Numerous reports state that Kerry Wood is going to retire after today's crosstown game against the White Sox.
Many Cub fans are still in a dream state in regard to Wood. They only dream about Wood's 20 strikeout performance against the Astros. He was turned into "Mr. Cub 2.0" on mere expectations alone.
With Mark Prior, another phenom, the Cubs were going to win several championships. End result: total failure.
Wood was part of the staff which got the Cubs to one NLCS.
Fans will remember what might have been with the power pitcher, and be confused by reality.
In his 14 year career, Wood has 85 wins. That is a paltry 6 wins per season average. He also had 63 saves, which is a meek 4.5 saves per season average. Those are not Hall of Fame (Cooperstown or even local Chicago) numbers. The reality is that Wood's career is that of a marginal, below average journeyman.
It may be part generational, but older fans appreciated power pitchers like Nolan Ryan. The increase in walk up ticket sales reflected who was pitching that day (for either club).
Wood had more stints on the DL than years of service in the majors. He had flawed mechanics in his delivery (his arm would cross his chest instead of moving forward down the line towards home plate) which contributed to his injury history. One of the faults is that no one in the Cubs organization corrected those mechanical flaws. No matter how much coaching there is in professional ball, it is still the player that controls his own fate.
So the Chicago media will eulogize Wood as being a great Cub, a fan favorite, a player that the team will miss. But it is hard to ego the brash ego on his final day. If you were going to retire, just retire. No, Wood wants all the attention this afternoon. The actual game is irrelevant. Wood will be in the bullpen getting cheers for the fans all day long. They will scream to put Wood in one last time (even if the starter has a perfect game going), just because they want to see Wood pitch one last time.
The reason Wood is retiring is that he should have retired two years ago. He does not have the command, control and power of his pitches anymore. He has imploded on the mound just like Carlos Marmol.
Baseball history is littered with the stories of "can't miss" prospects failing to reach their potential. Wood has to be added to that list.
