View source for Kerry Wood

{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1977)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name       = Kerry Wood 
| image      = Kerry Wood (6861570174) (cropped).jpg
| width      = 
| caption    = Wood pitching for the Cubs in 2012
| position   = [[Pitcher]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|6|16}}
| birth_place= [[Irving, Texas]], U.S.
| bats       = Right
| throws     = Right
|debutleague = MLB
| debutdate  = April 12
| debutyear  = 1998
| debutteam  = Chicago Cubs
|finalleague = MLB
| finaldate  = May 18
| finalyear  = 2012
| finalteam  = Chicago Cubs
|statleague = MLB
| stat1label = [[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
| stat1value = 86–75
| stat2label = [[Earned run average]]
| stat2value = 3.67
| stat3label = [[Strikeout]]s
| stat3value = 1,582
|stat4label  = [[Save (baseball)|Save]]s
|stat4value  = 63
| teams      = 
*[[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|1998}}, {{mlby|2000}}–{{mlby|2008}})
*[[Cleveland Indians]] ({{mlby|2009}}–{{mlby|2010}})
*[[New York Yankees]]  ({{mlby|2010}})
*[[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|2011}}–{{mlby|2012}})
|awards      = 
* 2× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2003]], [[2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2008]])
* [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|NL Rookie of the Year]] (1998)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders|NL strikeout leader]] (2003)
* MLB record [[List of Major League Baseball single-game strikeout leaders|20 strikeouts in a nine-inning game]] 
* [[Chicago Cubs#Cubs Hall of Fame|Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame]]
}}
'''Kerry Lee Wood''' (born June 16, 1977) is an American former [[baseball]] [[pitcher]] who played 14 seasons in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[Chicago Cubs]], [[Cleveland Indians]], and [[New York Yankees]]. Wood first came to prominence as a 20-year-old rookie, when he recorded 20 strikeouts in a one-hit [[shutout (baseball)|shutout]] against the [[Houston Astros]], which some have argued may be the greatest single-game pitching performance in MLB history.<ref>{{cite web | last=Snyder | first=Matt | title=Happy 15th anniversary: Kerry Wood's 20 strikeout game | website=CBSSports.com | date=2013-05-06 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/happy-15th-anniversary-kerry-woods-20-strikeout-game/ | access-date=2025-08-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/24585/kerry-wood-and-the-greatest-game-pitched|title=Kerry Wood and the greatest game pitched|work=go.com|date=May 18, 2012|access-date=December 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Wiederer|first1=Dan|title=Kerry Wood and 'the greatest game ever pitched': The oral history of May 6, 1998, at Wrigley Field|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-kerry-wood-20-strikeout-anniversary-20180501-htmlstory.html|website=chicagotribune.com|publisher=Chicago Tribune|access-date=2018-05-06|date=2018-05-01}}</ref> The game also made Wood the co-holder of the [[List of Major League Baseball single-game strikeout leaders|MLB record for strikeouts in a single game]] (20) and earned Wood the nickname "'''Kid K'''". He was later named the 1998 [[National League (baseball)|National League]] [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]].

Wood went on to record over 200 strikeouts in four out of his first five seasons, with a high of 266 in 2003. He holds several MLB strikeout records. Though he struggled with injuries throughout his career, Wood was twice named an [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]]. Wood transitioned to a [[relief pitcher]] in 2007 due to continued struggles with injuries, ultimately reviving his career as a [[closer (baseball)|closer]]. During his career, Wood was placed on the [[disabled list]] 14 times in 14 major league seasons, which included missing the entire 1999 season due to [[Tommy John surgery]]. After a slow start to the 2012 season, Wood retired on May 18, 2012.

