The Cubs are shorthanded right now. Jason Heyward and Javy Báez are playing hurt. Kris Bryant’s in the hotel shitting his guts out (I think we all assume every ailment involves diarrhea—somehow, that makes it more palatable). Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ and Jake Marisnick are all on the injured list. David Ross isn’t that old. Let David Ross play.
It isn’t that hard. You let the manager become an active player a limited number of times a year. Changes the manager equation. Creates some fun scenarios. Definitely leads Tony La Russa to start himself as catcher to prove a point to a guy who, I don’t know, committed some offense like hitting a home run when the situation called for a groundout to second. Leads to Terry Francona having a laugh in right field the last day of the season. Makes Gabe Kapler activate himself (not a euphemism, but maybe a euphemism) whenever a fight might arise in which he could have his shirt ripped off.
Make it happen, baseball.
