. BAL and recorded his first hit with the club on 9/6 at TEX, a single in the 9th inning after entering in the 7th inning as a defensive replacement. ...Made six appearances for Pawtucket (AAA) before having his contract purchased by the Red Sox on 8/29. ...Hit .250 (7-for-28) with a home run and 3 RBI for the PawSox, with three games behind the plate and three as the DH. ...Hit .231 (31-for-134) with three home runs and 13 RBI in 52 games for the Reds. ...Reached base safely in 11 straight games from 6/18-7/11 with hits in nine of those contests, batting .364 (12-for-33) with 4 2B, 2 HR and 4 RBI in that span. ...Posted the 8th multi-homer game of his career on 7/10 at CHI. ...Set a career high with three walks on 7/17 vs. NYM. ...Had just four hits over a 14-game span from 7/13-8/8, during which he hit .118 (4-for-34) and was designated for assignment on 8/10 and released by CIN on 8/18. ...Began the season on the 15-day disabled list, missing from 3/30-4/23 with back spasms. He was 2-for-11 (.182) in four rehab games with Single-A Sarasota before transferring to Triple-A Louisville on 4/11.

2007

For the second straight season led the Reds in starts behind the plate (98)...made a careerhigh 112 apps overall...from 8/13-8/27 was on the 15-day disabled list with a concussion suffered on 8/12 in a home plate collision with SD's Mike Cameron... ranked among the Major League leaders in catcher's caught stealing percentage (43%, 23-54)...led the club with 86 starts batting eighth in the order...in his 98 starts Reds pitchers went 38-60 and posted a 4.56era...caught 5 of the staff's 6 complete games and 5 of the team's 7 shutouts...in a span of 6 apps from 6/16-6/22 produced 10rbi and a pair of season-high 2-homer games and (6/16 vs Tex, 6/22 at Tex)...on 4/21 vs Phi hit into a 5-4-3 triple play, the first Reds batter to hit into a triple play since Eddie Taubensee on 9/19/97 vs SD...on 6/7 vs StL snapped his season-high 0-for-19 skid with a double off Andy Cavazos...in the 4-3 win on 6/8 vs Cle caught Homer Bailey's Major League debut... on 6/22 at Sea tied his career best with 5rbi...on 7/25 vs Mil left the game with a dislocated left pinky finger but missed just 1g...after his concussion on 8/12 made just 16 apps the rest of the season.

2006

During spring training was acquired from the Padres and became the Reds' starting catcher...was 1 of 3 catchers on the Reds' roster (Jason LaRue, Javier Valentin)...led the club with 73 starts behind the plate...caught 32 of Bronson Arroyo's 35 starts...missed Arroyo's other 3 starts while on the disabled list...from 7/16-7/25 was on the 15-day DL with a lower abdominal strain...by the end of June already had established new career highs in homers and RBI...despite only 247ab ranked third in the National League in home runs by a catcher (Brian McCann, 24hr, 442ab; Mike Piazza, 22hr, 399ab)...entered the season with 19 homers in 424 career at bats...produced a team-high three 2-homer games (6/12 vs Mil, 7/2 vs Cle, 9/26 at Fla), 2 of the Cin's club-record 13 pinch-hit HR (5/16 at Pit off Paul Maholm, 6/2 at Hou off Dave Borkowski) and his second career game-ending homer (8/9 off StL's Jason Isringhausen, 8-7 win)... threw out 12-27 baserunners attempting to steal (44%)...Reds pitchers went 34-39 in his starts and posted a team-best 4.28era while he caught...caught 3 of the staff's 9 complete games and 5 of the 10 team shutouts... from 5/16-6/9 produced a career-high 12-game hitting streak (.484, 3hr, 12rbi) that included 4 pinch hits and raised BA from .235 to .354...on 8/19 vs Pit had 3 hits and 5rbi, both career highs, including a 3-run HR off Matt Capps...in the eighth inning of the 6-3 win at SF on 8/24 hit a solo HR off Vinnie Chulk to snap the 3-3 tie...in the 5-3 win at Fla on 9/26 hit a pair of homers off Dontrelle Willis into the upper deck at Dolphin Stadium that totaled 845 feet.

