Don't worry Cubs fans, Mark DeRosa knows how you feel.

Although he says he's come to grips with the fact that he's not playing on the North Side anymore, you get the sense that he still has a hard time believing it. I caught up with the Indians' jack-of-all-trades over the phone Wednesday, and he had some pretty interesting things to say in advance of his return to the Windy City this weekend.

It's been six months since you were traded -- can you believe that you're not still playing with the Cubs?

MD: Now I can. When it first transpired, no; to be honest with you, I couldn't believe it. But you know what? That's part of the game. You see a lot of guys move teams, whether it be throughout the course of the year or through the off-season, and when the [Jake] Peavy rumors started up and I saw my name involved in that, I kind of figured, well, at least I was available. So was I shocked? Yes, but at the same time, I kind of read too many things for it to be [a] coincidence.

Here in Chicago, you can't turn on the radio, the TV, without hearing your name and listening to people who want you back. Did you expect the type of reactions from fans that your departure has caused?

MD: Not really. My thing is, we played so well as a team last year, and then [played poorly] for three games last year in the postseason. We did it two years in a row. That's not to say the same team would have done the same thing this year, but they thought we were exposed right-handed offensively, and [general manager] Jim [Hendry] felt he needed to bring in Milton Bradley and get Mike Fontenot some at-bats so, I mean, I'm happy with the fact that people respected the way I played, but at the same time, a lot of the reason you hear my name is because of the team, I guess, not playing up to expectations to this point.

You understand you're like the jilted girlfriend who got away here, though, right?

MD: (Laughs) Well, I mean, I had this connection with that team. A good connection in the clubhouse, with all the people that surrounded the stadium, I think the fans appreciated the way I played and how much I cared about wearing that uniform, so I think that kind of resonated. But as far as the reception I'll receive when I go in there two weeks from now … I'm looking forward to going back there and just being in the ballpark again.

Not that you would take pleasure in the way the team is struggling, but do you find it ironic that Hendry has been trying to find a way to replace you ever since you left?

MD: You know what? I don't know. I still believe Mike Fontenot is more than capable of handling himself at second base. Everybody has growing pains. One of the easier things to do in the game is to be a good backup; it really is. I was that way in Atlanta for a lot of years, and when you get out there for the first time, and you're facing these pitchers on a daily basis, and they're able to really put a scouting report against you, you know, you've got to make the adjustments, and I know Mike Fontenot is capable of doing that. The guy is too good a hitter, and I really believe that he'll get hot here.

Do you still follow the Cubs when you get a chance?

MD: Yeah, of course I watch 'em play. [I have] a lot of good friends on that team I root for, and nothing but great memories from there, so yeah, when they're on, I'll usually watch.

From what you've seen, what do you think they're missing?

MD: Oh, God. (Chuckles) They've been bit by the injury bug. I mean, Aramis Ramirez is one of the best hitters I've ever been around. So when you take him out of the lineup … I know D-Lee hasn't been up to par, so to speak, from a health standpoint. You need him to get back healthy, and swinging the bat the way he's capable of, and with him and Aramis out there they'll be fine. Their pitching staff's strong.

Jim Hendry said recently that one of the main reasons he traded you away was because the lineup was too right-handed. Did you feel that way when you were here?

MD: As a player, you don't worry about things like that. I mean, that's something … I don't crunch the numbers and know the ins and outs of what their evaluators look at. I just look at the fact that we were a great team and had great chemistry, and I think sometimes that word doesn't get enough play. I think people kind of overlook it. I think the chemistry we had on that team, the fact that the guys got along so well, and truly cared … and didn't care who got the big hit as long as we got it. I think that sometimes got overlooked.

You're obviously not in the clubhouse anymore and you don't know what's going on here, but do you think the Cubs are missing a portion of the chemistry that the team had last year?

MD: I'm not there, but I know when you take three veterans who played a big role on the team last year, in [Kerry Wood], myself and Jason Marquis, and they're not there anymore, it's gotta affect the chemistry in some form or fashion. I mean, I can't speak [about that] 'cause I'm not there, but it was just one of those clubhouses that I truly enjoyed being in every day.

I'm sure you've been seeing Cubs fans everywhere. What have they been saying to you in the past couple of months?

MD: They haven't been saying much. I'm trying to get acclimated over here and get my swing going. I just look forward to coming in there in two weeks and seeing some familiar faces.

A lot of fans have been begging Jim Hendry to make a trade so you can come back and play for the Cubs. Would you have a problem coming back to play here if a trade happened in the near future?

MD: That wouldn't be a problem at all. I mean, my loyalty right now is to the Cleveland Indians, and trying to turn around a bad start that we got off to. We've been bit by the injury bug hard, and I'd really like to do my best to go out here and play well for this team, but I have nothing but fond memories from [Chicago], and it was one of the better times of my career and my entire life.

In other words, no bridges are burned with Cubs management or anything like that?

MD: No way.

Do you still talk to some of the guys on the team?

MD: I do, Yes, I do. Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly, all those guys will be friends for a lifetime.

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