Mark Prior is still alive
November 17, 2009, 8:00 am by iYankees · Leave a Comment
Yes, believe it or not, 29-year old Mark Prior is alive and kicking (he’s not kicking too hard, though, as it would likely lead to a broken leg). After signing a one-year deal with the Padres a year ago (he also signed with them in 2008), Prior, whose arm is the the human equivalent to an overstretched rubber band, is once again a free agent. He’s also reportedly throwing on “flat ground” (as opposed to a volcano or a mountain), as he prepares for auditions with a number of clubs, although there is no specific timetable set for those auditions (amazing, indeed).
Prior’s last big league performance came in 2006, however, there’s no denying that he has incredible stuff… when healthy (which is about as rare as a good M. Night Shyamalan movie). Despite being 6 years removed from it, no one forgets the 2003 season, when Prior posted a 2.43 ERA over 211 1/3 innings while striking out 245 and walking just 50. Ever since then, however, we have seen injury after injury with his latest setback arriving in the form of a shoulder tear, which he had surgery to “fix” over the summer of 2008. He may never step foot on a pitcher’s mound again, at least not in the Majors, but there is always the slim chance—and I’m talking Olsen Twins slim—that he’ll remain healthy just long enough to fulfill some of the promise fans saw years ago in Chicago and still yearn for today.
For that reason, I hope the Yankees will take a look at Prior if he actually auditions for teams. He’ll probably want to return to baseball with his hometown Padres (they’ve obviously been good luck so far…), but, if the Yankees like what they see, I’m sure he would sign any contract (a minor-league contract) put in front of him, even if it’s drawn up with a hot pink crayon. Perhaps one day he’ll be more than just a short-lived career and a cautionary tale.
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
