Wood's velocity / Wood to be examined by doctor / ->DL

[YearofDaCubs]

I don't think Wood is washed up as a starter yet but I do think he should be in the bullpen the rest of this year. I think coming off surgery his shoulder just can't take starting every 5th (or 6th ot 7th) day. I know he doesn't want to because he's in his walk year but in the long run he'd be better off to do it, get healthy and sign a low base, high incentive one year deal with a team for next year. (Hopefully the Cubs) Then pitch his way to a big contract next year.

 

If he needs 5 or 6 days to come back from 80-90 pitch outings, don't you think he'll need a lot of time coming back from 20-30 pitch outings in the pen? I don't think a move to the pen is going to help a guy who needs long recovery times.

No, I think it's much easier to recover from a 20-30 pitch effort than an 80-90 pitch effort. Remember they moved him to the bullpen last year because the 50-60 pitch mark was what they said was the problem. I just think it's better to build up his strength slowly out of the bullpen. Plus I think it's better for him in the long run.

 

They moved him there, but that doesn't mean it was the right thing to do. And last year wasn't the same as the current, post-surgery problems. They thought he couldn't physically handle the 90 pitch outings last year, this year he can't recover between outings. Big difference.

It just goes to show you the idiots we have running this organization. Wood should have never been moved to the bullpen and have stayed there for so long. It was a terrible idea.

[Proven Veteran]

I don't think Wood is washed up as a starter yet but I do think he should be in the bullpen the rest of this year. I think coming off surgery his shoulder just can't take starting every 5th (or 6th ot 7th) day. I know he doesn't want to because he's in his walk year but in the long run he'd be better off to do it, get healthy and sign a low base, high incentive one year deal with a team for next year. (Hopefully the Cubs) Then pitch his way to a big contract next year.

 

If he needs 5 or 6 days to come back from 80-90 pitch outings, don't you think he'll need a lot of time coming back from 20-30 pitch outings in the pen? I don't think a move to the pen is going to help a guy who needs long recovery times.

No, I think it's much easier to recover from a 20-30 pitch effort than an 80-90 pitch effort. Remember they moved him to the bullpen last year because the 50-60 pitch mark was what they said was the problem. I just think it's better to build up his strength slowly out of the bullpen. Plus I think it's better for him in the long run.

 

They moved him there, but that doesn't mean it was the right thing to do. And last year wasn't the same as the current, post-surgery problems. They thought he couldn't physically handle the 90 pitch outings last year, this year he can't recover between outings. Big difference.

It just goes to show you the idiots we have running this organization. Wood should have never been moved to the bullpen and have stayed there for so long. It was a terrible idea.

 

He should have had the surgery immediately. He should have been done with recovery by now, if he had it done when they found the problem.

[YearofDaCubs]

Looks like I was a bit late coming to post this one...from Buster Olney:

 

Kerry Wood struggled, and don't be surprised if he gets his shoulder checked out again. Mark Prior's next two rehab starts are set.

 

IMO struggle and has pain are two different things. I have no problem with Kerry getting checked out and the Cubs taking their time brining him back. Now, if Wood can't top 93 at any time he may have some issues but I didn't think he was all that bad last night except for the velocity.

He was terrible last night and it wasn't just velocity.

[stitchface]

:(

 

I think we've seen the end of the great Kerry Wood. Maybe he pitches a little more and maybe he doesn't. But the monster who struck out 20 in '98 and blew the Braves away in '03? Lost & gone forever.

 

see Carpenter, Chris

[Sammy Sofa]

See all the other guys who had the same or very similar surgery. The numbers are very much not in Wood's favor, even with the advances in medical what not's in recent years.

[stitchface]

See all the other guys who had the same or very similar surgery. The numbers are very much not in Wood's favor, even with the advances in medical what not's in recent years.

 

 

yea, I agree. But its not impossible.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Request for Photoshop expert to get a picture of Wood on the mound with a huge fork sticking out of his back.

