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When You Can’t Beat’em, Break’em
Josh Beckett and Rakeville revel in Prior's recent injury
By Aviator McShadeless / Rakeville Times
Josh Beckett was in the clubhouse getting his lucky pen when the television caught his eye. All the TV’s in the clubhouse are usually set to RRSN during games, but one was ESPN News.
“It was painful to watch,” said Beckett as he described seeing Mark Prior’s career end before his eyes. “I have never liked that pretentious little princess, but I wouldn’t wish something like that on anyone, except maybe Mark Prior.”
After I reminded him that is was, in fact, Mark Prior, Beckett began cheering and hooting. He pumped his fists like he had won the World Series by himself again, then ran up the dugout runway to spread the news.
The animosity between the two began their rookie year. Rakeville drafted Beckett in the third round, while Prior was picked up mid-season by Las Vegas. Both were highly touted by critics, but more so by their owners who wagered on their performances often.
Soon, the bad blood reached the two pitchers, amplified when Beckett dominated the Yankees on the biggest stage while Prior struggled to hold a winning record.
“Prior has great poise, but he will never have the talent Josh [Beckett] has,” said Jack Reed, the level-headed General Manager of our hometown Rakeville Rockets. “This season you are seeing him finally developing into what we expected him to. I think we can all understand how Prior feels. To be surpassed is an honor.”Prior has a history of tanking it. In 2003, when Beckett was struggling with some inconsistency early Prior shined. He made every start. He was the workhorse and savior the Doggs were looking for. Then in 2004, the season after Beckett’s World Series MVP performance, Prior strategically jumped on and off the Disabled list.
Sources inside the organization say that they noticed Prior always got hurt when Beckett was hot. One source overheard Prior telling the trainer he needed an extra week off because the Rockets were playing the Runners that week, and Beckett was assured an excellent performance.
This season, Beckett has continued his torrid pace with 6 wins and a 2.63 ERA. Prior hasn’t been struggling, sporting a 4-1 record with a 2.95 ERA, but players close to him say he wasn’t happy.
“I could never put my finger on it,” said Y. Brazobán, former Las Vegas Dogg who was cut just last week. “Even days when he pitched a complete game, he would look up at the out of town scoreboard and scowl.”
When asked if he fractured his arm on purpose, Prior wouldn’t comment. Las Vegas has been very quiet regarding the injury, as rumors swirl that this could end his season and hinder his career. The Doggs now have a huge hole to fill with Oliver Perez struggling and Schilling on the disabled list.
Beckett, on the other hand, is going to buy everyone drinks tonight.
“Jealousy is beautiful.”
Aviator McShadeless is a reporter for the Rakeville Times. One of his life-long goals is to kayak down the mighty Nashua River.
