Idol favorite was Jags' southpaw once

Richard Wood doesn’t get it.
“I know American Idol is a big deal,” the likable Blue Springs South High School math teacher and baseball coach said, “but it’s just David Cook – our David Cook.
“We rode on the bus with him, had him in class, watched him perform in all the plays at school …
“It’s like (assistant coach) Ben Baier said the other day. We were sitting on the bench and he said, ‘It’s like six or seven years from now, Jeff Lusardi is the American Idol. It’s kind of hard to comprehend.”
Wood wishes he had some really memorable Cook stories, but he doesn’t.
“A great kid who enjoyed the limelight,” Wood said as the seconds tick away on his final season as the Jaguars head coach.
“Did I think he’d be this big of a deal someday? Absolutely!
“No – no, I’m just kidding. We knew he had talent because he was in everything. I knew he wasn’t going to be a professional pitcher – although he is second at the school all-time for wins in a singles season with five.
“And he’s ninth in a season for strikeouts. But I don’t have that total. Maybe we should just make a David Cook record display outside of the gymnasium.”
As I visited with Wood Tuesday morning, hundreds of very polite American Idol/David Cook fans stood in line outside of the school to scoop up some of the 10,000 tickets that are being distributed for Cook’s Friday afternoon scheduled appearance at the high school.
“We didn’t know what to expect,” activities director Mark Bubalo said. “You know, the tickets are free, but we’re asking for a donation for the American Cancer Society, and I guess everyone who’s received tickets has made a donation.”
When asked if he would have the chance to meet Cook Friday, Bubalo looked at me like I had a third eye in the middle of my forehead.
“Are you kidding?” Bubalo said, grinning. “No, I don’t think I’ll be meeting David Cook.”
And neither will Wood.
“At least, I don’t think so,” Wood said, “and that’s all right. I understand how valuable his time is going to be when he’s in town. They’re going to be taking him to a television station, and I think he’s going to Central Office. Then they’re having the parade and the concert … and he’s singing ‘Take Me Out To The Ball Game’ at Kauffman Stadium.
“And I was just his baseball coach. He has a lot more important people to meet.”
But if they did happen to meet by chance, what would the ol’ coach have to say to his former ace?
“I’m proud of him, and happy for him,” Wood said. “I’m watching American Idol because of him, and everyone in Blue Springs is cheering for him.
“I remember David as a great kid, and from watching him on the show, he still appears to be a great young man. He’s making all of us very proud.”