Runs vs. Saves: The Kerry Wood Dilemma

The Cubs have the best record in baseball and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching them all season.  The team is patient at the plate, scores a ton of runs, and Carlos Zambrano's pitching has been unbelievable.  But perhaps my favorite part of the season has been watching Kerry Wood return to his dominant form as the team's closer.  In my life, there have been only two players that I would consider my favorite - Ryne Sandberg and Kerry Wood.  Even while Kerry was going through all of his injuries, I just couldn't pick a new favorite Cub, and every time Kerry battled back from an injury, I would love him that much more.  Kerry Wood wasn't quitting on baseball, so why would I quit on Kerry Wood?

Going into the season, there was a three way battle for the Cubs closer spot between Wood, Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry.  I knew Kerry had the right mental toughness to make a great closer, and felt in my heart that it should be his job to lose.  Sure enough, Kerry Wood won the job, and the Cubs were immediately criticized by many reporters for giving the closer job to a player that they considered an injury risk over a younger player like Marmol.  But despite a few early bumps, Kerry Wood has remained the Cubs closer, and he seems to be getting more comfortable as the season progresses (in contrast to Marmol, who seems to be tiring).  If fact, Wood is tied for the league lead in saves, and if he could just stop hitting batters, he would have to be considered one of the best closers in baseball!

Which brings me to my main point.  The hardest time for me to watch the Cubs this season has been during the 8'th inning when the Cubs are up by three runs.  I know I should be rooting for the Cubs to score as many runs as possible, and I know it's wrong to hope for three quick outs when the Cubs are at the plate...but every time the Cubs score that fourth run, Kerry Wood is denied a save chance.  I want Kerry's 9'th inning dominance on display - to see him strike out three batters, get another save and continue to prove all of his critics wrong.  I love seeing Kerry Wood's name at the top of the saves list, and in a dream world he would set the single season record for saves, leading the Cubs to the playoffs.  And of course the playoffs would end in a championship for the Cubs, with Kerry Wood striking out the final batter.  In fact, I've dreamed of that scenario for a couple of years now, ever since Wood was moved to the bullpen in the first place.

Just the other night, the Cubs led the Braves by only one run going into the bottom of the 8'th inning, but the Cubs proceeded to score four more times, highlighted by Geovany Soto's three run homer.  And even though it was nice to see Geo hit that home run, all but assuring that the Cubs would win, a small part of me was disappointed.  Kerry Wood had stopped warming up - there would be no save chance on this night.  Obviously the most important thing is a Cubs win, but I still selfishly want Kerry Wood to contribute to that Cubs win.  It's really tough when your favorite player is a closer.  I've often wondered if other Cubs fans feel like me - a small part of them rooting for a dramatic save over that extra insurance run.  Maybe we're wrong to feel this way, but we just can't help ourselves - we love Kerry Wood!  Go Cubs Go!!!

FULL DISCLOSURE TIME: I should probably mention that I drafted Kerry Wood on both of my fantasy baseball teams at the beginning of the year, knowing that he would win the closer job.  Now, I don't let fantasy baseball interfere with my rooting for the Cubs EVER.  A Cubs win is the most important thing, so when the Cubbies are rallying against Takashi Saito, I don't care that my fantasy team's ERA takes a hit - the Cubs won!  Saito can get his saves against some other team.  I honestly don't think fantasy baseball is the reason for my feelings about Wood - I like to think that I'm just happy my favorite player is pitching well, helping out his team and silencing all his doubters.  But it would be a pretty big omission to not admit that both of my fantasy teams are helped out every time Kerry Wood gets a save.

Thanks Al for the great site, I've never posted here before, but I've been visiting daily for about two years now.  Keep up the good work!!!