7/03/2004
To My Readers,
I have been given the opportunity to become the online voice of the Rockies on the Most Valuable Network, an upstart member of the baseball blogging community. I will be moving my operations to their server.
You can now read my stuff here: http://rockies.mostvaluablenetwork.com
Look forward to seeing you over there. This is a great opportunity for me, and I hope you'll follow me on over to the Most Valuable Network. And while you're there, check out some of the other blogs and stuff, too. They're good, I promise.
(Man, I haven't had this gig for 24 hours and I'm already a corporate shill ;) )
I have been given the opportunity to become the online voice of the Rockies on the Most Valuable Network, an upstart member of the baseball blogging community. I will be moving my operations to their server.
You can now read my stuff here: http://rockies.mostvaluablenetwork.com
Look forward to seeing you over there. This is a great opportunity for me, and I hope you'll follow me on over to the Most Valuable Network. And while you're there, check out some of the other blogs and stuff, too. They're good, I promise.
(Man, I haven't had this gig for 24 hours and I'm already a corporate shill ;) )
7/02/2004
Hold on a minute. The Rockies aren't supposed to win games like this. These are the kinds of games teams of destiny win. These games tend to inspire players, instill a sense of confidence in fans, and get a team rolling along towards the top of the standings.
I speak, of course, about the wild one at Coors Field tonight, the first in a three-game set against the Tigers. With the Rockies trailing 7-4 with two outs in the ninth (due in large part to an uncharacteristically rough outing from Tim Harikkala in relief of Joe Kennedy), Charles Johnson sent an Ugie Urbina offering deep into the Rocky Mountain night, scoring Helton and Walker ahead of him and tying the ballgame up. Then, after Shawn Chacon gave up a home run to Marcus Thames, of all people, to give the Tigers a one-run advantage to lead off the tenth, the stage was set for what is certaintly one of the most bizarre finishes to a ballgame this season.
Matt Holliday opened the frame with a scorching double down the left field line off reliever Kevin Walker, much to the delight of a sell-out crowd at Coors. Aaron Miles followed with the predictable sac bunt down to third base, but Jason Smith's throw was well wide of the bag. Omar Infante stretched as far as he could, but he couldn't get it - I'm not even sure that Ben Wallace could have made the grab. Holliday scored to tie it up, and Miles took second. The next hitter, Royce Clayton, did the same thing, and again Smith erred, throwing the ball off of Clayton's back. The ball caromed into right field, and Miles scored to win the game for the Rox, 9-8.
Weird game, weird win. But they all look the same in the standings.
I speak, of course, about the wild one at Coors Field tonight, the first in a three-game set against the Tigers. With the Rockies trailing 7-4 with two outs in the ninth (due in large part to an uncharacteristically rough outing from Tim Harikkala in relief of Joe Kennedy), Charles Johnson sent an Ugie Urbina offering deep into the Rocky Mountain night, scoring Helton and Walker ahead of him and tying the ballgame up. Then, after Shawn Chacon gave up a home run to Marcus Thames, of all people, to give the Tigers a one-run advantage to lead off the tenth, the stage was set for what is certaintly one of the most bizarre finishes to a ballgame this season.
Matt Holliday opened the frame with a scorching double down the left field line off reliever Kevin Walker, much to the delight of a sell-out crowd at Coors. Aaron Miles followed with the predictable sac bunt down to third base, but Jason Smith's throw was well wide of the bag. Omar Infante stretched as far as he could, but he couldn't get it - I'm not even sure that Ben Wallace could have made the grab. Holliday scored to tie it up, and Miles took second. The next hitter, Royce Clayton, did the same thing, and again Smith erred, throwing the ball off of Clayton's back. The ball caromed into right field, and Miles scored to win the game for the Rox, 9-8.
Weird game, weird win. But they all look the same in the standings.
6/30/2004
A few random Rockies thoughts before they try and hook up with the Brew Crew again tonight for the second of three (lots of rain all day puts this one’s 7:05 start in doubt):
-Preston Wilson looks completely lost at the plate right now. Didn’t this guy drive in 141 runs last season? Right now he can’t even touch a good fastball! The Rox clearly rushed him through his rehab assignment at Tulsa, as his timing is nowhere near where it needs to be for him to be an effective cleanup hitter. Oddly enough, he and Larry Walker rehabbed for the same amount of time, at the same time, but Walker has hit .350 since his return with 3 homers and has shown no ill effects. That’s probably because he’s Larry Freakin’ Walker and could probably manage to hit .300 wielding a piano leg, but all the same, Wilson’s struggles are troubling.
-Kevin Jarvis, thankfully, is someone else’s problem now after the Rox DFA’d him to make room for JD Closser as an emergency catcher last night. Jarvis was really bad in two outings in relief for the Rockies this year, but that really shouldn’t have surprised anybody considering he had put up an 0-4 mark and a 5.79 ERA at Colorado Springs in a month before his callup. True, the Rockies did have to call him up after a month or risk losing him to waivers, but personally, if I had a 30 year-old pus-throwing righty who couldn’t get anyone out at the Triple A level, I’d have broken a finger by vigorously dialing the number to the league office to officially release the guy.
-Jarvis’ release, plus a need for another lefty in the bullpen, has necessitated the demotion of Jeff Fassero to the relief corps and, more importantly, the return of Denny Stark! Now before panic sets in, hear this: I think Denny turned a corner in his latest AAA stint. He went 8-2 with a 3.53 ERA at Colorado Springs after being sent down in mid-April. I had a chance to see him pitch against Las Vegas about a month ago, and I was impressed with his willingness to attack hitters with his fastball, something he had failed to do all of last season and in his only two starts of 2004. His command is still a little questionable, but the 29 year-old righty has rediscovered the slider, the pop on his fastball and the form that made him effective in 2002. I think if he’s willing to challenge hitters, he can be successful.
