Wood as closer

[NoDak]

isn't Wood notorious for taking a long time to warm up? how does that affect his use in the bullpen?

 

I honestly don't see that being a problem. Especially if he ia a closer he can start warming up in the 5th inning if he wants to. As a closer it would usually be known when he would be used quite a while in advance. Put on top of that that usually there are a plethora of pitching changes at the end of the game resulting in lots of "down time" that can help him get in several dozen additional warm-up tosses. A couple of visits to the mound by Barrett and an occasional visit from Izturis to discuss "pick-off moves" and he would be all set with all the time in the world.

 

I also think Kerry will keep the hook but only break it out every 1-2 outings and if his arm is hurting at all he could just leave it on the shelf for the day. He could well be a dominant closer once his stamina is worked up to that point.

 

I am also not worried about his "walks" because he also has the ability to just blow people away. KW is one of those rare pitchers who can walk the bases full and then strike out the side even it if is Pujols, Rolen, Edmonds.

 

A Kerry Wood that only needs to gas it up for 15-25 pitches per game is a Kerry Wood I look forward to seeing.

[satxcubfan]

I couldn't agree more. This has been a somewhat depressing off-season, but one of the things I look forward to most next year at Wrigley is seeing Wood come out of the pen late in a game with the Cubs clinging to a slim lead. The crowd will go absolutely nuts when he starts mowing guys down.

 

This is one of the best mental images of baseball I've had all offseason. Wrigley during this would rival Dodger Stadium in Gagné's heyday. No Metallica/AC-DC theme song needed, just the place going nuts.

 

I believe Kerry is on record as being a big metalhead. So his theme music should be....??

 

"Balls to the Wall".

 

I'm thinking "Harvester of Sorrow."

 

That, or "Respect"

 

Aretha Franklin?? Not a very intimidating choice of intro tune

[A New Era]

Howabout Alan Parsan's Project. .

Rock 'n Roll pt. 2 (The Hey Song)

Zombie Nation

Get Loose

Because we can

Start the Commotion (and boy in Wrigely would there be)

The Rockafeller Skank

 

I really think Kerry Wood should have a theme song. I really wish the Cubs would get with the times and start doing that every so often. We as Cubs fans make alot of noise. But could you imagine the place if they played a rockin jock jam before KW came out?

[Sammy Sofa]

I really think Kerry Wood should have a theme song. I really wish the Cubs would get with the times and start doing that every so often. We as Cubs fans make alot of noise. But could you imagine the place if they played a rockin jock jam before KW came out?

 

I'm really glad the Cubs don't cave and do that. It's right up there with Wrigley not having a video screen for me. Every time I go to a game where they're blasting "theme music," it suddenly feels less like baseball and more like wrestling. Pass.

[Stu]

I really think Kerry Wood should have a theme song. I really wish the Cubs would get with the times and start doing that every so often. We as Cubs fans make alot of noise. But could you imagine the place if they played a rockin jock jam before KW came out?

 

I'm really glad the Cubs don't cave and do that. It's right up there with Wrigley not having a video screen for me. Every time I go to a game where they're blasting "theme music," it suddenly feels less like baseball and more like wrestling. Pass.

 

There is a precedent. Remember when Sutter used to come in and the organist would play the Alka Seltzer theme song? "Plop plop, Fizz fizz, oh what a relief it (he) is.."

[CuseCubFan69]

I really think Kerry Wood should have a theme song. I really wish the Cubs would get with the times and start doing that every so often. We as Cubs fans make alot of noise. But could you imagine the place if they played a rockin jock jam before KW came out?

 

I'm really glad the Cubs don't cave and do that. It's right up there with Wrigley not having a video screen for me. Every time I go to a game where they're blasting "theme music," it suddenly feels less like baseball and more like wrestling. Pass.

 

There is a precedent. Remember when Sutter used to come in and the organist would play the Alka Seltzer theme song? "Plop plop, Fizz fizz, oh what a relief it (he) is.."

 

Really? I didn't know that.

[C.C.]

I really think Kerry Wood should have a theme song. I really wish the Cubs would get with the times and start doing that every so often. We as Cubs fans make alot of noise. But could you imagine the place if they played a rockin jock jam before KW came out?

 

I'm really glad the Cubs don't cave and do that. It's right up there with Wrigley not having a video screen for me. Every time I go to a game where they're blasting "theme music," it suddenly feels less like baseball and more like wrestling. Pass.

