Astros offer a deal to Prior

[SouthSideRyan]

Seems like the type of thing a classy guy like Mark would do.

 

why would he feel any obligation not to go to the team he feels he fits best? why is it classless to go elsewhere in the division?

 

It's a slap in the face to the Cubs fans that idolized him. You know the people that paid for the tickets, bought his jersey, etc. The city of Chicago and Cubs fans made him rich - and we've been waiting (and paying) for a long time for him to get healthy. If he wanted to repay a little bit of what he's been given by all of us he could have taken a two-year incentive laden deal. How about a little loyalty? If he comes back in the 2nd half of 08 pitching for another team in the same division it only magnifies things. Take your smug expressions and get out of town Mark.

 

Things Mark Prior has given Cubs fans and management

 

657 IP 757 Ks, 223 BBs, 3.51 ERA, 1.225 WHIP 123 ERA+ Going out and pitching through pain for what appears to have been the majority of his Cubs career.

 

 

Some of the things Cubs fans and management have given Mark Prior

 

Hilarious towel jokes

Hilarious vagina jokes

Hilarious ten cent head jokes

Shameless abuse of his arm

Scapegoating for the loss in '03

Insinuations of being a headcase

Insinuations of being soft(not the word often used, but that one wouldn't pass the filter)

Insinuations of being on steroids

Insinuations of being a cocky, spoiled jerk

 

 

 

Loyalty indeed.

[Guest]

Seems like the type of thing a classy guy like Mark would do.

what?

 

Look at the way Kerry handled himself while rehabbing - and once he was healthy again. IMO - Mark's a jerk.

 

Have you met Mark?

[Soul]

Alright, well regardless he's the enemy if he signs with Houston.

[inari]

Seems like the type of thing a classy guy like Mark would do.

what?

 

Look at the way Kerry handled himself while rehabbing - and once he was healthy again. IMO - Mark's a jerk.

 

Have you met Mark?

 

I have. I don't think it's much of a stretch to call him a jerk. I just don't think that he deserves any venom for it. He's not malicious, he's just not a people person.

[Smack]

Seems like the type of thing a classy guy like Mark would do.

 

why would he feel any obligation not to go to the team he feels he fits best? why is it classless to go elsewhere in the division?

 

It's a slap in the face to the Cubs fans that idolized him. You know the people that paid for the tickets, bought his jersey, etc. The city of Chicago and Cubs fans made him rich - and we've been waiting (and paying) for a long time for him to get healthy. If he wanted to repay a little bit of what he's been given by all of us he could have taken a two-year incentive laden deal. How about a little loyalty? If he comes back in the 2nd half of 08 pitching for another team in the same division it only magnifies things. Take your smug expressions and get out of town Mark.

 

Things Mark Prior has given Cubs fans and management

 

657 IP 757 Ks, 223 BBs, 3.51 ERA, 1.225 WHIP 123 ERA+ Going out and pitching through pain for what appears to have been the majority of his Cubs career.

 

 

Some of the things Cubs fans and management have given Mark Prior

 

Hilarious towel jokes

Hilarious vagina jokes

Hilarious ten cent head jokes

Shameless abuse of his arm

Scapegoating for the loss in '03

Insinuations of being a headcase

Insinuations of being soft(not the word often used, but that one wouldn't pass the filter)

Insinuations of being on steroids

Insinuations of being a cocky, spoiled jerk

 

 

 

Loyalty indeed.

 

He's a high profile professional athlete. Do you think the treatment by 'that' segment of fans would have been different elsewhere? New York? Boston? Philly? LA? And it's not just big markets - I go to Brewer games and they're not exactly nice when a guy isn't performing. You're going to find fans that say and do things like that everywhere. I supported the guy until it became obvious he wasn't going to stick around.

[imb]

Seems like the type of thing a classy guy like Mark would do.

 

why would he feel any obligation not to go to the team he feels he fits best? why is it classless to go elsewhere in the division?

 

It's a slap in the face to the Cubs fans that idolized him. You know the people that paid for the tickets, bought his jersey, etc. The city of Chicago and Cubs fans made him rich - and we've been waiting (and paying) for a long time for him to get healthy. If he wanted to repay a little bit of what he's been given by all of us he could have taken a two-year incentive laden deal. How about a little loyalty? If he comes back in the 2nd half of 08 pitching for another team in the same division it only magnifies things. Take your smug expressions and get out of town Mark.

 

Things Mark Prior has given Cubs fans and management

 

657 IP 757 Ks, 223 BBs, 3.51 ERA, 1.225 WHIP 123 ERA+ Going out and pitching through pain for what appears to have been the majority of his Cubs career.

