Kerry Wood arrived in the majors 14 years ago, a fresh-faced child with No. 34 on his back, slinging fastballs at 100 mph, providing an often unhittable breaking pitch and striking out 20 batters in just the fifth start.
On Friday, he left the game after the last performance, emotional connection with the Chicago Cubs.
Fittingly, "Kid K" strike the last batter he would face and retire at age 34, ending a career that eye-popping at times, but hampered by injuries.
". I had to explosions I would not trade it in. I learned of the injury, I learned about my body and what it takes to compete and come out and play every day," Wood said after his final game, 3-2 loss against the White Sox.
On Friday, he left the game after the last performance, emotional connection with the Chicago Cubs.
Fittingly, "Kid K" strike the last batter he would face and retire at age 34, ending a career that eye-popping at times, but hampered by injuries.
". I had to explosions I would not trade it in. I learned of the injury, I learned about my body and what it takes to compete and come out and play every day," Wood said after his final game, 3-2 loss against the White Sox.
"Mentally and physically we get to this point," Wood said. "Every player gets to the point where we do not all get to choose when, we can all vote on it. But I was lucky enough to play this game a long time in a major city in front of the best fans in baseball ... . It's time. "
Wood attacked Dayan Viciedo on three courts, the last swing and miss, in the eighth inning before he was replaced by bench coach Jamie Quirk - manager Dale Sveum has been issued previously. Wood joined his teammates on the mound to congratulate him and he left and got a standing ovation. Even the White Sox Slugger Adam Dunn batting helmet doffed and applauded for Wood as he stood at first base.
Timber holding his son when he reached the dugout, then lifted the boy into his arms. A few moments later, he came out for curtain call and waved his hat to the fans.
"I feel like I'm getting ready to pitch my first inning. Adrenalin is the same, the same nerve. I can not give enough credit to the fans, just an amazing feeling," said Wood.
Wood went on disabled list this season with shoulder fatigue - he was on the DL more than a dozen times during his career - and has struggled all year. Obvious frustration when, after a bad outing against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field, he threw the hat and gloves into the stands.
"My body does not bounce back this year. I feel like I'm putting people in the 'pen in a situation they do not need to be in. I definitely do not want to go to the last inning I threw myself into my gloves on the chair," said Wood. "I want to put a zero or at least get one person out."
