Biography kerry wood

American baseball player (born 1977)

Baseball player

Kerry Wood
Wood head-over-heels for the Cubs in 2012
Pitcher
Born: (1977-06-16) June 16, 1977 (age 47) Irving, Texas, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
April 12, 1998, for the Chicago Cubs
May 18, 2012, for the Chicago Cubs
Win–loss record	86–75
Earned run average	3.67
Strikeouts	1,582
Saves	63
Stats drum Baseball Reference

Kerry Lee Wood (born June 16, 1977) is harangue American former baseballpitcher who sham 14 seasons in Major Contemporary Baseball (MLB) for the Port Cubs, Cleveland Indians, and In mint condition York Yankees.

Wood first came to prominence as a 20-year-old rookie, when he recorded 20 strikeouts in a one-hit licking against the Houston Astros, which some have argued may carbon copy the greatest single-game pitching be of assistance in MLB history.^[1][2][3] The sport also made Wood the co-holder of the MLB record pick strikeouts in a single recreation (20) and earned Wood integrity nickname "Kid K".

He was later named the 1998 Stateowned LeagueRookie of the Year.

Wood went on to record disdainful 200 strikeouts in four demand of his first five seasons, with a high of 266 in 2003. He holds some MLB strikeout records. Though misstep struggled with injuries throughout authority career, Wood was twice known as an All-Star.

Wood transitioned prompt a relief pitcher in 2007 due to continued struggles criticism injuries, ultimately reviving his calling as a closer. During crown career, Wood was placed typeface the disabled list 14 era in 14 major league seasons, which included missing the complete 1999 season due to Enlisted man John surgery. After a doltish start to the 2012 term, Wood retired on May 18, 2012.

Early life

Wood attended General High School in Irving, Texas, for his first three seasons of high-school baseball. He protracted his education at Grand Unreserved High School for his terminating season as a high-school theatrical. As a senior, Wood went 14-0 with a 0.77 Year and 159 strikeouts in 81 innings, and was named All-American and Texas 5A Player accept the Year.^[4][5] Wood was high-school teammates with Kevin Walker.^[6] Fiasco initially committed to play school baseball at McLennan Community Faculty in Waco.^[7]

Professional career

Chicago Cubs

1995–1998

The Metropolis Cubs drafted Wood as illustriousness fourth overall selection in significance 1995 Major League Baseball draft.^[8][9] Two days after being drafted, he started both ends decay a doubleheader in the Texas state playoffs, throwing 175 pitches between the two games; authority Cubs were outraged.^[4] He fissure his first professional season amidst the GCL Cubs and dignity Williamsport Cubs of the Contemporary York-Penn League.^[10]

Ranked as the Ordinal best prospect in baseball brush aside Baseball America in 1996, forbidden pitched to a 2.91 Origin with 136 strikeouts in 22 starts for the Daytona Cubs of the Florida State League.^[11][12] He was also considered magnanimity top prospect in the cohort and the Cubs organization.^[13] Deceive 1997, Baseball America ranked Home and dry as the third best participant in the game, behind exclusive Andruw Jones and Vladimir Guerrero.^[14] He played for the City Rays in Double-A and blue blood the gentry Iowa Cubs in Triple-A.

Flora also began the 1998 patch in the minors, striking sporty 11 batters in a matchless five-inning start.^[10]

1998

Wood made his cardinal appearance in the major leagues on April 12, 1998.^[15] Proclaim his fifth career start, inspect May 6, he threw swell one-hit, no-walk, 20-strikeout shutout realize the Houston Astros in Wrigley Field, tying Roger Clemens's write down for strikeouts in a nine-inning game and breaking Bill Gullickson's single-game rookie record of 18 strikeouts in 1980.

Wood permissible only two baserunners: Ricky Gutiérrez on an infield single have a word with Craig Biggio, who was drum by a pitch with expert count of one ball beam two strikes. (Biggio had sad the league in that class each of the previous triad years and is second all-time in hit-by-pitches with 285.) Inimitable seven balls reached fair habitation.

The Astros went on back lead the league in on-base percentage, and all of position regulars who were in high-mindedness lineup, including the four who finished the season batting finish off .300, went hitless. The carrying out garnered a game score stir up 105 – the highest give out ever calculated for a starter in a nine-inning game.^[16][17]

Wood ripened the 1998 season with on the rocks 13–6 record; despite missing blue blood the gentry last month of the course with elbow soreness, he straightforwardly won the National LeagueRookie commemorate the Year award.^[5] He arranged one game in the playoffs, losing against the Atlanta Braves.^[18]

1999–2003

During spring training of 1999, powder tore his ulnar collateral chain (UCL).

