Annual Mark Prior Comeback Thread V. 5.0
by cubnational on Nov 15, 2009 4:51 PM CST
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via www.chicagobreakingsports.com
Hey, I'd smile too if I made that kind of bread without having to be in a rotation too.
FWIW, the one time Cubs pitcher once again is going to try to mount still another comeback.
Honestly, I kind of find it hard to believe anyone thinks Mark's worth the look. I guess throwing on flat ground is one way to build it so they (the scouts) will come.
I like Mark -- will never forget the 2003 and 2004 seasons in which he shone like a comet and when his afterburners began to flame out on the long slow powerdive down. But unless there's some magic the million dollars of rehab the Pads poured into him last year, he's done.
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.
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Dateline: December 11, 2027
47-year-old Mark Prior announced his 20th annual comeback this afternoon. He went through a flawless towel drill in front of several scouts and said he might be able to start throwing from flat ground “before spring training begins”.
Prior has not pitched in the major leagues since 2006, but said, “I know I can help a team next season.”
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Wouldn't you think he could make a good coach?
After all, he’s been surrounded by them and only them for a long time.
How about being an executive for a towel company?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
He knows the merchandise very well
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Actually, by that logic, he'd make a good athletic trainer.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
Well,
I’m going to keep my fingers crossed, think a good thought, and wish him well in his attempt. He’d given the Cubs a few good — albeit frustrating — years, so I say best wishes, especially if he isn’t in the division.. Besides, a little adversity has a funny way of making people better and smarter than they were before.
by Damen Jackson on Nov 15, 2009 4:58 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Who will start a ML game first....Mark Prior or Ben Sheets?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 15, 2009 5:44 PM CST reply actions
I think Tom Glavine has a better shot than Prior
Heck it might be more likely Greg Maddux comes out of retirement and starts than Prior.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Nov 15, 2009 6:59 PM CST up reply actions
+ 100
Throw in Nolan Ryan and you got a deal.
Blue mountains high .. Blue valleys low
I don't know which way we will go ..
One summer dream .. one summer dream ..
coda
ELO, 1975
Sandy Koufax will throw a major league pitch before Mark Prior.
Koufax used to help out at Dodgers spring training. It was said that at age 50, he still had a major league fastball.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
i hear old Nolan still has a good pop now and then
Blue mountains high .. Blue valleys low
I don't know which way we will go ..
One summer dream .. one summer dream ..
coda
ELO, 1975
IIRC
Rick Reily challenged him a few years ago for a column and the dude could still hit 85 mph.
Scary
My grandpa needs a walker to get around. Someone else’s grandpa could probably still strike out AAA hitters
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Why not?
If he can sucker another team into a million bucks for nothing, he’s putting his USC business sense to use.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Nov 15, 2009 6:28 PM CST reply actions
This just in...
Prior has a sore throat and will miss all of spring training…
I doubt Prior can bilk another million in this economy, but if I’m Kenny Williams I might be intrigued and offer bare bones with gobs of incentives.
"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman
by BucknerKongCardenal on Nov 15, 2009 7:12 PM CST reply actions
Why would anyone offer him anything besides an invitation
to spring training or a non guaranteed minor league contract ?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Nov 15, 2009 7:20 PM CST up reply actions
That's all he got last year from the Padres.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Nov 16, 2009 3:58 PM CST up reply actions
which will be higher before Prior retires
Prior’s comeback attampt
Favre’s retirements
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
attempts******
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
!
The young man ruined his pitching arm for the Chicago Cubs. The lack of compassion that you people show for him smacks of jealousy.
by FrankSereno on Nov 16, 2009 7:53 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
It's mainly because of his attitude...
… the “employee” comments, and other things he did. He seemed to think baseball owed him something.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Asking for more money
When he hadn’t pitched all year really ticked me off. I think that was 2006
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
I also seem to remember him not showing up to events. Even being sued for that.
