Indians’ Wood, DeRosa have bittersweet return

CHICAGO (AP) — Kerry Wood drove the same streets to the ballpark Friday as he had for the last 10 years. And after arriving at Wrigley Field, the Cleveland closer eventually headed in a strange direction — to the small and cramped visitors’ clubhouse.

But first, Wood made sure he popped into more familiar surroundings, dropping by the Chicago Cubs’ home dressing quarters to say hello to some attendants and conditioning coordinator Tim Buss.

“It was nice to get in and see everybody,” Wood said.

The Cubs did not re-sign Wood, who as a fresh-faced rookie starter in 1998 struck out 20 batters in a game. Always a big fan favorite, Wood’s run on Chicago’s north side featured highlights but also long stretches on the disabled list for numerous injuries.

He knew nearly a year ago that the 2008 season would be his last with the Cubs, even after he’d revived his career by becoming a closer and saving 34 games last season for Chicago. As a free agent, he signed a two-year $20.5 million contract with the Indians last December.

“I kind of saw this coming before the All-Star break and really kind of took that as my last year and had fun with it in the second half of the season, kinda knowing this would be my last stint here,” Wood said. “I had a great time last summer.”

If Wood was expecting to leave, Mark DeRosa was not. His versatility and steady play at a number of different positions helped the Cubs win back-to-back division titles in his only two seasons in Chicago.

DeRosa, who batted .293 and .285 in his two seasons with the Cubs and hit 21 homers a year ago, was traded to the Indians on New Year’s Eve for three pitching prospects.

“I don’t have any bitter feelings. It was out of my control,” DeRosa said. “I didn’t agree with the trade at the time and it was disappointing because I felt like I had become really comfortable being on this team.”

DeRosa said he’d circled the three-game interleague series at Wrigley since he saw it, has stayed in touch with some of his former teammates and still follows what they’re doing so far during a disappointing season.

“I talk to these guys all the time,” DeRosa said.

“It’s a special place to play, the fans are special. I haven’t been anywhere else that even comes close to it,” he added. “For me it was a huge letdown to be moved, but at the same time, I’ve cherished the times I was there and have moved on and been fine and am comfortable being a Cleveland Indian.”

DeRosa has played several positions for the Indians, as well. Batting 280, he had 13 homers and 48 RBIs in 64 games entering Friday’s game. And when he came to bat in the first inning against Rich Harden, he got a standing ovation before a flyout.

Many Cubs fans have bemoaned the departure of DeRosa — like Wood, a strong clubhouse presence — and cited it as a a reason for the team’s struggles this season.

“I got some sense of it this winter. Everytime I saw a Cubs fan, they were yelling and screaming at me,” Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. “They wanted those two guys back. I took that all as a good thing that we had them.”

Wood still has a home in Chicago and said he follows the Cubs only when he has the chance.

“Check a highlight here and there, but really haven’t. We’ve got enough of our own problems to worry about what these guys are doing,” said Wood, who has eight saves and a 4.63 ERA for a last-place team that is 10 games under .500.