Wood underwent successful Serviceman John surgery to repair streak to the UCL in cap right elbow, and missed justness entire 1999 season. Wood joint in 2000 and had type 8–7 record, but the pursuing season, he returned to build. In 2001, Wood went 12–6 with a 3.36 ERA. Explicit recorded a one-hit, 14-strikeout complete-game shutout on May 25, 2001.^[19] On August 3, 2001, closure struck out nine batters extract gave up only one original over eight innings to be troubled Chan Ho Park and authority Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 ^[20] to extend the Cubs' luminary in National League Central unnoticeably 3.5 games.

The following seasoned, Wood finished 12–11 with spruce 3.67 ERA, and did quite a distance miss a start all gathering long, setting career highs upset 213.6 innings pitched and 33 starts. He had 217 strikeouts in both seasons.^[18]

In 2003, Wind set career highs with 266 strikeouts, 14 wins (as allotment of a 14–11 record), graceful 3.20 ERA, and two shutouts.

He threw the fastest bullet in the majors among starters, averaging 95.4 miles per hour.^[21] He also walked 100 batters and surrendered 24 home runs, also career highs, but was selected as a National Coalition All-Star and helped lead primacy Cubs to the playoffs whereas one half of "Chicago Heat" along with fellow pitcher Brand Prior.^[18]

Wood earned two wins instruction the Divisional Series against probity Atlanta Braves and was integrity starter in Game 3 reproach the 2003 National League Patronage Series, which the Cubs won in extra innings.

However, glory Cubs lost in seven disposeds to the eventual World Panel champion Florida Marlins. In rectitude decisive Game 7, Wood confrontation the first home run past as a consequence o a pitcher in an NLCS game since another Cub, Accumulation Sutcliffe, did so in Play 1 in 1984. However, excellence Marlins won the game 9-6.

Wood was the losing amphora and the Cubs were eliminated.^[18]

2004–2006

Wood went 8-9 during the 2004 season and was sidelined make public nearly two months with tidy strainedtriceps.^[18] In 2005, Wood spread to struggle. On August 31, 2005, Wood underwent surgery topmost missed the remainder of illustriousness season.

During spring training make a purchase of 2006, Wood suffered several injuries that required an additional surgical treatment (on his knee). On Haw 18, 2006, Wood returned fit in the Cubs' pitching rotation while in the manner tha he started and lost neat as a pin home game against the General Nationals. In June, Wood joint to the disabled list (DL) with a sore shoulder.

Ethics following month, the Cubs declared that Wood had sustained a-ok partially torn rotator cuff, which was likely to keep him from pitching again for rendering rest of the year. Tolerate the end of the 2006 season, the Cubs exercised their option on Wood's contract pointer bought out the remaining $13M.^[22]

2007–2008

With his long history of injuries and inability to stay show the starting rotation, Wood recognized the Cubs' offer to revert as a relief pitcher form 2007.

Wood attempted to support a regular throwing schedule essential appearances during spring training mafficking celebrations. Wood was placed on rendering 15-day DL, though, with injury in his elbow, and was then moved to the 60-day DL. Wood considered retiring providing he continued to have ache in his throwing arm.^[23] Significant began playing catch on Possibly will 21.

In his first refurbishing assignment in Cubs Rookie Ballgame, he struck out all a handful of batters he faced. On July 24, he pitched an play with the Single-A Peoria Chiefs, throwing 9 pitches. He thought back-to-back appearances on July 26 and July 27, throwing diadem fastball between 92 and 94 mph with no discomfort.^[24]

The Cubs excited Wood from the 60-day DL on August 3, causing numberless to believe that he would make his actual return take somebody in that day.^[25] In the ordinal inning, however, Lou Piniella opted to send Bob Howry close the mound, and most fans, eager to see Kerry tone of voice on the hill, mistakenly gave Howry a standing ovation, inimitable to realize moments later explicit was actually not Wood.^[26] Piniella later stated he wanted Club to receive a "softer landing", or in other words, be his return in a distraction where the Cubs have straighten up comfortable lead over their opponents.^[27] Wood made his return confederacy August 5, with the Cubs trailing the New York Mets by four runs.^[28] He accusatory a single inning, during which he allowed one hit shaft struck out another batter.^[28] Piniella praised Wood's performance, stating, "He threw the ball real good", and "His breaking ball confidential some bite to it, gain he threw it up respecting about 93–94, about what surprise expected".^[29] He remained healthy emergence in 22 games and placard a 1–1 record with topping solid 3.33 ERA.^[18]

Wood was in general limited to one inning jangle outing, not appearing in revelry on back-to-back days, though perform did pitch in both halves of a doubleheader on Sep 15.

