Prior
My first "diary" and it's more of a question for those more knowledgeable than I.
Does anybody have any updates on Mark Prior? Or links as to where to find information about him? I'm just curious as to how he's doing.
I like to think someday he'll come back and be effective. If it's not as a Cub, I'd still watch him.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
62 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
People seem to frequently ask about him.
There won't be any updates this year...
And remember: here at BCB he is to be called "The Employee".
The employee?
Thanks for the bit of info.
Because...
Wow, doesn't anyone know what empathy is?
by cubsfan4life on Aug 8, 2007 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Let's be honest
Lastly, for him to say (in his arrogant tone) he felt he deserved to go north with the club, and then all of a sudden saying he had pain again (after he said he was fine, and the Cubs anounced he wouldn't get another ST start) tells you something about his priorities. I realize he had some work that had to be done to his shoulder, but you would probably see the same thing in a high percentage of major league pitchers if you went in their shoulder to take a look.
As you can tell, I don't care for his character, but will readily admit, he is loaded with talent. It's just a shame he doesn't have the head to go along with his skill.
You cannot say he came in
by cubsfan4life on Aug 8, 2007 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions
That's my point
The Cubs kept him for obvious reasons; he showed a high level of skill, and they had a lot invested in him.
I will readily admit, it's my personal opinion, but I think the guy throws off all kinds of red flags.
I do see your point,
by cubsfan4life on Aug 8, 2007 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree
You are comparing apples to
by cubsfan4life on Aug 8, 2007 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I realize pitchers are coddled
I guess we'll just have to
by cubsfan4life on Aug 8, 2007 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Bet the Cubs non tender him this winter
I'd agree.
I certainly hope so.
--t.
by Littlerock Rynofan on Aug 8, 2007 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Interesting decisions
Memo to those who call Prior names. You aren't funny you are stupid. And you are funny to stupid people.
I'd say if he's willing to sign for something like Wood did for next season it's worth the chance.
Prior is a pansy
My grandmother can throw better than Prior - (though actually, right now, that's a true statement).
by NO100 on Aug 8, 2007 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Go say that to his face
by puckishcubsfan on Aug 8, 2007 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions
What's he gonna do?
by NO100 on Aug 8, 2007 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions
What's his excuse since 2004?
I'm sure he feels bad about all the stuff that's gone on, but he's also an adult and he knows, probalby better than anyone, how he is a disappointment. If it wasn't for the fact that he's collected at least $25M over the course of his career, then it would be tragic.
by NO100 on Aug 8, 2007 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions
I cannot believe the idiotic statements you are
by cubsfan4life on Aug 8, 2007 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions
He could hit you with
Yea...
I see...
Oh,
by NO100 on Aug 8, 2007 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Sounds like KOW
With his history poor preparations before ST, I would not expect him to pitch in a major league game until the 2nd half of 08, and that is assuming all goes well.
If I was a bettin man, I would say there is a 70% chance, Prior has pitched his last game as a
Cub. You may see him resurface, with a west coast team in 09.
I remember feeling sick
But then everybody started calling him *ussypants and a crybaby and I seriously started thinking, yeah, these computer nerds have it right. What we all hope and expect is what really matters. If Prior can't handle major league collisions, being hit with line drives, and excessive bodily wear and tear, we should continue to effeminate him whilst holding him to phenomenal expectations.
We've been discussing 'roids
Could it have been possible that The Employee -- was juiced? During Spring Training this year, Al posted 2003 photos of T.E. -- and then, photos of him, throwing at Fitch Park in 2007.
Those "Thunder Thighs" were nowhere to be seen, if I remember Al's commentary.
We have no proof whatsoever, of course, except a 'shrunken' Employee. But....certainly, this raises a question, would it not? We were told that T.E. was the 'perfect' pitcher, was guided, and groomed to be a major leaguer by his handlers since his days at USC.
Could he have been 'damaged' by the use of an illegal substance? Is he now as fragile as crystal because of possible abuse?
This is not the case when it comes to Kerry Wood.
He lost weight because he finally started eating right, and working out. The Employee's dilemma -- is an entirely different matter.
Personally, I doubt if he ever pitches again.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 8, 2007 3:38 PM CDT reply actions
That is absolutely ....
by cubsfan4life on Aug 8, 2007 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Not only that
You can't tell whether or not someone is taking steroids just by looking at them or by comparing before and after pictures. Period. Anyone who says otherwise is an idiot or a liar.
And this "Prior may be on the juice" talk just elevates this stuff to witch hunt level, and it makes sane people think that accusations against Barry Bonds may be baseless too.
Very well said.
by cubsfan4life on Aug 8, 2007 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions
The big problem
When everyone who loses weight or body size or gets hurt is labeled a steroid user it becomes stupid.