==Early life==
Wood attended [[MacArthur High School (Irving, Texas)|MacArthur High School]] in [[Irving, Texas]], for his first three seasons of high-school baseball. He continued his education at [[Grand Prairie High School]] for his final season as a high-school player. As a senior, Wood went 14-0 with a 0.77 ERA and 159 strikeouts in 81 innings, and was named All-American and Texas 5A Player of the Year.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2016-11-03 |title=1995 Draft Spotlight: Kerry Wood |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/1995-draft-spotlight-kerry-wood/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Baseball America |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Michael |date=1999-04-01 |title=Kids in the Hall? |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/kids-in-the-hall/ |access-date=2024-04-26 |website=Texas Monthly |language=en}}</ref> Wood was high-school teammates with [[Kevin Walker (baseball)|Kevin Walker]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Three pitchers agree to 1-year deals with teams|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1676580|access-date=29 January 2018|work=[[ESPN.com]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=3 December 2003}}</ref> He initially committed to play [[college baseball]] at [[McLennan Community College]] in [[Waco, Texas|Waco]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=McNabb|first1=David|title=May 1-14, 1995: Wood Continues Texas Arm Legacy|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/news/2012/2613425.html|access-date=29 January 2018|work=[[Dallas Morning News]]|date=May 1995|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129142526/https://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/news/2012/2613425.html|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Professional career==

===Chicago Cubs===

====1995–1998====
The Chicago Cubs drafted Wood as the fourth overall selection in the [[1995 Major League Baseball draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1995 Chicago Cubs Draft Class - The Baseball Cube |url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/draft_class/1995~6/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=TheBaseballCube.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1995 MLB Baseball Draft Results - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/history/draft/_/year/1995 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Two days after being drafted, he started both ends of a doubleheader in the Texas state playoffs, throwing 175 pitches between the two games; the Cubs were outraged.<ref name=":1" /> He split his first professional season between the [[Gulf Coast League Cubs|GCL Cubs]] and the [[Williamsport Crosscutters|Williamsport Cubs]] of the [[New York–Penn League|New York-Penn League]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Kerry Wood Minor Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wood--001ker |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

Ranked as the 16th best prospect in baseball by ''[[Baseball America]]'' in 1996, he pitched to a 2.91 ERA with 136 strikeouts in 22 starts for the [[Daytona Tortugas|Daytona Cubs]] of the [[Florida State League]].<ref name="cube">{{cite web |title=Kerry Wood – Pitching Statistics |url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/W/kerry-wood.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820173024/http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/W/Kerry-Wood.shtml |archive-date=August 20, 2007 |access-date=August 5, 2007 |work=The Baseball Cube |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 Baseball America - MLB Prospect Rankings - The Baseball Cube |url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/prospects_mlb/1996~BA/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=TheBaseballCube.com |language=en}}</ref> He was also considered the top prospect in the league and the Cubs organization.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerry Wood Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/kerry-wood-134268 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> In 1997, ''Baseball America'' ranked Wood as the third best player in the game, behind only [[Andruw Jones]] and [[Vladimir Guerrero]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1997 Baseball America - MLB Prospect Rankings - The Baseball Cube |url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/prospects_mlb/1997~BA/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=TheBaseballCube.com |language=en}}</ref> He played for the [[Orlando Rays]] in Double-A and the [[Iowa Cubs]] in Triple-A. Wood also began the 1998 season in the minors, striking out 11 batters in a single five-inning start.<ref name=":2" />

====1998====
Wood made his first appearance in the major leagues on April 12, 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Cubs vs Montreal Expos Box Score: April 12, 1998 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON199804120.shtml |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In his fifth career start, on May 6, he threw a one-hit, no-walk, [[List of Major League Baseball single-game strikeout leaders|20-strikeout]] shutout against the [[1998 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] in Wrigley Field, tying [[Roger Clemens]]'s record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game and breaking [[Bill Gullickson]]'s single-game rookie record of 18 strikeouts in 1980. Wood allowed only two baserunners: [[Ricky Gutiérrez]] on an infield single and [[Craig Biggio]], who was hit by a pitch with a count of one ball and two strikes. (Biggio had led the league in that category each of the previous three years and is second all-time in hit-by-pitches with 285.) Only seven balls reached fair territory. The Astros went on to lead the league in on-base percentage, and all of the regulars who were in the lineup, including the four who finished the season batting over .300, went hitless. The performance garnered a [[game score]] of 105 – the highest number ever calculated for a pitcher in a nine-inning game.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/03/sports/playmagazine/0603play-wood.html?ref=sports|work=The New York Times|title=My Right Arm|first=Buzz|last=Bissinger|date=June 3, 2007|access-date=May 7, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN199805060.shtml|work=baseball-reference.com|title=Wednesday, May 6, 1998, 1:20, Wrigley Field|date=May 6, 1998|access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref>

