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Cubs plan to interview David Ross, Joe Girardi next week

In this July 24, 2016 photo, Chicago Cubs’ David Ross throws out a Milwaukee Brewers batter during a baseball game in Milwaukee. Former Cubs catchers Joe Girardi and Ross will speak with the team next week about its managerial opening. The team also plans to interview first base coach Will Venable next week. Bench coach Mark Loretta interviewed for the job Thursday. The Cubs are searching for a successor to Joe Maddon, whose contract expired after the Cubs missed the playoffs this year for the first time since 2014. (Benny Sieu / Associated Press)
Associated Press

CHICAGO – Former Chicago Cubs catchers Joe Girardi and David Ross will speak with the team next week about its managerial opening.

The team also plans to interview first base coach Will Venable next week. Bench coach Mark Loretta interviewed for the job Thursday.

The Cubs are searching for a successor to Joe Maddon, whose contract expired after Chicago missed the playoffs this year for the first time since 2014.

Girardi is the first external candidate confirmed by the team. Loretta and Venable were part of Maddon’s staff this season, and Ross works in the Cubs’ front office.

Girardi, who turns 55 on Oct. 14, is a Peoria, Illinois, native and played college ball at Northwestern.

Girardi was voted NL Manager of the Year after he guided the Marlins to a 78-84 record in 2006 in his only season with the team. He also managed the New York Yankees for 10 seasons, winning the World Series in 2009. He was fired after New York went 91-71 in 2017.

Girardi also played in the majors for 15 years, batting .267 with 36 homers and 422 RBIs. He was selected by Chicago in the fifth round of the 1986 draft and made his big league debut with the Cubs in 1989.

Ross spent the last two of his 15 major league seasons with the Cubs, winning the World Series in 2016. He still has strong ties to several players on the team.