Monday, July 5, 2010

10 MLB Stars Whose Careers Ended Far Too Soon- Part 4

CHICAGO - JULY 15:  American League All-Star pitcher Mark Mulder #20 of the Oakland Athletics delivers against the National League All-Stars during the 74th Major League Baseball All-Star Game at US Cellular Field on July 15, 2003 in Chicago, Illinois.  The American League won 7-6.  (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Part 4 of 11


Mark Mulder

Just three years before Mark Prior was selected with the second overall pick of the draft, another highly touted pitcher named Mark was chosen in the same spot. The Oakland A's selected Mark Mulder and fast tracked him to the major's in 2000.

The lanky lefty from Michigan State quickly developed and registered a league best 21-8 record in his sophomore season. For his efforts, Mulder finished second in the Cy Young voting. 

From 2001 to 2004, Mulder led the Athletics to four postseason appearances, mounting a 72-32 record. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals prior to the 2005 season and continued his strong pitching with a 16-8 mark.

The next year he got off to a 5-1 start before his performance suddenly tanked. After several ineffective outings, Mulder was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff that effectively ended his career. He never won another game and was shortly out of baseball at age 30.

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