FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 9th, 2016

FORMER CHICAGO CUBS ALL-STAR PITCHING STANDOUT MARK PRIOR TO BE THE NEXT FEATURED GUEST ON COMCAST SPORTSNET’S MONTHLY INTERVIEW SERIES, “INSIDE LOOK”

“Inside Look presented by Cadillac,” hosted by Comcast SportsNet’s David Kaplan, featuring Mark Prior to debut Monday, August 15 at 7:00 PM CT

CSNChicago.com to provide additional web-exclusive coverage of ‘Inside Look,’ including extended video clips

Chicago, IL (August 9, 2016) – Comcast SportsNet, the television home for the most games and most comprehensive coverage of the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox, continues to delve into the lives of some of the biggest names in Chicago sports with its candid, monthly, one-on-one interview series Inside Look presented by Cadillac.

Debuting Monday, August 15 at 7:00 PM CT, Comcast SportsNet’s David Kaplan hosts an exclusive one-on-one interview with one of the most briefly dominant pitchers in Cubs history, whose promising career was sadly shortened due to multiple injuries: MARK PRIOR.  Prior’s presence was immediately felt when he entered the big leagues with the Cubs in 2002 as he posted an impressive 3.32 ERA with 147 strikeouts in 19 starts, however, it was his 2003 All-Star season that Prior established himself as one of the best pitchers in the game.  During the Cubs run to the NLCS that season, Prior sported an 18-6 record with a 2.43 ERA and 245 strikeouts in 30 starts, which placed him third in the NL Cy Young voting.  Prior played an additional three seasons with the Cubs (2004-06), before shoulder and arm injuries stopped short a career that had boundless opportunities for greatness.  In this edition of “Inside Look,” Prior, now a minor league pitching coordinator with the San Diego Padres, discusses everything from growing up in San Diego, re-entering the draft in 2001 & being chosen second overall by the Cubs (Minnesota chose Joe Mauer with the #1 overall pick), being on the mound during the infamous “Bartman” moment of Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS, how he coped with his myriad of injuries in his career and his multiple comeback attempts, to his thoughts on how the city would react if the Cubs finally win the World Series, and much more.

In addition, viewers are urged to check out Comcast SportsNet’s website, CSNChicago.com, for additional interview content never before seen on TV.  Fans will also be able to watch every Inside Look guest interview online after it debuts on Comcast SportsNet.  Comcast SportsNet will also re-air Inside Look with Mark Prior on the following dates/times: Fri, Aug. 19 at 6:00 PM (on CSN+HD) & 11:30 PM – Sun, Aug. 21 at 6:00 PM – Mon, Aug. 22 at 4:30 PM (on CSN+HD) – Tue, Aug. 23 at 1:00 PM & 8:00 PM – Thu, Aug. 25 at 4:30 PM – Sat, Aug. 27 at 5:00 PM (on CSN+HD) – Mon, Aug. 29 at 9:30 PM (on CSN+HD) – Tue, Aug. 30 at 1:00 PM – Sun, Sept. 4 at 6:00 PM – Tue, Sept. 6 at 6:00 PM (on CSN+HD) – Sun, Sept. 11 at 4:30 PM & Wed, Sept. 13 at 2:30 PM (on CSN+HD). (Schedule subject to change).

Note the following quotes from Inside Look with Mark Prior presented by Cadillac premiering Monday, August 15 at 7:00 PM on Comcast SportsNet:

Prior on being on the mound during the infamous “Bartman” moment in Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS

“I’ve heard all the theories…I have looked at the tape…I thought it was fan interference. That is my honest opinion.  I don’t think he changed course of the game or history…and all those things that unfortunately have been blamed on this particular person and maybe not the other five people surrounding him.  It was the eighth or ninth pitch of the at bat. For me, the moment of the game was the 0-2 pitch to ‘Pudge’ (Ivan Rodriguez)…a pitch I have to bury.  I take full responsibility for that….it’s a pitch that nine out of ten times I will bury.  There are so many things that go into winning a ballgame…it is hard to say one play, unless it is the final out of a game.  In my mind, Moises (Alou) would have caught the ball…I don’t have a question of doubt in my mind.  That play does not define the series or everything that is going on or what happened after the fact.”

Prior on his post-Chicago career regrets:

“I never went to the museums…I never did the architectural tour (laughs).  Certain things I should have experienced as a person that I wish I did. I think it goes back to the fact you’re so focused on every fifth day. And so, I think at times I was so focused on just getting to the field and getting my work in that I didn’t take the time to enjoy some of the other things.  So, those things I regret as off the field as a person.  I’ve tried to enjoy that more even…in Scranton, Pawtucket, Louisville…there’s a lot of great things in this country.  I don’t think I regret anything. I went through a stage where I think I was bitter. There were some things that obviously transpired a couple years through there that I think jaded me a little bit.  It took me some time to kind of get away and understand that it does nobody; it does me, no good.  I want to be upbeat and positive. So, I look back and think about all the good things. And that’s basically what I told the kids. I said ‘look, you don’t know what tomorrow’s going to bring.”

Prior on his thoughts on if the Cubs finally win the long-coveted World Series title:

“I don’t think you can describe it.  You’re just going to have to wait and see what it’s going to be like.  A lot of emotions: rejoice, gratitude, people being happy.  It’s going to be something to watch.  The town is definitely going to have to shut down for a few days. I think being a Cub is on par with being a Red Sox, or being a Yankee, or being a Phillie…but just in a different way. I think Ron Santo, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams…the guys that were there, they hung it out.  There are a lot of emotions that come back (when I go back to Wrigley). It’s a place that’s not going to go away hopefully, it’s going to change and it’s going to adapt, but it’s some place that you can always call home. And, that you would hope you’re welcome there…to come home.”

Comcast SportsNet Chicago, a partnership between the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago Cubs (MLB), Chicago White Sox (MLB) and the NBC Sports Group, features over 275 live pro games in high definition each year.  In addition, CSN delivers extensive pre/post-game coverage for its core pro team partners, as well as the Chicago Bears, along with Emmy Award-winning regional sports news and analysis via SportsNet Central and SportsTalk Live.  Through the network’s growing digital platform, CSNChicago.com, Chicago sports fans tap into the most comprehensive and dedicated 24/7 online destination for breaking news, up-to-the-minute game previews/recaps, highlights, multimedia video clips, blogs and standout coverage from CSNChicago.com’s team of “Insiders.”  Follow the network on Twitter via @CSNChicago.

NBC Sports Regional Networks, part of NBC Sports Group, consists of 10 regional networks that deliver more than 2,200 live sporting events annually, along with award-winning news, comprehensive analysis, digital content and original programming to more than 43 million homes. The NBC Sports Regional Networks are: CSN Bay Area, CSN California, CSN Chicago, CSN Mid-Atlantic, CSN New England, CSN Northwest, TCN, CSN Philadelphia and SNY. For additional information, visit CSN.com. For more information on NBC Sports Group properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios, headshots and logos, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com

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