"When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not." --Mark Twain
by cooliogirl47 on Nov 16, 2009 8:44 AM CST up reply actions
Taking offense at a salary request is pretty much the definition of nit-picking
He was asking for what he thought he was worth. You think he should have taken a moral stand to take less money than the team was willing to pay, or than an arbitrator was willing to award, because it would earn him plaudits from the likes of us? Really? Would you do that? Or would you recognize that injuries might be shortening your career, and try to see to your long-term security with each contract you’re able to offer.
I also didn’t see the team raising his salary when he fought back from injury to pitch down the stretch in 03 or 05.
by Orval Overall on Nov 21, 2009 6:07 PM CST up reply actions
He really was not THAT bad in terms of attitude etc
but he had a kind of aloofness that did not go over well. Personally I think it would be thrilling if he could ever recapture
his skill. He was one hell of pitcher to watch when he was good.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Nov 16, 2009 8:47 AM CST up reply actions
I would call it arrogance.
But many athletes seem arrogant to me. Many are told they are total gods from the time they can walk. They basically grow up with a different set of rules than other children, such as grades being fixed for them.
The thing is, their parents, coaches and teachers are not doing them any favors because they are not prepared to deal with real life. I think that was one of the problems with Prior. He really hadn’t faced any adversity in his life, or at least in his baseball career. It seemed like he simply did not know how to deal with it. The result was that he dealt with it badly.
Hopefully, he has learned from this and will end up being a better person. Personally, I hope those lessons will show up in the upbringing of his own children.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Nov 16, 2009 4:05 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly.
Rec’d.
The NFL version of Prior was Todd Marinovich.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I think that is a bit extreme
I see no signs that Prior has any major personality issues or that he had any issues with his teammates. He may indeed have been coddled a bit but he finished his degree which he certainly deserves points for and seems perfectly contented off the field.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Nov 16, 2009 4:54 PM CST up reply actions
too harsh, Al
Prior pitched his heart out down the stretch in 2003 and 2004 even though he wasn’t fully healthy. And he returned ONE MONTH after breaking his pitching arm in 2005. FWIW, I’m convinced the broken arm hurt his career more than anything else — even stupid overuse by Dusty.
Anyway, if I had to guess, I’d say Prior feels like he should have been cut more slack — and not had to answer as many questions about his health — based on gutting it out for his first three full seasons. I was upset when Prior called himself an employee in 2007. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he was mad at the Cubs for questioning his toughness despite what he did 2003-2005.
by elgato on Nov 16, 2009 5:43 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
I agree re: the broken arm.
In retrospect, he probably should have sat out the rest of the 2005 season, because coming back too soon likely made him subtly alter his motion, probably leading to the shoulder trouble.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The Dizzy Dean effect.
That’s exactly what ruined Dean’s career: coming back too soon from a serious broken bone injury.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
All Star game injury too, as I remember.
Shades of Ray Fosse…
Now only 12,859 on the "Cubs Season Tickets Waiting List"...
I'm rec'ing this
One main reason: I think the kid was frustrated. By people questioning his toughness, by his constant overuse, by his shoulder quitting on him, by trying so hard just to have something happen over and over again, maybe by not investing in himself well enough, etc etc.
Believe me, shoulder injuries are not necessarily things that can be completely cured, prevented, or even diagnosed. They are beyond frustrating. I know HOW I hurt my shoulder, but 9 years later and I still have no diagnosis, despite a plethora of tests and visits to various “-ologists”. I’m still frustrated, even though I know it was entirely my fault. It sucks.
"This next song... it's about the White Sox. It's called: F*** Em'." - Eddie Vedder
That being said
asking for a raise through arbitration after not playing for an entire year… WEAK. Sack up, man – you were paid $4 million to rehab.
"This next song... it's about the White Sox. It's called: F*** Em'." - Eddie Vedder
That's how the arb process works though.
It pays you based on your perceived value going forward, based on the past two years of performance. I can’t remember the numbers exactly, but it works out to something like 40%, 60%, 80% (working from memory here) of your percieved FA value on the market in those three arb years. The ‘percieved’ part is why they have an arbitrator. Prior’s upside was still large enough to merit a raise. If the Cubs didn’t think he was going to contribute to the team they should have just non-tendered him, but obviously they must have thought he still had plenty left.