 

 

Some of the things Cubs fans and management have given Mark Prior

 

Hilarious towel jokes

Hilarious vagina jokes

Hilarious ten cent head jokes

Shameless abuse of his arm

Scapegoating for the loss in '03

Insinuations of being a headcase

Insinuations of being soft(not the word often used, but that one wouldn't pass the filter)

Insinuations of being on steroids

Insinuations of being a cocky, spoiled jerk

 

 

 

Loyalty indeed.

 

He's a high profile professional athlete. Do you think the treatment by 'that' segment of fans would have been different elsewhere? New York? Boston? Philly? LA? And it's not just big markets - I go to Brewer games and they're not exactly nice when a guy isn't performing. You're going to find fans that say and do things like that everywhere. I supported the guy until it became obvious he wasn't going to stick around.

 

You call sports talk radio a lot, don't you?

[inari]

Seems like the type of thing a classy guy like Mark would do.

 

why would he feel any obligation not to go to the team he feels he fits best? why is it classless to go elsewhere in the division?

 

It's a slap in the face to the Cubs fans that idolized him. You know the people that paid for the tickets, bought his jersey, etc. The city of Chicago and Cubs fans made him rich - and we've been waiting (and paying) for a long time for him to get healthy. If he wanted to repay a little bit of what he's been given by all of us he could have taken a two-year incentive laden deal. How about a little loyalty? If he comes back in the 2nd half of 08 pitching for another team in the same division it only magnifies things. Take your smug expressions and get out of town Mark.

 

Things Mark Prior has given Cubs fans and management

 

657 IP 757 Ks, 223 BBs, 3.51 ERA, 1.225 WHIP 123 ERA+ Going out and pitching through pain for what appears to have been the majority of his Cubs career.

 

 

Some of the things Cubs fans and management have given Mark Prior

 

Hilarious towel jokes

Hilarious vagina jokes

Hilarious ten cent head jokes

Shameless abuse of his arm

Scapegoating for the loss in '03

Insinuations of being a headcase

Insinuations of being soft(not the word often used, but that one wouldn't pass the filter)

Insinuations of being on steroids

Insinuations of being a cocky, spoiled jerk

 

 

 

Loyalty indeed.

 

He's a high profile professional athlete. Do you think the treatment by 'that' segment of fans would have been different elsewhere? New York? Boston? Philly? LA? And it's not just big markets - I go to Brewer games and they're not exactly nice when a guy isn't performing. You're going to find fans that say and do things like that everywhere. I supported the guy until it became obvious he wasn't going to stick around.

 

If every fan base is going to treat him the same, why should he care what we think or what he owes us? He's more comfortable elsewhere.

[Smack]

Seems like the type of thing a classy guy like Mark would do.

what?

 

Look at the way Kerry handled himself while rehabbing - and once he was healthy again. IMO - Mark's a jerk.

 

Have you met Mark?

 

Come on - I have to have dinner with someone to have an opinion? I've met pro football, baseball, hockey, and basketball players - F1 drivers, business executives, millionaires, and billionaires. It's not often that any of them have made a defining impression in a few moments.

[Smack]

Seems like the type of thing a classy guy like Mark would do.

 

why would he feel any obligation not to go to the team he feels he fits best? why is it classless to go elsewhere in the division?

 

It's a slap in the face to the Cubs fans that idolized him. You know the people that paid for the tickets, bought his jersey, etc. The city of Chicago and Cubs fans made him rich - and we've been waiting (and paying) for a long time for him to get healthy. If he wanted to repay a little bit of what he's been given by all of us he could have taken a two-year incentive laden deal. How about a little loyalty? If he comes back in the 2nd half of 08 pitching for another team in the same division it only magnifies things. Take your smug expressions and get out of town Mark.

 

Things Mark Prior has given Cubs fans and management

 

657 IP 757 Ks, 223 BBs, 3.51 ERA, 1.225 WHIP 123 ERA+ Going out and pitching through pain for what appears to have been the majority of his Cubs career.

 

 

Some of the things Cubs fans and management have given Mark Prior

 

Hilarious towel jokes

Hilarious vagina jokes

Hilarious ten cent head jokes

Shameless abuse of his arm

Scapegoating for the loss in '03

Insinuations of being a headcase

Insinuations of being soft(not the word often used, but that one wouldn't pass the filter)

Insinuations of being on steroids

Insinuations of being a cocky, spoiled jerk

 

 

 

Loyalty indeed.

