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This article is about the baseball pitcher. For the United States Senator, seeMark Pryor.

Mark Prior
Prior with the Chicago Cubs
Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 92
Pitcher/Coach
Born:(1980-09-07)September 7, 1980(age 44)
San Diego, California,U.S.
Batted:Right
Threw:Right
MLB debut
May 22, 2002, for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
August 10, 2006, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
Win–loss record42–29
Earned run average3.51
Strikeouts757
Teams
As player
As coach
Career highlights and awards

Mark William Prior(born September 7, 1980) is an American formerprofessional baseballpitcherand currentcoach.A onetime top prospect of theChicago Cubs,he pitched for the team from 2002 to 2006 in a career that was marred by injuries. In his prime, hisrepertoireof pitches included a mid-90s mphfastball,acurveball,and achangeup.He is currently thepitching coachfor theLos Angeles Dodgers.

Born and raised inSan Diego, California,Prior engagedTom Houseas his pitching tutor in high school. A career at theUniversity of Southern California,where he won theGolden Spikes Award,saw him become one of the top prospects in the2001 MLB draft,when he was the second overall pick by the Cubs. He made only six appearances in theminor leaguesbefore debuting with the team in 2002. In 2003, he finished third inNational League(NL)Cy Young Awardvoting, ranking among the leaders with 18 wins, a 2.43earned run average(ERA), and 245strikeouts.Helping the Cubs win theNL Centraltitle, he outpitchedGreg Madduxin theNL Division Seriesand won Game 2 of theNL Championship Series,but he was on the mound for Game 6 whenSteve BartmanpreventedMoisés Aloufrom catching a foul ball.

Prior had pitched a scoreless game up to this point, but theFlorida Marlinswent on to win the series in seven games after an eighth inning eight-run rally in that game, in which Prior received the loss. In 2004, he was on thedisabled listtwice but finished the season with a 16-strikeout performance against theCincinnati Reds.He made 27 starts with the Cubs in 2005 and finished ninth in the NL in strikeouts despite missing some time due to injury. Multiple injuries limited him to nine games in 2006, and he did not pitch at all in 2007 due to tears in his labrum, anterior capsule, and rotator cuff. After the season, the Cubsnon-tenderedhim, letting him become afree agent.

Prior never pitched in the major leagues again after that, though he tried several times. He pitched in the minor leagues for multiple organizations over the next six years before finally retiring at the end of the 2013 season. Once touted as having "perfect" pitching mechanics byESPNand others,[1]his "Inverted W" arm action has been discussed as a possible reason for his lack of durability, as well asDusty Baker's heavy usage of him during the 2003 season, though Prior himself does not blame Baker for his injuries. Prior accepted a front office position with theSan Diego Padresin 2013, then joined the Dodgers in 2018 as a bullpen coach,[2]becoming their pitching coach in 2020.

Amateur career

[edit]

Born September 7, 1980, inSan Diego, California,Prior was part of an athletic family. Jerry, his father, playedcollege footballforVanderbilt University,and both of Mark's older siblings played sports as well. "Being the youngest of three kids, there's no room for me to step out of line," he quipped.[3][4]Growing up, Prior attended theUniversity of San Diego High School.As a sophomore, he worked with formerMajor League Baseball(MLB)pitcherTom House,who had a business of tutoring young pitchers. Using computer analysis to try to determine the ideal pitching motion, House worked with Prior on his delivery and prescribed a detailed workout regimen which the pitcher would continue to utilize as his career advanced.[4][5]He was originally drafted by theNew York Yankeesin the first round of the1998 amateur draftand offered an approximately $1.5 million signing bonus, but the parties were unable to agree on a contract after negotiating all summer, and Prior chose to attend college instead, pursuing a business degree while playingcollege baseball.[6][4]

As a freshman, Prior went to Vanderbilt.[6][4]Tim Corbinlater compared him toDavid PriceandKris Benson.[7]He then transferred to theUniversity of Southern California(USC), posting a 10–7recordhis sophomore year and leading theUSC Trojansto the2000 College World Series.[8]USC posted a 16–game winning streak before Prior helped USC reach the College World Series again in2001,posting a 15–1 record and a 1.69earned run average(ERA),striking out202 in138+2⁄3inningswhilewalkingjust 18.[9]He won several awards that year, including theDick Howser Trophy,theGolden Spikes Award,and theRotary Smith Award.[10][9][11]