People should remember that while they have the right to their opinion, they are not entitled to be taken seriously. -- Bruce Bartlett
Not even close
really dumb comparison, Al.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Nov 24, 2009 11:22 AM CST up reply actions
That's a cop out...
…if Prior’s usage is what really ruined his career, he simply wasn’t destined to last as a major league pitcher.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
My compassion is reserved for others in the world...
I can’t seem to muster much for wealthy athletes with chips on their shoulders.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 16, 2009 10:50 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Oh give me a break.
You come to this blog almost obsessively from what I can tell. You clearly have no problem cheering for wealthy athletes with chips on their shoulders. So give me a break with the suggestion that you’re operating at some higher level of morality by reserving your “compassion” for those more deserving. You don’t have compassion for Prior because he failed to live up to your expectations. If he had, you’d sure have a lot of warm feelings toward him, wealth and ego notwithstanding.
by Orval Overall on Nov 21, 2009 5:55 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
I pretty much agree with everything you say.
rec’d.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 23, 2009 11:15 PM CST up reply actions
I didnt like him when he was pitching
and if you hadnt noticed, after being accused of using steroids (which were rumored while he was at USC as well) and then MLB started testing, his “Popeye” calf muscles turned into chicken legs, and he was not able to stay healthy. Coincidence, possibly, but I have my personal opinion on it.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
That's the beauty of conspiracy theories like yours
you can usually find circumstantial evidence to support your theory
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Nov 24, 2009 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
It seems like Prior's best bet...
…would be trying to make a go of it in an independent league. I’m still predicting he’ll end up on the Schaumburg Flyers.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
...or the Traverse City Beach Bums!
There is also likely an opening with the Lansing Lugnuts. He’d have to convince Toronto, but hey- Prior has pitched here before and knows the ballpark. I’m sure he’d do just fine… ;)
Now only 12,859 on the "Cubs Season Tickets Waiting List"...
...or the Rockford Riverhawks!
They are moving from the Frontier league to the Northern League next year. The Northern league doesn’t have the 27 year old age limit, so the Riverhawks could sign Prior.
Why not?
He must have a bionic arm by now.
Randy Wells. A product of the Roy Halladay School of Pitching, located in Toronto, Canada. Possible relocation.
Prior has suckered the Cubs and Padres out of millions
…and I bet he is able to sucker yet another team out of a few million.
"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)
Well
It’s not even close to the millions that Barry Zito, Mike Hampton or Vernon Wells suckered out of their teams. Do you even know how much he’s been paid in his career? Or do you just want to be an imbecile your whole life? BTW, AJ Burnett will have swindled the Yankees out of many more millions by the time that deal is over.
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by WayneCampbell08 on Nov 21, 2009 5:38 PM CST up reply actions
What will come first
Prior pitching in a ml game. Or another post about him?
Trade Doug Deeds to Washington.
Threads like this
make me lose faith in humanity. I wish Prior all the luck in the world in his comeback. I can’t believe you assholes are still bitter about what happed years ago. It’s not as if he tried to get hurt. Mark Prior deserved every dollar he has received from the major league teams he played for.
People should remember that while they have the right to their opinion, they are not entitled to be taken seriously. -- Bruce Bartlett
You bought one of these, didn't you.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 17, 2009 6:46 PM CST up reply actions
well, Bersey, baby
.. if you lose faith in humanity on the basis of an internet thread talking about the Cubs, it must not have a lot of evidence to sustaing it. Maybe you need to shut the computer off and mingle among it again and do charity work or something.
I’m not bitter. I just brought up the fact that Mark Prior is trying again .. and my own observation that I think he’s very likely done.
Blue mountains high .. Blue valleys low
I don't know which way we will go ..
One summer dream .. one summer dream ..
coda
ELO, 1975
I didn't mean this to be a shot at you
I just hate all the jokes about Prior being some combination of a whiny baby and a cold-blooded thief. It’s just stupid.