 

He's a high profile professional athlete. Do you think the treatment by 'that' segment of fans would have been different elsewhere? New York? Boston? Philly? LA? And it's not just big markets - I go to Brewer games and they're not exactly nice when a guy isn't performing. You're going to find fans that say and do things like that everywhere. I supported the guy until it became obvious he wasn't going to stick around.

 

You call sports talk radio a lot, don't you?

 

Nope, never have. Doubt I ever will.

[abuck1220]

good, someone else gets to pay him to throw a towel. Even when he does pitches, he is a batting practice pitcher. Why you guys are getting worked up about this guy is a joke. Get worked up about our lack of a leadoff hitter, closer & overall lineup of strikeout kings.

 

you brought up at least four false/meaningless issues in one post...congrats!

[WilcoFan]

Seems like the type of thing a classy guy like Mark would do.

 

why would he feel any obligation not to go to the team he feels he fits best? why is it classless to go elsewhere in the division?

 

It's a slap in the face to the Cubs fans that idolized him. You know the people that paid for the tickets, bought his jersey, etc. The city of Chicago and Cubs fans made him rich - and we've been waiting (and paying) for a long time for him to get healthy. If he wanted to repay a little bit of what he's been given by all of us he could have taken a two-year incentive laden deal. How about a little loyalty? If he comes back in the 2nd half of 08 pitching for another team in the same division it only magnifies things. Take your smug expressions and get out of town Mark.

 

Things Mark Prior has given Cubs fans and management

 

657 IP 757 Ks, 223 BBs, 3.51 ERA, 1.225 WHIP 123 ERA+ Going out and pitching through pain for what appears to have been the majority of his Cubs career.

 

 

Some of the things Cubs fans and management have given Mark Prior

 

Hilarious towel jokes

Hilarious vagina jokes

Hilarious ten cent head jokes

Shameless abuse of his arm

Scapegoating for the loss in '03

Insinuations of being a headcase

Insinuations of being soft(not the word often used, but that one wouldn't pass the filter)

Insinuations of being on steroids

Insinuations of being a cocky, spoiled jerk

 

 

 

Loyalty indeed.

 

 

I think I hear the smallest violin in the world, playing only for Mark Prior. What a tragedy for him. I think we should ask the Darfur refugees to give a little of the rations they get each day and donate them to the "Mark Prior feels bad" fund.

 

At the same time, we have no idea if Mark Prior is tough, or a wuss, or a jerk, or a nice guy (or teammate). All we really know is that he was a GREAT pitcher who unfortunately got hurt.

 

He got criticized by stupid fans. I don't think there's a player in baseball that doesn't get criticized by stupid fans. It comes with the territory. The Cubs SHOULD HAVE offered him arbitration. But they didn't. This isn't some great injustice. It was a bad business decision, nothing more.

 

Its ridiculous to try and assign some level of emotional blame to EITHER side in this situation. Prior is not a jerk and the Cubs did not treat him poorly. When he said he was "just an employee," he was right. He was an employee, and when management felt he couldn't do the job anymore, they cut ties with him. Feel free to disagree with the decision (I do), but people on BOTH sides of the discussion who seem to be consumed with placing emotional blame on one side or the other are both being a little ridiculous.

 

To put it simply: this whole situation stinks. It is horrible that we're not talking about how he's had 4 straight years of 20 wins, whether or not he's going to win the Cy Young award this year, and how he and Zambrano are the best 1-2 punch in baseball. I think we all agree that this just flat out stinks. Its natural to want to blame someone for it, I think. But people just need to accept that this is a horrible situation, its over, and we need to move on.

[inari]

WilcoFan with what should be a thread ending post.

[SouthSideRyan]

He's a high profile professional athlete. Do you think the treatment by 'that' segment of fans would have been different elsewhere? New York? Boston? Philly? LA? And it's not just big markets - I go to Brewer games and they're not exactly nice when a guy isn't performing. You're going to find fans that say and do things like that everywhere. I supported the guy until it became obvious he wasn't going to stick around.

 

Except, of course, the only time Prior hasn't performed well is when he's been hurt. Do people still think Prior should have been pitching through pain this whole time after what he looked like in '06, and after their admitting that he had "serious shoulder surgery"?? It just doesn't add up to me.

[Smack]

He's a high profile professional athlete. Do you think the treatment by 'that' segment of fans would have been different elsewhere? New York? Boston? Philly? LA? And it's not just big markets - I go to Brewer games and they're not exactly nice when a guy isn't performing. You're going to find fans that say and do things like that everywhere. I supported the guy until it became obvious he wasn't going to stick around.