Professional career

[edit]

Chicago Cubs

[edit]

In 2001, Prior re-entered thedraftand was considered "the consensus top player", according toESPN.[12]He was taken second overall by theChicago Cubs,behindJoe Mauer,who was drafted by theMinnesota Twins.[5][13]The Cubs signed Prior to a contract for $10.5 million, the highest signing bonus for a draft pick until theWashington NationalsgaveStephen Strasburg$15 million in 2009.[14]

After ninestartsin the minors, Prior was called up to the big leagues in 2002 as a 21-year-old.[5]He made his Major League debut on May 22 atWrigley Fieldagainst thePittsburgh Piratesand became one of 14 Cub pitchers since 1920 to win his first major league start by striking out 10 batters over six innings pitched in a 7–4 victory. TeammateSammy Sosasaid, "I was impressed with what he did today. Going out there in front of 40,000 people and throwing the way he did, that was a good sign."[15]On June 7, he threw 128 pitches and struck out 11 while allowing no runs in a 2–0 win over theSeattle Mariners.[16]He threw his first careercomplete gameon August 4, striking out 13, allowing one run, and throwing 136 pitches in a 4–1 win over theColorado Rockies."I was kind of surprised that they did send me out there," he said, when he found out he was pitching the ninth.[17]On August 15, he struck out seven hitters in a row, tying the Cubs' record shared byJamie MoyerandKerry Wood.In total, he struck out 12 in six innings, earning ano decisionin an eventual 6–4 win.[18]During a game against theSt. Louis Cardinalson August 31, he was removed because of a strained left hamstring.[19]Two days later, the Cubs announced they were shutting him down for the rest of the year because of the injury.[20]Prior finished hisrookiecampaign with a 6–6 record with a 3.32 ERA, and 147 strikeouts in116+2⁄3innings pitched.[3]The Sporting Newscalled his rookie season "stellar", and he finished seventh inNational League(NL)Rookie of the Year Awardvoting.[3][21]

In his second start of the 2003 season, Prior pitched his first careershutout,striking out 12 and allowing four hits in a 3–0 win over theMontreal Expos.[22][23]In six innings on May 12, he allowed four runs to theMilwaukee Brewersbut struck out 11 and earned the victory in an 11–5 triumph.[24]He struck out 16 Brewers on June 26, allowing two runs in eight innings but getting a no decision in a 5–3 loss.[22][5]In the second inning of a game against theAtlanta Braveson July 11, Prior had to exit after suffering a violent on-field collision with Atlanta second basemanMarcus Giles.The injury forced him to thedisabled list(DL) with shoulder stiffness.[25][26][27][a]Selected asNational League All-Stars in 2003,[28]both Prior and fellow right-handed pitcherKerry Woodwere dubbed "Chicago Heat" bySports Illustrated.[29]SportswriterGeorge Vecseycompared them to other famed rotation twosomes, likeWarren SpahnandLew Burdette,orRandy JohnsonandCurt Schilling.[30]According to CBS Local, sportswriters and fans criticized Cubs managerDusty Bakeron the high pitch counts of the two aces.[31]Prior averaged 113.4 pitches per starts in the regular season, that number rising to 126.1 in September and 122.7 in the playoffs.[32][33]However, the contributions of the twoaceshelped lead the Cubs to an 88-win season and anNL Centraldivision title.[30][34][35]

Against his hometownSan Diego Padreson August 5, Prior returned from the DL, allowing two hits and no runs in six inning and earning the victory in a 3–0 win.[36]After his return, he compiled a 10–1 record, striking out 13, 14, and 10 in his final three starts of the season.[22]On September 27, he gave up two runs and struck out 10 in6+2⁄3innings, defeating thePittsburgh Piratesfor the win in Game 1 of adoubleheader.That win brought the Cubs' magic number to one for the division title, and they won the second game to win the division for the first time since 1989.[37][38]Tied for thesecond most winsas a NL pitcher withWoody Williamsin 2003, Prior finished third in NLCy Young Awardvoting after compiling an 18–6 win–loss record. His 2.43 ERA was third in the NL (behindJason Schmidt's 2.34 andKevin Brown's 2.39), his 245 strikeouts were topped only by Wood's 266, and his.750 winning percentage was tied with three others for second in the NL behind Schmidt's.773.[3][39]

