Mark DeRosa In Chicago For Heart Tests

by Al on Feb 25, 2008 4:34 PM CST in News Comment 41 comments

Well, this is unexpected. All we'd heard over the weekend was that he was going to be fine, released from the hospital, back in camp by week's end.

Now, Mark DeRosa is back in Chicago, for testing and possible surgery:

DeRosa met briefly with reporters at the Cubs spring training camp on Monday and said he may consider an unspecified surgical procedure to get his heart back into rhythm.

"If it is surgery, it's an outpatient one," DeRosa said, according to The Chicago Tribune. "A lot of people take medicine. I don't want to deal with that. I'm 32, I don't want to be on medication for the rest of my life if there's a procedure I can do. It's something I've been able to control without any help. The other day was a wake-up call that I probably need to figure some things out and just get it fixed."

The Cubs have stressed that DeRosa's condition isn't life-threatening, and DeRosa said he hopes to be back on the playing field in a week.

The article quotes DeRosa as saying he's 32 and "turns 33 tomorrow". According to his baseball-reference.com page, he turned 33 on February 2, but that appears to be incorrect. This Yahoo profile and his cubs.com page both say he was born February 26, 1975.

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I'm hope...

Mark will be fine and everything turns out okay. However, and I HATE to bring this up, does this change anyones mind about acquiring Roberts? I'm probably getting ahead of myself, but I hope for Mark's sake and the Cubs' that this doesn't turn into a major issue that drags into the season.

"The one that invent the light tried 2,000 times and finally he did it, we have light...I don't want to spend 2,000 times to win Opening Day" Carlos Zambrano

by CubsBullsBears on Feb 25, 2008 4:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

well, the only persons mind that matters..

..Is Hendry's and he certainly will be mum if/when asked that question..

That being said from everything I have read, this condition isn't serious and DeRosa is pushing for a solution (thus why he's here in Chicago)and being quite open with the media as he felt there was some misinformation out there.

If we have any resident cardiologists, I would like to hear their take...

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Feb 25, 2008 4:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

re: I'm hope...

It doesn't really change my mind about him, but I think it makes Jim Hendry take a closer look at the position. I think we'd be OK without DeRosa, but it would be a significant blow. It would open the door for guys like Fontenot, E-Patterson and possibly Cedeno to really get a full time chance.

Be sure to check out The View From The Bleachers

by viewfromthebleachers on Feb 25, 2008 4:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Probably not.

Much as I've been the one saying I don't think the Cubs were going to complete a deal for Brian Roberts, I would think that this event changes that, and that Hendry might further contemplate doing such a deal.

That all depends on how serious this condition is, whether DeRosa has to have surgery, and what the recovery time would be.

It's too early to tell any of this.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 25, 2008 4:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

IF... and that's BIG IF

Mark is unable to suit up, what I fear is that the Cubs would begin to act somewhat desperate and pay a steep price to complete a deal for Roberts.

Ed Lynch is STILL on the Cubs payroll, as our D-Backs scout in Phoenix. Lynch attends all 81 D-Back home games with a notepad in hand. Really paid off for us!

by SackMan on Feb 25, 2008 5:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah because there is certainly nothing...

....more exciting about a new season than a middle IF of THeriot and Cedeno.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Feb 25, 2008 5:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

no, no...

please, no... he's an integral part of the team...

Worst to First in 2007, brought to you by Lou, Sori, A-Ram and D-Lee.

by drewishdrewid on Feb 25, 2008 4:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

the heart.....

Is no joking matter. And no with that being said, even the most minor of heart operations can go awry. My prayers go out to Mark Derosa and his family in this time of need....

You gotta believe!!!

by bolson1076 on Feb 25, 2008 4:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Correct me if I'm wrong...

but didn't DeRosa say that it was something he was aware of in the past?

Be sure to check out The View From The Bleachers for more Cubs writing.

by viewfromthebleachers on Feb 25, 2008 4:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

DeRosa interview

I hope this isn't a setback for DeRosa. He's one of my favorite players!

I understand Channel 7 will be having an exclusive interview with DeRosa at either 5 or 6 (I think). I was reading this thread instead of paying attention to the TV.