2005

Hit .240 in 51 apps for the Pirates and Padres...during spring training was traded from the Dodgers to the Pirates...on 7/28 was traded to the Padres...began the season with Pit...on 7/9 was optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis and made 6 apps there before he was traded to SD...on 4/15 vs the Cubs tied career highs with 2 homers and 3rbi...hit his other homer on 4/12 at Mil...on 4/21 at Cin produced the first sac bunt of his career...on 4/29 vs SF doubled to snap an 0-for-21 skid...after his trade to SD appeared in 8g for the Padres before he was optioned to Class AAA Portland on 8/26...appeared in 6g for the Beavers before he was promoted to SD on 9/6...finished the season with the Padres...after that 9/6 promotion hit .353 in 11g.

2004

In his first full season in the Major Leagues appeared in 70g for the Dodgers...threw out 11-38 baserunners attempting to steal (29%)...homered in his second start, on 4/18 at SF...on 7/29 at Col homered and collected his first career triple...from 8/3-8/14 put together a career-high 5-game hitting streak...in the 11th inning on 9/30 vs Col hit the first walkoff homer of his career to help the Dodgers clinch a tie for the National League West Division title...appeared in 2g vs the Cardinals in the National League Division Series.

2003

Appeared in 40g for the Dodgers and 24g for Class AAA Las Vegas...with 10 homers ranked fifth among National League rookies...threw out 12-41 baserunners attempting to steal (29%)...began the season with Las Vegas but became the Dodgers' backup catcher when Todd Hundley underwent back surgery in early May...hit safely in his last 7g with Las Vegas (10-30, .333, 4 2b, 2hr, 7rbi) before he was promoted on 5/5...spent the rest of the season in LA...in his first appearance for the Dodgers, on 5/9 at Mtl, went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI...on 6/14 at Cle had a careerhigh 3 hits, including a 2-run HR, and 3rbi...on 9/14 vs SD recorded his first career 2-homer game.

2002

In his Major League debut appeared in 8g during 2 stints with the Dodgers...began the season at Class AAA Las Vegas...was recalled on 6/28, when Chad Kreuter went on the disabled list...on 6/29 at Ana made his Major League debut and struck out in a pinch-hitting appearance...on 7/6 at StL made his first career start...on 7/12 was optioned back to Las Vegas, where in 6g from 7/13-7/20 he hit 7 homers...for Las Vegas hit .333 (7hr, 17rbi) in 14g in July and hit .324 in August...on 9/2 was recalled again and spent the rest of the season with the Dodgers...in LA's 19-1 victory on 9/2 at Ari recorded his first Major League hit, a seventh-inning double off Eddie Oropesa, and his first career home run (off Mark Grace)...his homer was his club's 24th hit, tying the LA Dodgers single-game club record.

2001

At Class AA Jacksonsville was a Southern League mid-season All-Star...produced 11 homers and 45rbi in just 74g...hit .310 through April and .313 through May...from 5/27-6/6 hit .462 during a 7-game hitting streak.

2000

Split the season between Class A San Bernardino and Class AA San Antonio...appeared in 10g for San Bernardino before he was promoted...made all 24 of his apps for San Antonio before he returned to San Bernardino on 6/30...spent the rest of the season in Class A...on 6/5 at Arkansas had 2 homers and 6rbi...from 7/14-8/3 hit .340 during a 13-game hitting streak...hit 6 homers during a 10-game span from 7/30- 8/12.

1999

Batted .227 with seven homers and 39 RBI in 114 games for Single-A Vero Beach.

1998

At Yakima in his first professional season ranked ninth in the Northwest League in batting average (.309)...led all Northwest League catchers in putouts (428).