People should remember that while they have the right to their opinion, they are not entitled to be taken seriously. -- Bruce Bartlett
There was a big difference...
… between the way Prior handled his injuries and setbacks, and the way Kerry Wood did.
It’s why Wood is revered by Cubs fans and Prior is dissed.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
and the continued need to "dis" way after the fact...
…says something about the dissers too.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Nov 20, 2009 4:33 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
rec'd.
It’s kinda pathetic.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
Well said
Prior-bashers, get a life.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Nov 24, 2009 11:26 AM CST up reply actions
Prior's smug s*it-eatin grin doesn't help his case with most Cub fans
The Employee needs to go away forever. The statute of limitations on robbing major league ballclubs blind for no results has expired.
"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)
"needs to go away for ever"
He did go away…..to another organization. You guys are the one who won’t let it go.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
by Tackle Box on Nov 18, 2009 11:53 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd
And BLou, get over yourself. He didn’t “rob” anyone – it’s not like he planned to get hurt.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Nov 18, 2009 8:11 PM CST up reply actions
Correction
It only bothers Cubs fans who don’t know any better.
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by WayneCampbell08 on Nov 21, 2009 5:29 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I doubt he cares what a "Cub fan" like you thinks, BLou
no reason he should, no reason any Cub player, past or present should.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Nov 24, 2009 11:27 AM CST up reply actions
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/12550429/nats-strasburg-has-dislocated-knee-wont-need-surgery
its already beginning…
1 Aaron down, 1 to go
by jesus christos on Nov 20, 2009 7:16 PM CST up reply actions
when is
some team gonna smarten up and try this guy in the bullpen. it worked for woody why not prior. if he can eventually pitch without pain why cant this guy be a dominant closer??
first he has to be
1. willing to “move” to the pen
2. able to pitch a bullpen session to show he can pitch from the pen
3. not look for starters money
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
STFU Already
1. How the hell do you know what Prior is “willing” or not “willing” to do to get back to the ML?
2. How the hell do you know what he’s physically able to do or not do?
3. How the hell do you know what kind of money he’s “looking” for?
Stop projecting your own inadequacies and insecurities and get over it. It’s hilarious that someone who never leaves his mother’s basement thinks he knows what’s going on in the head of someone he’s never met. You’re probably the same special kind of idiot who gets upset when you see Jay Cutler not looking like he’s about to slit his wrists for throwing an interception.
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by WayneCampbell08 on Nov 21, 2009 5:29 PM CST up reply actions
Tad harsh, don't you think?
I mean, I’m in Prior’s corner too. But I think this is pretty plainly a gross overreaction on your part.
by Orval Overall on Nov 21, 2009 6:00 PM CST up reply actions
The Schaddenfreude for guys like Prior is one of the uglier sides of being a Cub fan
I have no idea whether Mark Prior is as flawed a person as he was a player, which is what many of you seem to be saying on here. But I do know that he was a very talented pitcher who led his team into the post-season with a dominant 10-1 stretch after returning early from a freak injury in 2003; pitched well enough to win a NLCS clincher before his defense let him down in the 8th inning; and came back quickly from another freak injury in 2005. Some combination of these things, or maybe just fate, or maybe just a flawed anatomy, kept Prior from becoming what a lot of us thought he would be – a dominant starter in the mold of Clemens or Seaver or Koufax who could lead the Cubs to multiple World Series.
I understand the immense disappointment and frustration around that. What I don’t understand is the joy some people seem to take in his continued failure to come back from injuries. He came here with a lot of promise, and left town with his arm, shoulder and career in shambles. If nothing else, respect the sacrifice he made for this team you cheer for — even if that sacrifice was unknowning or unwilling, it was made — and wish him well down the road. Cracking jokes and lampooning him for trivial slights and offenses that none of you would ever care about if Alex Gonzalez had turned that double play, well, that’s just bush league in my view.
by Orval Overall on Nov 21, 2009 6:14 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
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