DeRosa's utility helps Cubs' defy futility
Mark DeRosa is known for his versatility. At Penn he starred in not one but two sports, as a quarterback and a shortstop. And if the Cubs break a century-long hex and win the World Series, DeRosa could be a key reason, at a variety of positions.
NEW YORK - Mark DeRosa is known for his versatility.
At Penn he starred in not one but two sports, as a quarterback and a shortstop. And if the Cubs break a century-long hex and win the World Series, DeRosa could be a key reason, at a variety of positions.
"He has played all over the infield and outfield, but he has swung the bat well and has done a real nice job for us," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said last week when his team played the Mets at Shea Stadium. "He is a true professional."
This season, DeRosa often played more than one position in one game. He made 95 appearances at second base, 38 in right field, 27 in left field, 22 at third base, 1 at first base and 1 at shortstop.
"The amazing part is he plays all those positions about equally well," Piniella said. "There is really no significant drop-off defensively, and hitting-wise he has hit anywhere from fifth to eighth and has really done well offensively."
Playing several positions has become almost second nature to DeRosa, who is hitting .285 with career highs in home runs (21) and RBIs (87).
"It's something I've done since the beginning of my career," he said. "Rafael Furcal is the main reason I have gotten to this point, because when he came to Atlanta he was pretty much a staple at shortstop and I was forced to move around."
The Braves selected DeRosa in the seventh round of the 1996 draft. The Texas Rangers signed him in 2005 as a minor-league free agent, and the Cubs signed him in November 2006 as a free agent.
Last Wednesday against the Mets, DeRosa strained his left calf and was shut down for the rest of the regular season. He told reporters Sunday that he expected to be ready for today's opening National League Division Series game with the Los Angeles Dodgers. A Cubs spokesman said DeRosa was listed as day to day.
At Penn, DeRosa received much more notice in these parts as a quarterback, going 16-3 as a starter and leading the Quakers to the 1994 Ivy League title.
In a testament to his versatility, was a third baseman during his freshman season at Penn. DeRosa was a shortstop his final two years.
"I wasn't a superstar by any means when I played baseball at Penn," DeRosa said.
And he isn't being overly modest.
As a Quaker, he played in 122 games and batted .311 with eight home runs and 92 RBIs. Those are far from superstar numbers, although he earned second-team all-Ivy honors for his junior season.
"I had a lot of good memories, made some really good friends, and my time playing baseball was awesome," DeRosa said.
DeRosa has spent parts of 11 seasons in the major leagues, and his coach at Penn isn't surprised.
"We thought his athleticism would carry him a long way in pro ball, and it has," said Bob Seddon, now retired. "With Ivy League kids, scouts wonder how dedicated they would be, but that was never a question with Mark."
The Cubs have made it to the postseason in consecutive years for the first time since three straight World Series berths from 1906-08.
DeRosa said he had signed with the Cubs because he felt the organization was committed to winning - a decision he doesn't regret.
"I felt I would like to be part of this organization. To play at Wrigley Field and to wear this uniform would be special," DeRosa said. "So far to this point, it's been very rewarding."