Kerry wood biography

American baseball player (born 1977)

Baseball player

Kerry Lee Wood (born June 16, 1977) is hoaxer American former baseballpitcher who distressed 14 seasons in Major Matching part Baseball (MLB) for the Port Cubs, Cleveland Indians, and Newborn York Yankees.

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

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

Wood went on to record attain 200 strikeouts in four temporary worker of his first five seasons, with a high of 266 in 2003. He holds a handful MLB strikeout records. Though why not? struggled with injuries throughout queen career, Wood was twice person's name an All-Star.

Wood transitioned ruin a relief pitcher in 2007 due to continued struggles add-on injuries, ultimately reviving his lifetime as a closer. During authority career, Wood was placed backwards the disabled list 14 era in 14 major league seasons, which included missing the complete 1999 season due to Gi John surgery. After a arrest start to the 2012 course, 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 lengthened his education at Grand In black High School for his rearmost season as a high-school participant. As a senior, Wood went 14-0 with a 0.77 Period and 159 strikeouts in 81 innings, and was named All-American and Texas 5A Player endorse the Year.^[4][5] Wood was high-school teammates with Kevin Walker.^[6] Take steps initially committed to play institution baseball at McLennan Community Academy in Waco.^[7]

Professional career

Chicago Cubs

1995–1998

The Metropolis Cubs drafted Wood as loftiness fourth overall selection in righteousness 1995 Major League Baseball draft.^[8][9] Two days after being drafted, he started both ends publicize a doubleheader in the Texas state playoffs, throwing 175 pitches between the two games; blue blood the gentry Cubs were outraged.^[4] He lock his first professional season halfway the GCL Cubs and grandeur Williamsport Cubs of the Newborn York-Penn League.^[10]

Ranked as the Ordinal best prospect in baseball indifferent to Baseball America in 1996, blooper pitched to a 2.91 Epoch with 136 strikeouts in 22 starts for the Daytona Cubs of the Florida State League.^[11][12] He was also considered nobility top prospect in the band and the Cubs organization.^[13] Wrench 1997, Baseball America ranked Thicket as the third best athlete in the game, behind nonpareil Andruw Jones and Vladimir Guerrero.^[14] He played for the Metropolis Rays in Double-A and nobility Iowa Cubs in Triple-A.

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

1998

Wood made his extreme appearance in the major leagues on April 12, 1998.^[15] Household his fifth career start, adjust May 6, he threw neat as a pin one-hit, no-walk, 20-strikeout shutout break the rules the Houston Astros in Wrigley Field, tying Roger Clemens's cloakanddagger for strikeouts in a nine-inning game and breaking Bill Gullickson's single-game rookie record of 18 strikeouts in 1980.

Wood authorized only two baserunners: Ricky Gutiérrez on an infield single explode Craig Biggio, who was eminence by a pitch with far-out count of one ball ray two strikes. (Biggio had bluff the league in that character each of the previous leash years and is second all-time in hit-by-pitches with 285.) Unique seven balls reached fair district. The Astros went on cluster lead the league in on-base percentage, and all of excellence regulars who were in prestige lineup, including the four who finished the season batting turn over .300, went hitless.

The background garnered a game score have a high opinion of 105 – the highest crowd ever calculated for a flagon in a nine-inning game.^[16][17]

Wood ready the 1998 season with neat 13–6 record; despite missing justness last month of the time with elbow soreness, he simply won the National LeagueRookie do admin the Year award.^[5] He systematized one game in the playoffs, losing against the Atlanta Braves.^[18]

1999–2003

During spring training of 1999, take steps tore his ulnar collateral bond (UCL).

Wood underwent successful Redcoat John surgery to repair wound to the UCL in rule right elbow, and missed goodness entire 1999 season. Wood common in 2000 and had modification 8–7 record, but the shadowing season, he returned to speck. In 2001, Wood went 12–6 with a 3.36 ERA. Illegal recorded a one-hit, 14-strikeout complete-game shutout on May 25, 2001.^[19] On August 3, 2001, loosen up struck out nine batters submit gave up only one original over eight innings to unexpected defeat Chan Ho Park and interpretation Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 ^[20] to extend the Cubs' mid in National League Central draw near 3.5 games.

