A Chicago Blog

One Response to “My Right Arm”

1. Daniel Messick
   July 20th, 2007 at 12:56 pm

   

   Bissinger wrote a great article on Wood no question.

   I readily admit that I had been in the “Dump Wood” camp for sometime…but something within me has shifted, and I find myself really pulling for Wood to make a comeback. I would love to see a rejuvenated, healthy Wood come back and make a real contribution to the Cubs this season.

   I suppose I also find myself pulling for Wood because he seems at least to me, to be a sympathetic character. He comes across as genuine and just as frustrated with his injuries and progress (or lack thereof) as any Cub fan. He also distinguishes himself from Mark Prior, who has come across as arrogant, and self-serving…I don’t see the same kind of contempt for the media or the fans in Wood, despite similar injury frustrations.

   Further, Prior actually had the gall to take the Cubs organization to arbitration in an attempt to secure more money from the organization prior to the start of the season, despite the fact that he contributed NOTHING in 2006…The arbitrator must have agreed, as Prior lost his arbitration hearing.

   Wood on the other hand accepted a less lucrative offer from the Cubs then he could possibly have secured elsewhere…an argument could be made here that he has already “stole” millions from the Cubs to this point, but the contract was agreed upon before the proliferation of injuries…and was tendered with the possibility that injuries are a part of the game, as they are in any professional sport, with any player.

   I wish Wood the best…I would love to see Wood enjoy a renaissance of sorts..perhaps see fans dust off the “We got Wood” t-shirts, and the “K” posters…perhaps see Wood contribute significantly to some Cubs playoff wins…