Former Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster remembers the joy of sitting in a hotel room with his teammates, laughing and telling stories during his 15-year career as a major-league pitcher.
He said he loves discussing the odd things that happen in professional athletes’ lives. His “Off the Mound” late-night talk show event gives him the chance to dive into those stories.
Dempster debuted “Off the Mound” in August 2018. It will return Saturday at Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave.
Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, former Cubs outfielder Moises Alou, former Blackhawks forward Jeremy Roenick and Chicago comedian Jeff Garlin are the featured guests. Proceeds will benefit Special Olympics Illinois.
“I always remember all the fun stuff we’d do and really funny stories of things that would happen that would never make it into a paper because people wanna know why you lined out, what happened on that strikeout or what was the pitch you threw to get out of that big situation,” Dempster said this week. “I always said, ‘Admire them for what they do, but respect them for who they are.’ ”
Dempster displayed a laid-back, easy-going personality in the majors. During his career, he’d regularly visit comedy clubs and always loved making people laugh.
Dempster looked up to Johnny Carson, and thanks to Eddie Murphy, his desire to put smiles on other people’s faces came at an early age.
“My birthday, when I was in the seventh grade, my dad let us watch ‘Delirious,’ “ Dempster said of Murphy’s 1983 stand-up comedy show. “We were tenting in my yard with my buddies and my mom went to bed and he was like, ‘Hey, guys, come inside,’ and he let us watch. And I was like, ‘I wanna do that someday.’ “
Dempster admitted he gets nervous when he hosts his show but not nearly as nervous as when he stepped on the mound. He understands his guests trust him not to ask a question they don’t want to talk about.
But all he’s looking to do is provide everyone with a good laugh and highlight aspects of athletes that people won’t usually see on the field.
“Being happy and smiling translates with a lot of really good things in life,” Dempster said. “It eases stress. Plus, when someone comes to a show for two hours, maybe it’s relief from a stressful time they have going. They can just come there and just enjoy the moment.”
