Chicago Cubs: Tim Kurkjian talks about Kerry Wood’s long-lasting legacy

Chicago Cubs: Wood, Prior and the lingering thought of ‘what if’

Perhaps in an alternate reality, the Cubs break their World Series drought with Kerry Wood – or 2003 co-ace Mark Prior in the mix. At the time, the duo represented one of the top pitching tandems in the game, maybe even of all-time.

Chicago rode their two horses to an NL Central crown, coming within five outs of punching their Fall Classic ticket that year – only to see their hopes and dreams unravel before their very eyes.

Kurkjian says that, in terms of ‘stuff and buildup’ – Wood and Prior are near the top of his list of all-time one-two punches. But longevity proved to be both player’s Achilles heel – as injuries cut Prior’s career even shorter than Wood’s. The big right-hander never threw another big league pitch after his age-25 season.

"“You would’ve thought the Cubs might’ve won a world championship with those two guys. Again, the way we use pitchers today and the way we can handle injuries a little better today, who knows? Maybe both of those guys could have had a second career.”"

Ah, what might have been. What might have been.