Wood finished the 1998 season with a 13–6 record; despite missing the last month of the season with elbow soreness, he easily won the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] [[MLB Rookie of the Year award|Rookie of the Year]] award.<ref name=":0" /> He pitched one game in the [[2003 National League Division Series|playoffs]], losing against the [[1998 Atlanta Braves season|Atlanta Braves]].<ref name="KerryStats">{{cite web |title=Kerry Wood Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=134268#gameType='R'&sectionType=career&statType=2&season=2012&level='ALL' |access-date=May 18, 2012 |work=mlb.com}}</ref>

====1999–2003====
During [[spring training]] of 1999, he tore his [[Ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint|ulnar collateral ligament]] (UCL). Wood underwent successful Tommy John surgery to repair damage to the UCL in his right elbow, and missed the entire 1999 season. Wood returned in 2000 and had an 8–7 record, but the following season, he returned to form. In 2001, Wood went 12–6 with a 3.36 ERA. He recorded a one-hit, 14-strikeout complete-game shutout on May 25, 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs Box Score, May 25, 2001 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN200105250.shtml |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> On August 3, 2001, he struck out nine batters and gave up only one run over eight innings to defeat [[Chan Ho Park]] and the [[2001 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]] 2-1 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200108030.shtml|title=Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score, August 3, 2001}}</ref> to extend the Cubs' lead in [[National League Central]] to 3.5 games. The following season, Wood finished 12–11 with a 3.67 ERA, and did not miss a start all year long, setting career highs with 213.6 innings pitched and 33 starts. He had 217 strikeouts in both seasons.<ref name=KerryStats/>

In 2003, Wood set career highs with 266 strikeouts, 14 wins (as part of a 14–11 record), a 3.20 ERA, and two shutouts. He threw the fastest fastball in the majors among starters, averaging 95.4 miles per hour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=4&season=2003&month=0 |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2003 » Pitchers » Pitch Type Statistics &#124; FanGraphs Baseball |publisher=Fangraphs.com |access-date=2010-11-21}}</ref>  He also walked 100 batters and surrendered 24 home runs, also 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]].<ref name=KerryStats/>

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. However, the Cubs lost in seven games to the eventual [[2003 World Series|World Series]] champion [[2003 Florida Marlins season|Florida Marlins]]. In the decisive [[2003 National League Championship Series#Game 7|Game 7]], Wood hit the first [[home run]] by a pitcher in an [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] game since another Cub, [[Rick Sutcliffe]], did so in [[1984 National League Championship Series#Game 1, October 2|Game 1]] in [[1984 National League Championship Series|1984]]. However, the Marlins won the game 9-6. Wood was the losing pitcher and the Cubs were eliminated.<ref name=KerryStats/>

====2004–2006====
Wood went 8-9 during the 2004 season and was sidelined for nearly two months with a [[Muscle strain|strained]] [[triceps]].<ref name=KerryStats/> In 2005, Wood continued to struggle. On August 31, 2005, Wood underwent surgery and missed the remainder of the season. During spring training in 2006, Wood suffered several injuries that required an additional surgery (on his knee). On May 18, 2006, Wood returned to the Cubs' pitching rotation when he started and lost a home game against the [[2006 Washington Nationals season|Washington Nationals]]. In June, Wood returned to the [[disabled list]] (DL) with a sore shoulder. The following month, the Cubs announced that Wood had sustained a partially torn [[Rotator cuff tear|rotator cuff]], which was likely to keep him from pitching again for the rest of the year. At the end of the 2006 season, the Cubs exercised their option on Wood's contract and bought out the remaining $13M.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070328&content_id=1863890&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp |title=Wood determined to get back on mound|work= MLB.com|author=Muskat Carrie |access-date=2012-05-18}}</ref>