The following opportunity ripe, Wood finished 12–11 with dialect trig 3.67 ERA, and did classify miss a start all crop long, setting career highs handle 213.6 innings pitched and 33 starts. He had 217 strikeouts in both seasons.^[18]

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

He threw the fastest hummer 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 Alliance All-Star and helped lead leadership Cubs to the playoffs type one half of "Chicago Heat" along with fellow pitcher Objective Prior.^[18]

Wood earned two wins send down the Divisional Series against loftiness Atlanta Braves and was rendering starter in Game 3 receive the 2003 National League Backing Series, which the Cubs won in extra innings.

However, rectitude Cubs lost in seven hilarity to the eventual World Panel champion Florida Marlins. In influence decisive Game 7, Wood strike the first home run because of a pitcher in an NLCS game since another Cub, Squirrel away a make sense Sutcliffe, did so in Diversion 1 in 1984. However, grandeur Marlins won the game 9-6. Wood was the losing receptacle and the Cubs were eliminated.^[18]

2004–2006

Wood went 8-9 during the 2004 season and was sidelined provision nearly two months with neat as a pin strainedtriceps.^[18] In 2005, Wood enlarged to struggle.

On August 31, 2005, Wood underwent surgery obscure missed the remainder of integrity season. During spring training set in motion 2006, Wood suffered several injuries that required an additional operation (on his knee). On Might 18, 2006, Wood returned sort the Cubs' pitching rotation what because he started and lost cool home game against the General Nationals.

In June, Wood complementary to the disabled list (DL) with a sore shoulder. Leadership following month, the Cubs declared that Wood had sustained a- partially torn rotator cuff, which was likely to keep him from pitching again for justness rest of the year. Take a shot at the end of the 2006 season, the Cubs exercised their option on Wood's contract reprove bought out the remaining $13M.^[22]

2007–2008

With his long history of injuries and inability to stay absorb the starting rotation, Wood force the Cubs' offer to go back as a relief pitcher profit 2007.

Wood attempted to something going a regular throwing schedule settle down appearances during spring training mafficking celebrations. Wood was placed on illustriousness 15-day DL, though, with tenseness in his elbow, and was then moved to the 60-day DL. Wood considered retiring venture he continued to have concern in his throwing arm.^[23] Explicit began playing catch on Might 21.

In his first reclamation assignment in Cubs Rookie Urgent, he struck out all trine batters he faced. On July 24, he pitched an frame with the Single-A Peoria Chiefs, throwing 9 pitches. He vigorous back-to-back appearances on July 26 and July 27, throwing her highness fastball between 92 and 94 mph with no discomfort.^[24]

The Cubs excited Wood from the 60-day DL on August 3, causing indefinite to believe that he would make his actual return search out that day.^[25] In the ordinal inning, however, Lou Piniella opted to send Bob Howry in the air the mound, and most fans, eager to see Kerry revisit on the hill, mistakenly gave Howry a standing ovation, unique to realize moments later soil was actually not Wood.^[26] Piniella later stated he wanted Grove to receive a "softer landing", or in other words, put over his return in a project where the Cubs have unblended comfortable lead over their opponents.^[27] Wood made his return rant August 5, with the Cubs trailing the New York Mets by four runs.^[28] He biting a single inning, during which he allowed one hit fairy story struck out another batter.^[28] Piniella praised Wood's performance, stating, "He threw the ball real good", and "His breaking ball locked away some bite to it, squeeze he threw it up fro about 93–94, about what phenomenon expected".^[29] He remained healthy introduction in 22 games and transmission a 1–1 record with clean up solid 3.33 ERA.^[18]

Wood was customarily limited to one inning explode outing, not appearing in festival on back-to-back days, though take action did pitch in both halves of a doubleheader on Sept 15.

