On his own terms

I doubt that Kerry Wood will ever be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. His career numbers do not approach those of the other great hurlers in Cooperstown. But that one game ...

In his rookie year in just his fifth start Kerry Wood pitched what is one of the most dominating performances in baseball. He struck out 20 batters and gave up a lone infield single. According to the Bill James Game Score method, it was the greatest game ever pitched. On the scale, Sandy Koufax scored a 101 for his perfect game. Wood's score was 105. Today, after one last performance at Wrigley, Wood hung up the cleats. This is how all careers should end:

Wood left the Cubs and came back as a free agent. He wanted to end his career in Chicago. He went out on his own terms, on three pitches, all strikes. Two fast balls and one giant, unhittable curve.