Kerry Wood Net Worth

Despite injuries and multiple stints on the disabled list, Kerry Wood was a highly successful professional baseball player. He played for three Major League clubs (Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees) and was twice named to an All-Star team. He was also the first pitcher to strike out 20 players in a game. He was named the NL Rookie of the Year in 1998. His name is still popular in the sports world, and his achievements have helped increase his net worth.

Wood was born in Irving, Texas, on June 16, 1977. He attended Grand Prairie High School in Texas, and was drafted by the Cubs in the 1995 Amateur Draft as the fourth overall selection. He was drafted to play in the minor leagues and spent three seasons in the minors before making his big league debut with the Chicago Cubs.

Wood started his career as a starting pitcher for the Cubs, but was primarily a relief pitcher. He was called up for the start of the 1998 season and went 2-2 with a 3.39 ERA in his first four starts. In 1999, he suffered a Tommy John surgery, and missed the entire season. He returned to the Cubs in 2010 and made his final MLB start on May 6, 2012, throwing a complete game. He threw a one-hit shutout against the Houston Astros. Afterward, he was traded to the New York Yankees, and made two more appearances for the Yankees, including a victory.

Wood was injured in his first spring training start in 1999, and went on to tear the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. In addition to suffering from this injury, Wood was plagued by several other injuries throughout his career. Eventually, he decided to retire, and signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Cubs. However, the Cubs’ General Manager, Jim Hendry, said the club would not re-sign him. He opted instead to sign with the Cleveland Indians, who traded him to the Yankees on July 31, 2010.

In 2007, Wood began playing as a relief pitcher. He was named to the National League All-Star Team in 2008, and he posted 34 saves. In 2010, he made the postseason, but the Indians lost to the Yankees in the ALCS in six games. He was a bridge to Mariano Rivera, and had a 2.25 ERA in seven postseason games. Despite his postseason success, Wood’s injuries continued to plague him. He was placed on the 15-day DL with soreness in his elbow in May of 2012, and was moved to the 60-day DL with the same soreness. He was eventually voluntarily withdrawn from professional baseball play on May 18.

Wood returned to the Cubs in 2010, and was named to the NL All-Star team in 2008. He was traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2010. In the second half of that year, he made the most of his innings with the Indians, posting a 2.53 ERA, and leading the Indians to their first AL Central Division title.