Kerry Wood
Kerry Wood: The Rise of a Baseball Phenom
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Kerry Wood's full name is Kerry William Wood. He is commonly known as the "Bulldog" for his fierce competitive spirit on the mound.
Birth and Death Dates
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Kerry Wood was born on June 16, 1977, in Austin, Texas. As of now, he remains alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Wood is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians.
Early Life and Background
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Kerry Wood grew up in Cartersville, Georgia. His father, Charlie Wood, was a Little League coach who instilled in Kerry a love for the game at an early age. Wood attended high school in his hometown before being drafted by the Cubs in 1995.
Major Accomplishments
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Wood's professional career was marked by several notable achievements:
In 1998, he threw the fastest recorded pitch in MLB history: a 105-mph fastball.
He won the National League Rookie of the Year award that same year.
* Wood was an All-Star in 2003 and finished third in Cy Young voting.
Notable Works or Actions
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Wood's most memorable moment came on May 6, 1998, when he struck out 20 Houston Astros in a single game. This feat still stands as the MLB record for most strikeouts in a single game by a pitcher.
Impact and Legacy
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Kerry Wood's impressive career may have been cut short due to injuries, but his impact on baseball remains significant. He paved the way for future pitchers with his blistering velocity and competitive drive. Wood's legacy extends beyond his playing days as he continues to contribute to baseball through his work as a pitching coach.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Kerry Wood is widely quoted or remembered due to his remarkable achievements on the mound, including his record-breaking 20-strikeout performance and historic fastball velocity. His dedication to the sport and influence on future generations of pitchers have cemented his place in baseball history.
By exploring Kerry Wood's life and career, we can appreciate the contributions he made to the world of baseball and understand why he remains a beloved figure in the sports community.
Quotes by Kerry Wood
I love the slider. I'll throw it anytime. It helps the curve. The last five feet, it dives toward the left-handed hitter's box. It's a pitch that looks like a fastball coming in. It's a pitch I throw when I need a ground ball with a man on base.
I don't sit around and read papers about myself. If I see myself on TV, if I don't like it, I change the channel.
A lot of times, when young guys come up, you think you don't have to work as hard because the talent is going to get you as far as you need to go. But as you get older, it's not that way. An injury is really a wake-up call and a slap in the face that maybe you were slacking a bit, and don't let it happen again.
At home, when I'm not pitching, I'll sit and sign autographs for the kids. I've always done that and I'll continue to do it. That's part of the job.
He said everything looked good in there, he did what he had to do and cleaned up what he had to clean up. I think everything else looked good and I should recover fine.
I heard a lot of can you be fans out there. They have been following us all year. It was great to here them again tonight.