When Cubs manager David Ross went viral last week after holding up both middle fingers during Chicago’s 4-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants, most folks wondered just who was on the receiving end.
Well, it appears the mystery has been solved, as former Cub-turned-Giants outfielder, Joc Pederson, confirmed that he was the intended target, telling reporters that Ross “was just making a joke.”
Ross, for his part, acknowledged the incident and issued a brief apology ahead of Friday’s Cubs game.
“I should definitely know better,” Ross said. “It was kind of my hello to a friend of mine on the other side and just got caught on camera.
“I don’t want any kids out there giving the birds to anybody,” he continued. “It’s not the way I want to represent this organization or myself or my family. Poor taste. Sorry it got caught on TV.”
Pederson initially joined the Cubs in Feb. 2021 and played for Ross until July of that year, when he was traded to the Atlanta Braves ahead of their World Series run. He landed with the Giants in March.
Pederson’s Giants would go on to win their four-game series against the Cubs, three games to one.