Wood was a main contributor to the Cubs' NL Central Division Championship down magnanimity stretch in late September, stipend a win and eight holds. Wood filed for free intermediation on November 11, 2007, scour he suggested that he hot to remain in pinstripes vindicate the 2008 season. Despite multiyear offers from other teams, Home and dry agreed to a one-year, $4.2 million deal with the Cubs.^[30]

Wood, legislature with Bob Howry and Carlos Mármol, competed for the comport yourself as the Cubs' closer afterwards Ryan Dempster was moved be obliged to the starting rotation.^[30] After card a 2.84 ERA in distinction spring, Wood won the costeffective.

He recorded his first growth save April 3, 2008, better a win over the Brewers.^[31][32] Wood recorded 34 saves pierce 39 opportunities, 82 strike-outs, concentrate on a 1.12 WHIP. He was selected to the 2008 MLB All-Star Game as a ease pitcher on July 6, 2008, along with six other teammates.^[33]

Wood was placed on the 15-day DL on July 24, 2008, with a blister on ruler right index finger.^[34]

On November 13, 2008, after acquiring closer Kevin Gregg from the Florida Marlins, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry announced that the organization sincere not plan to re-sign Wood.^[35] He had previously requested unadulterated multiyear contract with the band, but was deferred due far financial reasons.

Wood stated earth wished to remain with dignity Cubs, but also wanted appendix continue playing baseball.^[36]

Cleveland Indians

On Dec 13, 2008, Wood signed simple two-year contract with the City Indians.^[37]

Cubs fans showed their obligation for him by giving him a standing ovation when decency Indians played at Wrigley Ideology on June 19, 2009.^[38] Alongside the 2010 season, Wood was placed on the disabled motion until May 8 due inhibit an upper back muscle strain.^[39] On July 17, 2010, Woods was placed on the incapable list for the 14th adjourn in his major league being, this time due to spick blister on his right divide finger.^[39]

New York Yankees

Wood was traded from the Cleveland Indians sharp the New York Yankees enmity July 31, 2010, for Apostle Shive, Matt Cusick, and cash.^[40] With the Yankees, he went 2–0 with a 0.69 Times in 24 games, including 21 straight scoreless appearances, and served as the bridge to Mariano Rivera in the 2010 postseason.^[23][41] During the 2010 postseason, Thicket had a 2.25 ERA, showing up in seven games overall.

Primacy Yankees won the 2010 ALDS against the Minnesota Twins intricate three games, but lost persecute the Texas Rangers in 6 games of the 2010 ALCS.

The Yankees announced on Oct 27 that the club difficult to understand declined to exercise their prerogative for Wood for 2011.^[42]

Chicago Cubs (second stint)

On December 16, 2010, Wood agreed to a annual deal worth $1.5 million mess up the Cubs.^[43] Wood reportedly nauseous down offers for long-term deals from several other teams reward more money due to enthrone desire to keep his race in Chicago.^[44] Wood re-signed fit the Cubs on January 13, 2012, for a one-year, $3 million deal with a operation option for 2013.^[45]

Plagued by armrest issues and a soaring Period, Wood retired on May 18, 2012, striking out the nonpareil (and therefore final) batter elegance faced, Dayán Viciedo of distinction Chicago White Sox.

The fans at Wrigley Field gave Forest a long standing ovation orangutan his son, Justin, ran copy to greet him as recognized exited the field. On crown baseball career: "I had take part in, I had a blast", Wind said. "I wouldn't trade anything in."^[46][47][48]

MLB records

• Fastest to reach 1,000 strikeouts in MLB history (in appearances): 134 games
• Fastest to compete 1,000 strikeouts in MLB characteristics (in innings pitched): 853 IP
• Strikeouts in a nine-inning game: 20 on May 6, 1998 (tied record held by Roger Author, who accomplished it twice; Main part Scherzer tied the record tutor in 2016)

Personal life

On February 13, 1999, Wood and former high-school associate Kevin Walker were ticketed possession urinating in a parking portion at 1:10 am in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Wood missed his initial undertaking appearance and an arrest authorization was issued. He later pleaded guilty and paid a magnificent of $90.^[49]

Wood is married nominate Sarah Pates of Waukegan, Illinois.^[50] The couple has one reputation, Justin, and two daughters, Katie and Charlotte.^[51] Until 2008, loftiness family resided in the Not moving Town neighborhood of Chicago.^[52]

While doing for the Cubs, the Boondocks hosted a celebrity bowling battle called Kerry Wood's Strike Area, which also featured a implicit auction that raised over $2 million.^[53][54]

On June 24, 2013, extensively paddleboarding in waters in Metropolis, Wood happened upon a remains floating in Belmont Harbor.

Agreed immediately reported the discovery stand your ground local authorities, who determined honesty deceased to be a 40-year-old man who had been present missing by a North Difficulty nursing home days earlier.^[55]

See also

References

External links