"I'm a Cubs fan. I'm very, very patient." -- from a Shoe cartoon.

by No Southern Belle on Feb 25, 2008 5:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Channel 7?

Well, I work mornings, so I wouldn't know about this. Maybe someone can watch and post about it.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 25, 2008 5:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think this is it

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/channel?section=news/sports&id=5755455

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Feb 26, 2008 11:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, that's it.

I saw it -- it was on the 5 pm news. DeRosa seems in good spirits and understanding of what needs to be done to get him back on the field.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 26, 2008 12:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to add

It was a class move on his part to defend Dr. Adams and Mark O'Neal. The MSM seemed to be upset about the misinformation about his release and ready to throw them under a bus.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Feb 26, 2008 12:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Kind of been dealt a bad hand...

especially on the poor guys birthday. Hope all goes well

Chuck Norris is a Cubs fan...

by Walker71421 on Feb 25, 2008 5:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Laughter is the best medicine

Look, I know this is not a trivial matter by any means. Even though Mark makes it sound pretty straightfoward, there's always potential for something to go wrong in any kind of surgery.

That being said, I think it would be absolutely hilarious if right before the procedure, while he's hooked up to whatever equipment is going to be used, Mark picks up the phone and calls Hendry to talk about an extension. Would definitely ease whatever tension might be being felt by the rest of the players and Cubs mgmt.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Feb 25, 2008 5:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

that would be great..

and it sounds like something he'd do...I guess he was in good spirits, joking around at the hospital

Chuck Norris is a Cubs fan...

by Walker71421 on Feb 25, 2008 5:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My best goes

to Mark. I hope he has a speedy recovery and joins the team soon.

by sue369 on Feb 25, 2008 5:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

It really doesn't sound

like it's too serious, but of course, when the heart is involved it's always best to take no chances whatsoever.

And the only way this would make me change my mind on Roberts would be if this somehow made the Orioles lower their asking price.

I expect Mark DeRosa to be the Cubs starting second baseman on Opening Day.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on Feb 25, 2008 6:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

100% agreed.

n/t

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 25, 2008 6:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

well I highly doubt

the Orioles are going to lower the asking price if the Cubs are suddenly without their starting 2nd baseman for an extended time.

by DC Cubbie on Feb 25, 2008 6:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

that was sort of my point.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on Feb 25, 2008 9:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Unmedically speaking

One of my former players had this condition.....uncontrolled racing heart..... up to 180 beats a minute.....had to try to shock the heart back by sticking their whole head in a bucket of ice water. Doctors go in and actually burn back the receptor that fires the heart muscle chambers. The danger is they can only burn it so many times because the first time may not take. My player was down to the last burn and they got it. Never had any problems after that. Anyone that is not medically challenged could explain this better but this is what he COULD be having done.

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Feb 25, 2008 7:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sun-Times says the same thing...

...here.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Feb 25, 2008 7:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds to me...

(and this is purely a guess-timate)...that DeRosa has a cluster of renagade cells in the heart tissue that is taking heartbeat control from the cluster of cells that are suppose to have control.

The electical activity of both clusters vying for control create the abnormality. "Surgery" in this case is to thread a catheter into the heart and obliterate the renagade cells. Sorta like Ramirez did against Milwaukee with his stellar homerun.

Recovery shouldn't be too bad, but it does cause a little scaring and inflamation at the heart tissue site. DeRosa should be in good shape and he is young so healing fast is favorable.

(I am not a doctor. Do not try this at home)

by coral on Feb 25, 2008 7:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That Sun-Times article linked above...

... basically says exactly that:

One of the more common treatments for conditions such as his, according to multiple medical web sites, is catheter ablation, in which "electrode catheters" are used to destroy the small area of abnormal tissue causing the irregular impulses in the heart, a procedure said to have a high-percentage success rate.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 25, 2008 8:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yup. My mom had that in her 70s.

Worked pretty well, but they might end up having to do it again. Very quick recovery, for something having to do with the heart.

