Mark Prior

[chuckywang]

What can Prior do after his playing days? When baseball is all you've known for your entire life, and it comes to an end before you're 30, what do you do?

[Andy]

What can Prior do after his playing days? When baseball is all you've known for your entire life, and it comes to an end before you're 30, what do you do?

Did he graduate from USC? Seems like that's a good starting point.

[Jehrico]

Another chapter ends in the Mark Prior saga, and it still isn't on a positive note: According to MLB.com's Corey Brock, there are indications that the Padres are about to release Prior from his minor-league contract, possibly today.

 

The 28-year-old Prior hasn't thrown since April, says Brock. The former phenom had signed a deal with the Padres in January that would have been worth $1MM had he reached the majors. But as it stands, Prior hasn't played in a big league game since 2006.

 

Really...

[erik316wttn]

I really don't think Prior will ever pitch again in a professional game. Its sad, he would have been one of the best this game has ever seen if Dusty never got a hold of him.

 

Fixed.

[Mark Priors Calves]

:( i'm still pulling for him.

[Tarver]

I'm going to throw a [expletive] party the day Dusty Baker dies. Hopefully it's soon, and if he's religious, hopefully he's held accountable for all the young mens' lives he's ruined. The man is an absolute disgrace.

[Derwood]

I'm going to throw a [expletive] party the day Dusty Baker dies. Hopefully it's soon, and if he's religious, hopefully he's held accountable for all the young mens' lives he's ruined. The man is an absolute disgrace.

 

Cubs_Clippers1 loves him though

[Kid Gleason]

It is too bad that Mark's career has taken a turn for the worse. I was also one who hoped there would be a 10+ year era of dominance from him in a Cubs uniform. All that said, I don't feel sorry for him. He got to play in the major leagues and like has been said, he has a degree from a very good school. I wish him the best...but he will be just fine.

 

BTW I was one who at the time of Prior's signing smirked at the misfortune of the Twins because thay had to pass on Prior to get Mauer. I guess you never know

[NCCubFan]

I'm going to throw a [expletive] party the day Dusty Baker dies. Hopefully it's soon, and if he's religious, hopefully he's held accountable for all the young mens' lives he's ruined. The man is an absolute disgrace.

 

Cubs_Clippers1 loves him though

Dude's

Undeniaby

Smarter

Than

You

[Derwood]

you know it's bad when your Wikipedia page includes a chart with all of your injuries

[Jehrico]

They should have a chart on Dusty Bakers page showing all of the pitchers who have sustained major injuries while being managed by him.

[rocket]

I'm going to throw a [expletive] party the day Dusty Baker dies. Hopefully it's soon, and if he's religious, hopefully he's held accountable for all the young mens' lives he's ruined. The man is an absolute disgrace.

 

ok psycho

[Tarver]

I'm going to throw a [expletive] party the day Dusty Baker dies. Hopefully it's soon, and if he's religious, hopefully he's held accountable for all the young mens' lives he's ruined. The man is an absolute disgrace.

 

ok psycho

 

What's so psycho about it? Do you think Baker is losing any sleep over all the arms he's destroyed? What the hell else is a guy like Volquez going to do? For most these guys, baseball is all they have.

[Roast]

I'm going to throw a [expletive] party the day Dusty Baker dies. Hopefully it's soon, and if he's religious, hopefully he's held accountable for all the young mens' lives he's ruined. The man is an absolute disgrace.

 

ok psycho

 

What's so psycho about it? Do you think Baker is losing any sleep over all the arms he's destroyed? What the hell else is a guy like Volquez going to do? For most these guys, baseball is all they have.

but what does cubsnclippers have to say about it, thats what i wanna know.

[inari]

I'm going to throw a [expletive] party the day Dusty Baker dies. Hopefully it's soon, and if he's religious, hopefully he's held accountable for all the young mens' lives he's ruined. The man is an absolute disgrace.

 

ok psycho

 

What's so psycho about it? Do you think Baker is losing any sleep over all the arms he's destroyed? What the hell else is a guy like Volquez going to do? For most these guys, baseball is all they have.

