Kerry Wood Retiring

[DaaBoTownSox]

Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago reports that Kerry Wood will announce his retirement Friday.

Wood said at the end of last season that he was either going to pitch for the Cubs in 2012 or retire, but this still comes as a surprise. He's been woeful so far this season, posting an 8.64 ERA, 2.28 WHIP and 5/11 K/BB ratio over 8 1/3 innings, but the right-hander will turn just 35 next month. It's not clear if the oft-injured right-hander is dealing with something physically or if he's just decided to call it quite. He'll end his career with an 86-75 record, 63 saves, a 3.67 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 1,581 strikeouts over 1,379 2/3 innings across 14 seasons.

[AhCrap]

It's been obvious all season that it was time for this, but I really wasn't prepared for how sad the news would make me. He gave it all he had but it's time to go. Hopefully there's a coaching spot with the Cubs in the near future for him.

[DaaBoTownSox]

Kerry Wood will make one more appearance for the Cubs before officially announcing his retirement.

It will come sometime during the weekend series at Wrigley Field against the White Sox. Wood, who has posted an 8.64 ERA, 2.28 WHIP and 5/11 K/BB ratio over 8 1/3 innings this season, will get a nice sendoff from the home fans before riding off into the sunset.

[Old Sweater]

Guess he knows best. Been great for the game!

[Vertigo O]

Somewhere, daddies4angels is crying.

He'll probably always be remembered most for his 20 K performance against the 'Stros in '98 as a rookie. At least that's the first thing that comes to my mind whenever someone mentions him.

[AhCrap]

Somewhere, daddies4angels is crying.

I'm not embarrassed to say I cried a little watching the video.

[diehardbrewgirl]

I'm not embarrassed to say I cried a little watching the video.

I got real misty-eyed as well. That was a beautiful moment with his son as he met him outside the dugout on the field. I've always been a fan of Kerry Wood!

[Old Sweater]

Somewhere, daddies4angels is crying.

He'll probably always be remembered most for his 20 K performance against the 'Stros in '98 as a rookie. At least that's the first thing that comes to my mind whenever someone mentions him.

IMO that 20 K game also won him the RoY award over Helton, 128-119.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Sad to see him leave. IMO he could never live up to his potential because of his injury riddled career. He had a great season with the Yankees in 2010 but even though they wanted to sign him again (after some hesitation) he preferred his beloved Cubs. Because of his injuries, I think he will never make it to the HOF, but I hope the Cubs retire his number one day. He was bleeding Cubbie blue.

Good to see he got a standing ovation. I am glad that I saw his final outing live last night.

[Buccos13]

Having his kid there in the dugout to see it and making that one last appearance was a great way to end his career.

When you look back on it, it makes you wonder what his career would have been like had he been injury free. He was on the disabled list 16 times.