Mauer's MVP Reminds Cubs Fans Dusty Screwed Prior

Joe Mauer's near-unanimous American League MVP selection reminds Cubs fans that he was one executive decision away from being a Chicago Cub.

But this is blog is not about that.

The Cubs "settled" for Mark Prior in that draft like a rapper would settle for 26-inch rims on his Cadillac instead of 28.  There was no belly-aching out of Chicago when the team selected the stud Southern California pitcher.

In 2009, it is easy to point out that a decision that was made by a franchise accused of pinching pennies on the local kid rather than meeting Prior's demands was a wise one by Terry Ryan.  But really, it should have never came down to that.

Baseball fans should have been treated to careers that featured big hits, big whiffs and a few big games down the line.  Mauer held up his end, Prior could not.

Thanks Dusty Baker.

Yep, that's right, kids.  Another blame Dusty Baker blog.  Can you blame me?  Of course not.  Dusty's pitchers are known for big bursts of greatness followed by bigger flameouts.  Prior is just one of the many examples.  The one-time face of the Cubs franchise broke out with a big 18-6 season in 2003, a season that might go down as the biggest double-edged sword in Cubs history.

Prior saw his mechanics break down and his arm fall apart as time went on with the Cubs, and a lot of it has to do with the wear-and-tear put on his arm by none other than that toothpick-chewing S.O.B.  Prior averaged 126 pitches per start in a September.  Note that Prior had thrown at least 120 pitches only three times before the Cubs' September run.  The first came in an 11-5 win against Milwaukee on May 12.  The second occurred on June 3 in a 3-2 win against the Rays, 22 days later.  The third and final time came June 26 in a 5-3 loss against the Brewers, 23 days later.

So what does Dusty do to his best pitcher?  The guy the Cubs were supposed to build a new winning tradition with?  He throws Prior to the wolves to throw at least 124 pitches in five of his six September starts.  The only start in which he didn't throw more than 124 pitches was his Sept. 11 start against the Expos, which ended in a 3-2 defeat.

• Sept. 1 vs. St. Louis: 131 pitches, Cubs win 7-0
• Sept. 6 @ Milwaukee: 129 pitches, Cubs win 8-4
  
• Sept. 16 vs. NY Mets: 124 pitches, Cubs win 3-2
• Sept. 21 @ Pittsburgh 131 pitches, Cubs win 4-1
  
• Sept. 27 vs. Pittsburgh: 127 pitches, Cubs win 4-2
  

That's 642 pitches in five starts.  Yikes.  Other than the Sept. 11 start, they all came consecutively.  Prior would go on to throw another 133 pitches in a 3-1 complete game victory in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Braves.  The straw that might have broken the camels back was the 116 pitches he threw in the Cubs' 12-3 win in Game 2 of the NLCS.  Chicago held an 11-0 lead through five innings, and at the time I though to myself, "The Cubs should probably let Prior rest seeing that this game looks to be in hand."  Instead, Dusty Baker trotted him out to make sure he hit at least triple digits in pitches thrown.

Did those extra throws cost Prior in the infamous Game 6?  The world may never know.  What the world does know is that Prior's arm troubles began in 2004, a season in which Joe Mauer went on to post a .308/.369/.570/.939 slash line in 122 plate appearances.

Prior's last win came on Aug. 5, 2006, a 7-5 decision against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He struck out five batters in 5.2 innings and only 103 pitches.  Baker must have been feeling cautious that day after chowing down on a few infamous Devonshire Sandwiches or something.

On that date, Mauer went 1-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, a run and three walks in a Minnesota Twins 14-3 win against the Kansas City Royals.  Mauer would go on to post a .347/.429/.507/.936 slash line to go along with 13 home runs and 84 runs batted in en route to a playoff berth in the Twin Cities.

Since 2007, Mauer has posted a .328/.413/.488/.901 line and won an AL Most Valuable Player award.  Prior has thrown countless towels en route to a Simulated Cy Young award.

Thanks a lot, Dustbag.

Cubs manager Dusty Baker watches another one of his pitchers go to the emergency room after another case of abuse.