 

If you really have to ask what's psychotic about the statement you made, you are truly psychotic.

[Bote McBoteface]

The only career Dusty has ruined is Prior's. He didn't even abuse Volquez any more than other managers would have. Wood's career is still going strong, so is Zambrano's. Dusty was extra stupid with Prior and he's paying the price. But that's about it.

[UK1679666180]

The only career Dusty has ruined is Prior's. He didn't even abuse Volquez any more than other managers would have. Wood's career is still going strong, so is Zambrano's. Dusty was extra stupid with Prior and he's paying the price. But that's about it.

 

Dusty didn't ruin anyone's career, IMO. Players take responsibility as well for knowing their limitations and being able to separate injury/pain.

 

With that said, Dusty was excessive as there were plenty of opportunities in games that were decided that he left SPs in there whne he should've taken them out to preserve them.

 

If you assume Prior as a career that was ruined by Dusty, you should also look at Bill Swift and Van LandingHam with the Giants as far as arms that could be considered pushed beyond the breaking point by Baker.

[Cubbies2238]

Does anybody know of a place where I can watch a game with the good Prior pitching in it? Like maybe his ML debut?

[haubrich91]

Can't believe he's only 28..

[17 Seconds]

The only career Dusty has ruined is Prior's. He didn't even abuse Volquez any more than other managers would have. Wood's career is still going strong, so is Zambrano's. Dusty was extra stupid with Prior and he's paying the price. But that's about it.

 

Aaron Harang ERA/WHIP

2005- 3.83/1.26

2006- 3.76/1.27

2007- 3.73/1.14

 

2008 (through May 25)- 3.32/1.19

 

At this point Dusty used Harang for 4 innings (63) in an extra inning game when harang had started a game 3 days earlier. Then, 4 days after the relief outing, Dusty started him again. From this point on, Harang had a 5.88 ERA with a 1.52 ERA.

 

So far this season- 4.50 ERA, 1.45 WHIP

 

For 3 and a half years, he was consistently good and getting better each year. The second Dusty raped his arm for a full week, he turned into crap, and has been crap ever since.

 

Coincidence?

 

Also I'm not sure that "going strong" would describe Wood and Zambrano in the context of this thread. Wood is now a reliever, and Zambrano has been declining every single year. He was an ace, and now is maybe a solid number 2 starter. His injuries have also been mounting up in the last 2 years. I'm not saying it's Dusty's fault, but he's def. breaking down.

[17 Seconds]

By the way, I blame the entire organization for Prior just as much as I blame Dusty. They should have stepped in and given Dusty orders on Prior's pitch count. That's done by a lot of oganizations with young stud pitchers now.

 

Instead, the Cubs brass just sat back and watched him to continue to use the Cubs young superstar pitcher for 120+ pitches. Real responsible, guys.

[Andy]

Does anybody know of a place where I can watch a game with the good Prior pitching in it? Like maybe his ML debut?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN200306260.shtml

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN200309160.shtml

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN200409300.shtml

 

Find those games. Masterpieces.

 

I was just glancing through game logs, and in the 2003 season, Mark Prior gave up more than three earned runs four times. Four, in thirty starts.

 

I will never forget his 2003, which barring some sort of miracle will always be the best season I will ever see a Cubs pitcher have. 2.43 ERA. A K/9 ratio of 10.4 and a K:BB ratio of almost 5:1. WHIP of 1.10. 178 ERA+. 18 wins. Ridiculous.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Any chance that wed pick him up for one last shot?

 

according to BBR, the guy made $12,800,000, so he'll never starve, so why not sign him to a minor league deal. Someones bound to do it and Id hate for it to be the Cardinals or Brewers.

[UK1679666180]

I think that bridge has been burned.

[VladiRad]

Well I doubt Prior will ever pitch in the majors again. It sucks, he had the potential to be one of the best ever. At least he made about 13 mil in his career and got a 10 mil signing bonus and he has a college degree so I'm sure he'll be more than set for life.