 

I was at a Padres game last year and every single player that comes to bat has his own theme song. It was so damn annoying!

[cheapseats]

I couldn't agree more. This has been a somewhat depressing off-season, but one of the things I look forward to most next year at Wrigley is seeing Wood come out of the pen late in a game with the Cubs clinging to a slim lead. The crowd will go absolutely nuts when he starts mowing guys down.

 

This is one of the best mental images of baseball I've had all offseason. Wrigley during this would rival Dodger Stadium in Gagné's heyday. No Metallica/AC-DC theme song needed, just the place going nuts.

 

I believe Kerry is on record as being a big metalhead. So his theme music should be....??

 

"Balls to the Wall".

 

I'm thinking "Harvester of Sorrow."

 

That, or "Respect"

 

"Night Goat."

 

It gives me shivers just thinking about it. :D

[A New Era]

I really think Kerry Wood should have a theme song. I really wish the Cubs would get with the times and start doing that every so often. We as Cubs fans make alot of noise. But could you imagine the place if they played a rockin jock jam before KW came out?

 

I'm really glad the Cubs don't cave and do that. It's right up there with Wrigley not having a video screen for me. Every time I go to a game where they're blasting "theme music," it suddenly feels less like baseball and more like wrestling. Pass.

 

Well I don't go to the games any more so I don't care. I'd just like to see the crowds reaction if KW had a theme song. I guess I'll get to look foward to their reaction to Lou's base throwing though. Now that's something to look foward to. :D

[cheapseats]

I'd just like to see the crowds reaction if KW had a theme song.

 

Why does Kenny Williams need a theme song?

 

And if Kenny gets one, won't Hendry want one, too?

[Soul]

 

That, or "Respect"

 

Aretha Franklin?? Not a very intimidating choice of intro tune

 

You know, I always mess that up. I always think the song is called Respect, but it's not. It's called Walk, by Pantera.

 

Come to think of it, LOL-----a song called Walk would definitely *NOT* be good for a pitcher! :lol:

 

Great tune though.

[NCCubFan]

You know, I always mess that up. I always think the song is called Respect, but it's not. It's called Walk, by Pantera.

 

Come to think of it, LOL-----a song called Walk would definitely *NOT* be good for a pitcher! :lol:

Unless the pitcher is Bob Walk. :D

[FergieJ31]

Man I never get tired of watching this - just flat out electrifying:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CprMY7np0EI

[mg420]

I couldn't agree more. This has been a somewhat depressing off-season, but one of the things I look forward to most next year at Wrigley is seeing Wood come out of the pen late in a game with the Cubs clinging to a slim lead. The crowd will go absolutely nuts when he starts mowing guys down.

 

This is one of the best mental images of baseball I've had all offseason. Wrigley during this would rival Dodger Stadium in Gagné's heyday. No Metallica/AC-DC theme song needed, just the place going nuts.

 

I believe Kerry is on record as being a big metalhead. So his theme music should be....??

 

"Balls to the Wall".

 

I'm thinking "Harvester of Sorrow."

 

That, or "Respect"

 

"Night Goat."

 

It gives me shivers just thinking about it. :D

 

"enter sandman" by metallica

[baseball7897]

Man I never get tired of watching this - just flat out electrifying:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CprMY7np0EI

 

 

Who was the pitching coach for the Cubs in 1998? No way in hell would I allow a pitcher to take the mound with those mechanics.

[rocket]

Man I never get tired of watching this - just flat out electrifying:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CprMY7np0EI

 

 

Who was the pitching coach for the Cubs in 1998? No way in hell would I allow a pitcher to take the mound with those mechanics.

 

too bad you weren't around back then to save kerry's career

[sethuel1]

Man I never get tired of watching this - just flat out electrifying:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CprMY7np0EI

 

 

Who was the pitching coach for the Cubs in 1998? No way in hell would I allow a pitcher to take the mound with those mechanics.

 

you tell 'em

[abuck1220]

Man I never get tired of watching this - just flat out electrifying:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CprMY7np0EI

 

 

Who was the pitching coach for the Cubs in 1998? No way in hell would I allow a pitcher to take the mound with those mechanics.

 

too bad you weren't around back then to save kerry's career

 

there's no sense in dwelling on the past. let's focus on all the careers (and possibly lives?) he can save in the future.

