A Kerry Wood Sighting

The Chicago Cubs Rumor Mill and Hot Stove slowed down on Wednesday, except for the late news about Corey Patterson (scroll down). Check back and I will catch up the rumor mill once more news is available, plus I contacted a Tampa Bay Devil Rays site about Julio Lugo and Aubrey Huff....what they have to say is VERY interesting.

With Wednesday being slow, I thought I would take a moment to share my Kerry Wood sighting.

Last summer I was listening to Pat and Ron and the health of the Cubs was brought up. The subject quickly turned to Kerry Wood and they mentioned Woody was starting his rehab assignment with Iowa within a week with a possible start in Nashville.

Well needless to say my yard work got done faster than ever and it was off to Ticketmaster.com to buy tickets.

Pat and Ron mentioned Woody would likely start on Sunday so I took a gamble and bought two tickets, to my surprise, right behind home plate for $12 each.

Pat and Ron were right and before long it was all over the local media that Kerry Wood would be making a start on Sunday vs. the Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers AAA). We arrived early with camera in hand (my wife has a thing for Kerry) and Greer Stadium was filled with Cubbie blue. It turns out that was the best crowd the Sounds had all year. I did get a chance to meet Ronny Cedeno....great kid, but that night belonged to Kerry Wood.

Woody came out and pitched well, even getting a remark from a guy in the crowd; "Can't you do anything besides striking everybody out". I have never sat behind home plate at a Major League game. I am usually in the bleachers, down the lines or like Bob Uecker on the front row. It was amazing to see him throw and to see that curve ball break. Woody finished with 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO on 70 pitches. Here is the article from the Tennessean.

We all know how his season finished and his future is uncertain, but for that one night in June it was GREAT to see Kerry Wood. Hopefully Woody will have a successful and healthy 2006 season for the Cubbies.

Enjoy the pics....

Remember to check back for your Cubs Off Season reports. If anything happens it will be in 'Cubs News from the Wire' and you will be able to read about the Cubbies here.

Neil

Hey Brian and Chad - Thank you both for the compliments. This is exactly what I had in mind when I considered creating this site. A place where the Cubs Faithful could go and discuss their opinions. Sometimes those opinions are the same as mine, and sometimes they're not. The point is that we're all here for the same reason - our beloved Cubbies!!!

Chad, I would like to see any pics you have from your "Kerry Sighting" at Greer. Very cool about the bat. Please email them to me at neil@chicagocubsonline.com. and let me know if I can post them on the CCO.

Thanks again to you both. Comments like these are what keeps me going. Keep coming back!

Chad Cannon

I must say I agree with Brian. It's great to get up and read your site on a daily basis and have a place to voice our opinions as Cubs fans. Also, I wanted to let you know I was at that game in Greer as well. I was living in Nashville and my fiancee worked for the Nashville Sounds. I was sitting behind home plate too. I have some really good pictures. He also signed one of his bats for me. He was an amazing guy the whole time he was there. He came and hung out in the front office as well. I had a much deeper appreciation for Kerry as a guy. I think he has electric stuff, if he could only stay healthy. It took Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson a while to gain control and figure it out. If you guys want pictures to post, let me know I can send them to you.

Brian

Great site. i enjoy coming to it every morning before i start my day. just wanted to let youknow that as a fellow cub fan i appreciate your information. I got to be honest, i am a little concerned about what we will do to further our offseason. I like the thought of Mench, Lugo, Vidro or even (ahem...i know it wont happen) Tejada but, am a little nervous about Jaque jones and i also feel we need another starter. It pains me to see what the boys to the south have done this offseason but, Williams is doing his job and doing it well. I just wish Hendry would pull some triggers while we got the cash instead of waiting and having to panic and picking up average players for multi years and thus hurting us for the next couple of years. Love the rumors and keep them coming.