[dalgreen]

I have to disagree with those who think that Wood may somehow be resurrected once out of the Cubs' system. Wood has been hurt way too much since his '99 surgery, and that surgery was for his elbow not his shoulder. Matt Morris had the TJ surgery right around the same time as Wood and he hasn't come close to being the pitcher he used to be, either. Back to Wood, shoulders are worse injuries than elbows anyway. Maybe he can become a spokesman to youngsters to make sure they have good mechanics.

[Outshined_One]

He should have had the surgery immediately. He should have been done with recovery by now, if he had it done when they found the problem.

 

The entire coaching staff and front office should have been fired on the spot when they pitched Wood the day before he was scheduled to undergo surgery while the Cubs were firmly out of the playoff hunt. There was no reason for him to even be available on that day! None whatsoever!!!

[Scott G. F.]

Hope he's alright.

 

I'm thinking turn the page on the KW era.

[Banedon]

Perhaps those "Kerry Wood as a closer" threads were right...

[mbennum]

Perhaps those "Kerry Wood as a closer" threads were right...

 

Well on this team, he'd certainly have time to recover between pitching appearances...

[gflore34]

Quite probably to the DL again perhaps, for the last time as a Cub, as some have echoed, I believe Kerry Wood is done. Not just as a Cub but, with Baseball.

[CubinNY]

Quite probably to the DL again perhaps, for the last time as a Cub, as some have echoed, I believe Kerry Wood is done. Not just as a Cub but, with Baseball.

 

I wonder if he will be selling cars?

[minnesotacubsfan]

this thread makes me sick to my stomach

[Elrhino]

I think he probably goes back home to Arlington to play for the Rangers next year, but yeah ... he's probably done for. Its sad. He'll be an interesting bit of trivia for future generations when people talk about "the greatest game ever pitched".

[Soul]

For me it's hard to let go. Too much wasted potential. It's hard to accept.

 

But there are certain patterns in life. One of those is, when the body starts to break down, there's very little chance that it will suddenly come back to where it was.

[Vinestal]

I think he probably goes back home to Arlington to play for the Rangers next year, but yeah ... he's probably done for. Its sad. He'll be an interesting bit of trivia for future generations when people talk about "the greatest game ever pitched".

 

I'll give you my opinion on Kerry Wood. I think he was one of the greatest pitchers stuff wise I have ever seen, for 1 year at least. What made Kerry Wood's stuff so good was his bad mechanics. The way he threw the ball is what made him so good but what also distroyed him phisicaly. The 1998 Kerry Wood was not built to last. He'll never likely be that pitcher again not with the way he has had to alter his mechanics. He may be mediocre but he will never dominate like he once did.

 

Just my 2 cents. I love Kerry for the memories that I have of his early days and thats how I will remember him when he is gone from the game, as that kid that struck out 20 one foggy day in Chicago. The one that made the Houston Astros look like little leaguers for 9 innings. Kerry was awesome once and thats how I'll remember him.

[Banedon]

For me it's hard to let go. Too much wasted potential. It's hard to accept.

 

But there are certain patterns in life. One of those is, when the body starts to break down, there's very little chance that it will suddenly come back to where it was.

 

I'm with you completely. I really wanted to see the old Kerry come back. He was a huge part of what really got me to my full Cubs obsession level that I'm at today.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

For me it's hard to let go. Too much wasted potential. It's hard to accept.

 

But there are certain patterns in life. One of those is, when the body starts to break down, there's very little chance that it will suddenly come back to where it was.

 

I'm with you completely. I really wanted to see the old Kerry come back. He was a huge part of what really got me to my full Cubs obsession level that I'm at today.

 

Kingman and Buckner sucked me in. Sandberg put the final nail in the coffin. Them sons a...

[Big Fergie J]

I think he probably goes back home to Arlington to play for the Rangers next year, but yeah ... he's probably done for. Its sad. He'll be an interesting bit of trivia for future generations when people talk about "the greatest game ever pitched".

