Kerry Woods returns to the Chicago Cubs to reignite team spirit
Kerry Woods is regarded as one of the best closers in Major League baseball. He may not be popular amongst the fans but Chicago knows him well enough to credit him on his reputation as being a refined closer. Woods is a relief
pitcher and from 1998 to 2008, he featured for the Chicago Cubs, playing in well over 200 games. He compiled a record of 77 wins and 61 losses during that ten year stint. The maverick went out and produced 34 saves in the League games, while maintaining an
earning runs average of 3.65.
Now after spending some time with the New York Yankees’ bullpen rotation, Woods has made his way back to the Cubs on a one year, $1.5 million deal. The player met the team’s General Manager recently after a fundraiser event was
held by Ryan Dempster’s foundation. The closer had earlier gone over to a cathedral to attend Ron Santo’s funeral. It was fate that saw the GM and the ball thrower sit down in a pizza restaurant and talk. It was there, where Woods declared his desire to return
to the Cubs, regardless of any offer (low or high) he would avail in return.
It was after that point on which Kerry got a contract to compete alongside the Cubs. The closer denied himself many multi-year deals to stick through with Chicago. The GM was willing to explain Woods’ significance in the roster’s
structure.
"It's no secret we weren't going to sign a lot of players this (off-season), and one of the biggest needs is exactly what (Wood) fills in a variety of ways," General Manager Jim Hendry said. "Number one, he can still pitch, he
can pitch late in the game, he can close when (Carlos) Marmol needs a blow, he can close if Marmol pulls a [hamstring] and goes on the (disabled list).”
The team’s Chairman, Tom Ricketts has expressed the desire to look after major icons in the team and Kerry is seen to be one of the key figures in the club. Hendry was more than eager to explain the situation. He also talked about
Ronnie’s (Ron Santo) influence on the decision to bring Woods back.
"From the day Tom got here, he's always expressed to me that it's important to take care of quality ex-players who are true Cubs, and the ‘Ronnie’ situation may have brought that to the front for all of us," Jim Hendry said. "Nobody
loved Kerry Wood more than (Ron) Santo. I can hear (Santo) now on the plane when Woody passed by and we won, and he'd say, 'Hey, big boy, (heck) of a job.' In its own strange way, I believe this (deal) wouldn't have happened if we didn't hook up at the church
and Dempster's function on Friday."
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