The Chicago Cubs’ 2016 season was magical in many ways and one of the more inspirational stories of the team during its was that of journeyman catcher David Ross, the retiring veteran who inspired the team during their run to the World Series. Now the story of Ross and the Cubs winning season will be coming to the big screen.
The Hollywood Reporter has the exclusive that Radar Films will produce Teammate: My Life In Baseball, based on Ross’ soon to be released autobiography, Teammate: My Journey in Baseball and a World Series for the Ages. Ross co-wrote the book with sportswriter Don Yaeger and it will be released by Hachette Books on May 9, 2017.
The film will uses Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, a game where Ross became the oldest player to ever hit a home run in a Game 7, as a framework to look at special moments in Ross’ career.
Ross played for seven teams in his 15 year career, including two stints with the Boston Red Sox, the second of which included a trip to the World Series as well. He worked primarily as a backup, although often acted as the “personal catcher” for a number of star pitchers for the teams he played for.
He joined the Cubs in 2014 and while with the team, made his pitching debut and caught his first no-hitter. After he announced his impending retirement at the end of the 2016 season, fans started a grassroots campaign to get him voted to his first All-Star team, and he provided veteran leadership to his teammates during their run towards a world championship. He currently works in the Cubs front office as special assistant to baseball operations. He has also become the first baseball player to compete on Dancing With the Stars this season.
The film will be written by Ram Getz and John Corcoran. No word on a director or stars at this time.