Free the upper deck!

by zambranofan on Feb 25, 2008 8:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I work at

ENH Cardiology and the doctors do that daily at all 3 hospitals.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Feb 25, 2008 8:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

DeRosa will be fine

The surgical procedure for something of this sort is commonly done by cardiologists. It shouldn't put a damper on DeRosa being ready to play by the start of the season.

by MDBNIU on Feb 25, 2008 9:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wow

I'm sure he was expecting something more along the lines of a shaving-cream pie in the face for his birthday than a trip to a cardiologist in a snow storm, but...

Happy Birthday DeRo!

Get well soon.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Feb 25, 2008 9:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

In other news

got my copy of 2008 Wrigley Season Ticket this morning. Looks pretty slick....

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Feb 26, 2008 5:01 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Got mine too last Friday

It IS slick. Probably the best season preview magazine that I have ever read. Well done, Al. I already read your two articles. They are both quite well written and very interesting; just what I've come to expect out of you. :)

Anyway, I would highly recommend it to any Cubs fan who also likes to read. There are not any ads in it, so the whole thing is chock full of articles and information.

by Archie on Feb 26, 2008 8:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Waiting for mine

I didnt order mine until a few days ago... so I am excitingly waiting for mine :)

by Madison Cub Fan on Feb 26, 2008 11:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Irregular heartbeat AND irregular birthdates? Huh.

Ronnie played his entire career with diabetes (which is far more debilitating and disruptive on a day-to-day basis).

I figure if the procedure is successful it should not impair his ability to play well whatsoever.

I certainly wish Mark the best and do not mean to trivialize the situation, but it does sound as if they have things under control.

And, yeah...I got my Season Ticket, too. Awesome job, Al et al.

by DonGerard on Feb 26, 2008 8:35 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks to all of you...

... for the kind words about Wrigley Season Ticket. I thought all the writers did a great job on their topics and I was especially pleased that Bruce Miles agreed to write two articles. I really enjoyed learning about how he does his work on a daily basis.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 26, 2008 9:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

re: Thanks to all of you...

Me too! I got mine late last week and am very much enjoying it. Great work, Al! The contributions by cwyers and ballhawk are also fantastic. My five-year-old daughter is loving it, too -- she's become particularly obsessed with the "Kissing Bandit" photo.

Get well soon, DeRo.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Feb 26, 2008 10:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Glad you like it...

... and I was glad to have the contributions of several BCB readers.

The "kissing bandit" photo, in case you didn't catch the tiny photo credit on the left, was one I took myself that night.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 26, 2008 10:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I had Catheter Ablation surgery....

...in Dec. 2003 and was told to not exercise for a week. I was actually in and out of the hospital before dinner. Rather Amazing. In other words, this is not a serious medical concern and Mark will be fine.

by smitster2008 on Feb 26, 2008 9:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

DeRo

Sounds as if he will be fine, but still wish him all the best. He is one of the "good guys" in the game. Happy Birthday to him as well.

As was posted above, I too expect him to be the Cubs starting second baseman on opening day. I think if we have to make a deal, it would be better to wait until the season started and wait to see how things shake out first. Things have a way of working themselves out, and it may prove that a second baseman isn't what we need.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Feb 26, 2008 10:30 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I guess we'll find out....

by the end of the week. DeRosa said in an interview (Comcast Sports Nite on Monday night) that he expects to be back on the field by the end of the week. I just hope this is not another one of those "damage control" PR stories that we got so accustomed to concerning Wood and Prior. If he's back out there and playing in S.T. games by this time next week, then I guess there is nothing to worry (too much) about. But as someone once said, "The only kind of minor heart procedure is when you're talking about someone else's heart." Prayers for DeRo. A good ballplayer and a good guy.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Feb 26, 2008 3:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Good wishes for good health

I had something similar in my 20s -- my heart would skip a beat and then start pounding for no reason. First time it happened I thought I was dying -- I'd just been stretched out on the sofa reading an old book, and boom, 220 pounding beats per minute. Scared the living daylights out of me and I called 911.

The MDs at the hosp taught me the manuever DeRosa mentioned -- cough, or hold your breath hard, or the ice-cold water someone upthread mentioned, or pressing on the sides of the neck alternating side to side. And those did the trick -- anytime it started up like that again, I did the maneuver, and things went back to normal.

It hasn't happened for years now, hurray.

Best wishes for DeRosa's good health, and for the doctors' good work.

by anriley on Feb 28, 2008 2:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs