Chicago Official Visitors Guide 2008-2009 - (Page 152) Mark DeRosa joined the Chicago Cubs in 2006 as a utility player and second baseman and quickly became enamored with the city and its fans. While gearing up for next season, Mark took a few minutes to discuss his home field — and all its advantages. How does it feel to be able to call Wrigley Field home? Do you have a favorite home game memory so far? It’s an honor to be able to call Wrigley Field home. When I think about the definition of a “home field advantage,” I think about playing in Wrigley Field. There is so much history and tradition at the ballpark. My favorite home game was probably May 30, 2008. We were playing the Colorado Rockies and found ourselves down 9–1. After watching everyone on the team fight back to make it a one-run game, I hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Cubs a 10–9 lead and we ended up winning the game. The fans were absolutely incredible. They never left the park, even when we were down big. Those are situations that you live for. Chicago fans are known for being passionate about the game. What is the craziest thing you’ve seen a fan do to support his or her team? If you have the chance to go to “Cubs Convention” in January, you should book your tickets now. It’s a fan convention held in the middle of January at a hotel in Chicago and it feels like there are 100,000 Cubs fans in the lobby of the hotel at all times. It was the craziest thing I’ve ever been a part of. That’s when I realized I loved Cubs fans. Mark DeRosa, Cubs` Second Baseman Of all the positions you play, which is your favorite and why? What is it like to be a second baseman in Chicago? Second base is my favorite. It’s an honor to play the same position that Ryne Sandberg played. There is so much history at that position in Chicago. To know that I’m playing the spot Ryne Sandberg manned for so many years makes me appreciate that position so much more. If they can’t be at Wrigley, where’s the best place in town for a fan to watch a game? Any of the restaurants and bars right outside the park in Wrigleyville. To me, that place is a destination spot in Chicago. Being inside the stadium is fantastic, but the players can feel the energy outside of the ballpark as well. We know that there may be 40,000 inside and another 80,000 right outside. It’s incredible. Since you’re originally from New Jersey, New York-style thin crust or Chicago deep dish? I’m a “Chicago thin crust” guy. How does that sound? (Laughs) What do you and your family like to do in Chicago in the off season? With so many day games during the summer, the great part about the off season is it’s an opportunity for my family and I to explore Chicago during the middle of the day. A great day in the off-season would maybe to walk down Michigan Avenue and take in the scene, take in a Chicago Bears game and then grab a milkshake with my wife and daughter on the way home from Culver’s. What does Chicago have that no other city in the world has? For being a major metropolitan city, Chicago has the greatest communities in the world. No other big city has such a small-town, family atmosphere. It’s very cool. Describe your perfect Chicago day. I wake up and go to Tempo Café for breakfast. Then I head over to Wrigley Field and go 4-for-4 with a game-winning home run for the Cubs. After the game, my family and I go to Joe’s Stone Crab for dinner. After dinner, it’s back home to watch “Wedding Crashers” and fall asleep. (Laughs) That’s a perfect day right there. What is the most underestimated thing about Chicago? Driving Chicago’s Magnificent Mile is beautiful. From the Chicago River to Lake Shore Drive it’s stunning if you sit back and just experience it. What do you love about Chicago — in one word? “Passion.” And “loyalty.” Okay, I know that’s two words, but I can’t think of Chicago without thinking of those two words.
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