ROSS REACHES ‘ DANCING’ FINALS
The Cubs may have waited 108 years to win another World Series, but it only took one season for a Major League Baseball player to make it to the finals of “Dancing With the Stars.”
And that’s just what retired Chicago Cubs catcher David Ross did Monday night, beating out Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles for the last spot in next Monday night’s finals.
The news completely startled the judges’ panel ( and some in the ballroom), as the results meant Biles was out of the competition, despite having scored a perfect 80 out of 80 on the night. Ross had the night’s lowest total score, 70 out of 80. ( Competitors move to the next round based on total viewer votes and judges’ scores.) It was a visibly awkward moment as head judge Len Goodman placed his dismayed head in his hands in complete disbelief of the results, while Bruno Tonioli stood with his mouth agape in shock. There was no hiding the disappointment on Ross’ face as he witnessed the judges’ reactions.
Nevertheless, Ross and his pro partner Lindsay Arnold will be competing against Fifth Harmony’s Normani Kordei and NFL running back Rashad Jennings for the mirrorball trophy.
Coming off last week’s waltz, which Goodman called Ross’ best dance, Ross found himself Monday night going into the competition at the bottom of the leader board. He and Arnold were the second couple of the night to compete, kicking off the first of their two dances with a sophisticated foxtrot set to “You Make Me Feel So Young,” by Michael Buble. Decked out in black tie, tails and top hat, Ross did his dapper best with the demanding dance, which requires seamless movements and elegance.
Following his performance, Goodman remarked: “Tonight you continued to entertain us. Are you the best dancer? Are you Gene Kelly? No, but I could watch you all night.”
For his second dance of the night, Ross performed a tango to “Castle on the Hill” by Ed Sheeran. In his pre- dance video package, in which he had to talk about the biggest supporters in his life, Ross discussed his rocky major league career, revealing it was a candid conversation with thenBoston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein that changed his life forever.
“He basically told me to re- evaluate my [ bad] attitude,” Ross said. “... It turned out to be the most important conversation of my life. ... I stopped playing the game for myself and started playing for the team.”
Ross and Arnold delivered a decent- enough tango, prompting Bruno to praise Ross’ navigation of the difficult corners of the dance.
Goodman in his judges’ remarks said: “Nobody has worked harder, tried harder and given me more enjoyment than you.”