Kerry Wood Retires

[rawaction]

I remember coming home from taking a final and watching the 20K game. After the game I went downstairs to the computer lab in my building to get online and read about the game. I ran into a guy in the lab that lived across the hall from me all school year long but I had never said more than "Sup?" with the headnod until that day. He saw I was on the ESPN Cubs website and proceeded to basically scream,

 

"My God did you see that game! The Cubs better never get rid of that kid. That's the best game I've ever seen!"

 

Me and that guy became lifelong friends that day. Actually reminds me I need to call him, been a while since I've talked to him.

[imb]

if they don't retire his number, ill be pissed.

[UMFan83]

Kinda funny that he wants to pitch one last time before ending his career. Reminds me slightly of 2005 when he had that injury he had to have surgery on, but couldnt do any more damage by pitching on it, so he came out and pitched one last time in relief and then ended his season with surgery.

[Banedon]

My brother had an "study day" in college at Bradley, and him and some buddies used that day to come up and sit in the bleachers at Wrigley...and ended up being there for the 20k game.

[shnsajax]

Kinda funny that he wants to pitch one last time before ending his career. Reminds me slightly of 2005 when he had that injury he had to have surgery on, but couldnt do any more damage by pitching on it, so he came out and pitched one last time in relief and then ended his season with surgery.

 

He just wants to go out on better terms. Probably felt guilty about the hat and glove tossing.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'd hate to see him pitch today and blow another save or something.

[imb]

let him start and throw the first inning, take a bow and head into the dugout.

[UMFan83]

The whole situation is really weird the more I think about it. Wood is going to pitch 1 more time in his career...it could come today, it could come next Tuesday, but apparently Sveum said he's not going to force Wood into the game.

 

Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood will retire after his next outing, which could come as soon as Friday, a source familiar with the situation told ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine.

 

The Cubs won't force him into a game, a source told ESPNChicago.com's Doug Padilla. The announcement will come after his next appearance.

[bhogg]

I like the idea of starting him.

 

Retire his number, too. He's more than stats.

[El Duderino]

let him start and throw the first inning, take a bow and head into the dugout.

 

this

[Andy]

I love Wood, but I don't really want his number retired. Maybe don't give it out to any old hack like we do with 21 nowadays but I wouldn't retire it.

[UMFan83]

I love Wood, but I don't really want his number retired. Maybe don't give it out to any old hack like we do with 21 nowadays but I wouldn't retire it.

 

That's silly....either you retire his number or you give it out to anyone that requests it. I can understand maybe waiting 5 years before distributing that number, but usually teams only do that for players that they plan on retiring at some point in the future.

[Andy]

I love Wood, but I don't really want his number retired. Maybe don't give it out to any old hack like we do with 21 nowadays but I wouldn't retire it.

 

That's silly....either you retire his number or you give it out to anyone that requests it. I can understand maybe waiting 5 years before distributing that number, but usually teams only do that for players that they plan on retiring at some point in the future.

Well, we didn't give it to Grabow when he asked, so maybe that is their plan. Who knows?

[KingCubsFan]

I love Wood, but I don't really want his number retired. Maybe don't give it out to any old hack like we do with 21 nowadays but I wouldn't retire it.

He pitched one of the greatest games of all time, second all-time in K/9, 10th all-time in H/9, was a key part of some of the best Cubs teams in recent times and was a fan favorite(which I think matters for team honors). Just because he doesn't deserve to be in the Hall of Fame doesn't mean he wasn't an all-time great Cub.

[Irrelevant Dude]

The whole situation is really weird the more I think about it. Wood is going to pitch 1 more time in his career...it could come today, it could come next Tuesday, but apparently Sveum said he's not going to force Wood into the game.

Maybe they will save him for the World Series.

[rawaction]

I'd hate to see him pitch today and blow another save or something.

 

Yes, don't want him to ruin the Cubs postseason aspirations.

[Guest]

I'd hate to see him pitch today and blow another save or something.

 

Yes, don't want him to ruin the Cubs postseason aspirations.

 

Your sarcasm aside, it would be a shitty way for him to go out.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'd hate to see him pitch today and blow another save or something.

 

Yes, don't want him to ruin the Cubs postseason aspirations.

 

No, I mean I'd hate to have all this attention about his retirement and then go out and get booed after walking a couple guys and just generally looking bad.

[Guest]

let him start and throw the first inning, take a bow and head into the dugout.

Best idea ever.

[rawaction]

I'd hate to see him pitch today and blow another save or something.

 

Yes, don't want him to ruin the Cubs postseason aspirations.

 

No, I mean I'd hate to have all this attention about his retirement and then go out and get booed after walking a couple guys and just generally looking bad.

 

I knew what you meant. Was just messing with you.

[fiver]

I feel like I should leave work, find a tv, and watch this game if an appearance today will be his last.

[Guest]

Hopefully whenever he pitches, he goes out with a nice 1-2-3 inning with a couple of K's.

[Guancous]

The 20 K game is available on iTunes as Baseball's Best.

[ELCABALLO45]

Bittersweet feeling. The 20 K game was the best single game pitching performance in Chicago history. One of my absolute all time favorite players in any sport. Sadly, will always be a what if next to his career.

 

Thanks Kerry.

 

The was the best game ever pitched in the history of baseball. Never have seen anything like that movement in my life. Sad to see him go.

 

Maybe CSN or MLBN will replay that game sometime soon with him retiring?

 

 

He's All 20 on Youtube at least.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nDgnfm3NOVY

 

That curveball to Dave Clark at the 1:25 mark is just unbelievable.

 

Just about to post that.

[Proven Veteran]

let him start and throw the first inning, take a bow and head into the dugout.

Best idea ever.

We should make this happen.