====2007–2008====
With his long history of injuries and inability to stay in the starting rotation, Wood accepted the Cubs' offer to return as a relief pitcher in 2007. Wood attempted to sustain a regular throwing schedule and appearances during spring training games. Wood was placed on the 15-day DL, though, with soreness in his elbow, and was then moved to the 60-day DL. Wood considered retiring if he continued to have pain in his throwing arm.<ref name=wsj>{{cite news|last=Costa |first=Brian |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304023804575566521474628274?mod=WSJ_NY_Sports_LEFT_LEADNewsCollection |title=The Long Walk From Chicago |work=Wall Street Journal |date=2010-10-22 |access-date=2010-11-21}}</ref> He began playing catch on May 21. In his first rehabilitation assignment in Cubs Rookie Ball, he struck out all three batters he faced. On July 24, he pitched an inning with the Single-A [[Peoria Chiefs]], throwing 9 pitches. He made back-to-back appearances on July 26 and July 27, throwing his fastball between 92 and 94&nbsp;mph with no discomfort.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070727&content_id=2113224&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc |title=Wood starts in third outing for Peoria|work=MLB.com|author=Muskat Carrie |access-date=2012-05-18}}</ref>

The Cubs activated Wood from the 60-day DL on August 3, causing many to believe that he would make his actual return on that day.<ref>{{cite news|last=Muskat|first=Carrie|url=http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070801&content_id=2123626&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070903002150/http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070801&content_id=2123626&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 3, 2007|title=Wood likely to return on Friday|work=MLB.com|date=2007-08-01|access-date=2007-08-02}}</ref> In the seventh inning, however, [[Lou Piniella]] opted to send [[Bob Howry]] to the mound, and most fans, eager to see Kerry back on the hill, mistakenly gave Howry a standing ovation, only to realize moments later he was actually not Wood.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gano|first=Rick|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap;_ylt=AgmQk6Q3YsRYVQsjs7yXcXwRvLYF?gid=270803116|title=NY Mets 6, Chi Cubs 2|date=August 3, 2007|work=Yahoo! Sports|access-date=August 3, 2007}}</ref> Piniella later stated he wanted 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ladewski|first=Paul|url=http://www.dailysouthtown.com/sports/497106,041SPT5.article|title=Wood waiting in wings|date=2007-08-04|work=Daily Southtown|access-date=2007-08-04}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Wood made his return on August 5, with the Cubs trailing the [[2007 New York Mets season|New York Mets]] by four runs.<ref name="rtnrn">{{cite magazine|agency=Associated Press|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/wires/08/05/2010.ap.bbn.cubs.wood.returns.0226/|title=Kerry Wood returns, pitches a scoreless inning for Cubs against Mets|date=2007-08-05|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=2007-08-05}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} </ref> He pitched a single inning, during which he allowed one hit and struck out another batter.<ref name="rtnrn" /> Piniella praised Wood's performance, stating, "He threw the ball real good", and "His breaking ball had some bite to it, and he threw it up there about 93–94, about what we expected".<ref>{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Paul|url=http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-070805cubsbits,1,7493251.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines|title=Kerry Wood back in the fray|date=2007-08-06|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=2007-08-06}}</ref> He remained healthy appearing in 22 games and posting a 1–1 record with a solid 3.33 [[Earned run average|ERA]].<ref name=KerryStats />