 

Except, of course, the only time Prior hasn't performed well is when he's been hurt. Do people still think Prior should have been pitching through pain this whole time after what he looked like in '06, and after their admitting that he had "serious shoulder surgery"?? It just doesn't add up to me.

 

I don't think he should be pitching hurt and I wouldn't expect him to. That's why a two-year incentive laden deal should have been worked out. Let him sit out all of 08 if that's what it takes and come back and pitch in 09 - at least you get some return on investment.

[SouthSideRyan]

Twas a good summary Wilco, but I think you're misunderstanding some of the Pro-Prior crowd. I know I personally am not shedding tears for Mark because he won't be a Cub anymore. It does suck for him that he's had to deal with the injuries, but it happens.

 

What most of us are trying to argue against is an irrational hatred of the man, which I still cannot for the life of me figure out.

[WilcoFan]

Twas a good summary Wilco, but I think you're misunderstanding some of the Pro-Prior crowd. I know I personally am not shedding tears for Mark because he won't be a Cub anymore. It does suck for him that he's had to deal with the injuries, but it happens.

 

What most of us are trying to argue against is an irrational hatred of the man, which I still cannot for the life of me figure out.

 

I agree that the irrational hatred of him is ridiculous and stupid. But my sense of it is that people are angry and upset-this guy was supposed to be the greatest Cub pitcher (and possibly the greatest pitcher period) of all time. And his first year, it looked like it was going to happen. All the sudden, he's gone-no championship, no "greatest pitcher ever," no anything. And people are mad. When people get mad, they look for someone to blame. Instead of looking at the HUGE number of intricacies the situation presents, its a lot easier for people to go to the simplest, most guttural reaction: it must be his fault, the wuss. The media runs with it, perpetuates within people that guttural reaction, and suddenly it becomes "truth." Its ridiculous and dumb, but I think that's what happened.

 

Importantly, though, I don't think its right to go to the complete opposite side and do what some people are doing: insinuating that somehow he was wronged by this evil Cubs organization who did everything they could to alienate him and push him out of the organization simply because they didn't like him. I don't really think that's true either.

[Abe Frohman]

You guys know why Mark Prior is no longer a Cub?

 

It's because he doesn't want to be.

[flynnhicks03]

Seems like the type of thing a classy guy like Mark would do.

 

why would he feel any obligation not to go to the team he feels he fits best? why is it classless to go elsewhere in the division?

 

It's a slap in the face to the Cubs fans that idolized him. You know the people that paid for the tickets, bought his jersey, etc. The city of Chicago and Cubs fans made him rich - and we've been waiting (and paying) for a long time for him to get healthy. If he wanted to repay a little bit of what he's been given by all of us he could have taken a two-year incentive laden deal. How about a little loyalty? If he comes back in the 2nd half of 08 pitching for another team in the same division it only magnifies things. Take your smug expressions and get out of town Mark.

 

Things Mark Prior has given Cubs fans and management

 

657 IP 757 Ks, 223 BBs, 3.51 ERA, 1.225 WHIP 123 ERA+ Going out and pitching through pain for what appears to have been the majority of his Cubs career.

 

Did I miss something? When did Prior pitch through pain? Seems to me he shut it down at the first sign of any pain. Nice try, though.

[flynnhicks03]

It's a slap in the face to the Cubs fans that idolized him. You know the people that paid for the tickets, bought his jersey, etc. The city of Chicago and Cubs fans made him rich - and we've been waiting (and paying) for a long time for him to get healthy. If he wanted to repay a little bit of what he's been given by all of us he could have taken a two-year incentive laden deal. How about a little loyalty? If he comes back in the 2nd half of 08 pitching for another team in the same division it only magnifies things. Take your smug expressions and get out of town Mark.

 

This is the correct answer. Good post. ( I screwed something up so my post looks funny, but you get my point).

[WilcoFan]

Seems like the type of thing a classy guy like Mark would do.

 

why would he feel any obligation not to go to the team he feels he fits best? why is it classless to go elsewhere in the division?

 

It's a slap in the face to the Cubs fans that idolized him. You know the people that paid for the tickets, bought his jersey, etc. The city of Chicago and Cubs fans made him rich - and we've been waiting (and paying) for a long time for him to get healthy. If he wanted to repay a little bit of what he's been given by all of us he could have taken a two-year incentive laden deal. How about a little loyalty? If he comes back in the 2nd half of 08 pitching for another team in the same division it only magnifies things. Take your smug expressions and get out of town Mark.

 

Things Mark Prior has given Cubs fans and management

 

657 IP 757 Ks, 223 BBs, 3.51 ERA, 1.225 WHIP 123 ERA+ Going out and pitching through pain for what appears to have been the majority of his Cubs career.

