Kerry Wood is awesome.

[DiamondMind]

Here's to an amazing 2007 season for Kid K. As Buster Olney explained in a column today, things certainly have not gone according to plan for Wood - but his commitment to the Cubs, and the city of Chicago is unbreakable. Wood showed the fans something - loyalty. He could have made more elsewhere, and in a better role promised to him than a middle reliever. I don't need to see the 20 strike out days return - an effective, happy, entertaining #34 is all I need. And isn't that what we ALL need for 2007? Something to be proud of and to be happy about?

 

Good luck in 2007 Kerry, glad to have ya' back.

[goonys evil twin]

Here's to an amazing 2007 season for Kid K. As Buster Olney explained in a column today, things certainly have not gone according to plan for Wood - but his commitment to the Cubs, and the city of Chicago is unbreakable. Wood showed the fans something - loyalty. He could have made more elsewhere, and in a better role promised to him than a middle reliever. I don't need to see the 20 strike out days return - an effective, happy, entertaining #34 is all I need. And isn't that what we ALL need for 2007? Something to be proud of and to be happy about?

 

Good luck in 2007 Kerry, glad to have ya' back.

 

I agree with the sentiment, but what other role was he going to get elsewhere. I thought that medically, Wood had made the decision to be a reliever.

[Southpaw191679666239]

I agree with the sentiment, but what other role was he going to get elsewhere. I thought that medically, Wood had made the decision to be a reliever.

 

From what I've read, other teams were ready to keep him in their 'pen for 2007 with an option year and "promise" for 2008 to be in a rotation.

[goonys evil twin]

I agree with the sentiment, but what other role was he going to get elsewhere. I thought that medically, Wood had made the decision to be a reliever.

 

From what I've read, other teams were ready to keep him in their 'pen for 2007 with an option year and "promise" for 2008 to be in a rotation.

 

He wouldn't be giving up any better role though, because he can still get back into a rotation in 2008 if he wants. It's not the Cubs contract forces him to the bullpen the rest of his life. His health status will determine that, regardless of the contract.

[DiamondMind]

Here's to an amazing 2007 season for Kid K. As Buster Olney explained in a column today, things certainly have not gone according to plan for Wood - but his commitment to the Cubs, and the city of Chicago is unbreakable. Wood showed the fans something - loyalty. He could have made more elsewhere, and in a better role promised to him than a middle reliever. I don't need to see the 20 strike out days return - an effective, happy, entertaining #34 is all I need. And isn't that what we ALL need for 2007? Something to be proud of and to be happy about?

 

Good luck in 2007 Kerry, glad to have ya' back.

 

I agree with the sentiment, but what other role was he going to get elsewhere. I thought that medically, Wood had made the decision to be a reliever.

 

I really think he could have gotten up to 5-7MM from other teams, with a chance to enter ST as a starter, or a guaranteed chance at closing. The market for pitchers is ridiculous. And besides any of that, it's obvious that Wood specifically prefers the city of Chicago and its' fans.

[Yeti]

Here's to an amazing 2007 season for Kid K. As Buster Olney explained in a column today, things certainly have not gone according to plan for Wood - but his commitment to the Cubs, and the city of Chicago is unbreakable. Wood showed the fans something - loyalty. He could have made more elsewhere, and in a better role promised to him than a middle reliever. I don't need to see the 20 strike out days return - an effective, happy, entertaining #34 is all I need. And isn't that what we ALL need for 2007? Something to be proud of and to be happy about?

 

Good luck in 2007 Kerry, glad to have ya' back.

 

I agree with the sentiment, but what other role was he going to get elsewhere. I thought that medically, Wood had made the decision to be a reliever.

 

I really think he could have gotten up to 5-7MM from other teams, with a chance to enter ST as a starter, or a guaranteed chance at closing. The market for pitchers is ridiculous. And besides any of that, it's obvious that Wood specifically prefers the city of Chicago and its' fans.

i really think you're wrong on the bolded portion

[goonys evil twin]

Here's to an amazing 2007 season for Kid K. As Buster Olney explained in a column today, things certainly have not gone according to plan for Wood - but his commitment to the Cubs, and the city of Chicago is unbreakable. Wood showed the fans something - loyalty. He could have made more elsewhere, and in a better role promised to him than a middle reliever. I don't need to see the 20 strike out days return - an effective, happy, entertaining #34 is all I need. And isn't that what we ALL need for 2007? Something to be proud of and to be happy about?