It's like the Duke case. Every false allegation like that makes it harder to prove real cases.
Are you Prior or what???
i for one think that it is an effective method of catharsis to emasculate this (wo)man for his wussyness.
No, I'm not Prior, and I've never met him.
by cubsfan4life on Aug 8, 2007 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Wuss
I guarantee that if you had the option to call Prior a wuss or nancyboy to his face and actually did it, you'd run faster than Jim Rome can say, "Chris".
I imagine Prior was frustrated after years of ill health when he made the employee comment; the guy was a serious competitor who came damn close to carrying us into a World Series in 2003. How soon we forget, huh?
ALMOST carried us
But his weak mental makeup crumbled over a botched play. the guy was lucky to have Bartman as a scapegoat. A real man would have said to the media, it wasn;t he who lost the game it was me, Gonzalez, and the rest of the players.
As for the injuries, say what you will, other players get injured and come back to actually play well.
"Weak Mental Makeup"
The truth is that our bullpen was the major reason we lost in 2003. Do you remember what a scary proposition the 7th to 9th inning were between the starter and Borowski? I was scared shiteless every time Farnsworth and his friends took the mound; imagine how Dusty felt! Instead of riding the wave, he tried to get too much from this starters, and they fell apart at exactly the wrong time.
Oh, and I guess you forgot about Prior and Wood's performance against HEAVILY favored Atlanta that year? Sheer wussiness, I tell you.
I caught that...
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 10, 2007 8:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Well
Part of life my man. Judgement is a part of life. Not saying it is right but it is part of life. I endure it, you endure it, your parents have endured it, and certainly, a man who is payed out his arse to be fragile and come up lame when he is so young and full of "potential" should have to endure some.
this is why his childish statement when he was sent to the minors about being an employee, didn't earn him any credit.
Same goes for Will Ohman...
Whether or not you went through it...
Judge Prior for his actions or lack of if you want; that's appropriate.
Name-calling on this site is not, and that goes for players as well as other posters. If you want to call The Employee names (other than "The Employee", which is a nickname he pretty much gave himself), do it somewhere else.
No sense of humor Al?
My opinion.
As for the judgement is concerned, i respectfully disagree with you. ALL WE DO HERE IS JUDGE. I am simply pointing out that people who are crying for Prior's defense after the last few years should calm down. I actually never call the guy names, I truly haven't thought about him this year. What I cannot pass up is people literally sounding like they are crying over this matter of name calling and at times, simply criticism.
And, I have to add, we are all subject to judgement and that is most certainly relevant IMO. I get criticized here quite a bit as do many others yet you do not make this speech then?
I have to clarify AL
I am not, simply having fun witht the posters who are upset.
I do feel though, that your name (that yes he gave himself practically) is what somebody initially overreacted to. But I am not upset and do not want you to think so.
i will lay off Prior and his defenders (not a name I promise!)
It doesn't have to be..
by cubsfan4life on Aug 8, 2007 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't think Mark Prior
Salaries are what they are-- some people get paid more than they're worth, some less.
Prior can still help the Chicago Cubs in the future. But if he doesn't, what he contributed to teams past should dissuade personal attacks about his mental makeup.
Get over your own frustrations about Prior not being your best friend. Hope for the best and move on.
That hotdog belongs in another stadium.
MMMMMM.....Best's Kosher
by section229beer on Aug 8, 2007 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAA!
While Best's Kosher is a fine meat conglomerate (sp?), there is no dissing the Hebrew! I am not referring to the HN sold at Jewel. I am talking the big juicy, tasty dog grilled with onions, relish, peppers, toe-matos, celery salt, and a stale popyseed bun.
That my friend, is a dog. Please do not call my dog a wuss!
He is a wuss
There's playing with pain
Everyone does the former. You can't play with the latter though he tried.
Yes
Other wusses then
Lee: neck spasm? Suck it up.
Z: cramps? Ha! I cramp all the time. Keyboarditis? You made that up.
My favorites are still
My best friend went to work for 6 weeks on crutches after major knee surgery. Because she's a computer programmer and does not type with her knees.
Unless you ever went to work with a body part used to do your job falling off your body figuratively.
Nobody knows how much pain Prior was in.
This stupid idea he wants to sit on his butt in California is the dumbest thing in the history of the world.
Obviously something was wrong for awhile. They finally did the invasive surgery that maybe should have been done years ago.
If he's willing to take less than 2 million and take a chance on it the Cubs should do it in a heartbeat. Over 2 million maybe...
Especially if they keep the payroll what it is or higher.
The one thing a payroll of 110 million does it allows you to take a shot like that and if it doesn't work it doesn't kill your team.
If Hendry is still here which I hope he will be Prior will be back in 08.
(the main reason I hope Hendry still here is it means the Cubs had a good 07.)

by 


















