Chicago Cubs

Cubs Bring Retiring Catcher David Ross to Tears With Emotional Tribute

They've documented his final season on Instagram and showered him with gifts, but on Friday, the Chicago Cubs did something for retiring catcher David Ross they had never done before.

They made him cry. 

That's because the team presented the catcher with a video tribute and several gifts before Friday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The ceremony was a surprise for Ross, as he will be retiring at the end of the 2016 season.

The Cubs gave Ross several remarkable presents, including home plate from Great American Ballpark that he squatted behind while Jake Arrieta threw a no-hitter there earlier this season. The Cubs also gave Ross a "3" plate from the center field scoreboard, and they presented him with a framed jersey, the one that he wore when he hit is 100th career home run earlier this season. [[394691801, C]]

Finally, the Cubs aired a touching video that included tributes from teammates like Jon Lester, Kyle Schwarber, and Anthony Rizzo, and the entire scene moved the catcher to tears: [[394691761, C]]

"The things they said about me is kind of overhwleming, and the way they treat me, and how much respect they have for me," Ross told Cubs.com after the game. "I'm a guy who tries to work hard and ends up with some years in the big leagues and has done some fun things, and with this group, trying to win a ring this year, the emotion comes from looking back when you reflect on your career. I don't try to do that, because it gets really emotional."

During his lengthy career, Ross has played with seven different teams, including a Cubs squad that he signed with before the 2015 season. Serving as a personal catcher for Jon Lester, Ross has brought a needed defensive presence behind the plate and has hit the cover off the ball this season, with nine home runs and 31 RBI in just 199 plate appearances.

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