The Catholic New World: Cubs’ star Mark Prior has his ‘prior-ities’ straight

By John Morales
Contributor

Cubs’ pitching sensation Mark Prior has his priorities in place. He’s gifted athletically and blessed spiritually. When Prior, 23, is on, he’s as dominant as anyone in the game of baseball. Not just your typical All Star pitcher, Prior also has a strong spiritual dimension and is proud of his Catholic faith. Prior said, “It’s huge because you know Christ is always there.”

A celebrated college ballplayer, Prior was an All American at the University of Southern California leading the Trojans to the College World Series in 2001. But also in college, Prior grew in his Catholic faith, after he received the Sacrament of Confirmation as a junior.

“I spent all year going to RCIA meetings. And that was a big turning point. You get baptized, yes, you’re Catholic, but that’s also your parents’ choice. You get confirmed that’s your choice, your dedication. I think that’s when I made the next step and decided what I wanted to do.”

The 6-5, 230-pound Prior came to Chicago as the second overall pick by the Cubs in the 2002 draft. It took him only seven weeks of work in the minor leagues before he made his major league debut in May, 2002, with an impressive 10-strikeout performance.

As September began, Prior was 14-5 and unbeaten since coming off the disabled list. Prior said, “The Lord has given me the ability to have the confidence that I need. What helps me relax is that peace of mind when I’m out on the mound.”

Mark Prior has been described as having Cy Young Award ability, but he also understands that he’s been extremely blessed by the Lord to play at the Major League level. “God has given me the ability to go out and throw the baseball, he’s blessed me with a wonderful family to support this, and a wonderful fiancée who’s been there through thick and thin the last 6 or 7 years in my baseball career.”

Prior has the maturity of a seasoned veteran. He’s handled the publicity and attention without letting it go to his head. He says. “I think a lot of it has to do with my parents and the way they raised me. They really stressed academics, and no one can take that away from me. Nobody can take my faith from me.”

Prior believes that if he ever was forced to leave the game of baseball, he could always fall back on his education.

Prior said he’s learned many spiritual lessons through baseball. “Staying focused” is one of those lessons. He said, “You have to have determination in what you want to do every day. A simple thing like going to Mass every Sunday, that’s a disciplinary thing that you need. I think that discipline carries over, and forces me to work out every day. There’s lot of down time and lot of negativity in baseball.”

Though young, Prior understands his part as a role model. “Having that Catholic education helps me to understand the reasons we’re here. Knowing the right versus the wrong, and understanding my influence on young people, has also helped me to guide my direction. There’s a lot of negative influences. Being able to pick the right paths and influence a lot of kids is big part of being a role model.”

He said, “I know a lot a guys pray. I don’t necessarily bring God into it if I have a 1 and 2 count—‘God help me strike this guy out!’ But always before the game, I say a prayer for my family, and that nobody gets hurt.”

Being a Major League player and finding time for Sunday Mass can be a challenge. Prior knows where all the Catholic churches in the Wrigley Field area are, but it’s more difficult when the Cubs travel. “It’s definitely tough, because Sundays is the day you go to Mass. When I’m here in Chicago I try to go every Sunday.”

Mark puts life in perspective and understands that he’s getting paid $10.5 million over 5 years to play a kids’ game. “It is a game and there is a lot of guys that are living from paycheck to paycheck, working for their families. Guys are over(seas) fighting to protect other people’s freedom, and we are out there just playing a game. There’s a bigger picture in life than just going out and winning every game. Granted I’m a fierce competitor and I want to win every game, but I think having that understanding and balance helps.”

Mark Prior has become the ace of the Cubs’ pitching staff. He’s an All Star on and off the field, who’s learned that even the greatest champions need Jesus Christ. That’s why Mark Prior has his number one priority in order.

Morales, former sports reporter for Fox Sports Net Chicago, is sports director for Starboard Network. He can be heard on “Morning Air,“ weekdays from 7-9 a.m., Radio AM820.