[FergieJ31]

Man I never get tired of watching this - just flat out electrifying:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CprMY7np0EI

 

 

Who was the pitching coach for the Cubs in 1998? No way in hell would I allow a pitcher to take the mound with those mechanics.

 

Oscar Acosta, with whom Kerry was very close by all accounts. Acosta wasn't afraid to get in Kerry's face and give him straight info. I have no doubt Acosta let Wood know about the risks in throwing his big hook.

 

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're not one of the many pitching mechanics "experts" that came out of the woodwork since 2003. Would YOU have ordered Kerry to stop throwing his slurve after he struck out 20 in his 5th major league start? Good luck with that one. At the time no one could say with certainty what damage (if any) he was doing with his motion. In 1999 Kerry freely admitted his slurve was a big factor in his injury.

 

My point is, you never can tell. Put ten pitching coaches together in the same room and you'll get ten different opinions on good pitching mechanics - it's notoriusly subjective. Did Bob Gibson have great mechanics? How bout Warren Spahn - would you have let him take the mound?

[baseball7897]

Man I never get tired of watching this - just flat out electrifying:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CprMY7np0EI

 

 

Who was the pitching coach for the Cubs in 1998? No way in hell would I allow a pitcher to take the mound with those mechanics.

 

Oscar Acosta, with whom Kerry was very close by all accounts. Acosta wasn't afraid to get in Kerry's face and give him straight info. I have no doubt Acosta let Wood know about the risks in throwing his big hook.

 

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're not one of the many pitching mechanics "experts" that came out of the woodwork since 2003. Would YOU have ordered Kerry to stop throwing his slurve after he struck out 20 in his 5th major league start? Good luck with that one. At the time no one could say with certainty what damage (if any) he was doing with his motion. In 1999 Kerry freely admitted his slurve was a big factor in his injury.

 

My point is, you never can tell. Put ten pitching coaches together in the same room and you'll get ten different opinions on good pitching mechanics - it's notoriusly subjective. Did Bob Gibson have great mechanics? How bout Warren Spahn - would you have let him take the mound?

 

 

Just by watching that YouTube video of Kerry Wood striking out 20 batters you could see all of his flaws in his motion. Throwing across his body, really poor weight transfer, rushing throughout his delivery, not keeping his head lined up with his belly button, lifting his elbow above his shoulder are a few flaws I seen just by watching that video. When he rushes his movement towards home plate, his arm is trying to keep up with his body. That puts alot of stress on the shoulder and elbow region.

[abuck1220]

congrats on predicting an arm injury after he already suffered like seven of them. you're like a doctor or something.

[Vinestal]

congrats on predicting an arm injury after he already suffered like seven of them. you're like a doctor or something.

 

**rolls eyes** yup no one was saying things like that in 1998, they were to busy sayding "DAMN that kid is good". In my mind that 20K game was the single greatest dominating pitching performance ever. If it wasn't for Kevin Orie's ineptness, this would have been a perfect game/no hitter. The simple fact is that the mechanics, bad or not are what made Kerry the dominating pitcher he was. Most people will remember 1998 for the homerun chase, I'll always remember it for Kerry Wood. That game is burnt into my memory more than any other single baseball event in the history of the game. Its the kind of game I waited a lifetime to see and will probably never see again. I saw it as it happened, live in my living room. You want to crucify Kerry Wood for his poor mechanics? Go ahead I guess if it makes you feel better, but just about every time I watch a baseball game I hope for something like that game to happen, and I thank God for that day in May of 1998 when I saw pitching perfection. No matter what happens to Kerry Wood for the rest of his career, he's given me a gift that no other Cubs pitcher can ever touch.

[CuseCubFan69]

Trying to get a player that has had success and is still having success to change his his mechanics is a very hard thing to do. Not until he goes through failure or injury will you be able to really get it into his head. Even after that it may not be able to be done.

[baseball7897]

congrats on predicting an arm injury after he already suffered like seven of them. you're like a doctor or something.

 

Justin Verlander, Jake Peavy, and Jered Weaver are going to have some arm problems as well.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

congrats on predicting an arm injury after he already suffered like seven of them. you're like a doctor or something.

 

Justin Verlander, Jake Peavy, and Jered Weaver are going to have some arm problems as well.

 

Thansk, Dr. Nick

 

http://www.rob-clarkson.com/duff-brewery/nickriviera/01.gif