Chicago Cubs bench coach Andy Green (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Chicago Cubs acting manager Andy Green — taking over since David Ross has COVID-19 — was ejected in his first game in charge.
Green is going to get his money’s worth in the brief time he gets to be skipper, and boy did he give the umpires a piece of his mind.
The former Padres manager was upset that no interference call was made against the Pirates as Arismendy Alcántara tried to turn a double play at second base. Instead, an error was made and a run scored.
Needless to say, it was a fairly consequential play, and Green tried to rally his group with an acting display typically not seen outside of a Broadway musical.
Green not only ripped off his mask, but spiked his hat at the same time. While the league office surely won’t like the mask bit, especially considering Ross and Jed Hoyer just tested positive for COVID-19, you have to admire his spirit.
Chicago Cubs making most out of meaningless September
These Cubs — without the likes of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez and Craig Kimbrel — are unfamiliar to the naked eye. Nonetheless, they have some spunk, and are a younger group that Hoyer and Ross are judging as an early tryout for the 2022 team.
How they respond to adversity, such as their current and acting manager not being available to lead them, could determine their placement on that squad a few months from now.