Lansing- To have a major-league pitcher make an appearance for a Class A ball club is a rare occurrence, but it is almost unheard of to have two in the same week.
Despite the impossible odds, it happened the week of May 23-29 at Oldsmobile Park, 505 E. Michigan Ave., when Chicago Cubs pitchers Mark Prior and Ryan Dempster made their rehab starts for the Lansing Lugnuts. Dempster made his start on May 26th in a morning game, less than a day after Prior finished his second start.
"It's a unique situation especially having two of them," Lugnuts general manager Jeff Calhoun said. "One was walking out while, literally, the other walks in."
Many in the Lugnuts organization could not even remember the last time one of the Cubs made a rehabilitation start in Lansing.
"This is my fourth year here and we hadn't had a major league pitcher come here until Prior," Lansing manager Julio Garcia said.
Lansing's proximity to Chicago and a home schedule fit well into the rehab schedule of both pitchers and are the main reasons behind the unusual happening.
"A lot of times circumstances play such a large role into what club the guys go to train," Cubs director of player development Oneri Fleita said.
Having a minor league affiliate within such a close distance has allowed the pitchers to get practice in game situations while also working with their own trainers and coaches.
Both Prior and Dempster headed back to Chicago between pitching stints, but said they appreciated the chance to test out the results of their rehabilitation.
"It was great to be in a game again and to be able to approach it like a normal start," Prior said.
While the advantage for the pitchers themselves has played a huge role in determining why Prior pitched in Lansing, there have been numerous positives effects for the team and the community.
"Without a doubt it has been an advantage," Garcia said. "With both Mark and Ryan, you can tell every pitch is important to them where these kids are still at the stage where they might throw away one or two. Overall, it has been great for our ball club, and for the guys to have guys of Prior and Dempster's caliber around."
The effect on the Lansing community was the most easily seen. Ticket sales were boosted for Prior's first appearance as lines extended from the gates to Michigan Avenue long after game time.
"Fortunately for the fans of Lansing it worked out this way and they were benefactors as well," Fleita said.
Even though both pitchers have had success in the majors, Prior garnered much more of the media and fan attention.
"For obvious reasons, Mark got more attention," Dempster said.
"I haven't even stepped in a game in a Cubs uniform yet."
Dempster did admit that he had a little fun with being the second pitcher coming in and not having T-shirts made about his appearance.
"They had that thing in the paper that the Lansing Lugnuts welcome Mark Prior, so I drew one today with a stick figure that said the Lansing Lugnuts welcome Ryan Dempster," Dempster said with a laugh.
