Mark Prior doesn't blame Dusty, but I still do

[Andy]

Pretty interesting first-person from Mark Prior about his struggles with injury.

 

http://www.si.com/thecauldron/2016/08/03/mark-prior-chicago-cubs-no-regrets

 

Even now, when people hear my name, they still think about the hype and the potential. And, inevitably, the injuries.

 

So fine, let’s talk about it.

 

Some people pointed to problems with my delivery and arm action.

 

Others — mostly Cubs fans — still blame my manager, Dusty Baker, for the series of injuries that derailed my career. They believe that he overused me in 2003 and blah, blah, blah. Only, here’s the thing: I don’t blame Dusty for what happened to me. I wouldn’t change a single thing that happened during that season — beyond us failing to bring a World Series Championship to Chicago, of course. No matter how many pitches I threw, I never asked to come out of a game — doing so would have been unthinkable.

 

Dusty was hired to manage each game like it was his last. And over the course of a season (or even multiple seasons), that meant an endless series of decisions — especially when it comes to balancing pitcher workloads against the need to win games. Ironically, this is part of my job with the Padres now — the job pitching coaches at all our affiliates have — and it’s not an easy one. Like anything else, you do the best you can.

 

I believe Dusty did the best he could, and anyone who thinks he is responsible for what happened to me or Kerry Wood, I would strongly disagree.

[jersey cubs fan]

. No matter how many pitches I threw, I never asked to come out of a game — doing so would have been unthinkable.

 

Dusty was hired to manage each game like it was his last. And over the course of a season (or even multiple seasons), that meant an endless series of decisions — especially when it comes to balancing pitcher workloads against the need to win games.

 

That's the key.

 

 

 

It's not the 22 year old pitcher's job to monitor his health. It's the manager's job not to F it up and Prior clearly contradicts himself, I think probably knowingly, by pointing out exactly how Dusty ruined him. You can't manage like every game is your last. Because if it is then your Fd either way.

[Brian]

I believe Dusty did the best he could

 

He probably did. That doesn't mean he's blameless.

[PackLandVA]

He never asked to be taken out. Therefore, he was never overused. Ummm, OK. :-k

[Omar]

Its was a combination of Dusty Baker AND Larry Rothschild's fault.

 

I'm sure Dick Pole had a hand in it too.

[SouthSideRyan]

I don't believe Dusty was hired to manage every game like it was his last.

[Sammy Sofa]

Its was a combination of Dusty Baker AND Larry Rothschild's fault.

 

I'm sure Dick Pole had a hand in it too.

 

Dick Pole is always blameless for anything simply because he is named Dick Pole.

[Omar]

I don't believe Dusty was hired to manage every game like it was his last.

 

Numerous times in 2005-2006 I remember him giving up in the 6th inning if we were down, and subbing in all the backups.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't believe Dusty was hired to manage every game like it was his last.

I cheered every game like it was the last one Dusty would manage.

[UMFan83]

I'm over it. The name Mark Prior does not spark any emotion in me positive or negative. Although Dusty Baker still does, but mostly because he's a bumbling moron who blamed everyone but himself for the Cubs failing to win after 2003.

[sneakypower]

I'm sure Dick Pole had a hand in it too.

[jacking off joke]

[KrisBryantisaBeast]

This was a very fascinating read. I get why Prior doesn't blame Dusty because he is trying to break into coaching business so it makes sense for him not to throw Dusty under the bus. But we all know better and that most of the blame falls squarely on Dusty's shoulders. Reading about his personality and the way he was handling things though is what I really found fascinating. I never really knew much about him personality wise certainly not to the extent we got to know Woody and so I am glad that he finally shared that story with all of us.

[Guest]

i' Prior taking a line drive off the elbow didn't help, either. I think that was a larger factor than the nlcs game. but please, can we not talk about that game again?

[Omar]

i' Prior taking a line drive off the elbow didn't help, either. I think that was a larger factor than the nlcs game. but please, can we not talk about that game again?

 

Leave it to Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and Fox for constantly reminding us.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I wish him the best

[imb]

yeah mark, crashing into marcus giles didn't help. of course neither did putting you back in the game after that so whatever

[bukie]

Discuss: If Dusty doesn't ride Wood and Priors arms into the ground in 2003, do they miss the playoffs? Would that have been better for the franchise?

[jersey cubs fan]

Discuss: If Dusty doesn't ride Wood and Priors arms into the ground in 2003, do they miss the playoffs? Would that have been better for the franchise?

no

[illiniguy]

Discuss: If Dusty doesn't ride Wood and Priors arms into the ground in 2003, do they miss the playoffs? Would that have been better for the franchise?

I want to say yes, I assume a healthy Wood and Prior for the next 5 years produce a lot more memories. But, who is to say they stay healthy then, plus it's hard to think about giving away the memories of the '03 postseason.

 

I get some people are over him, but the name Mark Prior will always be sad and missed opportunity to me. I am glad he was able to come to peace with his career. Had to be a difficult process.

[Vinestal]

I still love Mark, I hope he finds his way back to the organization some day in the future. I think, as he did that the collision and the line drive off the arm played a major factor but Dusty will always have a share of the blame in my mind. I think he has a lot to offer in terms of teaching pitching and it's a great role for him.

[David]

I still love Mark, I hope he finds his way back to the organization some day in the future. I think, as he did that the collision and the line drive off the arm played a major factor but Dusty will always have a share of the blame in my mind. I think he has a lot to offer in terms of teaching pitching and it's a great role for him.

 

Am I crazy or didn't we give him some type of role once? ..maybe a couple of years ago around the time the players all came into town for Cubs convention...think he was involved in some sort of instructional capacity. I know he's with the Padres now, though.

[Omar]

I still love Mark, I hope he finds his way back to the organization some day in the future. I think, as he did that the collision and the line drive off the arm played a major factor but Dusty will always have a share of the blame in my mind. I think he has a lot to offer in terms of teaching pitching and it's a great role for him.

 

Am I crazy or didn't we give him some type of role once? ..maybe a couple of years ago around the time the players all came into town for Cubs convention...think he was involved in some sort of instructional capacity. I know he's with the Padres now, though.

 

We did to Maddux under Hendry, but not Prior.

[David]

I still love Mark, I hope he finds his way back to the organization some day in the future. I think, as he did that the collision and the line drive off the arm played a major factor but Dusty will always have a share of the blame in my mind. I think he has a lot to offer in terms of teaching pitching and it's a great role for him.

 

Am I crazy or didn't we give him some type of role once? ..maybe a couple of years ago around the time the players all came into town for Cubs convention...think he was involved in some sort of instructional capacity. I know he's with the Padres now, though.

 

We did to Maddux under Hendry, but not Prior.

 

Not what I'm talking about. Was under Theo. Maybe 2 offseasons ago.

 

EDIT - Here it is. 2013 Cubs Convention.

 

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-01-17/sports/chi-cubs-prior-20130117_1_cubs-prospects-cubs-convention-marc-strickland

[Tracer Bullet]

He's wrong, but this is still better than if he had come out 13 years later and said he blamed dusty for his injuries which would have been a bigger, terrible story.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

More stories about Bryzzo and less about Dusty, please.