In theNL Division Series,the Cubs faced Atlanta, and Prior started Game 3 against former CubGreg Maddux.Prior allowed two hits and one run, throwing a complete game and striking out seven as the Cubs won 3–1.[26][33]With a five-game series win over the Braves, the Cubs faced theFlorida Marlinsin theNL Championship Series.[40]Prior pitched into the eighth inning in Game 2, allowing three runs (two earned) and striking out five in a 12–3 victory, before taking the mound again in Game 6.[41]For seven innings, he threw scoreless ball, allowing just three hits as the Cubs took a 3–0 lead. WhenMike Mordecaiflew outagainst him to start the eighth, the Cubs were five outs away from playing in their first World Series since1945.Then,Juan Pierrehit adouble,bringing upLuis Castillo,who hit a foul ball down the left field line thatoutfielderMoisés Alougave chase to. The ball came down at the edge of the stands, andSteve Bartman,a fan, reached for it, preventing Alou from making the catch. Castillo went on to walk, and Prior and the Cubs never recovered from the incident. Prior struggled with his command and gave up the lead with the aid of poor defensive play, most notably a booted ground ball by shortstopAlex Gonzalezthat might have resulted in adouble play.AfterDerrek Leehit an RBI double off him that tied the game and put runners at second and third, Prior was removed from the game and replaced withKyle Farnsworth.The Marlins went on to score eight runs that inning, and Prior was charged with the loss in the 8–3 defeat. The Cubs went on to lose Game 7, and their94-year-long World Series droughtcontinued.[42][43]

Prior was forced to miss the first two months of the 2004 season due to anachilles tendoninjury and elbow soreness.[44]In his return on June 4, he struck out eight Pirates, allowing two hits and no runs in six innings, though the Cubs lost 2–1.[45]His ERA went up to 5.05 after he gave up seven runs over three innings in an 8–6 loss to San Diego on August 10, andRamon Hernandezof the Padres noticed a difference. "When I faced Prior the first time in my life he was throwing 96, 97. Today he was throwing 91-94 and he was a little wild and out of the zone. He was hurt for a long time. It might take a little bit of time for him to be the Prior that everybody has seen."[46][47]Prior posted a 3.06 ERA after that, and in his last three games of the season, he allowed just two runs in24+1⁄3innings.[46]He tied a career-high by striking out 16 Cincinnati Reds over nine innings in his "best game of the season" according to ESPN, though the Cubs went on to lose 2–1 in the 12th inning.[48]Prior finished 2004 with a 6–4 record and a 4.02 ERA in 21 starts, striking out 139 in118+2⁄3innings.[3]

Elbow inflammation caused Prior to start the 2005 season on the disabled list, though he was activated on April 12.[49]He won his first three starts and posted a 2.93 ERA through May 27.[50]However, against the Rockies that day, Prior was hit on his right (pitching) elbow by a 117-mph comebackline driveoff the bat ofBrad Hawpe,giving him a compression fracture. This sent him to another stint on the DL. Coincidentally, Hawpe had hit a three-run home run off Prior in the 2000 College World Series while playing for theLouisiana State University Tigers.[8]

Returning from the DL on June 26, Prior limited theChicago White Soxto one hit in six innings, earning the win in a 2–0 triumph.[51]He remained in the team's rotation the rest of the year, not having to miss time with any other injuries.[50]Against the Pirates on July 14, he allowed two hits and one unearned run in eight innings, earning the win in a 5–1 victory.[52]Prior finished the 2005 season with an 11–7 record in 27 starts, striking out 188 in166+2⁄3innings.[3]His 188 strikeouts were the ninth-most in the NL, despite his time missed due to injury.[53]

Mark Prior in 2005.

During the 2005 off-season, afterNomar Garciaparraleft the Cubs viafree agency,Prior was mentioned byKen RosenthalofFox Sportsas part of a possible deal forBaltimore Orioles's shortstopMiguel Tejada,but this trade did not come to pass.[3][54]As in 2005, Prior started the 2006 season on the disabled list. This time, though, it was because of a strained right shoulder, and the injury caused him to miss the first two months of the 2006 season. His debut came on June 18, when he had what ESPN called "one of the worst outings of his career" against theDetroit Tigers,giving up six runs in the first inning and lasting just3+2⁄3innings before being pulled.[55]Prior was 0–4 in four starts with a 7.71 ERA, until he was once again put on the disabled list on July 14, after straining his left oblique muscle while takingbatting practiceon July 8.[56][57]Since he had not pitched since July 4, he was eligible to return on July 21 against the Nationals.[57]He pitched only3+1⁄3innings before he was pulled out of the game, allowing four runs and taking a no decision in an eventual 7–6 loss.[58]Against the Brewers on August 10, Prior's pitch speed slowed in the third inning of his start. He was replaced byJuan Mateoin the fourth inning, having allowed six runs (five earned) in an eventual 8–6 defeat.[59][60]Two days later, he was placed on the disabled list (tendinitis) for the third time that season, missing the remainder of the year.[60]He finished the 2006 season with a 1–6 record and a 7.22 ERA in nine starts, striking out 38 against 28 walks in43+2⁄3innings.[3]

Eligible for arbitration, Prior asked for a pay raise from his 2006 salary of $3.65 million to $3.875 million for 2007. The Cubs avoided arbitration with Prior when he settled for a one-year $3.575 million contract for 2007.[61]Prior found himself competing withWade Millerto be the Cubs' fifth starter in 2007, and he wasoptionedto the minor leagues before the season began.[62]After one start in the minors, in which he gave up three runs and got the win, Prior received exploratory surgery on his right shoulder byJames Andrews,a noted orthopedic surgeon;[63]the procedure showed evidence of vast structural damage. There were tears in Prior's labrum, anterior capsule, and rotator cuff.[64]As a result, Prior missed the rest of the 2007 season. Cubsgeneral manager(GM)Jim Hendrysaid that anything provided by Prior or Wood would be "gravy" and he hoped that this would come to fruition.[62]TheAssociated Pressreported that the injury was not expected to be career-ending.[62]Prior wasnon-tenderedon December 12, 2007, ending his tenure with the Cubs.[65]

Other organizations, comeback attempts

[edit]

San Diego Padres (2008-09)

[edit]

On December 26, 2007, Prior agreed to a $1 million, one-year, incentive-laden contract with theSan Diego Padres.[66]Prior had hoped to pitch again by May or June of the 2008 season, but another tear of his right anterior capsule during his rehab in May 2008 required surgery on June 4 that forced him to miss his second consecutive season.[67][68]On January 13, 2009, Prior agreed to another one-year contract with the Padres, this one a minor league deal, which included a $1 million option if Prior pitched in the major leagues in 2009.[69]He was released from his contract on August 1, 2009, after the team was disappointed by a lack of progress in his rehab.[3][70]

Orange County Flyers (independent), Texas Rangers (2010)

[edit]

By November 2009, throwing a ball 30 feet resulted in pain for Prior. That month, he hired Jackson Crowther, a former minor league pitcher who had also attended USC, to help him with his rehab. They focused on trying to grow muscle groups in the shoulder region, in hopes of helping stabilize the joint.[14]On June 30, 2010, Prior returned to USC to perform a workout for major league scouts,[71]but the workout was judged as "just all right" by an unnamed veteran scout.[72]

Unable to sign with a major league team, Prior agreed to an independent league contract with theOrange County Flyersof theGolden Baseball Leagueon August 3, 2010.[73]Used out of thebullpenfor the team, he posted an 0.82 ERA in nine games, striking out 22 hitters in 11 innings.[74]On September 3, he signed with theTexas Rangerson a minor league contract.[75]He pitched one scoreless inning for theirTriple-Aaffiliate, theOklahoma City RedHawks.[76]

New York Yankees (2011)

[edit]
Prior with theTampa Yankeesin 2011.

Prior signed a one-year minor league contract with theNew York Yankeesfor the 2011 season, though he was an unlikely candidate to make the Yankees' roster because their only projected vacancy was for along reliever.[76][77]Prior was assigned to start the year with theSingle-AadvancedTampa YankeesinFloridarather than joining the colder weather Triple-AScranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankeesin order to work on his transition to a relief pitcher.[78]After just four games, he was promoted to Scranton on April 20 but promptly placed on the disabled list with a groin injury.[79]Ultimately, Prior would make 11 appearances in the minor leagues for the Yankees, only one of which was at Triple-A.[74]He was granted free agency on November 2, 2011.[80]

Boston Red Sox (2012)

[edit]

Unsigned to begin the 2012 season, Prior secured a minor league contract with theBoston Red Soxon May 2 and pitched in theirextended spring training program.[81]Later joining thePawtucket Red Sox,he provided the Triple-A team with "stellar" pitching, according to Teddy Mitrosilis of ESPN, though he was walking too many hitters.[82]In 19 games for Pawtucket (all in relief), Prior had a 1–0 record, a 3.96 ERA, and 38 strikeouts in 25 innings, though he walked 23.[74]He was released by the Red Sox on August 17 in order to make room for a newly acquired prospect on the roster.[3][64]

Cincinnati Reds (2013)

[edit]

In February 2013, Prior called Baker, now manager of the Reds, to see if Cincinnati was interested in signing him. The Reds gave him a physical, and when he passed, they signed him to a minor league contract on March 1, 2013.[64][83]He made seven appearances for the Triple-ALouisville Batsbut was placed on the disabled list in April with a shoulder injury. On June 28, the Reds released Prior. He announced his retirement from baseball in December.[84]

Pitching style

[edit]
Prior pitching for the Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 30, 2004

In his prime, Prior's repertoire of pitches included a mid-90s mphfastball,acurveball,and achangeup.[5]The fastball reached speeds of up to 97 miles per hour, at its fastest, while the curve featured a sharp, downward break, travelling about 10 miles per hour slower.[5][6]Teammate Kerry Wood praised his fearlessness and control: "" He's not worried about throwing an inside fastball to aJeff Bagwellwith men on second and third...If that's the pitch he needs to make, he'll make it. "[5]Damian Miller,his catcher with the Cubs in 2003, compared him toCurt Schilling,noting that both pitchers threw a lot of high fastballs.[6]Daniel Habib ofSports Illustratedcalled him "fundamentally sound", also praising his "sophisticated approach" to hitters.[5]

Early in Prior's career, hispitching mechanicswere touted as "perfect", according toThe Sporting News.[21]House tried to help him develop a mechanically efficient and sound delivery.[4]Sports reporterBuster Olneycalled his mechanics "smooth, fluid, consistent," opining that his delivery made him less of an injury-risk than teammate Wood.[6]House said that same year, "He's up there withNolan Ryan...he has better mechanics than Roger Clemens, if only by percentage points. He has Greg Maddux mechanics with a Kerry Wood/Nolan Ryan type of arm. He's going to, with maturity, get bigger and stronger, too. It's a gene-pool thing. "[4]House also labelled Prior a "can't-miss" prospect.[85]

However, after Prior's rash of injuries, people reexamined his delivery. His throwing motion drew criticism from "armchair biomechanists", according toYahoo.[85]Chris O'Leary speculated that some of the trouble was due to Prior's "Inverted W" arm action, in which he lifted his elbows above and behind the level of his shoulders, with the forearm pointing down.[86]According to O'Leary, this created a timing problem that placed an undue stress on the muscles and ligaments of the shoulder and elbow because the arm got up to the "cocked position" too late.[87]Similarly,Dick Mills,a former major league pitcher and co-author ofThe Science and Art of Baseball Pitchingand Pitching, speculated that Prior's injuries were a result of scapular loading, a movement in which a pitcher's shoulder blades are pinched together and elbows are taken behind, and sometimes above, their shoulders.[88]

On the other hand, Ryan Fagan ofThe Sporting Newsspeculated that Prior's injuries may have been the result of managerDusty Bakeroverusing him in his early career, also pointing to his shoulder injury after running into Giles as a potential source of the trouble.[21]Critics made Baker their "scapegoat", according to Jason Buckland of theNew York Times,blaming him for overusing his young pitcher.[64]Prior himself speculated that the Giles injury and Hawpe's line drive were big factors. He said "I don't blame Dusty for what happened to me," observing that Baker had to balance how often to use the pitchers with making decisions that would help the Cubs win.[89]

Coaching career

[edit]

After his playing career ended, Prior accepted a front office position with the Padres in 2013 as an assistant in the team's baseball operations department, in a capacity designed to acquaint him with how a baseball front office worked.[90]In 2015, he became San Diego's minor league pitching coordinator, serving in that capacity for three seasons. He was then hired by theLos Angeles Dodgersas their bullpen coach for the 2018 season. MLB columnist Tim Brown speculated that the Dodgers might groom Prior to take over as their pitching coach whenRick Honeycutteventually retired.[91]Sure enough, after Honeycutt was reassigned in 2020, the Dodgers made Prior their pitching coach.[92]

