The Sports Thread #2 For 12/10/13: Prior to a Painful Retirement (First Version)

From MLB Players Card 

A career with so much potential ends for Mark Prior, as unlike Kerry Wood, he could never come back, even in a closer's or set up man's role in the big leagues:

The San Diego native signed a Minor League deal with the Reds during Spring Training last season and made seven relief appearances at Triple-A Louisville, posting a 4.66 ERA over 9 2/3 innings. But he sustained a right shoulder strain and went on the disabled list in late April. He did not appear in another game and was released in June. 

The Cubs made Prior the second overall pick of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft out of USC, and he made his Major League debut the next May, at age 21. After going 6-6 with a 3.32 ERA in 19 starts as a rookie, Prior enjoyed a breakout '03 season. In 30 starts, he went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA and 245 strikeouts in 211 1/3 innings. An All-Star selection, he finished third in the National League Cy Young Award voting, then posted a 2.31 ERA in three postseason outings.

The fact that Prior really did try to comeback makes it more tough to endure, especially if you are a long time suffering Cubs fan.

More to come in this sports thread, including post gamed coverage of Heat/Pacers.