SAN DIEGO -- The Summer of David Ross -- West Coast edition -- called an audible in Denver but got back on track in San Diego as the retiring catcher swam with Beluga whales and fed polar bears before the Chicago Cubs played the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.
“It was amazing,” Ross said of his trip to Sea World. “The Belugas were the nicest, most docile animals. Like having a big puppy. ... The Polar bear brought out its claws. They feed it with tongs. If they snagged a piece of your skin they would rip it off.”
Thanks @SeaWorld and Ferdinand the beluga whale for an amazing day! pic.twitter.com/FNDJRYZGvR
— David Ross (@D_Ross3) August 23, 2016
Ross is trying to enjoy every moment of his final weeks as a major league baseball player but not all activities have gone as planned. The water was deemed too low in Denver for his white-water rafting trip, then a rain-delayed, extra-inning affair on Friday ruined his hiking plans. So Denver turned into a trip to the spa.
“I got a pedicure,” He laughed. “It felt good. I kind of liked it.”
ESPN World Wide exclusive picture: @grandparossy_3 getting a pedicure in Denver over the weekend. #bucketlist? pic.twitter.com/Ue1xSWPi9n
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) August 22, 2016
After Wednesday’s matinee at Petco Park, Ross and teammates Dexter Fowler and Jason Heyward are renting a helicopter to take them up the coast to Los Angeles for the Cubs' series against the Dodgers this weekend. First is dinner in Malibu on Wednesday, then golf on their off day on Thursday, followed by a trip to "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and a comedy club Thursday night.
Then Ross plans on saying a special goodbye to Vin Scully as he soaks up his final visit to Dodgers Stadium over the weekend. It’s where he first broke into the big leagues.
“Some of it will be emotional,” Ross said before the start of the road trip. “There will be certain times I get nostalgic, but in between I’m going to take it all in and have a good time.”
So far so good.