Prior looks back on his career and injuries

This week SI.com has a really cool article that takes a look at many of the pitching phenoms that were the Stephen Strasburg’s of their day. They interviewed nine phenoms from the past half century, among them was the Cubs number one pick in 2001 Mark Prior. If there is one thing injuries give you it is probably a real good perspective on things, that seems to be what Mark Prior has these days.

Below are quotes from Prior in the article

On being called up:

When I got called up, I was replacing a guy who was 1–7, and Don Baylor was getting fired and we were on our way to losing 95 games. Joe Girardi was my catcher and he said, “Be professional, know your job, know your responsibilities on the field and off.” My transition happened so fast, I don’t think I appreciated what it took to get there.

On injuries:

Injuries make you look at the big picture, at what it means to be in the major leagues. It’s not like I was one of those guys who was drafted high and never made it or barely made it. I made it, performed at a high level and because of injuries wasn’t able to maintain that level.

On what he’s doing now:

Unfortunately, there’s no timetable for my return right now. It’s good, it’s bad, it’s rehab. The Padres are giving me the time I need. The more I’m away from the game, the more I appreciate the intricacies of it. That’s what I miss. I miss watching guys and knowing, ‘This is what I would do in that situation.’ I just want to play again.

In 2003, many of us were carving his plaque for Cooperstown. I would have never guessed that Mark Prior’s career would stand where it does now in 2009. The guy is one of the more tragic figures in the history of the club with the phenom status, the early success, putting the team on his back for a postseason run, getting the team within 5 outs of the NL Pennant and all of the injuries that followed.

It was a wild ride with Mark Prior, like most things Cubs it didn’t end with the storybook finish. He now finds his place in baseball lore with the likes of David Clyde, Paul Pettit and Lew Krausse not Gibson, Seaver, and Drysdale.