And so it begins....

[DaleJRFan]

Maybe next year:


03/10/2005 3:37 PM ET
Wood to see Cubs orthopedist
Chicago ace left game with tightness in right shoulder

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood, who left his Wednesday start early because of tightness in his right shoulder, underwent an MRI and returned to Chicago Thursday to be examined by the team orthopedist.

Here's the link

How great is it that on the MLB.com homepage, There is a picture of McCarthy and a story about his AMAZING spring right next to a picture of Wood and how he is going to miss a start... classic.

[Palehose Pete]

When I see Wood go down in spring training, I can't believe that Burly-mon gets no love in this town from the media when Mr. B's stats are comparable to or better than Wood's stats (except in the strikeout category - Wood has more than double the K's to Buehrle's). I think it's because Wood is flashy with all of his Ks and Buehrle is simply an efficient workhorse who puts up consistently good to great numbers each year but doesn't "blow people away" with his K stat.

[Jerko]

Originally Posted by Palehose Pete

When I see Wood go down in spring training, I can't believe that Burly-mon gets no love in this town from the media when Mr. B's stats are comparable to or better than Wood's stats (except in the strikeout category - Wood has more than double the K's to Buehrle's). I think it's because Wood is flashy with all of his Ks and Buehrle is simply an efficient workhorse who puts up consistently good to great numbers each year but doesn't "blow people away" with his K stat.

That's the reason; the strikeout. It's the pitchers' version of a home run. The fact that Buehrle's strikeouts to walks ratio is BETTER than Wood's doesn't matter; it's total number of strikeouts that the media concentrates on.

[BRDSR]

Originally Posted by Jerko

That's the reason; the strikeout. It's the pitchers' version of a home run. The fact that Buehrle's strikeouts to walks ratio is BETTER than Wood's doesn't matter; it's total number of strikeouts that the media concentrates on.

Wood wouldn't be nearly the celebrity that he is if he hadn't struck out 20 Astros in some game back in 1998(?) However, I don't complain when they show his wife on TV. Quick question...is it okay to be attracted to Cubs' wives?

[zach074]

Originally Posted by BRDSR

is it okay to be attracted to Cubs' wives?

Your going to White Sox fans hell! Your going to be sitting next to Ron Santo for all eternity!

[batmanZoSo]

Originally Posted by Jerko

That's the reason; the strikeout. It's the pitchers' version of a home run. The fact that Buehrle's strikeouts to walks ratio is BETTER than Wood's doesn't matter; it's total number of strikeouts that the media concentrates on.

No, it's the ratio that matters. Strikeout shmrikeout...give me a ground ball on the second pitch and a healthy arm. Yeah, I said it...strikeouts are overrated...often.

[MUsoxfan]

Originally Posted by BRDSR

Quick question...is it okay to be attracted to Cubs' wives?

If the media wasn't so biased against the White Sox wives, then you would find the White Sox wives MUCH better looking. I have a feeling the camera's will find a way to get Pods' girlfriend on camera this year

[pearso66]

Originally Posted by batmanZoSo

No, it's the ratio that matters. Strikeout shmrikeout...give me a ground ball on the second pitch and a healthy arm. Yeah, I said it...strikeouts are overrated...often.

I actually said that sometime last year on this website and someone tried flaming me because I didnt know what I was talking about. I dont remember who, but I remember it specifically.

[HomeFish]

Terrible timing; he might recover in time to pitch a substantial part of the season. I'd much prefer for this to have happened during the regular season, when he would be guarenteed to miss some meaningful games.

Oh well. Can't be choosers.

[Clembasbal]

Originally Posted by HomeFish

Terrible timing; he might recover in time to pitch a substantial part of the season. I'd much prefer for this to have happened during the regular season, when he would be guarenteed to miss some meaningful games.

Oh well. Can't be choosers.

Come on guys, he would win more than 14 games...but he is hurt too often. Kerry Woods is the best pitcher.

[DaleJRFan]

Originally Posted by Clembasbal

Come on guys, he would win more than 14 games...but he is hurt too often. Kerry Woods is the best pitcher.

Kerry Wood Win/Loss over the past five seasons:

2000: 8-7
2001: 12-6
2002: 12-11
2003: 14-11
2004: 8-9

Mark Buehrle Win/Loss over the past five seasons:

2000: 4-1
2001: 16-8
2002: 19-12
2003: 14-14
2004: 16-10

ERAs are very close, too. Buehrle throws a lot more innings per year and has NEVER had injuries. Need I say more? Buehrle = ACE. Wood = Overrated.

[Chisox003]

Originally Posted by DaleJRFan

Kerry Wood Win/Loss over the past five seasons:

2000: 8-7
2001: 12-6
2002: 12-11
2003: 14-11
2004: 8-9

Mark Buehrle Win/Loss over the past five seasons:

2000: 4-1
2001: 16-8
2002: 19-12
2003: 14-14
2004: 16-10

ERAs are very close, too. Buehrle throws a lot more innings per year and has NEVER had injuries. Need I say more? Buehrle = ACE. Wood = Overrated.

You said Buehrle throws a lot more innings...True.

Lets take a look

Kid K's innings pitched last 5 years
2000: 137 (23 Games started)
2001: 174 (28 GS)
2002: 213 (33 GS)
2003: 211 (32 GS)
2004: 140 (22 GS)
5 year total-- 875 IP, 138 games started

Buehrle IP
2000: 51 (3 GS)
2001: 221 (32 GS)
2002: 239 (34 GS)
2003: 230 (35 GS)
2004: 245 (35 GS)
5 year total--986 IP, 139 games started

Buehrle is a better pitcher, plain as that. The games started are almost exact, meaning that Mark goes deeper into games, thus saving the pen a whole lot of work. 111 Innings difference!?! Thats an entire season for Wood. Its not even comparable anymore.

The argument could be made that Wood's IP arent as high because hes a strikeout pitcher, but look at the posts above...Mark's K/BB ratio is better, so which would you rather have: A strike out pitcher who goes 5 or 6 innings a game and is a lock to get injured EVERY season, or a pitcher who goes out and pitches a solid 7 or 8 innings just about every start, K/BB is outstanding, and is the most dependable starter in baseball with over 930 IP the last 4 years? Please.

[Stroker Ace]

Originally Posted by HomeFish

Terrible timing; he might recover in time to pitch a substantial part of the season. I'd much prefer for this to have happened during the regular season, when he would be guarenteed to miss some meaningful games.

Oh well. Can't be choosers.

Yeah, this sure is some terrible timing

[batmanZoSo]

Originally Posted by pearso66

I actually said that sometime last year on this website and someone tried flaming me because I didnt know what I was talking about. I dont remember who, but I remember it specifically.

Well if anyone wants to try that with me and turn it into an endless statistical and philosophical argument, I'm not interested. There are a million ways to debate this, but I stand by it. They are often overrated. Not completely.

[fquaye149]

Originally Posted by batmanZoSo

No, it's the ratio that matters. Strikeout shmrikeout...give me a ground ball on the second pitch and a healthy arm. Yeah, I said it...strikeouts are overrated...often.

but, but, but a pitcher has NO control over what happens when a ball is put into play. It's just a happy accident for Shingo and Buehrle that the hitters decided to jam themselves or the wind must have been blowing in, or the grass was cut too long.

the strikeout's the only way to get a batter out...