World Series Or Chicago Skydive? Ex-Cub David Ross Reveals Which Was Scarier (VIDEO)

CHICAGO, IL — In baseball, it's traditional for games to unofficially begin after the ceremonial first pitch is thrown, many times by someone who has some name recognition among the hometown fans. Air shows don't have a similar custom, but the organizers of the 59th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show might have come up with next best thing: Have a baseball player unofficially kick off the event. But instead of throwing a pitch, have the player throw himself out of an airplane from thousands of miles up.

Recently retired Chicago Cubs catcher David Ross did just that as he performed a tandem skydive jump with the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights, landing near the Boat House at North Avenue Beach, to get this weekend's event rolling, er, flying. Ross, who is fresh off his second-place finish on "Dancing with the Stars," made his jump at around 10 a.m. Saturday.

"Oh my gosh, that was amazing!" Ross said once he was unhooked from his parachute and his feet were standing firmly on the Lake Michigan shore. "Holy cow, that was so much fun." (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

During his 15 seasons in the majors, Ross won two World Series titles, none probably bigger than helping the Cubs bring home a championship last year after more than century. So how could Saturday's jump even come close to rivaling that experience?

RELATED: Chicago Air And Water Show: Best Spots To Watch, Park And Catch David Ross Skydiving

"It's right up there, I promise you that," said Ross, who thanked the Golden Knights for the opportunity. "I was a lot scareder, I think, when I stepped from the edge of that plane than I did when I took the field [in the World Series]."

REPLAY: Want to see Grandpa Rossy parachute? Patch live streamed the jump on Facebook Live:

A healthy amount of fear might have parachuted with Ross as he descended onto North Avenue Beach, but it didn't stop him from enjoying the moment. And it certainly didn't dampen his enthusiasm afterward.

"The landing was great," he said. "A lot of sand in my face, but other than that, it was really cool. …

"I'll tell you what, the parachute ride was really fun, too. That was a great view. [His tandem skydiving partner] tilted me down, I could see Wrigley. I could see the whole city, Soldier Field. It was great" — Ross then slumped down, closed his eyes, threw his head back and stuck out his tongue in an comical expression of fatigue — "I'm about ready to pass out now."

WATCH DAY 2 AGAIN: Check out the Chicago air show's final day:

The Chicago Air and Water Show — the largest free event of its kind in the United States — runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, and Sunday, Aug. 20, over the lakefront, from Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach, 1600 N. Lake Shore Dr., as the show center. Other aerial performers at this year's show include the U.S. Navy Blue Angels executing supersonic maneuvers in their F/A-18 Hornets, the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs skydiving team, the Aerostars, the Chicago Fire Department Helicopter Air/Sea Rescue team and more.

Go to the Chicago Air and Water Show's website for more about the show's history and this year's event.

WATCH DAY 1 AGAIN: Check out Saturday's aerial performances:

Retired Chicago Cubs catcher and "Dancing with the Stars" runner-up David Ross performs a tandem skydive jump with the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights on Saturday, Aug. 19, at the 59th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show. After his jump, he spoke about the experience. (Screen shots via video by Joe Vince)

Aeroshell flying team is one of the many aerial performers scheduled to participate in the 59th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show. (Photo via City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events)

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