Is this it for Smoltz and Prior?

Two careers possibly ended this week. One of those was supposed to be brilliant, the other, not so much. One of the guys was supposed to clean up on Cy Young Awards, win a ton of games, and if everything went to plan, maybe, just maybe, he’d up in Cooperstown. Coming out of high school everyone thought the other might end up being a decent middle of the rotation guy.

It’s funny how things work out. When John Smoltz was selected in the 22^nd round by the Tigers in the 1985 draft, no one ever foresaw him becoming baseball’s every-man. Starter, closer, relief, it didn’t matter. Smoltz could do it better than everyone else. At the age of 41, after 20 years, he’s posted an ERA over 4.00 only once - when he was 27. Since then, he hasn’t let that number get above 3.50. Not bad for a guy that was traded to the Braves for a 36-year-old Doyle Alexander.

When Mark Prior left USC as the all-time strikeout leader and was made the second pick in the 2001 draft by the Cubs, the bar was set very high. After proving that the sophomore slump was a hoax by recording 2.43 ERA as a 22-year old in 2003, it seemed there were no obstacles that Prior couldn’t overcome. Well, except for one. His manager, Dusty Baker. After being pushed to throw 211.3 innings that year, up 95 from his rookie season, his career would never be the same.

Over the next five years Prior would spend more time on the disabled list than on the field. He pitched here and there, but it was clear that he wasn’t the force he once was. Last year Prior finally hit the operating table with hopes of making this the year that he triumphantly reclaimed his past glory. But alas, after a pair of setbacks, Prior is headed back to that operating table, his dreams of being one of the game’s most dominate pitchers possibly extinguished.

On the other hand, no talent was lost on Smoltz. He’s had a great career, won Cy Youngs, some postseason hardware, been named to multiple All Star teams, the guy even won a Silver Slugger. The only question left for him now is when he will be heading to Cooperstown for his induction. A first ballot is all but guaranteed, the date, well, that’s still clandestine.

After 20 years in Atlanta as one of the game’s most durable pitchers, Smoltz will be headed to that same operating table to get his shoulder operated on.

It just doesn’t seem right, the harsh realities of the sport taking away two of the games brightest starts. One lost before he ever realized his destiny, the other refusing to accept his and capturing glory, unwilling to let the game go even though it’s ready to move on from him. Neither one is ready to fly that white flag and throw in the towel, but unfortunately, the game has a cruel way of not allowing one to make those decisions alone.

In a teary eyed press conference Smoltz spoke of getting one more year, he just wants to leave when he’s ready, but that’s unlikely to happen. He spoke of retirement, knowing it was lurking in the shadows, but he refuses to submit. Prior, will also certainly begin another rehab campaign, but he too knows in the back of his mind that he may forever be left in 2003 with Dusty Baker haunting his dreams.