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A wiser Wood: Cubs' right-hander prepares himself for a successful season: young hurler continues to learn the art of pitching and hopes to rely more on his teammates and less on strikeouts.(Kerry Wood; Chicago Cubs)(Brief Article)(Interview)
KERRY WOOD IS TRYING TO change his image as a pitcher with more fire than flair. The immature days of "Kid K" are behind him, his flaming flirtation with striking out the world just a memory of his more zestful youth.
He has grown up quickly in four years, ready to turn 25 in June with a better feel for what gives him and his team the best chance to succeed. His development can be seen in his comeback from a career threatening injury after his 1998 season in which he was named the National League's Rookie of the Year.
Wood finished his first major league season with a 13-6 record, 3.40 ERA and 233 strikeouts--including a 20-strikeout performance against the Houston Astros on May 6, 1998. In '99, he missed the entire year after undergoing "Tommy John" surgery.
His first step towards a comeback was in 2000, when he finished with an 8-7 record in 23 games and fanned 132 batters in 137 innings. Wood regained his strength and stamina for the 2001 campaign and returned to some dominating outings to end his season with a respectable 12-6 record, 3.36 ERA and 217 strikeouts in 174 innings.
More important, his approach to hitters changed. Four years ago, Wood believed strongly in the strikeout, considering it a cure-all for every ill. However, he now understands a complete pitcher is much more than a whiff artist. The 6-5, 230 pound right-hander discovered ground outs and pop-ups can be every bit as fulfilling as the adrenaline from a punchout.
"I had the same approach for most of my starts," he said last season. "Throw strikes, let them put the ball in play and let the guys behind me make plays. Where I get myself into trouble is when I start thinking I need to get myself out of it by striking everybody out."
Wood showed the positive results of a broader theory of pitching in a 6-2 victory last season against Arizona. When the Diamondbacks opened the third with Mark Grace's walk, Luis Gonzalez's RBI triple and Jay Bell's walk, Wood might have been on the verge of ...
- Rolen replays that first ground ball.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Salisbury, Jim April 1, 2002 700+ words
...ATLANTA _ It was a hard-hit, skipping ground ball off the bat of Gary Sheffield. Tough...Monday, on opening day, Rolen saw that ground ball for the first time this season. He...he said later. And so Rolen saw that ground ball again Monday night, over and over and...
- Rolen replays that first ground ball.
- Newspaper article from: The Philadelphia Inquirer (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service) April 1, 2002 700+ words
...ATLANTA _ It was a hard-hit, skipping ground ball off the bat of Gary Sheffield. Tough...Monday, on opening day, Rolen saw that ground ball for the first time this season. He...he said later. And so Rolen saw that ground ball again Monday night, over and over and...
- Kerry Wood no match for White Sox, even with a lead.
- Newspaper article from: Chicago Tribune (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service) June 28, 2002 700+ words
...a fix for." Baylor lifted Wood in the Sox's six-run sixth inning. Wood didn't question the decision. "I would have loved to get a ground-ball double play and get out of...blame him for taking me out," Wood said. "I wasn't able to...
- WOOD YOU BELIEVE HTL BANS ALUMINUM BATS?(SPORTS)
- Newspaper article from: The Capital Times (Madison, WI) Polzin, Jim March 23, 2001 700+ words
...t much difference between wood and aluminum bats. Recently...disparity between aluminum and wood bats. "I've seen guys every...s head, or get that little ground ball that just sneaks past the shortstop...Reilly said. With the change to wood bats, Reilly, who's also...
- Shortstop Allison Mullen of Lakeland charging a ground ball as DePaul shortstop...
- Newspaper article from: The Record (Bergen County, NJ) May 13, 1994 700+ words
...Allison Mullen of Lakeland charging a ground ball as DePaul shortstop Kerry Bivona races...Allison Mullen of Lakeland charging a ground ball as DePaul shortstop Kerry Bivona races...Allison Mullen of Lakeland charging a ground ball as DePaul shortstop Kerry Bivona races...
- Seton Hall catcher Dan Hummel tags out Villanova's Augie Grove trying to score...
- Newspaper article from: The Record (Bergen County, NJ) April 15, 1996 700+ words
...s Augie Grove trying to score on a ground ball in Sunday's first game. Date: 04...s Augie Grove trying to score on a ground ball in Sunday's first game. Illustrations...s Augie Grove trying to score on a ground ball in Sunday's first game. Keywords...
- Ground ball screws.(New Products)
- Magazine article from: Product Design & Development December 1, 2006 700+ words
TCM precision ground ball screws incorporate a robust internal return system designed for...end of the nut protect against contamination. Standard precision ground ball screws are available in screw diameter sizes from 3/8 to 6 in...
- GROUND-BALL PITCHER TRYING TO GET CAREER OFF THE GROUND TIDES' KEPPEL WILL LET...
- Newspaper article from: The Virginian Pilot April 4, 2004 700+ words
...hitter, he struck out one batter and walked three . "I had 17 ground ball outs that night," said Keppel, who had Binghamton's play...who open their season Thursday at Harbor Park. "I'm a ground-ball pitcher. I try to make the ball move so you don't get the...
