May 18, 2012 – Kerry Wood Retires

2012 Topps Heritage – Kerry Wood

His career didn’t end up being what we all thought it would be back in 1998 – when he struck out 233 batters in 166.2 innings – but Kerry Wood was the kind of player you don’t see all that often.  Injuries aside, he was pretty much what you would call a generational talent.

Kerry Wood retired today.  Not a lot of people get to go out the way he did – watch this video to determine if you have a soul.  If you get a bit emotional, congratulations, you’re part of the human race.  If you don’t choke up even just a little, well, I’m not sure you’re telling the truth, and also, you’re probably not paying attention, so try watching again.  Don’t lie to me.

If you need a reminder of how good he was, watch this clip of his 20 strikeout game.  As a rookie.  Early in the season.

Then & Now – Tim Wakefield

In 1993, there was a not particularly young pitcher (27 at the time) named Tim Wakefield.

1994 Topps - Tim Wakefield

Wakefield had burst onto the National League scene in 1992, but struggled mightily with the Pirates after that, to the point where he spent 1994 in Triple-A Buffalo.  He wasn’t very good there, either.

In April of 1995, the Pirates released the by then 28-year-old Wakefield, and he signed a deal with Boston.  He went on to pitch 17 pretty successful seasons with the Red Sox before finally retiring just a couple of days ago at the age of 45.

2011 Topps - Tim Wakefield

You can now find Wakefield somewhere in Florida with his grandkids, teaching them the ancient art of the knuckleball, something that he demonstrates for the young folk, above, on 2011 Topps.

Haircuts I Wish I Could Pull Off – The Manny Being Manny

2008 Topps - Manny Ramirez

Yes, “Manny being Manny” is one of the most overused expressions in baseball.  However, with Manny’s recent “retirement,” or whatever it was, let’s take a moment to reflect upon Manny Ramirez.  No, I don’t want to talk about his formidable skill.  I want to take a look back at his haircut, or rather lack thereof.

I guess you could say his haircut was kind of representative of his career.  Early on, in Cleveland, it was neat and tidy. By 2004 in Boston, it was messy, but still manageable.  By the time his career with the Red Sox was winding down, the hair and the personality were disasters.  By 2009 to 2011, there was just no order to it, as Manny floated from LA to Chicago to Tampa (sort of).

This all said, there is no way I could ever pull this ‘do off, and that makes me jealous.  Long, greasy, probably rarely washed.  What did it smell like?  Never mind, I don’t want to know.  Later, Manny.