 

Did I miss something? When did Prior pitch through pain? Seems to me he shut it down at the first sign of any pain. Nice try, though.

 

 

You realize he was flipped over, dropped on his PITCHING SHOULDER, and continued pitching int he same game, right?

And he was hit by a line drive (hit at roughty 130 MPH) on his PITCHING ELBOW and came back in 2-3 weeks, right?

And he had a shoulder injury requiring surgery that couldn't be diagnosed, yet continued pitching, right?

 

I think those were the things you missed.

[E.J.]

I just don't see Prior going to the Astros. He's going to be pitching for a year contract, maybe two, hoping he can pitch well enough to get a multi-year contract. I don't see him wanting to pitch half his games in that box they call a stadium.

[Derwood]

Seems like the type of thing a classy guy like Mark would do.

 

why would he feel any obligation not to go to the team he feels he fits best? why is it classless to go elsewhere in the division?

 

It's a slap in the face to the Cubs fans that idolized him. You know the people that paid for the tickets, bought his jersey, etc. The city of Chicago and Cubs fans made him rich - and we've been waiting (and paying) for a long time for him to get healthy. If he wanted to repay a little bit of what he's been given by all of us he could have taken a two-year incentive laden deal. How about a little loyalty? If he comes back in the 2nd half of 08 pitching for another team in the same division it only magnifies things. Take your smug expressions and get out of town Mark.

 

was it a slap in the face when Fernando Vina left Milwaukee for St. Louis. Or Burnitz signed with the Cubs after years with the Brewers? seriously, FTH are you talking about?

[imb]

Seems like the type of thing a classy guy like Mark would do.

 

why would he feel any obligation not to go to the team he feels he fits best? why is it classless to go elsewhere in the division?

 

It's a slap in the face to the Cubs fans that idolized him. You know the people that paid for the tickets, bought his jersey, etc. The city of Chicago and Cubs fans made him rich - and we've been waiting (and paying) for a long time for him to get healthy. If he wanted to repay a little bit of what he's been given by all of us he could have taken a two-year incentive laden deal. How about a little loyalty? If he comes back in the 2nd half of 08 pitching for another team in the same division it only magnifies things. Take your smug expressions and get out of town Mark.

 

was it a slap in the face when Fernando Vina left Milwaukee for St. Louis. Or Burnitz signed with the Cubs after years with the Brewers? seriously, FTH are you talking about?

 

no one should ever sign with another team. Drafted by the Marlins? Too bad, sucker. Unless you get traded, that's ok.

[Smack]

Seems like the type of thing a classy guy like Mark would do.

 

why would he feel any obligation not to go to the team he feels he fits best? why is it classless to go elsewhere in the division?

 

It's a slap in the face to the Cubs fans that idolized him. You know the people that paid for the tickets, bought his jersey, etc. The city of Chicago and Cubs fans made him rich - and we've been waiting (and paying) for a long time for him to get healthy. If he wanted to repay a little bit of what he's been given by all of us he could have taken a two-year incentive laden deal. How about a little loyalty? If he comes back in the 2nd half of 08 pitching for another team in the same division it only magnifies things. Take your smug expressions and get out of town Mark.

 

was it a slap in the face when Fernando Vina left Milwaukee for St. Louis. Or Burnitz signed with the Cubs after years with the Brewers? seriously, FTH are you talking about?

 

I couldn't tell you I'm not a Cards or Brewers fan. I know Burnitz had a pretty big following up here. What does FTH mean? I've always wondered....

[SouthSideRyan]

Seems like the type of thing a classy guy like Mark would do.

 

why would he feel any obligation not to go to the team he feels he fits best? why is it classless to go elsewhere in the division?

 

It's a slap in the face to the Cubs fans that idolized him. You know the people that paid for the tickets, bought his jersey, etc. The city of Chicago and Cubs fans made him rich - and we've been waiting (and paying) for a long time for him to get healthy. If he wanted to repay a little bit of what he's been given by all of us he could have taken a two-year incentive laden deal. How about a little loyalty? If he comes back in the 2nd half of 08 pitching for another team in the same division it only magnifies things. Take your smug expressions and get out of town Mark.

 

Things Mark Prior has given Cubs fans and management

 

657 IP 757 Ks, 223 BBs, 3.51 ERA, 1.225 WHIP 123 ERA+ Going out and pitching through pain for what appears to have been the majority of his Cubs career.

 

Did I miss something? When did Prior pitch through pain? Seems to me he shut it down at the first sign of any pain. Nice try, though.

 

Little known fact that Mark forgot how to pitch in 2006.