Maligned no more: David Ross, Jason Hammel now key cogs for Cubs

9:11 PM ET

CHICAGO — David Ross had a slightly embarrassed smile on his face as a throng of reporters approached the Chicago Cubs’ catcher after the 39-year-old hit his third home run of the season and 99th of his career in a 9-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

Meanwhile, teammates were hollering in the background.

“What’s the going rate for starting catchers these days?” Jon Lester screamed from the next locker stall.

“What does [Giants All-Star catcher] Buster Posey make?” John Lackey chimed in with a laugh.

Ross will take the ribbing because last year the ribbing came from fans and it wasn’t as nice. Admit it. Along with Friday’s starter, Jason Hammel, you had no problem if neither of them returned to the team in 2016. Now? They’re nearly irreplaceable, especially when you consider the injuries to Kyle Schwarber and Miguel Montero. Both Hammel and Ross are off to stellar starts, while Ross is one home run away from a milestone — at least for him.

Ben Zobrist and Anthony Rizzo had a friendly reminder for David Ross: The veteran catcher is just one home run away from 100 for his career after his fifth-inning blast on Friday. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

“These guys are rooting for me to get 100 because I told them last year I’d like to get a nice, even number,” Ross said. “[But] I’ll hit 99 and we’ll win a World Series. That will make me just as happy as 100, that’s for sure.”

He might get both before it’s all said and done. He’s certain to get to 100 as his winter swing makeover continues to pay dividends. Ross went 3-for-4 as the Cubs beat the Pirates for the fourth straight time this season, outscoring them 29-9.

On most days shortstop Addison Russell would have garnered the attention after hitting a three-run home run to break a scoreless tie in the fourth inning, but Friday belonged to the …

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