Kerry Wood Retiring Today

[CycloneErik]

Really nice article:

Kerry Wood is memorable for many reasons, but this one thing stands out to me - CBSSports.com

[hawkfan2679]

Hmm...sure is a lot of dust in my office today.

[LindenCy]

To commemorate, I just purchased this card:

2005 Timeless Treasures Statistical Champions Materials Number #4 - Kerry Wood Jsy/34 - CheckOutMyCards.com

[CYdTracked]

I hope they find a role for him, preferably in the broadcast booth (alongside Pat Hughes next year on radio I think would be ideal) because Kerry has always been a likable guy with a good personality. I know the Ricketts family thinks highly of him as they pushed to get him this last 1 year deal to stay a Cub. I doubt Epstein and Hoyer would have kept him had the ownership not made it a priority.

[LindenCy]

Hmmm, looks like he will finish with 666 career walks.

[Doc]

Cool story, bro (seriously). I have a cool story bro warning of my own as well.

When Kerry was pitching for the I-Cubs (1996 or 1997, maybe even in 1998 before he was called up), he wasn't staying at a hotel, but at a friend of mine's house. We were in high school at the time, and my friend's parents had volunteered to provide housing for ball players that were in town temporarily for the I-Cubs. So, Kerry stayed in my friend's basement off and on for awhile. He was really a down to earth, "aw shucks" kind of guy. I don't remember talking to him very much (he hadn't made it big by that time so it isn't like I was starstruck and would remember everything).

Brant Brown also stayed at their place for awhile, for you Cubs fans who remember him and his infamous dropped ball. Also a really nice guy. Shot hoops with him a few times.

Here's a fantastic clip of Santo, may he rest in peace, as Brown dropped that ball.

http://www.northtonorth.com/pages/so.../santoohno.mp3

[cycopath25]

The guy had 4 good seasons out of his 14. Cubs ruined him early on. Only real accomplishment was 20 SO game. Yes I know he was fastest to reach 1000 SO (134 games/853 IP) He did that in his fifth season. Guy then only finished with a little over 500 more in 9 seasons.

[Klone]

Being a White Sox fan you aren't supposed to like the cross town kids but watching Kerry Wood hug his son today and having a 3 year old of my own I will admit that I had a little blurriness in my eyes. What a touching moment.

[gocubs2118]

The guy had 4 good seasons out of his 14. Cubs ruined him early on. Only real accomplishment was 20 SO game. Yes I know he was fastest to reach 1000 SO (134 games/853 IP) He did that in his fifth season. Guy then only finished with a little over 500 more in 9 seasons.

Rookie of the year isn't a real accomplishment?

[LindenCy]

The guy had 4 good seasons out of his 14. Cubs ruined him early on. Only real accomplishment was 20 SO game. Yes I know he was fastest to reach 1000 SO (134 games/853 IP) He did that in his fifth season. Guy then only finished with a little over 500 more in 9 seasons.

He's definitely not one of the best pitchers of all time, but sure was a fan favorite.

[cycopath25]

Rookie of the year isn't a real accomplishment?

Kazuhiro Sasaki
Angel Berroa
Jason Jennings
Bobby Crosby

Have also won ROY honors. . . Doesn't make them great players.
Also former Cub Dwight Smith . ..

[hawkfan2679]

Have also won ROY honors. . . Doesn't make them great players.
Also former Cub Dwight Smith . ..

I think you mean Jerome Walton...Smith finished 2nd in '89.

[drednot57]

Seems hard to believe that KW pitched in the "The Show" for 14 years. Seems like yesterday he was on the mound in Sec Taylor Stadium pitching for the I-Cubs.

[cymate]

He is soooo over rated the guy averaged 7 wins a year.

[theantiAIRBHG]

He is soooo over rated the guy averaged 7 wins a year.

In before the "how many wins did you average?" post!