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Kerry Wood" data-canon="Kerry Wood" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_PLAYER" id="shortcode0"> will leave Major League Baseball the same way he entered it -- with a strikeout.
In his last appearance in the big leagues, Wood entered Friday's game against the White Sox with one out in the eighth inning to face Dayan Viciedo and struck him out on three pitches. On April 12, 1998, Wood struck out the first batter he ever faced, Mark Grudzielanek, then with the Expos.
It was reported before the game that Wood would retire following Friday's game, and he received a standing ovation when Cubs bench coach Jamie Quirk (in for ejected manager Dale Sveum) motioned to bring him in for starter Jeff Samardzija. Wood shook the hand of bullpen coach Lester Strode before going in the game.
After striking out Viciedo, Quirk brought in lefty James Russell to finish the inning. Wood shook everyone's hand, noted the tip of the cap from the White Sox's Adam Dunn on first and then walked off to another standing ovation as the Wrigley Field organist played Frank Sinatra's "My Way." Before he got to the dugout, he tipped his cap and his son, Justin, met him on the field and gave him a hug.
Here's the video:
While Wood's career didn't follow the expected path, its ending was fitting and wonderful.
Kerry Wood" data-canon="Kerry Wood" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_PLAYER" id="shortcode0"> will leave Major League Baseball the same way he entered it -- with a strikeout.
In his last appearance in the big leagues, Wood entered Friday's game against the White Sox with one out in the eighth inning to face Dayan Viciedo and struck him out on three pitches. On April 12, 1998, Wood struck out the first batter he ever faced, Mark Grudzielanek, then with the Expos.
It was reported before the game that Wood would retire following Friday's game, and he received a standing ovation when Cubs bench coach Jamie Quirk (in for ejected manager Dale Sveum) motioned to bring him in for starter Jeff Samardzija. Wood shook the hand of bullpen coach Lester Strode before going in the game.
After striking out Viciedo, Quirk brought in lefty James Russell to finish the inning. Wood shook everyone's hand, noted the tip of the cap from the White Sox's Adam Dunn on first and then walked off to another standing ovation as the Wrigley Field organist played Frank Sinatra's "My Way." Before he got to the dugout, he tipped his cap and his son, Justin, met him on the field and gave him a hug.
Here's the video:
While Wood's career didn't follow the expected path, its ending was fitting and wonderful.