 

I'll give you my opinion on Kerry Wood. I think he was one of the greatest pitchers stuff wise I have ever seen, for 1 year at least. What made Kerry Wood's stuff so good was his bad mechanics. The way he threw the ball is what made him so good but what also distroyed him phisicaly. The 1998 Kerry Wood was not built to last. He'll never likely be that pitcher again not with the way he has had to alter his mechanics. He may be mediocre but he will never dominate like he once did.

 

Just my 2 cents. I love Kerry for the memories that I have of his early days and thats how I will remember him when he is gone from the game, as that kid that struck out 20 one foggy day in Chicago. The one that made the Houston Astros look like little leaguers for 9 innings. Kerry was awesome once and thats how I'll remember him.

 

Well written, well said. I agree with you.

 

He is my favorite Cub. I have 2 Wood CUBS jerseys, a "We Got Wood" T-shirt and I was lucky enough to have met him at spring training a couple of years ago in Scottsdale. I think he is a class act, a real "gamer" and a leader in the clubhouse.

 

I truly feel for the guy.

[Banedon]

For me it's hard to let go. Too much wasted potential. It's hard to accept.

 

But there are certain patterns in life. One of those is, when the body starts to break down, there's very little chance that it will suddenly come back to where it was.

 

I'm with you completely. I really wanted to see the old Kerry come back. He was a huge part of what really got me to my full Cubs obsession level that I'm at today.

 

Kingman and Buckner sucked me in. Sandberg put the final nail in the coffin. Them sons a...

 

Oh I've been a Cubs fan since I was old enought to understand baseball in the early 80's. But I was still a pretty casual fan up until the 97-98 area. The combination of Kerry, Sammy, and the wild card run meant I had no escape.

[MustangMike]

For me it's hard to let go. Too much wasted potential. It's hard to accept.

 

But there are certain patterns in life. One of those is, when the body starts to break down, there's very little chance that it will suddenly come back to where it was.

 

I'm with you completely. I really wanted to see the old Kerry come back. He was a huge part of what really got me to my full Cubs obsession level that I'm at today.

 

Kingman and Buckner sucked me in. Sandberg put the final nail in the coffin. Them sons a...

 

Ever since I watched Sandberg play at my first game at Wrigley, I've been hooked. I love Kerry Wood, and I feel horrible for him....but its time to take that 13 million or whatever and spend it on someone who has a better health track record. Thank God for Z and Marshall...and maybe Prior and Marmol.

[Soul]

For me it's hard to let go. Too much wasted potential. It's hard to accept.

 

But there are certain patterns in life. One of those is, when the body starts to break down, there's very little chance that it will suddenly come back to where it was.

 

I'm with you completely. I really wanted to see the old Kerry come back. He was a huge part of what really got me to my full Cubs obsession level that I'm at today.

 

Kingman and Buckner sucked me in. Sandberg put the final nail in the coffin. Them sons a...

 

Oh I've been a Cubs fan since I was old enought to understand baseball in the early 80's. But I was still a pretty casual fan up until the 97-98 area. The combination of Kerry, Sammy, and the wild card run meant I had no escape.

 

The '84 season is what did it for me. I was a kid, and my Grandma took me to the double-header against the Mets. Fights broke out, the whole stadium was yelling "bull-sh**!!" and somewhere along the line, we took over first place and won the division. I was hooked.

 

I will admit though, that '98 season, with the Kerry Wood masterpiece and the Sammy homerun circus, kicked it up a notch for me too.

 

Now to see the end of Kerry.......it's really tough. But, it happens. This club must find a way to turn the page on players and move on while still maintaining success. The good teams do that.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Wait a minute, I just realized everyone's talking about Kerry like he died. From what I've heard on the radio, he's not likely to go on the DL and missing his next start is only a "possibility". It's been a few hours, have I missed something?