Arts & Entertainment
WATCH: Ex-Cubs Catcher David Ross Hits A Home Run In 'Dancing With The Stars' Debut
VIDEO: "Grandpa Rossy" performed a quickstep routine to "Go Cubs Go" on Monday night, capturing the hearts of the show's judges and viewers.
CHICAGO, IL — Who knew a top-notch dancer was hiding beneath all that safety equipment former Chicago Cubs catcher David Ross wore during his 14-year major league career?
Apparently, the casting directors for the current season of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," which premiered Monday night.
"Grandpa Rossy" had many "DWTS" watchers re-evaluating their predictions that the 40-year-old ballplayer who retired after helping the Cubs' capture a historic World Series title last year would be one of the first contestants this season to be bounced.
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But Ross, along with dance partner Lindsay Arnold, wowed judges with a quickstep routine he performed to — no surprise — "Go Cubs Go" on Monday's season 24 debut, which also marked the series' 400th episode. His moves earned him a score of 28 out of 40, tying him with former Olympic ice skater Nancy Kerrigan and "Glee" actress Heather Morris for the third-best score of the night. Only Olympic gymnast Simone Biles (32 out of 40) and NFL running back Rashad Jennings (31 out of 40) had better scores.
WATCH: Former Cubs catcher David Ross showed off his moves during the season 24 premiere of "Dancing With the Stars":
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The show's judges weren't the only ones impressed by Ross' dance moves. The two-time World Series champion captured the hearts of quite a few DWTS viewers, too:
David Ross is winning DWTS
— Taryn (@blametaryn) March 21, 2017
David Ross on DWTS omg sooooo cute!! In love
— Myranda (@myranda_osborne) March 21, 2017
But how could you not love David Ross? #DWTS
— Vickie (@t0ri_) March 21, 2017
@DancingABC I was not expecting that from David Ross. I was very much entertained #DWTS
— Alma + NKOTB = (@fncyfz) March 21, 2017
David Ross is a great dancer and has amazing teeth! Stick with it, David! #DWTS
— Kimberly Dotseth (@blendrealestate) March 21, 2017
Loved David Ross' quickstep. #DWTS sleeper hit of the season??
— Alison Machado (@manyhighkicks) March 21, 2017
Ross' biggest fan, however, might just be former Cubs teammate Anthony Rizzo, who used his Twitter account to drum up support for his buddy:
I know @D_Ross3 will have at least 500,000 votes tonight because I expect all of my twitter followers to vote at least once. #family pic.twitter.com/0vtsibQpzW
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) March 20, 2017
Wow my boy @D_Ross3 KILLED it! pic.twitter.com/biUiGTWlXv
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) March 21, 2017
Lady & The Gramps! @JArrieta34 & I had a great time supporting @D_Ross3. Can't wait to watch it all again in PST time. pic.twitter.com/LPpNQEOELU
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) March 21, 2017
Viewers have until 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, to vote online for Ross and Arnold at the show's website or Facebook page. Results will be announced during the Monday, March 27, episode.
RELATED: Watch Cubs And Bill Murray Sing 'Go Cubs Go' On 'Saturday Night Live'
This isn't the first time Ross, the first Major League Baseball player to compete on "DWTS," has used "Go Cubs Go" to entertain audiences. He — joined by teammates Rizzo and Dexter Fowler, as well as the Cubs' No. 1 celebrity fan, Bill Murray — sang the team ditty during a memorable post-World Series appearance last November on "Saturday Night Live."
Former Chicago Cubs catcher David Ross and dance partner Lindsay Arnold end their baseball-themed routine during the season 24 premiere of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" on Monday, March 20. (screen shot via ABC | YouTube)
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