KERRY WOOD

When Kerry Wood debuted in 1998, Cubs fans knew they had a special pitcher on their hands. When he tied the record with 20 strikeouts in a game, his hero status in Chicago was solidified. Then, during the playoff race in 2003, Dusty Baker overused him and pitched him way too deep in ballgames because the bullpen was weak. He was never the same.

For the next 3 1/2 seasons, Kerry Wood battled injuries before finally making the transition to the bullpen. This is where he found a new place in his career. After the 2007 season, Kerry Wood was in demand as a potential closer. Large 2 and 3 year contracts were offered to him, but he made the decision to stay in Chicago on a small one year contract because he thought he owed it to them for sticking with him during all of his injury plagued seasons. This decision further solidified him as a hero in Chicago. This is when Kerry Wood became my favorite player. In 2008 he had 34 saves.

In 2009, the Cubs decided they no longer wanted him. He went to Cleveland, where he played for 1 1/2 seasons before being traded to the Yankees. This is where Mariano Rivera taught him the cut fastball and where Kerry Wood became a premier set-up man. In this third stage of his career, Kerry Wood was again in demand. Again, teams were lining up to offer him 2 and three year contracts to be their 8th inning guy. Again, Kerry Wood opted to take less money on a one year contract to return to the Cubs.

Before the 2012 season, the Cubs finally ponied up some dough to sign him for one year with a one year option.

Yesterday he made no announcement, but Cubs fans knew he was about to retire. In the eight inning, with one out, Kerry Wood got his final call from the bullpen. He shook the hand of the bullpen coach and made his final walk to the mound to a standing ovation. He threw three pitches, earning the strikeout, the 1,582nd of his career. He was then pulled from the game. The entire Cubs infield greeted him on the mound as the sold out stadium stood for a standing ovation that seemed to never end.

When he walked out to the dugout, his kid ran out and hugged him. He picked up his kid and walked into the dugout and shook everyone's hand before walking back out to tip his cap to the still standing crowd. He then walked back into the dugout, shaking everyone's hand again and sat on the bench next to his kid.

It was a special moment, and yes, there were a few tears in my eyes. I'll admit it and I don't care. He was my favorite player.