Kerry Wood: A class act

“Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you.” Every time I (William Van Ornum) hear this line from Simon and Garfunkel I think of a different interpretation. Maybe it’s about lost athletic style and grace…maybe about championships…maybe about being a bright spot in dark days.

Today I’m thinking of Kerry Wood. He’s the former phenom fastball pitcher, K’d twenty in one game in his youth, burned out his arm several years later, pitched for the Yankees, and returned to the Chicago Cubs this season.

Word on the street has it that he could have made at least EIGHT MILLION more with another team, but he wanted to be in Chicago.

The Chicago Tribune has a nice feature Wood Has No Regrets Joining Chicagoland.

This fan says it all: “Kerry should be the Poster Guy for what’s right in baseball. While his arm is showing its age, there is no quit in this guy. Kudos to Kerry and his family! And the class he shows on and off the field should be an example to the majority of the spoiled millionaires who are only indulged in their own statistics and ego. If there is a Ron Santo Award given for community service, Kerry wins it!”

Kerry Wood…and Joe DiMaggio.