Cleveland Indians pitcher Blake Wood was likely the happiest he has ever been when he was pulled from a spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds by manager Terry Francona.
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According to Fox Sports, the Indians skipper went to the mound to pull Wood from the game and delivered the news to Wood on the mound that he had made the team. Up to that point, Wood was uncertain whether or not he'd make the big league squad out of spring training.
"When I went to take him out, [catcher Luke] Carlin was coming and I told him to stay back there a little bit," the skipper told Fox Sports. "I went out there and asked [Wood] if he ever made the team on the mound? He was like no. I go 'well, you just did.' After that we came and talked to him the dugout but you could tell he was pretty excited."
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Francona and general manager Chris Antonetti planned on informing Wood of their decision the next morning, however after learning that the pitcher was experiencing some anxiety over the uncertainty of making the team, Francona called Antonetti and asked his permission to tell Wood.
This was a cool moment and classic Tito. He tells Blake Wood that he made club as he takes him out a few days ago. pic.twitter.com/XKHVLA875F
— Mark Shapiro (@MarkShapiro) March 28, 2014
Wood wasn't sure if he'd ever pitch again, much less on a Major League roster, after undergoing Tommy John surgery in May of 2012.
"Just coming back from what I did and making the Opening Day roster is really fulfilling. It has given me perspective on a lot of things," Wood told Fox Sports.
The Indians, looking to make the playoffs for the second year in a row after losing the Wild-Card game to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2013, were impressed with how Wood looked.
"He had great arm strength and when healthy we knew he was going to be an effective major-league pitcher. We were trying to see that process through," Antonetti said, according to Fox Sports.
Wood made a storybook return, and he'll hope to keep his career rolling on a high note now that he has officially made the team.
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