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MSNBC.com baseball analyst Ted Robinson gives his take on the hits and misses by players, managers, umpires and owners in Major League Baseball.

Robinson has an extensive background in covering the sport. He called the play-by-play on NBC's Major League Baseball Game of the Week telecasts from 1986-89. Additionally, he has been the lead play-by-play announcer for the Minnesota Twins, the television and radio play-by-play voice of the San Francisco Giants, and a member of the New York Mets broadcast team.



Cubs to give Wood a shot at closer's role

Posted: Friday, November 30, 2007 5:12 PM

There’s something refreshing about the Kerry Wood story. Accounts from Chicago report that the right-hander bypassed several multi-year offers from other teams to stay with the Cubs, where he may become the closer. Wood and the Cubs agreed on a $4.2 million, one-year contract.

 

While injuries have hindered Wood, he has hardly been a bust of the Chan Ho Park ilk. The Cubs spent $32.5 million for 13 wins from Wood from 2004-06 -- lost money no doubt but mild in the current climate. Still, Wood must have felt some obligation to the organization which drafted him with the fourth overall pick in the 1995 free-agent draft.

 

He returned this past season -- after a massive option was declined by the Cubs -- and became a contributor from the bullpen, pitching in middle relief and helping the Cubs win the division. The first sign of his dedication was a tremendous weight loss. As mentioned here last month, he threw several 96 mph inside fastballs past Arizona hitters in the playoffs. Those pitches obviously were noticed around baseball.

 

The Cubs are saying only that Wood will get a shot at the closer's role, competing with Bobby Howry and Carlos Marmol. It’s actually the best bullpen role for someone like Wood who has durability issues. The closer knows when he will pitch and is rarely over-used in a game or the victim of excessive warm-up calls. If Wood, who will be just 30 on Opening Day, is ever to return to being an impact pitcher, this may be his best chance.

 

And I find it noteworthy that he didn’t chase the bucks.  

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Comments

Refreshing is the correct word for this too.  How often do you see a player stick around instead of bailing to where the money is?  Kerry did the admirable thing and I bet his decision will benefit both himself and the Cubs in 08.  

Randy Fox (Sent Friday, November 30, 2007 7:34 PM)

Simply put, the cubs have wasted too much time and money aon both Wood and Prior. They've spent more time on the bench than on the mound. Move on. In sports today it's win or go home and thats the mentality that these clubs should have.

Kresman (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 10:22 AM)

One can't help but think that the closer role would be best for Wood and extend a carrer that's been dominated by injuries and false hopes.

He has the pitches to be a dominant closer, the question is does he have the durability?

Steve, Carson City, NV (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 4:37 PM)

Kerry Wood is a professional and with the attitude and stuff he showed the fall of 2007 he will be the closer for the Cubs in 2008. This will be an outstanding move with Howery and Marmol as set-up men.
Also on a lighter note, Mr. Wood has something to prove to the Chicago faithful!

Trent Keller, Bloomington Illinois (Sent Tuesday, December 04, 2007 12:29 PM)

I saw Kerry 2x, including the 1st Arizona playoff game - He was being cheered by more fans than about everybody elso on the Cubs.  We see what his commitment is - He's got a lot of money in the bank and chose to endure rehab after rehab.  I think he has something to prove, as well as become a legend if the Cubs were to win the series.  Forget Cooperstown, if he were to have a part in a series win, we would name waveland avenue after him!  It may be the best spark ever for the Cubs.  We cub fans love a player who loves us back (remember Sammy or Ernie?)  I will be the first in line for a Kerry Wood jersey this next year!

Mike H. (Sent Tuesday, December 04, 2007 5:09 PM)

Agree, Wood will be in the closer's role.  I think he'll easy surpass 35 saves.

Casey Pfeiffer, Lincoln, NE (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 5:59 PM)

The Kerry Wood story is chock full of classic Cub drama.  Who can forget the 2003 play offs and Kerry Wood hitting home runs and pitching brilliance.  However, as everyone knows in Chicago, almost inevitably the saga of some of the best players have ended in disappointment.

Kerry Wood has cashed in his credit in the last few seasons with injuries and the Cub community is looking for significant production.  There is certainly room in the bullpen for this, and a shot to change the consistent ending to the same old story of the Chicago Cubs.

Mike O'Brien (Sent Sunday, December 09, 2007 9:51 AM)



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