I was looking at MLB Trade Rumor's list of 2010 free agents the other day.
Down there under starting pitchers, between Sidney Ponson (33) and Horacio Ramirez (30) is the former future of the Cubs, Mark Prior (28).
It was the (28) that just stopped me cold.
I don't know why, but doesn't it seem like he should be about 35?
2003, I mean, that was freaking AGES ago.
2003 was back when Mark Prior was gonna be the next Tom Seaver. They had the Sports Illustrated cover with Prior and Kerry Wood and the burst of flame. I thought Mark Prior was gonna be around forever. Like Nolan Ryan kind of forever.
But he got hurt, and... what the hell really happened with him anyway? There was alot of down time and he went from the invincible guy with the tree trunk legs to a wandering now-he's-here now-he's-not wreck. Alot of people thought he was either a sissy or a dick at the end, but I gotta say if you're a pitcher and your arm goes weird? You'd be freaking out too.
But back to 28.
As in years old.
Come on man, it's just not right to be washed up at only 28.
The Trib reports that Buster Olney reports (I can't find the Olney thing) that Prior will audition for scouts again. Doesn't say when or anything. But I gotta say I hope Prior does get back out there.
He never came close to the Cub-love that Kerry Wood will probably always have, but hell, he was one serious Cub-Stud for a little bit there.
Okay, here's the headline I didn't do for Turning White Sammy Sosa, and it kinda needs to have an accompanying snare drum rim-shot and for you to remember steroid talk.
Ready?
Sammy - you shoulda used the clear instead of the cream! (rim shot here!)
Okay FINE!
I'm going back to my office now, but you're supposed to laugh here once in awhile, dammit.
