Autograph Of The Week: Kerry Wood

On May 7, 1998, Kerry Wood made his fifth major league start and struck out the side in the first inning. His fastball gained speed as the game went on, his curveball broke at the last second, and his slider was literally untouchable. So why did he receive our Autograph of the Week?

Wood, who was 20-years-old, tied the record set by Boston's Roger Clemens against Seattle on April 29, 1986, and matched by Clemens against Detroit on September 18, 1996. Wood also broke the National League record of nineteen strikeouts in a nine-inning game, held by Steve Carlton, Tom Seaver and David Cone.