Kerry Wood would go on to record over 200 strikeouts in four out of his first five seasons, with a high of 266 in 2003.
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36 Facts About Kerry Wood
2.
Kerry Wood transitioned to a relief pitcher in 2007 due to continued struggles with injuries, ultimately reviving his career as a closer.
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3.
Kerry Wood attended MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas, for his first three seasons of high school baseball.
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4.
Kerry Wood continued his education at Grand Prairie High School for his final season as a high school player.
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5.
Kerry Wood initially committed to play college baseball at McLennan Community College in Waco.
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6.
Kerry Wood made his first appearance in the major leagues on April 12,1998.
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7.
Kerry Wood allowed only two baserunners: Ricky Gutierrez on an infield single and Craig Biggio, who was hit by a pitch with a count of one ball and two strikes.
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8.
Kerry Wood pitched one game in the playoffs, losing against the Atlanta Braves.
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9.
Kerry Wood underwent successful Tommy John surgery to repair damage to the UCL in his right elbow, and missed the entire 1999 season.
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10.
Kerry Wood recorded a one-hit, 14-strikeout complete-game shutout on May 25,2001.
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11.
Kerry Wood threw the fastest fastball in the majors among starters, averaging 95.
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12.
Kerry Wood walked 100 batters and surrendered 24 home runs, career highs, but was selected as a National League All-Star and helped lead the Cubs to the playoffs as one half of "Chicago Heat" along with fellow pitcher Mark Prior.
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13.
Kerry Wood earned two wins in the Divisional Series against the Atlanta Braves and was the starter in Game 3 of the 2003 National League Championship Series, which the Cubs won in extra innings.
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14.
Kerry Wood was the losing pitcher and the Cubs were eliminated.
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15.
On May 18,2006, Kerry Wood returned to the Cubs' pitching rotation when he started and lost a home game against the Washington Nationals.
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16.
The following month, the Cubs announced that Kerry Wood had sustained a partially torn rotator cuff which was likely to keep him from pitching again for the rest of the year.
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17.
Kerry Wood attempted to sustain a regular throwing schedule and appearances during Spring training games.
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18.
However, Kerry Wood was placed on the 15-day DL with soreness in his elbow and was then moved to the 60-day DL.
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19.
Kerry Wood considered retiring if he continued to have pain in his throwing arm.
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20.
Piniella later stated he wanted Kerry Wood to receive a "softer landing", or in other words, make his return in a game where the Cubs have a comfortable lead over their opponents.
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21.
Kerry Wood pitched a single inning, during which he allowed one hit, and struck out another batter.
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22.
Kerry Wood filed for free-agency on November 11,2007, though he suggested that he wanted to remain in pinstripes for the 2008 season.
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23.
Kerry Wood recorded his first career save April 3,2008 with a win over the Brewers.
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24.
Kerry Wood recorded 34 saves in 39 opportunities, 82 strike-outs and a 1.
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25.
Kerry Wood was selected to the 2008 MLB All-Star Game as a relief pitcher on July 6,2008 along with six other teammates.
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26.
Kerry Wood was placed on the 15-day DL on July 24,2008 with a blister on his right index finger.
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27.
Kerry Wood had previously requested a multi-year contract with the team, but was deferred due to financial reasons.
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28.
Kerry Wood stated he wished to remain with the Cubs, but wanted to continue playing baseball.
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29.
On December 13,2008, Kerry Wood signed a two-year contract with the Cleveland Indians.
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30.
On July 17,2010, Kerry Wood was placed on the disabled list for the 14th time in his major league career, this time due to a blister on his right index finger.
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31.
Kerry Wood was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the New York Yankees on July 31,2010 for Andrew Shive, Matt Cusick, and cash.
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32.
Kerry Wood reportedly turned down offers for long-term deals from several other teams worth more money due to his desire to keep his family in Chicago.
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33.
Kerry Wood re-signed with the Cubs on January 13,2012 for a 1-year, $3 million deal with a team option for 2013.
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34.
On May 18,2012, Kerry Wood retired, striking out the only batter he faced, Dayan Viciedo of the Chicago White Sox.
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35.
Kerry Wood missed his initial court appearance and an arrest warrant was issued.
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36.
Kerry Wood immediately reported the grisly discovery to local authorities, who determined the deceased to be a 40-year-old man who had been reported missing by a North Side nursing home days earlier.
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