Full name KERRY LEE WOOD...Resides in Chicago, IL with his wife, Sarah, and their two children, Justin and Katie...Graduated from Grand Prairie (Texas) High School in 1995 ...As a senior, he earned high school All-America and Texas 5-A Player of the Year honors...For the past five years, Kerry and his wife Sarah have hosted "Kerry Wood's Strike Zone," a celebrity bowling tournament and silent auction fundraiser...The tournament has raised more than $2.0 million since its inception with the 2008 proceeds of $720,000 being donated to the Organic School Project in conjunction with the Chicago Public School System.

In his 14th season with the organization, Kerry made the transition to the closer role, converting 34 of 40 save situations ...Was named to the N.L. All-Star Team for the second time in his career (also 2003), but was unable to pitch due to a blister on his right index finger...Was 5-4 with a 3.26 ERA (24 ER/66.1 IP) in 65 games...He finished his Cubs career with the 3rd highest strikeout total (1407) in the 133-year history of the organization as he has averaged 10.4 strikeouts per 9.0IP for his career (.215 career average against)...Flourishing in his new role, Wood was named to his second National League All-Star Team, averaged 11.4 strikeouts per 9.0IP (84K, 66.1IP) and limited Major League hitters to a .219 average against (54-247, .344SLG/ .288OB/.632OPS all'd)...His strikeout to walk ratio of 4.67 (84K:18BB) was 5th best among all National League relievers & his .219 average against was 15th best in the NL... His 34 saves were the most by a Cubs pitcher since 1998 as he recorded saves in 12 straight opportunities at one point in June and July...He owns a career relief ERA of 3.16 in 98 appearances out of the bullpen (102.2IP, 76H, 36ER, 125K, .203AVG, .608OPS)...His 34 saves ranked tied for fourth among NL closers ...His 85% percent save-percentage ranked tied for sixth (34-40)...Longest 2008 Relief Outing: 2.0 IP (5 times), last 9/18 vs. Milwaukee...Had a 2.80 ERA (11 ER/35.1 IP) in 34 relief appearances at Wrigley Field, converting 21 of 22 save chances at home ...Converted 17 consecutive save chances at home, May 9 through the end of the season...Held the opponent scoreless in 51 of his 65 relief outings...Pitched on no days rest in 19 games, recording a 2.45 ERA (5 ER/18.1 IP) in those games with 13 saves...Allowed just 16 hits in 150 at-bats when reaching two strikes on a batter, good for a .107 batting average in that situation...Picked up his first career save April 3 vs. Milwaukee, tossing a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the 6-3 victory...Was unable to pitch in the All-Star game due to a blister on his right index finger ... eventually landed on the disabled list July 14...Reinstated from the D.L. August 5 and pitched a scoreless eighth inning that night in an 11-7 win vs. Houston...Tossed 8.0 scoreless innings in eight appearances after coming off the D.L...Produced a 1.23 ERA (1 ER/7.1 IP) in his final seven outings of the regular season.