 

Good luck in 2007 Kerry, glad to have ya' back.

 

I agree with the sentiment, but what other role was he going to get elsewhere. I thought that medically, Wood had made the decision to be a reliever.

 

I really think he could have gotten up to 5-7MM from other teams, with a chance to enter ST as a starter, or a guaranteed chance at closing. The market for pitchers is ridiculous. And besides any of that, it's obvious that Wood specifically prefers the city of Chicago and its' fans.

 

A starter? He's already said medically, he's going to have to be a reliever if he's anything this year. Nobody was going to sign him and hand him the closer's job.

[BigbadB]

I'm glad Kerry is back and I appreciate that he's willing to take a huge discount to stay.

 

However, I do have my concerns about Kerry in a reliever role. He's always had control issues, which is not something that you want to see a reliever have.

 

More than anything, I'm hoping in time he can put it all back together and be a starter again. By keeping him in a Cub uniform, the likelihood is more favorable, IMO, that if that were to happen, it would happen as a Cub.

[Big Fergie J]

I'm totally bias here b/c Kerry Wood is my favourite Cub player.....I'm glad he is back.....i'm glad he signed an incentive-ladened contract and i totally hope he has a great comeback year.

 

Do I wish he was still a starter ? Yes.

Do I wish he had stayed healthy ? Of course.

 

I'm just happy to see Kerry in a Cubs uniform.

 

I'm probably dellusional but heres to a good/great comeback.

[mhuber92211]

Now is the time to buy that Kerry Wood Jersey. All the Wrigleyville area souviner shops had them 50% off

[Yeti]

Now is the time to buy that Kerry Wood Jersey. All the Wrigleyville area souviner shops had them 50% off

meh, i'll pass, that would be almost as big a waste of money as...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...Kerry Wood? :-k

[snoodmonger]

honestly, I'm more impressed with rammy's commitment and loyalty than wood's. and that's not meant to disparage wood. his decision to stay with the cubs and forgo a better deal was honorable and refreshing to see.

 

But Rammy could have done worlds better, and he didn't even have the underlying guilt of kerry's regular DL stints. But he didn't even test the market, not even just to drive up the Cubs offer.

 

kudos to both guys, though.

[Neuby]

Ramirez impressed me a lot with his new deal. Wood did do I think a lot of your are forgetting there is gonna be a ton of money thrown around by a lot of Major League teams. Gil Meche is gonna get close to 9 million this offseason. Wood would have gotten close to 5 million from someone like Texas who would bank on his health and him signing a long term deal if he's healthy.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I'm totally bias here b/c Kerry Wood is my favourite Cub player.....I'm glad he is back.....i'm glad he signed an incentive-ladened contract and i totally hope he has a great comeback year.

 

Do I wish he was still a starter ? Yes.

Do I wish he had stayed healthy ? Of course.

 

I'm just happy to see Kerry in a Cubs uniform.

 

I'm probably dellusional but heres to a good/great comeback.

 

My sentiments exactly...

[Magnetic Curses]

could we rename this thread the "Kerry Wood Appreciation Thread"?

 

thanks for coming back Kerry, i'm looking forward to you being a reliever that no hitter wants to see next season.

[FergieJ31]

could we rename this thread the "Kerry Wood Appreciation Thread"?

 

thanks for coming back Kerry, i'm looking forward to you being a reliever that no hitter wants to see next season.

 

Amen.

 

So when (not if) Kerry becomes the regular closer, what should his entrance music be? Gagne had "Welcome to the Jungle", Hoffman has "Hell's Bells" ... how bout that old UFO song "Lights Out" for Kerry.

[Magnetic Curses]

could we rename this thread the "Kerry Wood Appreciation Thread"?

 

thanks for coming back Kerry, i'm looking forward to you being a reliever that no hitter wants to see next season.

 

Amen.

 

So when (not if) Kerry becomes the regular closer, what should his entrance music be? Gagne had "Welcome to the Jungle", Hoffman has "Hell's Bells" ... how bout that old UFO song "Lights Out" for Kerry.

 

"healthy body, sick mind"

 

op ivy

[Wheelimus]

How about a rewrite of "Back In Black"?