Wood was generally limited to one inning per outing, not appearing in games on back-to-back days, though he did pitch in both halves of a doubleheader on September 15. Wood was a major contributor to the Cubs' NL Central Division Championship down the stretch in late September, earning a win and eight holds. Wood filed for free agency on November 11, 2007, though he suggested that he wanted to remain in pinstripes for the 2008 season. Despite multiyear offers from other teams, Wood agreed to a one-year, $4.2&nbsp;million deal with the Cubs.<ref name="muskat">{{cite web|last=Muskat|first=Carrie|title=Wood to return with Cubs in 2008|work=MLB.com|date=2007-11-26|url=http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071126&content_id=2307408&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc|access-date=2007-11-26|archive-date=September 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928002903/http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071126&content_id=2307408&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Wood, along with Bob Howry and [[Carlos Mármol]], competed for the role as the Cubs' closer after [[Ryan Dempster]] was moved to the starting rotation.<ref name="muskat" /> After posting a 2.84 ERA in the spring, Wood won the job. He recorded his first career save April 3, 2008, with a win over the Brewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap;_ylt=AvIm6S8Xr.CkgnMRdA6Kn2ERvLYF?gid=280323125&prov=ap|title=Closing time: Wood makes strong bid for closer role in Cubs' 7-3 victory over Padres – MLB – Yahoo! Sports|publisher=Sports.yahoo.com|date=2010-11-17|access-date=2010-11-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Carrie|last=Muskat|work=MLB.com|url=http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080323&content_id=2454028&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325084242/http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080323&content_id=2454028&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 25, 2008|title=Cubs set to announce pitching choices|publisher=Chicago.cubs.mlb.com|date=2008-03-23|access-date=2010-11-21}}</ref> Wood  recorded 34 saves in 39 opportunities, 82 strike-outs, and a 1.12 [[Walks plus hits per inning pitched|WHIP]]. He was selected to the [[2008 MLB All-Star Game]] as a relief pitcher on July 6, 2008, along with six other teammates.<ref>{{cite news|title=Four Red Sox, three Cubs to start in 2008 All-Star Game|date=2008-07-07|publisher=[[ESPN]]|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/allstar08/news/story?id=3475435|agency=Associated Press|access-date=2008-08-02}}</ref>

Wood was placed on the 15-day DL on July 24, 2008, with a blister on his right index finger.<ref>{{cite news|first=Carrie|last=Muskat|title=Wood's blister problem remains|date=2008-07-27|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080727&content_id=3205843&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|work=mlb.com|access-date=2008-08-02}}</ref>

On November 13, 2008, after acquiring closer [[Kevin Gregg]] from the [[2008 Florida Marlins season|Florida Marlins]], Cubs general manager [[Jim Hendry]] announced that the organization did not plan to re-sign Wood.<ref>{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Sullivan|title=Cubs say goodbye to Kerry Wood|date=2008-11-13|work=chicagobreakingnews.com|url=http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/11/kerry-wood-and-cubs-split.html|access-date=2009-07-20}}</ref> He had previously requested a multiyear contract with the team, but was deferred due to financial reasons. Wood stated he wished to remain with the Cubs, but also wanted to continue playing baseball.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wood credits Cubs GM Hendry's honesty, but said leaving the team was 'bittersweet'|date=2008-11-14|publisher=[[ESPN]]|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3703294|agency=Associated Press|access-date=2009-07-20}}</ref>

===Cleveland Indians===
[[File:9TH Kerry Wood.jpg|thumb|upright|Wood pitching for the [[Cleveland Indians]] in 2010.]]
On December 13, 2008, Wood signed a two-year contract with the [[Cleveland Indians]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081213&content_id=3716364&vkey=pr_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle|title=Indians sign free agent RHP Wood|publisher=Cleveland.indians.mlb.com|date=2008-12-13|access-date=2010-11-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225082644/http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081213&content_id=3716364&vkey=pr_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle|archive-date=February 25, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Cubs fans showed their appreciation for him by giving him a standing ovation when the Indians played at [[Wrigley Field]] on June 19, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jesse|last=Temple|work=MLB.com|url=http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090619&content_id=5414878&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624012000/http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090619&content_id=5414878&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 24, 2009|title=Wood, DeRosa return to Wrigley Field|publisher=Chicago.cubs.mlb.com|date=2009-06-19|access-date=2010-11-21}}</ref>  During the 2010 season, Wood was placed on the disabled list until May 8 due to an upper back muscle strain.<ref name="May10DL">{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100507&content_id=9868450&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |title=Indians activate Wood from disabled list &#124; indians.com: News |access-date=2012-05-18}}</ref> On July 17, 2010, 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.<ref name="May10DL"/>

===New York Yankees===
Wood was traded from the [[2010 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] to the [[2010 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] on July 31, 2010, for Andrew Shive, Matt Cusick, and cash.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/woodke02.shtml |title=Kerry Wood Statistics and History|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=2010-11-21}}</ref> With the Yankees, he went 2–0 with a 0.69 ERA in 24 games, including 21 straight scoreless appearances, and served as the bridge to [[Mariano Rivera]] in the 2010 postseason.<ref name=wsj /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101008&content_id=15520786&vkey=news_nyy&c_id=nyy |title=Yanks use Wood to build sturdy bridge to Mo |work=mlb.com |author=Hoch, Bryan |date=10 October 2010 |access-date=2012-05-18}}</ref> During the 2010 postseason, Wood had a 2.25 ERA, appearing in seven games overall. The Yankees won the [[2010 American League Division Series|2010 ALDS]] against the [[2010 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] in three games, but lost to the [[2010 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] in 6 games of the [[2010 American League Championship Series|2010 ALCS]].

