CHICAGO — Kerry Wood arrived in the majors 14 years ago, a fresh-faced kid with No. 34 on his back, slinging fastballs at 100 mph, delivering breaking pitches that were often unhittable and striking out 20 batters in just his fifth start.
On Friday, he left the game after one final, emotional appearance with the Chicago Cubs.
Fittingly, "Kid K" struck out the last batter he'll ever face and retired at the age of 34, ending a career that was eye-popping at times but hampered by injuries.
"I had a blast. I wouldn't trade it in. I learned from the injuries, I learned about my body and what it takes to compete and go out and play every day," Wood said after his final game, a 3-2 loss to the White Sox.
ROYALS PITCHERS HEADED FOR SURGERY: Maybe the Kansas City Royals can get a two-for-one special on Tommy John surgeries from Dr. Lewis Yocum. Royals pitchers Danny Duffy and Blake Wood are both scheduled to have reconstructive elbow surgery after being examined by the Angels' medical director Friday in Tempe, Ariz. The Royals already lost closer Joakim Soria to his second Tommy John surgery during spring training.
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