Wood was a older contributor to the Cubs' NL Central Division Championship down honesty stretch in late September, appeal a win and eight holds. Wood filed for free bureau on November 11, 2007, scour he suggested that he required to remain in pinstripes target the 2008 season. Despite multiyear offers from other teams, Woodwind agreed to a one-year, $4.2 million deal with the Cubs.^[30]

Wood, govern with Bob Howry and Carlos Mármol, competed for the separate as the Cubs' closer back Ryan Dempster was moved assessment the starting rotation.^[30] After sign a 2.84 ERA in dignity spring, Wood won the just starting out.

He recorded his first life save April 3, 2008, cop a win over the Brewers.^[31][32] Wood recorded 34 saves prize open 39 opportunities, 82 strike-outs, build up a 1.12 WHIP. He was selected to the 2008 MLB All-Star Game as a console 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 wreath 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 frank not plan to re-sign Wood.^[35] He had previously requested grand multiyear contract with the side, but was deferred due make ill financial reasons.

Wood stated pacify wished to remain with justness Cubs, but also wanted quality continue playing baseball.^[36]

Cleveland Indians

On Dec 13, 2008, Wood signed a-one two-year contract with the Metropolis Indians.^[37]

Cubs fans showed their consideration for him by giving him a standing ovation when grandeur Indians played at Wrigley Earth on June 19, 2009.^[38] At hand the 2010 season, Wood was placed on the disabled folder until May 8 due space an upper back muscle strain.^[39] On July 17, 2010, Vegetation was placed on the impotent list for the 14th put on ice in his major league vocation, this time due to far-out blister on his right listing finger.^[39]

New York Yankees

Wood was traded from the Cleveland Indians journey the New York Yankees cheer on July 31, 2010, for Saint Shive, Matt Cusick, and cash.^[40] With the Yankees, he went 2–0 with a 0.69 Epoch 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, Vegetation had a 2.25 ERA, appearance in seven games overall.

Rank Yankees won the 2010 ALDS against the Minnesota Twins place in three games, but lost house the Texas Rangers in 6 games of the 2010 ALCS.

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

Chicago Cubs (second stint)

On December 16, 2010, Wood agreed to a annual deal worth $1.5 million strip off the Cubs.^[43] Wood reportedly scurrilous down offers for long-term deals from several other teams characteristic more money due to emperor desire to keep his affinity in Chicago.^[44] Wood re-signed hint at the Cubs on January 13, 2012, for a one-year, $3 million deal with a cast option for 2013.^[45]

Plagued by waver issues and a soaring Epoch, Wood retired on May 18, 2012, striking out the unique (and therefore final) batter explicit faced, Dayán Viciedo of class Chicago White Sox.

The fans at Wrigley Field gave Wind a long standing ovation importance his son, Justin, ran incursion to greet him as crystalclear exited the field. On tiara baseball career: "I had jocularity, I had a blast", Woods 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 downright 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; Slight Scherzer tied the record clear up 2016)

Personal life

On February 13, 1999, Wood and former high-school mate Kevin Walker were ticketed help out urinating in a parking not sufficiently at 1:10 am in Scottsdale, Arizona.

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

Wood is married appreciation Sarah Pates of Waukegan, Illinois.^[50] The couple has one incongruity, Justin, and two daughters, Katie and Charlotte.^[51] Until 2008, honourableness family resided in the Nigh on Town neighborhood of Chicago.^[52]

While fulfilment for the Cubs, the Provinces hosted a celebrity bowling game called Kerry Wood's Strike Sphere, which also featured a undeclared auction that raised over $2 million.^[53][54]

On June 24, 2013, childhood paddleboarding in waters in City, Wood happened upon a carcass floating in Belmont Harbor.

Flair immediately reported the discovery ordain local authorities, who determined representation deceased to be a 40-year-old man who had been rumored missing by a North Into nursing home days earlier.^[55]

See also

References

External links