The Yankees announced on October 27 that the club had declined to exercise their option for Wood for 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/10/yankees-decline-to-pick-up-kerry-woods-option.html|title=Yankees decline to pick up Kerry Wood's option|publisher=Chicago Breaking Sports|date=2010-10-27|access-date=2010-11-21}}</ref>

===Chicago Cubs (second stint)===
On December 16, 2010, Wood agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million with the Cubs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101216&content_id=16330784&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc |title=Cubs bring Wood back with one-year deal &#124; cubs.com: News |access-date=2012-05-18}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101216&content_id=16330784&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc|title=Cubs, Wood agree to one-year deal|publisher=cubs.com|date=2010-12-17|access-date=2010-12-17|archive-date=December 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219115601/http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101216&content_id=16330784&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc|url-status=dead}}</ref> Wood re-signed with the Cubs on January 13, 2012, for a one-year, $3 million deal with a team option for 2013.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.suntimes.com/10001932-417/new-deal-for-kerry-wood-and-his-adoring-cubs-fans.html | work=Chicago Sun-Times | title=Chicago – Chicago : News : Politics : Things To Do : Sports}}</ref>

[[File:Kerry Wood coming on to pitch.jpg|thumb|Wood entering a game in spring training 2012]]
Plagued by arm issues and a soaring ERA, Wood retired on May 18, 2012, striking out the only (and therefore final) batter he faced, [[Dayán Viciedo]] of the [[2012 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox]]. The fans at Wrigley Field gave Wood a long standing ovation as his son, Justin, ran out to greet him as he exited the field. On his baseball career: "I had fun, I had a blast", Wood said. "I wouldn't trade anything in."<ref>{{cite news|last=Muskat|first=Carrie|title=Wood retires after final outing|url=http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120518&content_id=31622076&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520074134/http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120518&content_id=31622076&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 20, 2012|access-date=18 May 2012|newspaper=MLB.com|date=May 18, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Muskat|first=Carrie|title=In Final Outing, Wood Fans One, Then Retires|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-pitcher-kerry-wood-retires-after-final-outing-c31622076|access-date=27 April 2023|newspaper=MLB.com|date=May 18, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kerry Wood Loses His Cool in Loss to Braves|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/kerry-wood-loses-his-cool-loss-braves|access-date=27 April 2023|newspaper=NBC Sports Chicago|date=May 9, 2012}}</ref>

===MLB records===
*Fastest to reach 1,000 strikeouts in MLB history (in appearances): 134 games
*Fastest to reach 1,000 strikeouts in MLB history (in innings pitched): 853 IP
*Strikeouts in a nine-inning game: 20 on May 6, 1998 (tied record held by [[Roger Clemens]], who accomplished it twice; [[Max Scherzer]] tied the record in 2016)

==Personal life==
[[File:Kerry Wood (32047415717) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Wood (left) and his wife at [[Welsh–Ryan Arena]] in 2019]]
On February 13, 1999, Wood and former high-school teammate Kevin Walker were ticketed for urinating in a parking lot at 1:10&nbsp;am in [[Scottsdale, Arizona]]. Wood missed his initial court appearance and an [[arrest warrant]] was issued. He later pleaded guilty and paid a fine of $90.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood caught relieving himself in public parking lot|url=http://chippewa.com/cubs-pitcher-kerry-wood-caught-relieving-himself-in-public-parking/article_6488c12b-c8a3-57c1-8070-751c4560c410.html|access-date=29 January 2018|work=Chippewa Herald|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=May 20, 1999|language=en}}</ref>

