On the mound, few pitchers embodied as much promise and dominance as Chicago Cubs phenom Mark Prior early last decade. Though ultimately unable to stay healthy, Prior’s brief flashes of brilliance made him an icon for frustrated Cubs fans longing for a World Series.
The Cubs made Prior the 2nd overall pick in 2001 after a storied college career at USC. His polished four-pitch mix and effortless mechanics immediately set him apart from peers. As a rookie in 2002, Prior dazzled with his precision, leading the NL in strikeout-to-walk ratio while going 11-7 with a 3.32 ERA.
But his emergence reached another level in 2003. That season, Prior teamed with staff ace Kerry Wood to form a lethal 1-2 punch the Cubs rode to the NLCS. The 22-year-old Prior punctuated his All-Star 2003 campaign with a spectacular playoff run, punching out 19 Marlins in 2 starts while yielding just 1 earned run. Though Chicago infamously blew the series, Prior cemented himself as one of the game’s brightest young superstars.
Sadly that postseason – when Prior seemed destined to bring a title to the North Side – represented his peak. After a collision at second base the next spring, he battled shoulder issues that robbed his once-dominant stuff. While hopes persisted that he could overcome setbacks and rekindle past feats, Prior never made more than 21 starts in a season again.
Despite fading quickly, the symbolism behind Mark Prior burns bright in Cubs lore. His superhuman ability and youthful dominance encapsulated the promise surrounding that talented Chicago core. For Patient fans pining for October glory, Prior represented hope – making his injuries that much harder to stomach.
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