Only three men can say they have struck out 20 batters in one game, and one of them is the closer for the Chicago Cubs. The road to the big leagues was easy enough for Kerry Wood, it was staying on the mound that has been his issue.
How did this star in the making become a player no one would touch?
Kerry Wood began his major league career as a can't miss prospect. In his first season he had the infamous 20 strikeout game, everyone wanted a piece of him. His rookie season went well enough, he pitched his way to a 13-6 record and easily won the Rookie of the Year award. However, he missed the last month of the season with elbow soreness, to say this was a foreshadow of what was to come is an understatement.
Kerry missed the entire '99 season because of Tommy John surgery, his star was getting dimmer. He struggled over the next few seasons, but every now and again would show flashes of the star he could become. In 2003, Wood seemed to put it all together, he finished the season 14-11 will a career high 266 strikeouts. The Cubs almost made it to the World Series and Wood played a huge role in their success.
2004 began with the same struggles that plagued Kerry in the past as an injured elbow once again sidelined the flame thrower. 2005 was the same story, season ending surgery.
Kerry went to the bullpen when he came back in '07, the fans didn't expect much from him. However, when it came time to sign a new contract Kerry stated that he owed the Cubs and their fans for all the time he has missed due to injury.
A stand up guy, he literally became a multi-millionaire while on the DL, but he realized he needed to prove to everyone that he could still pitch. The Chicago fans for some reason stayed devoted to this guy, people were disappointed but not upset. It's almost as if he was a family member that you couldn't stay mad at, but you wanted him to succeed so badly.
And succeed he has, becoming the closer in 2008 has brought new life to the career of this one time can't miss star in the making. Kerry has gone from All-Star to injury plagued bust and then back to All-Star.
As the closer in 2008, Kerry Wood has 22 saves and a 2.91 ERA. Wood has looked downright unhittable when he takes the mound in the 9th inning. His velocity is back, his delivery looks more stable, and he has become a dominating major league closer.
The story of Kerry Wood's career is a story of perseverance and determination. He has bounced back from injury time and time again and has proven to the loyal fans that have come to see him, and believe in him year after year, that the kid can still play. Kid K is probably not a suitable nickname anymore, it seems like forever ago when the baby faced Texan threw that one hitter.
However the rest of the story plays out, it seems Kerry Wood will always have a place in the hearts' of Cubs fans.
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3 months ago
Wood's line in game 7 of the 2003 NLCS: 5 2/3 IP, 7 ER, 4 BB and a loss.
from 3 months ago
I don't know if your a Cub fan T, but all the ones I knew had pretty much thrown in the towel after game 6. There was a ton of pressure on Wood going into that game, but that the same time, the fans weren't expecting much. The fact that he hit a 3 run homer was good enough for me. I didn't think we'd win that game after the collapse, and I won't ever blame Wood for us not reaching the World Series that year.
3 months ago
Good job. I have always been a fan of Wood. Damn shame he had surgery, he was going to be one of the greats. Happy to see him reinvent himself as a closer. One clarification, however. Didn't both Randy Johnson and Roger Clemens strike out at least 20 in a game too?
3 months ago
Dan, all during 2003 all we heard was how Wood and Prior NEVER lost back to back all year. That was the reason the Cubs were "safe" coming home only having to win 1 of 2. Well when it really counted, they both gagged. You should blame Wood. It was Game 7, time to shine. He was at home with all the fans rooting for him. He was facing the freaking Marlins. If Wood was the Legend he has been made out to be, or this article makes him out to be, in the biggest of big game, he would have come out and put the ghosts to rest. But he didn't. He gave up 7 runs. Seven. He lost the Pennant for the Cubs, and probably cost them the World Series since the Yankees were clearly vulnerable that year. This is his legacy. As many times as they reply the 20 K game on WGN they should reply Game 7 vs. Florida - so much bigger.
from 3 months ago
Dude, don't tell me who I should blame. The guy hit a 3 run homer in that game. Its not like anybody else showed up. The series was lost in game 6, hands down. There are few teams that could come back from such a debilitating loss. The Cubs certainly weren't one of them. There were so many others who could be blamed for losing that series - Alex Gonzalez, Prior, Farnsworth, Dusty Baker - that Kerry Wood's performance is completely forgiven, at least in my eyes. And I've never been his biggest fan or anything. Just telling it like I feel it.
3 months ago
to clarify, Randy Johnson has struck out 19 multiple times, Clemens struck out 20 twice. The point of the article was to show that Wood has come back from his past failures to be an all-star again. Im not saying he is a legend by any means. If you read the article you can see he had so many struggles, I even say that he was not the phenom (savior) that people wanted. It doesnt even mention game seven, thats just another struggle and hardship. thanks
3 months ago
wait i have been corrected, Johnson did do it, my fault
3 months ago
it is not seen as an official record because the game went extra innings, the Johnson 20 strike outs is what I am refering to
3 months ago
Bryan, great article and I couldn't agree more. I am one of the biggest Kerry Wood fans, and my dad is probably his number one fan alive. Kerry Wood can do no wrong in his eyes and he has cemented a place as one of his all time favorite players. Wood is the picture of all things Cubs and the success he is having now not only makes him happy but all of Cubdom as well
3 months ago
Dan, or "Dude" as you addressed me: The fact is, Kerry Wood had one chance to be the hero, to pitch the Cubs into the World Series for the first time in 58 years. He had a great year, and he had a chance to pick up his teammates the day after a devastating (but not final-game) loss. So, the opportunity was there. Yes, he hit a 3 run homer, but the man's job description is Pitcher, and when you are a Pitcher and you give up 7 runs (all earned, nobody else's fault, unlike Prior the night before when his defense and a certain fan let him down) - you have fulfilled the definition of gagging. Had he won that game there would already be a statue of him outside Wrigley. But intstead he didn't, he lost. I am not telling you WHO to blame, I am simply recounting who WAS to blame: Kerry Wood. As painful as Game 6 was, Wood had the chance to erase that game from everyone's memory and he failed. This is fact. Your forgiveness is irrelevant and, in this fan's view, not warranted.
3 months ago
He has been a stud ever since the beginning, but yes he's had his ups and downs! Nice work.
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