1 min read General Cubs Information

Mark Prior Turns 30 Today

By Tim Sheridan
September 7, 2010

Former Cub Mark Prior turns 30 years old today, he hasn’t pitched in the Major Leagues in four years but he’s still trying. He recently signed a minor league deal with Texas Rangers after throwing 11 relief innings in the independent Golden Baseball League for the Orange County Flyers.

Seems like only yesterday when I would finish each Cubs spring camp by following Prior and his “loose shoulder” over to Fitch Park for extended spring training rehab. It’s hard to put into words the joy of watching a professional pitcher work a towel like he did, the artistry of movement, the flowing Terrycloth extending from his hand…I’m sorry for getting all sentimental – kids, they grow up so fast.

Prior says “Part of this exercise (his comeback attempt) is to find out, what kind of pitcher am I”. A good start would be the kind that can actually pitch. Word is Prior is hitting 92 mph with his fastball, down from his 95 or so he used to throw back in the day and 30 isn’t really that old for a pitcher. Heck former Cub pitcher Jamie Moyer pitched 17 seasons’s after he was 30 years old. With Prior’s injury background and throwing motion it will be a big feat just to make it back to the Majors.

Prior at Fitch – 2006 rehab 
Prior sure didn’t work out for the Cubs like us fans had hoped but he did give us 2003 when he went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA, was third in the Cy Young voting and helped nearly get the Cubs to a World Series…the key word “nearly”. Of course that 2003 season ended in the usual haunting Cubs fashion but when you’re going through a season like 2010, “nearly” sounds pretty good.

Happy 30th Birthday Mark Prior and good luck with your latest comeback effort; maybe we’ll see you with the Rangers next spring…I’ll have a towel ready just in case. 
No Comments

Leave a Comment