The Iowa Cubs expect to set a new attendance record on Friday night when Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood makes a rehab start against Colorado Springs. Wood is recovering from surgery on his should last August and is expected to return to Chicago’s rotation later this month. Wood pitched in Des Moines last June and a record crowd of 13,669 watched.
I-Cubs spokesman Jeff Lantz says they’ve added some seats and there’s more standing room space. Friday’s crowd could approach 15-thousand. He says they probably would’ve had a crowd of nine thousand for the Friday fireworks, but he says the phone has been ringing since the announcement that Wood is coming.
Mark Prior has also made a rehab start for the I-Cubs in the past and they always draw big crowds. Lantz says Wood is one of the best starters in the National League when he’s been healthy. Lantz says people can see Wood pitch and save the five-hour drive to Chicago.