What I See Right Now

This past weekend, two great careers came to an end: Kerry Wood in Major League Baseball and Kristin Wiig’s seven-year run at Saturday Night Live. And while they are certainly worth mentioning, many may argue that these moments should just be a passing fancy. But the way they left their respective crafts were pure legend.

On May 18, 2012, Kerry Wood tossed his final pitch in a Major League Baseball game. It was a off speed curveball that tailed away from Dayan Viciedo, reminiscent of the same pitch that Derek Bell chased in 1998 when Wood struck him out for his record setting 20th strikeout in that game. 

He was supposed to be the next big thing. A 300 game winner; 3,000 strikeouts. But injuries would not make that happen, yet he still has a special place in the hears of Cub fans and all those residents on Chicago’s North side. And he deserved a proper send off.

He asked to pitch just “one more time” and so he did. That emotional moment can be seen here:

I don’t know if there has been a better on field end to a career. And his son running up embracing him just might have made it the most awesome thing to happen on a baseball field. I’m serious, as a dad and a baseball fan, this was just something really special to me. What a classy move by the Cubs. And Kerry Wood must have emotions of steel, because if that were me, I would have broken down in a sobbing mess before I made it to the dugout.

Then there is Kristen Wiig. Arguably one of the wittiest, most versatile and — dare I say it — sexiest female cast members in SNL’s long history. Her emotional send off was punctuated with a song and dance with Mick Jagger, Arcade Fire and a host of special guests. The enthusiasm from her fellow castmates show how much she meant to them. Shed a tear and sing along here:

I’ve lived in San Diego since 1999. There are basically two sports legends in this town, Tony and Junior. If you hang around long enough, you’re certain to cross paths with either one, directly or indirectly. Junior Seau was a fixture in the community. You may have eaten at his restaurant, attended a fundraiser that he donated an autograph to or watched a Chargers game. As a San Diegan, you have, in some way, been touched by No. 55.

I’ve had the opportunity to meet him on a few occasions, and he was always cordial and accommodating with his fans. We will never know the demons that troubled him … may he rest in peace.