Wood is married to Sarah Pates of [[Waukegan, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite news|title=JockBio: Kerry Wood Biography|year=2004|work=jockbio.com|url=http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Wood/Wood_bio.html|publisher=Black Book Partners|access-date=2009-07-20|archive-date=July 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706104217/http://jockbio.com/Bios/Wood/Wood_bio.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The couple has one son, Justin, and two daughters, Katie and Charlotte.<ref>{{cite news|first=Carrie|last=Muskat|title=Mailbag: Wood growing strong again|date=2006-02-13|work=mlb.com|url=http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060211&content_id=1310114&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chcaccessdate=2009-07-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406232714/http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060211&content_id=1310114&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chcaccessdate=2009-07-20|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 6, 2012}}</ref> Until 2008, the family resided in the [[Old Town, Chicago|Old Town]] neighborhood of Chicago.<ref>{{cite news|first=Dennis|last=Rodkin|title=Housing Bulletin—Kerry Wood Takes a Loss|date=2008-02-20|work=Chicago Magazine|url=http://www.chicagomag.com/Radar/Deal-Estate/February-2008/Housing-Bulletin-Kerry-Wood-Takes-a-Loss/|access-date=2009-07-20|archive-date=September 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914042015/http://www.chicagomag.com/Radar/Deal-Estate/February-2008/Housing-Bulletin-Kerry-Wood-Takes-a-Loss/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

While playing for the Cubs, the Woods hosted a celebrity bowling tournament called Kerry Wood's Strike Zone, which also featured a [[silent auction]] that raised over $2 million.<ref>{{cite news|first=Carrie|last=Muskat|title=Unique items available for Wood auction|date=2005-11-08|work=mlb.com|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051108&content_id=1266010&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|access-date=2009-07-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Fred|last=Mitchell|title=Guillen, Ditka are 2 of a kind|date=2006-05-25|work=Chicago Tribune|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/1041769691.html?dids=1041769691:1041769691&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=May+25%2C+2006&author=Fred+Mitchell&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Guillen%2C+Ditka+are+2+of+a+kind&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021155629/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/1041769691.html?dids=1041769691:1041769691&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=May+25,+2006&author=Fred+Mitchell&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Guillen,+Ditka+are+2+of+a+kind&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 21, 2012|access-date=2009-07-20}}</ref>

On June 24, 2013, while [[paddleboarding]] in waters in Chicago, Wood happened upon a corpse floating in Belmont Harbor. He immediately reported the 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.<ref>{{cite news|first=Matt|last=Snyder|title=Report: Kerry Wood discovered a dead body Monday|date=2013-06-25|publisher=cbssports.com|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/22525491/kerry-wood-discovered-a-dead-body-monday|access-date=2013-06-26}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball single-game strikeout leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball single-inning strikeout leaders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Baseballstats|mlb=134268|espn=3821|br=w/woodke02|fangraphs=304|brm=wood--001ker|retro=W/Pwoodk001}}
:

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-ach}}}}
{{succession box|title=[[Baseball America Rookie of the Year]]|years=1998|before=[[Nomar Garciaparra]]|after=[[Carlos Beltrán]]}}
{{succession box|before=[[Scott Rolen]]|title=[[Players Choice Award|Players Choice NL Most Outstanding Rookie]]|years=1998|after=[[Preston Wilson]]}}
{{succession box|title=[[Hits per nine innings|Fewerst hits per nine innings (NL)]]|before=[[Pedro Martínez]]<br>[[A. J. Burnett]]|years=1998<br>2003|after=[[Kevin Millwood]]<br>[[Randy Johnson]]}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box|before=[[Jon Lieber]]|title=[[List of Chicago Cubs Opening Day starting pitchers|Chicago Cubs Opening Day starting pitcher]]|years=2003–2004|after=[[Carlos Zambrano]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{1995 MLB Draft}}
{{Chicago Cubs first-round draft picks}}
{{Chicago Cubs Opening Day starting pitchers}}
{{Sporting News MLB Rookie of the year}}
{{NL Rookie of the Year}}
{{NL strikeout champions}}
{{Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wood, Kerry}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
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[[Category:Chicago Cubs players]]
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[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
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[[Category:National League strikeout champions]]
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