The San Diego Padres officially released perpetually DL-ed pitcher Mark Prior today. He had signed a one-year contract in 2007 and received that same contract again in 2008.
Prior was one of the most dominant pitchers in the game when he first came up with the Chicago Cubs in 2002. He last pitched in the minors in 2006 when he barely tossed 40 innings.
He finished third in Cy Young voting in 2003. That year, he went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA, striking out 245 batters while walking just 50.
One of the most feared pitchers of the early 2000’s, it is truly a shame that his body has failed him. Prior was prized by pitching coaches for his brilliant, ‘perfect’ mechanics. Yet those very mechanics have directly led to his inability to remain healthy.
Here’s a 2006 blurb from The Onion. I find it very appropriate.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Chicago, Cubs, Cy Young, Mark Prior, Padres, San Diego, The Onion
