Kerry Wood. He will always be remembered as a Chicago Cubs super prospect who, briefly, lived up to the hype. But he was also, even more briefly, the closer of the Cleveland Indians.
In 2008 Kerry Wood had a good season as the Cubs closer. He went 5-4 with 34 saves (141 ERA+, 1.085 WHIP). He would be selected to his second All-Star team and looked like he had found a second career as a closer. He was far removed from being the dominant starter who struck out 20 Houston Astros on his way to winning the 1998 National League Rookie of the Year…but Wood looked like he has a bright future once again.
In 2008 the Indians signed him to a two year, $20.5 million deal to be their closer. He would be replacing Joe Borowski, who while leading the league in saves in 2007 (with 45), did it to the tune of a 5.07 ERA. That was an exciting time to be an Indians fan. The Indians fashioned themselves contenders and thought Wood would provide the stability the pen needed to thrive.
Wood would not make it two seasons with the Tribe.
In 2010 he was not terrible, but he was not great. Over 55 innings he allowed 48 hits and struck out 63…but his WHIP slipped to 1.382 and he was a perfect 100 ERA+ (league average on the nose) pitcher. He got 20 saves, but overall it was a disappointing campaign for both Wood and the Tribe (who only won 67 games).
Wood struggled mightily to open the 2010 season (21 hits and only 18 K’s in 20 innings…), and so the Tribe flipped him to the Yankees for minor leaguers Andrew Shive and Matt Cusick–who I don’t remember a single thing about.
Thus ended the Kerry Wood experience in Cleveland.
Still, it was neat seeing him in a Cleveland uniform.
I snagged this card for just a couple of dollars. I thought it looked nice…and…I think it might be the only Wood in my collection.