Pass On Wood

Let's just ignore the hilarity (and cross marketing) that was Ozzie and Sharon yesterday, shall we? I mean, if you don't understand the real purpose behind the 7th Inning Guest Singers then you probably think tht Ask Amy was there because she's cute.

The real issue is Kerry Wood and his future. This is a guy that's about to go tell Jim Hendry, "Give me $50 million over the next four years or I walk after 2003." We find out that Wood has had balsa for vertebra since he was 18 and that it's been a problem his whole pro career. He's never won more than 13 games in a season. He's already had his arm repaired once (some pitchers have had it twice). And he loses concentration in seemingly every start, leading to an inning where he blows the game. Is this guy worth $12.5 million per year and the players it prevents the Cubs from getting / keeping?

I've gotta say, "No."

Back in 1998, when Wood got his 20, I called WSCR and said that this was one of the worst days in Cubs history. Why? Because Wood was now no longer a pitcher, he was marketing and the cuddliness that comes with it. That attitude is still in Cubs fans to this day. If you factor out that one game, Wood has been an average to above average pitcher at best. His ERA keeps rising. He keeps getting out pitched by guys younger than him. He doesn't show increased mound maturity (although not taking a curtain call after his 1,000th K was sharp -- considering they were losing the game).

He's not a $10 million man. Much less, $12.5 million.

In other news....

...Korey Patterson was spotted getting thrown out in a key spot. Why was he wearing #7?

...Eric Gagne on the mound in the ninth. Cubs need a pinch hitter. So instead of lefty Choi we see Karros. The latest Sky Kids movie was the result. Choi heads to Iowa today for the rest of the month. Get 50 ABs and clear your head, Big Choi.

...just like the "L" in Chicago removed the "A" and "B" trains and replaced them with "All Stops," so have the Chicago Bears replaced their "A-Train" with an "All Stop."

Chuck