Retired

[Ceetar]

What were his numbers like prior to say 2005 though? I feel like he came back to earth a bit against the Mets

[Frayed Knot]

As with a lot of 'team killer' reps, Chipper's v the Mets got its start early and continued to be seen as accurate even in later years when it was only occasionally true.

Look at the stats from the 1996-2001 years: .350+ BAs every year with OBAs of .450 and more. Big contrast to the likes of '05, '07, '09. There were stretches when we were handling him quite nicely.
And, yeah, those are overall numbers not just at Shea, but it's not like the rep existed only in the one stadium either.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Wow, look at that 1999: Seven homers in 40 at bats, and a 1.000 slugging percentage. That's enough to really get a reputation started.

[Edgy MD]

Yup, 1999. And in the playoffs, Valentine's staff absolutely refused to pitch to him, giving him a warped line over the series of .263 / .517 / .368 / .886. They walked him nine times in six games --- and even hit him once, during that bizarre first inning in Game Six immortalized in "Al's Diner."

It's the sort of strategy tailor-made to make a hero out of the likes of Brian Jordan.

[Frayed Knot]

Chipper to start his final season the same way he began what was to be his first one ... on the DL.

[Edgy MD]

Kerry Wood retiring after today's game.

[Frayed Knot]

Whoa, didn't see that coming (although perhaps I should have).


Cetainly had a nice career which shouldn't be overlooked for never matching the expectations of that 20K game, a game that was his 5th start in the majors.

[metirish]

Happy trails.....watched the SO game a few years ago and it was something else....heard it called the greatest pitching performance ever, not sure how that can even be determined but it was amazing to watch.

[Edgy MD]

Probably wasn't the greatest pitching performance ever, but it was up there. Harvey Haddix certainly has a claim on that title as well. I'd say the greatest was a tie between Leon Cadore and Joe Oeschger.

[Gwreck]

Kerry Wood has the highest-ever game score for a 9 inning game (105). Haddix had a 107 in 13 innings.

Leon Cardore's game score was 141 and Oeschger had a 149 (26 inning game).

[Edgy MD]

And the next day their arms fell off.

[DocTee]

Lookit what he did to the heart of that lineup: 3-4-5...0-9 with 9K

[Edgy MD]

Yabbut... Jack Howell? Clean-up?

Look at Martinez winding up to get sweet handful kerrywoodass.



He always seemed kind of like man-boy Ricky Schroeder to me --- his tough guy beards always looking like peach-fuzz sprouting from childish cheeks. Never really seemed to grow up.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Wood strikes out last batter swinging, then leaves to a two-minute standing ovation/curtain-call thing. Kinda awesome.

Reminds me of how I left my last job, insofar as there are armed guards present, and the whole place smells like beer and pee.

[Edgy MD]

Kerry Wood comes in and strikes out the last hitter he faces, and then walks off to a standing ovation --greeted by his son. Daytime game at Wrigley, hosting the White Sox.

Hard to write a better ending than that. Woulda been cool to get the save, I guess.

[Frayed Knot]

Cubs still batting in the 8th down by one - although Wood can't get the win because he didn't finish the inning.

[metirish]

Video of what Edgy mentioned above

http://deadspin.com/5911585/?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_facebook&utm_source=deadspin_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow


as seen on Walter's FB...Hahnsolo???


conflating here again

[G-Fafif]

Jesus, that was beautiful.

[metirish]

G-Fafif wrote: Jesus, that was beautiful.

it was , had a Field of dreams feel about it, or maybe Wood does, very cool either way.

[Edgy MD]