One of the most heralded pitching prospects of all time was Mark Prior. He was drafted by none other than the Chicago Cubs. Paired with Kerry Wood and to an extent Carlos Zambrano it looked like the Cubs were set to have a staff like the Atlanta Braves during the 1990's (Lead by Greg Maddux- Greatest Pitcher of the Modern Era, John Smoltz, and Tom Glavine.)Baseball, and life in general, gives hope and takes hope away. For a time in 2003 in looked like the curse was on it's way out. One fan interference and a few blown plays later the season was over. Unfortunately, so were Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. These weren't just great prospects
for my favorite team, they were can't miss once in a lifetime franchise saviors for the most down and out franchise of all time. A few arm surgeries and failed comebacks later, Prior is out of the league and Kerry is a journeyman.
I miss them both, and I admire them both. Kerry Wood came back to close games for the Cubs, and then as a reliever for other teams. He has had a respectable career and even has a shot at a ring as a member of the Yankees. It makes me shudder to think I might root for the Yankees at some point just because of him.
Prior's career has not gone as well. After leading the league in simulated innings and towel tosses (pitching rehab) he was traded to the Padres. He didn't do much there either. Years later he is now pitching in an independent league (Read: Last Resort) trying to get one more shot at the big show. I don't feel bad for him. He got to live a dream most of us would kill for. He made mad cash doing so. He got to experience the thrill of pitching in the postseason, and having the best fans in the world adore him.
I do admire him however. He's been at the the highest of highs. He's been close to the lowest of lows. He still has a dream, and he's still fighting like hell to get back. I don't know if he ever will get back, and almost certainly will never be what he was. I wish him well. He never gave his dream away for drugs and alcohol or anything stupid. He just ran into some bad luck with injuries. He has such a pretty delivery and he inspired so much hope. Good Luck Mark.
Kerry Wood used to be the nastiest pitcher alive. Watch the video on this link. It still gives me goosebumps thinking about what was, and what might have been.
Even though it seemed at one point that both were guaranteed to have Hall of Fame careers, neither has. Keep that in mind. You will likely not be a "can't miss prospect" in anything, and even if you are it might not happen. That doesn't mean you can't dream however.
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