from chicagosports.com (registration required - color me not surprised. It's the Cubs, and Prior has been involved in a "revolutionary" training regimen this spring training.)
Prior's headed to the doctor
By Paul Sullivan Tribune staff reporter
March 14, 2006, 5:47 PM CST
MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs right-hander Mark Prior left camp with shoulder soreness Tuesday morning and will be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles Wednesday.
Prior was playing long toss before a scheduled bullpen session at Cubs camp Tuesday when he complained of discomfort in the posterior of his right shouler.
As of 2/28/05: 101 pounds since December 7, 2004 OFFICIAL THREE-MONTH COUNT: 112 pounds on March 9, 2005 OFFICIAL SIX-MONTH COUNT: 142 pounds on June 8, 2005 OFFICIAL ONE YEAR COUNT: 187 pounds on December 7, 2005 As of February 27, 2006: 202 pounds "I've lost a heavyweight"
Originally posted by Eddie FamousShoulda traded him.
Nah, I don't think so. Wood, yes. Look, Prior is a horse and still a very young horse. He's like a lot of pitchers in the spring - a little weak and probably tried to throw too hard too fast. I am not overly worried about him. Wood needs to be a closer, period. If they put him in that role, keep him. If he insists on being a starter, then trade him.
We'll be back right after order has been restored here in the Omni Center.
This should surprise no one. Any Chicago sports fan has known that something has been wrong with Prior all winter. The front-office said that Prior suffered from a severe respiratory infection in December, they even through out the term Pharyngitis. In other words, Prior had a sore throat around Christmas. Using this excuse, the Cubs maintained that they were bringing him along slowly, denying any arm problems whatsoever.
If this was the first arm discomfort that Prior experienced, then why last week were they "hoping" to build him up to 80 pitches by Opening Day? Still struggling with that cold from 3 months ago? That would affect his pitch count?
No, the Cubs are just lying about their players injuries to the fans as usual. This should shock no one. Same old shit, different day, different player. ...or the same player.
Mark Prior 2005: Age 24, W-L 11-7, GS 27, ERA 3.67, WHIP 1.212
MIKE HARKEY 1990: Age 23, W-L 12-6, GS 27, ERA 3.26, WHIP 1.221
As of 2/28/05: 101 pounds since December 7, 2004 OFFICIAL THREE-MONTH COUNT: 112 pounds on March 9, 2005 OFFICIAL SIX-MONTH COUNT: 142 pounds on June 8, 2005 OFFICIAL ONE YEAR COUNT: 187 pounds on December 7, 2005 As of February 27, 2006: 202 pounds "I've lost a heavyweight"
I'm trying to avoid sounding too filled with schadenfreude as I say this, but really should this have surprised anyone? Most of all, should this have surprised the Cubs?
The part that would piss me off if I were a Cub fan is that they have tons of cash (after all, Cub fans are constantly pointing out that their park is always full) and what do they do this winter? A couple of middle relievers and resigning Neifi Perez. With the amount of cash they bring into the organization (not just the team, but the revenues they bring in for WGN tv and radio) there is no reason for them to be in a situation where right now Greg Maddux is their #2. They could have gone hard after Kevin Millwood, or Jeff Weaver, or AJ Burnett, or even all of the above. Seriously, they dropped over $20 million from the payroll with the Sosa contract clearing the books, and they did nothing to improve the team except for getting Scott Eyre and Bobby "Gas-Can" Howry?
But then, why improve? They set a single-day ticket sales record when tickets went on-sale this year. They're already at 2.5 million sold. They will set a new attendance record (due to bleacher expansion) and a new revenue record (due to the new bleacher boxes and increased premium seating, as well as the Batter's Eye restaurant/club in CF), so hey, if the frat boys and Iowans will drink flat Bud in the sunshine while the Cubs go 79-83 again, why bother?
Originally posted by spfBut then, why improve? They set a single-day ticket sales record when tickets went on-sale this year. They're already at 2.5 million sold. They will set a new attendance record (due to bleacher expansion) and a new revenue record (due to the new bleacher boxes and increased premium seating, as well as the Batter's Eye restaurant/club in CF), so hey, if the frat boys and Iowans will drink flat Bud in the sunshine while the Cubs go 79-83 again, why bother?
Ding ding ding!
I wish I could get over the Cubs, but I can't. I know it's fruitless to root for them nad spend money on them.