Governor Quinn Proclaims Kerry Wood Day in Illinois

WHEREAS, Kerry Lee Wood was born on June 16, 1977 in Irving, Texas; and,

WHEREAS, Kerry Wood began his professional baseball career in 1995 when he was drafted fourth overall by the Chicago Cubs. After playing for three years in the minor leagues for both the Daytona Cubs and Iowa Cubs, he joined the Chicago Cubs during the 1998 season; and,

WHEREAS, Kerry Wood, known by many as “Kid K” quickly became one of the most successful players in the history of the Chicago Cubs as well as the National League. He became the Cubs’ starting pitcher in his first season and during his fifth career start threw a one-hit, no-walk, 20-strikeout game against the Houston Astros. During this game he tied for the MLB record of most strikeouts in a single 9-inning game; and,

WHEREAS, Kerry Wood was named as the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1998, finishing the season with a 13-6 record; and,

WHEREAS, Kerry Wood also holds two MLB records for quickest to reach 1,000 strikeouts by appearances (134 games) and innings pitched (853 innings); and,

WHEREAS, Kerry Wood currently lives in Chicago with his wife, Sarah, son Justin and daughters Katie and Charlotte; and,

WHEREAS, Kerry and Sarah Wood began hosting the annual “Kerry Wood’s Strike Zone” Celebrity Bowling Tournament in 2006 to raise money for Chicago Children’s charities; and,

WHEREAS, continuing their work with children in the Chicagoland area, Kerry and Sarah Wood established the Wood Family Foundation in June 2011 in order to raise funds for their programs as well as other children’s charities they support; and,

WHEREAS, Kerry Wood is known not only for his tremendous talent in baseball, but also his dedication to various children’s causes. His enthusiasm for the sport of baseball and for the City of Chicago remains apparent in his many philanthropic contributions to non-profit organizations throughout the City; and,

WHEREAS, Kerry Wood will be honored on September 23rd by the Chicago Cubs during a gathering to honor his career and achievements following his retirement from baseball in May; and,

THEREFORE, I Pat Quinn, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim September 23, 2012 as KERRY WOOD DAY in Illinois, in honor of one of the City of Chicago’s truly great treasures.