 

"Back In Blue"

 

Back in blue

Healthy too

I guess you know it sucks to be you

Three outs

No doubt

Sit your ass back down

 

I'm throwing heat because it's flying by you

Forget a bat, you better bring two

I got nine strikes, and lives

Use every one before you trot around

 

'Cause I'm back

Yes, I'm back

Well, I'm back

Yes, I'm back

Well, I'm back, back

I'm back in blue

Yes, I'm back in blue

 

Back in the swing

King of my thing

You're a fire cracker, I'm a WMD

I'm in the game

And you're in shame

Need to catch up, but you don't have a prayer

 

On your best night you'd never hit it

Just take the out, don't get embarrased

Clocked at nine nine, feeling fine

Might see me yawn with the game on the line

 

'Cause I'm back

Yes, I'm back

Well, I'm back

Yes, I'm back

Well, I'm back, back

I'm back in blue

Yes, I'm back in blue

[fibro]

Here's to an amazing 2007 season for Kid K. As Buster Olney explained in a column today, things certainly have not gone according to plan for Wood - but his commitment to the Cubs, and the city of Chicago is unbreakable. Wood showed the fans something - loyalty. He could have made more elsewhere, and in a better role promised to him than a middle reliever. I don't need to see the 20 strike out days return - an effective, happy, entertaining #34 is all I need. And isn't that what we ALL need for 2007? Something to be proud of and to be happy about?

 

Good luck in 2007 Kerry, glad to have ya' back.

 

I agree with the sentiment, but what other role was he going to get elsewhere. I thought that medically, Wood had made the decision to be a reliever.

 

I really think he could have gotten up to 5-7MM from other teams, with a chance to enter ST as a starter, or a guaranteed chance at closing. The market for pitchers is ridiculous. And besides any of that, it's obvious that Wood specifically prefers the city of Chicago and its' fans.

 

A starter? He's already said medically, he's going to have to be a reliever if he's anything this year. Nobody was going to sign him and hand him the closer's job.

 

Here is a quote frome the Buster Only article:

 

 

 

He'll make about $1.75 million under the terms of his new contract, and given how starved the market is for pitching and how much Wood's game-day effort is respected by scouts, you can bet that he probably could've gotten more elsewhere. But Wood seems entirely devoted to the idea of finishing the job, of living up to his end of the bargain with the Cubs, of meeting at least some of those expectations.

 

He probably could've gotten a shot as a starting pitcher someplace else, and other teams may have even assured him of a first-in-line shot at proving he could be a closer in spring training. Instead, he'll go into next spring as a middle reliever, standing in the middle of the line and earning his opportunities and any promotion in bullpen stature

[goonys evil twin]

Here is a quote frome the Buster Only article:

 

 

 

He'll make about $1.75 million under the terms of his new contract, and given how starved the market is for pitching and how much Wood's game-day effort is respected by scouts, you can bet that he probably could've gotten more elsewhere. But Wood seems entirely devoted to the idea of finishing the job, of living up to his end of the bargain with the Cubs, of meeting at least some of those expectations.

 

He probably could've gotten a shot as a starting pitcher someplace else, and other teams may have even assured him of a first-in-line shot at proving he could be a closer in spring training. Instead, he'll go into next spring as a middle reliever, standing in the middle of the line and earning his opportunities and any promotion in bullpen stature

 

Buster Olney can think what he wants. But Wood said long ago that he was resigned to being a reliever in 2007. It's absurd to think he would have been given a job as a starter next year.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

could we rename this thread the "Kerry Wood Appreciation Thread"?

 

thanks for coming back Kerry, i'm looking forward to you being a reliever that no hitter wants to see next season.

 

Amen.

 

So when (not if) Kerry becomes the regular closer, what should his entrance music be? Gagne had "Welcome to the Jungle", Hoffman has "Hell's Bells" ... how bout that old UFO song "Lights Out" for Kerry.

 

I could personally do without the pomp and circumstance and stick to the organ. His song should be the thing they play right before everyone yells "charge". Chopsticks would be kinda cool too.

[hardcorecubfan]

we over-rated him when he was drafted and took our money, he is injury prone. Love the loyalty but others with great utility whom were loyal as well were quickly shipped or traded or not even offered a decent chance. ie: Nomar, shoot I'd take Ricky Guitierez before Wood (not Neifi though)

[badger1679666666]

I Love him. In a manly heterosexual kinda way. My favorite cub of the last 15 years. Maybe ever.