Kerry Wood Calls it a Career (VIDEO)

On Friday the Chicago Cubs lost a member of the roster and a player that will always be remembered for one of the finest performances by a rookie in the history of baseball. After 14 seasons that saw him on the DL 13 times, Kerry Wood decided enough was enough and retired from the game of baseball.

Wood burst onto the baseball scene back in 1998 as a 20-year old rookie when he tied a MLB record by recording 20 strikeouts in a single game in just his fifth start (tying Roger Clemens' record). The Houston Astros only had two base runners the entire day, a single by Ricky Gutierrez and Wood hit Craig Biggio with a pitch.

After such an incredible start it was impossible for Wood to live up to the expectations that game created. He ended up having a good career overall recording 1562 strikeouts as a both a starter and reliever to go with an ERA of 3.67, a record of 86-75, and 63 saves while playing for the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees as well as the Cubs.

(Watch Chicago fans show Kerry some love after he strikes out his final batter, White Sox outfielder Dayan Viciedo.)

Article by Travis Pulver