Personal life

[edit]

Prior married Heather Gora on November 15, 2003.[93]The couple have three children: Amanda, Caitlin, and Matthew.[14][94]After becoming a professional baseball player, Prior continued his education on a part-time basis and received a business degree from theUSC Marshall School of Businessin 2004.[95]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^Prior and Giles had both been chosen to play in theAll-Star Game,but were forced to miss the game as a result of their injuries.[25][26][27]

References

[edit]
  1. ^"Prior a definite two-year stud".ESPN.September 26, 2003.RetrievedDecember 19,2022.
  2. ^"Dodgers turn to Mark Prior as bullpen coach".ESPN.January 4, 2018.RetrievedDecember 9,2023.
  3. ^abcdefghij"Mark Prior Stats".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  4. ^abcdefSkolnick, Ethan J. (October 8, 2003)."Head of the Class".South Florida Sun Sentinel.RetrievedAugust 29,2020.
  5. ^abcdefghHabib, Daniel G. (July 7, 2003)."Double Whammy".Sports Illustrated.RetrievedAugust 28,2020.
  6. ^abcdeOlney, Buster (April 3, 2003)."Baseball; Cubs' Prior Is Polished Beyond His Years".The New York Times.RetrievedAugust 29,2020.
  7. ^Matthews, Will (April 14, 2007)."Price Sets All-Time VU Mark for Strikeouts".Vanderbilt University.RetrievedAugust 29,2020.
  8. ^ab"Hawpe, Hodges Lead Tigers Into CWS Driver's Seat".Louisiana State University.June 11, 2000.RetrievedAugust 29,2020.
  9. ^ab"Prior wins Golden Spikes Award".The Beaver County Times.December 11, 2001. p. B7.RetrievedAugust 5,2012.
  10. ^"Prior claims Howser Trophy".Wilmington Morning Star.Associated Press. June 9, 2001. p. 4C.RetrievedOctober 1,2012.
  11. ^"Mark Prior Wins 2001 Rotary Smith Award".University of Southern California.June 28, 2001.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  12. ^"Twins catch Mauer with top pick".ESPN.June 4, 2001.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  13. ^"1st Round of the 2001 MLB June Amateur Draft".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 28,2020.
  14. ^abcWitz, Billy (August 30, 2010)."High Expectations Met With Similar Misfortune".The New York Times.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  15. ^"Prior strikes out 10 in big-league debut".ESPN.May 22, 2002.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.[dead link]
  16. ^"Sosa hits league-leading 21st homer".ESPN.June 8, 2002. Archived fromthe originalon April 7, 2022.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  17. ^"Prior needs 136 pitches for first complete game".ESPN.August 4, 2002.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.[dead link]
  18. ^"Sosa hits No. 41; Prior overpowers Astros".ESPN.August 15, 2002. Archived fromthe originalon September 21, 2023.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
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  20. ^Jauss, Bill (September 3, 2002)."Prior done for year".The Chicago Tribune.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  21. ^abcFagan, Ryan (May 25, 2019)."What if? With Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, Cubs fans still wonder what might have been".The Sporting News.RetrievedAugust 29,2020.
  22. ^abc"Mark Prior 2003 Pitching Gamelogs".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  23. ^"Montreal Expos at Chicago Cubs Box Score, April 9, 2003".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  24. ^"Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers Box Score, May 12, 2003".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  25. ^ab"Giles, Prior could miss All-Star Game after run-in".USA Today.Associated Press (AP).July 13, 2003.RetrievedOctober 11,2016.
  26. ^abcSullivan, Paul (July 21, 2003)."Prior on DL for shoulder: Cubs hope he'll miss only 1 start".The Chicago Tribune.RetrievedOctober 11,2016.
  27. ^ab"Cubs' pitcher goes on DL: Prior now paying for collision".Athens Banner-Herald.Athens, Georgia.AP. July 22, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon October 12, 2016.RetrievedOctober 11,2016.
  28. ^"2003 All Star Game: Tuesday, July 15, 2003".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedOctober 11,2016.
  29. ^"Chicago Heat: Kerry Wood and Mark Prior Fire Up the Cubs".Sports Illustrated.July 7, 2003.RetrievedOctober 11,2016.
  30. ^abVecsey, George (October 12, 2003)."Cubs Fans Have Been Close Before".New York Times.p. SP5.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  31. ^Lingebach, Chris (August 4, 2016)."Mark Prior: I don't blame Dusty Baker for what happened to me".CBS DC.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  32. ^"Mark Prior 2003 Pitching Gamelogs".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  33. ^ab"Mark Prior Postseason Pitching Gamelogs".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  34. ^Davis, Tyler (October 7, 2015)."The Cubs' most memorable postseason moments".The Sporting News.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  35. ^"2003 NL Team Statistics".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  36. ^"Throws six shutout innings in return from DL".ESPN.August 6, 2003. Archived fromthe originalon September 25, 2022.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  37. ^"Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs Box Score, September 27, 2003".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  38. ^"Chicago Cubs 7, Pittsburgh Pirates 2 (2nd Game)".ESPN.September 27, 2003. Archived fromthe originalon May 16, 2019.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  39. ^"2003 NL Pitching Leaders".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  40. ^Johnson, Chuck (October 6, 2003). "Wood, Cubs finish off Braves; Chicago to face Florida in NLCS after 5-1 victory".USA Today.p. 1C.
