Mark Prior Retires

[missionhockey21]

Mark Prior finally retires after short career that has had a long impact, as evidenced by one amazing stat | The Strike Zone - SI.com

Perhaps there is no better measurement of the impact Prior had than this: In 2003, at age 22, Prior made four starts of 130 or more pitches in 33 total starts between the regular and postseasons. In 2013, there were just four such games in all of the major leagues in 2,469 regular and postseasons games — none by a pitcher under the age of 25.

After bouncing around several organizations' minors over the last several years, Prior finally calls it quits. Its crazy to think what his value at 22/23 was to the league. What team wouldn't have dumped any of their blue chip prospects to get Prior? Filthy stuff, mature for his age, and by all accounts, a great teammate (but anyone would look balanced next to Zambrano.)

Last season he was with the Reds AAA-affiliate, still trying to make it back. He kept the dream alive for longer than most, but it is kind of sad he was never able to eek out a career, even as a reliever specialist.

[HollywoodLeo]

He was still playing?

[Trendy Bastard]

The life of a Cubs fan.

[Trendy Bastard]

He was still playing?

IIRC he actually pitched well in the minors. Just couldn't stay healthy long enough to get a call up.

[HollywoodLeo]

I heard the Padres want to give him a million to come back

[HollywoodLeo]

I heard the Padres want to give him a million to come back

lol, holy shit

Mark Prior Might Be Coming Home - Gaslamp Ball

[Hammer]

"In 2013, there were just four such games in all of the major leagues in 2,469 regular and postseasons games — none by a pitcher under the age of 25."

so who had the 4th... i know kershaw, darvish and anibal sanchez were 3 of them. verlander? sabathia? kuroda?

[Trendy Bastard]

I wish I wouldn't have looked back at his numbers. He was filthy in 2003.

[Hammer]

"In 2013, there were just four such games in all of the major leagues in 2,469 regular and postseasons games — none by a pitcher under the age of 25."

so who had the 4th... i know kershaw, darvish and anibal sanchez were 3 of them. verlander? sabathia? kuroda?

if anyone is as ocd about these things as i am... it was lincecum's no hitter.

[HollywoodLeo]

I could have sworn Livan Hernandez had a game a few years ago with an insane pitch count when he was in Washington.

[Kingdom]

But he was 45

[Tobywan]

I attended quite a few spring training games in AZ in 2003, one was a game that Mark started against the Brewers at their park in Maryvale. People swarmed around the BP as he was warming up. Since my friend had scored some comp tickets from Bobby Hill (anybody remember him?) we were seated directly behind Prior's family. If memory serves not only did he pitch like a stud he drove in a couple runs. It is a shame that he was hampered by so many injuries.