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Cubs' Darwin Barney Visits Niles Meijer

Cooks Mexican Rice Bowl, Signs Autographs

Despite a knee injury that landed him on the disabled list earlier this week, Chicago Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney proved an upbeat and engaging chef in a cooking demo/autograph signing event held Thursday at the Meijer grocery store in Niles.

Barney, who joined the official starting roster for the Cubs in the spring, gamely fielded questions from the crowd, as he cooked next to Meijer Healthy Living Advisor Maribel Alchin. The event began a bit later than the scheduled 6:30 p.m. start time (ran into traffic after leaving the afternoon game at Wrigley Field), but Barney quickly got down to shredding chicken for the Mexican Rice Bowl recipe. 

 After Alchin announced that some fans had begun lining up as early as 12:30 p.m. to see him, Barney quipped, “They’re crazy.” He also addressed various queries as to who his favorite baseball team was growing up (the Red Sox); how he feels about cooking at home (“I do, unfortunately, have to cook at home sometimes.”); and how he felt when he hit his first Wrigley homer (“Surprised – the wind was blowing straight in.”).

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 At about 7:30 p.m., Barney began signing autographs for the crowd, some of whom brought Cubs items from home to be signed. Meijer handed out 150 wristbands to those wanting an autograph. Among them were Jessica King, 21, and her sister Michelle King, 17, from Mt. Prospect.  “Born a Cubs fan, die a Cubs fan – just like my dad always says,” commented Jessica King. “I hope [Barney] gets [elected] Rookie of the Year.  He’s a fireball.  He makes the Cubs fun to watch.”

 

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