  41. ^"2003 National League Championship Series (NLCS) Game 2, Marlins at Cubs, October 8".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  42. ^Morrissey, Rick (October 16, 2003). "Game 6 collapse will define this team".The Chicago Tribune.p. 4.
  43. ^"2003 National League Championship Series (NLCS) Game 6, Marlins at Cubs, October 14".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  44. ^"Prior retires first 13 batters".ESPN.June 4, 2004.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.[dead link]
  45. ^"Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs Box Score, June 4, 2004".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 29,2020.
  46. ^ab"Mark Prior 2004 Pitching Gamelogs".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 29,2020.
  47. ^"Padres trim wild-card lead to one game".ESPN.August 10, 2004. Archived fromthe originalon December 2, 2021.RetrievedAugust 29,2020.
  48. ^"Chicago's dumped five of last six".ESPN.September 30, 2004.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.[dead link]
  49. ^"San Diego at Chicago Cubs, Postponed (Rain)".ESPN.April 12, 2005.RetrievedAugust 29,2020.
  50. ^ab"Mark Prior 2005 Pitching Gamelogs".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 29,2020.
  51. ^"Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox Box Score, June 26, 2005".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 29,2020.
  52. ^"Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs Box Score, July 14, 2005".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 29,2020.
  53. ^"2005 NL Pitching Leaders".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  54. ^Rosenthal, Ken (December 22, 2005)."Cubs after Tejada, could move Prior".Fox Sports.Archived fromthe originalon February 4, 2006.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  55. ^"Tigers tie club record with eight HRs as Rogers wins No. 200".ESPN.June 18, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon January 19, 2021.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  56. ^"Mark Prior 2006 Pitching Gamelogs".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  57. ^ab"Trachsel wins seventh straight start as Mets dump Cubs".ESPN.July 14, 2006.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.[dead link]
  58. ^"Nats' owners finish sale; players close out Cubs' Prior".ESPN.July 21, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2023.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  59. ^"Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers Box Score, August 10, 2006".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  60. ^ab"Prior on DL again, return this year 'questionable'".ESPN.August 12, 2006.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
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  62. ^abc"Prior out for season after shoulder surgery".ESPN.April 25, 2007.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  63. ^Anderson, Steve (2002)."Blading for real: Dr. James Andrews" the surgeon to the superstars "talks about how he puts all your favorite wrestlers back together again".Wrestling Digest.Archived fromthe originalon September 22, 2007.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
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  65. ^Muskat, Carrie (December 13, 2007)."Cubs decide to non-tender Prior".MLB.Archived fromthe originalon June 29, 2008.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  66. ^Olney, Buster (December 26, 2007)."Padres add Prior to pitching mix".ESPN.RetrievedJuly 21,2010.
  67. ^Booth, Tim (May 16, 2008)."Padres' Mark Prior has another shoulder injury".Fox News.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
  68. ^"Prior Signs Minor League Deal With Padres".NBC San Diego.January 14, 2009.RetrievedAugust 30,2020.
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  91. ^Brown, Tim (January 2, 2018)."Sources: Dodgers hire Mark Prior as bullpen coach".Yahoo Sports.RetrievedJanuary 2,2018.
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[edit]
Preceded by Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen coach
2018–2019 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Los Angeles Dodgers Pitching Coach
2020–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mark_Prior&oldid=1254020122"