-On a related note, does anyone remember that Stark went 11-4 with a 4.00 ERA in 2002? I was reading his entry in the Rockies media guide and I could not believe that actually happened. He and Jason Jennings won 27 games combined that year… now Jennings is the subject of trade rumors and Stark is fighting to prove he’s more than a AAAA-caliber pitcher.
-Speaking of trade rumors, the Indians are among a few teams reportedly interested in Shawn Estes, who is 8-3 with a 5.30 ERA. Estes wants to stay a Rockie, which ought to signify that either a) Estes needs psychiatric help, or b) the public schools here are better than Mike Hampton apparently thought they were. My thoughts on moving Estes? The sooner, the better.
The game starts in 3 minutes. Cook starting for the Rockies against Ben ‘Your Olympic Hero’ Sheets. Let’s go, Rox!
-Preston Wilson looks completely lost at the plate right now. Didn’t this guy drive in 141 runs last season? Right now he can’t even touch a good fastball! The Rox clearly rushed him through his rehab assignment at Tulsa, as his timing is nowhere near where it needs to be for him to be an effective cleanup hitter. Oddly enough, he and Larry Walker rehabbed for the same amount of time, at the same time, but Walker has hit .350 since his return with 3 homers and has shown no ill effects. That’s probably because he’s Larry Freakin’ Walker and could probably manage to hit .300 wielding a piano leg, but all the same, Wilson’s struggles are troubling.
-Kevin Jarvis, thankfully, is someone else’s problem now after the Rox DFA’d him to make room for JD Closser as an emergency catcher last night. Jarvis was really bad in two outings in relief for the Rockies this year, but that really shouldn’t have surprised anybody considering he had put up an 0-4 mark and a 5.79 ERA at Colorado Springs in a month before his callup. True, the Rockies did have to call him up after a month or risk losing him to waivers, but personally, if I had a 30 year-old pus-throwing righty who couldn’t get anyone out at the Triple A level, I’d have broken a finger by vigorously dialing the number to the league office to officially release the guy.
-Jarvis’ release, plus a need for another lefty in the bullpen, has necessitated the demotion of Jeff Fassero to the relief corps and, more importantly, the return of Denny Stark! Now before panic sets in, hear this: I think Denny turned a corner in his latest AAA stint. He went 8-2 with a 3.53 ERA at Colorado Springs after being sent down in mid-April. I had a chance to see him pitch against Las Vegas about a month ago, and I was impressed with his willingness to attack hitters with his fastball, something he had failed to do all of last season and in his only two starts of 2004. His command is still a little questionable, but the 29 year-old righty has rediscovered the slider, the pop on his fastball and the form that made him effective in 2002. I think if he’s willing to challenge hitters, he can be successful.
-On a related note, does anyone remember that Stark went 11-4 with a 4.00 ERA in 2002? I was reading his entry in the Rockies media guide and I could not believe that actually happened. He and Jason Jennings won 27 games combined that year… now Jennings is the subject of trade rumors and Stark is fighting to prove he’s more than a AAAA-caliber pitcher.
-Speaking of trade rumors, the Indians are among a few teams reportedly interested in Shawn Estes, who is 8-3 with a 5.30 ERA. Estes wants to stay a Rockie, which ought to signify that either a) Estes needs psychiatric help, or b) the public schools here are better than Mike Hampton apparently thought they were. My thoughts on moving Estes? The sooner, the better.
The game starts in 3 minutes. Cook starting for the Rockies against Ben ‘Your Olympic Hero’ Sheets. Let’s go, Rox!
6/26/2004
When a great athlete gives the fans an All-Star performance in the twilight of his career, it’s not only welcomed, it’s treasured as well. Larry Walker’s 3-homer game last night against Cleveland in a 10-8, 10 inning win might very well be one of Walker’s last big performances in a Rockies uniform. Since his power numbers were so low last season (his .476 SLG was his lowest since 1993, and his 16 homers were his lowest in a season in which he had at least 400 AB since 1991), the days of Larry Walker the feared power hitter can be reasonably determined to be over. Outbursts like last night’s are the stuff great hitters are made of, and over the past 10 years there haven’t been too many better than Number 33.
Walker has been the subject of trade rumors since the beginning of last season, when he vetoed a trade that would have sent him to Arizona for Matt Williams (what a disaster that would have been). Larry’s no-trade clause and his $12.667 million salary will make him harder to dump this year, but there are a few contending teams that would love to have a left-handed hitting OF of his caliber in their lineup (somebody get Billy Beane on the phone, quick).
Another positive last night? Shawn Chacon, of course. Last night was the first time I can remember watching him in the ninth inning and having any sort of confidence in him. He delivered in short order, turning in his 4th 1-2-3 save opportunity of the season and his 16th overall. His velocity has dipped down to 88-90 from the 91-94 it was at earlier, but it has helped his control as he’s no longer overthrowing.
Walker has been the subject of trade rumors since the beginning of last season, when he vetoed a trade that would have sent him to Arizona for Matt Williams (what a disaster that would have been). Larry’s no-trade clause and his $12.667 million salary will make him harder to dump this year, but there are a few contending teams that would love to have a left-handed hitting OF of his caliber in their lineup (somebody get Billy Beane on the phone, quick).
Another positive last night? Shawn Chacon, of course. Last night was the first time I can remember watching him in the ninth inning and having any sort of confidence in him. He delivered in short order, turning in his 4th 1-2-3 save opportunity of the season and his 16th overall. His velocity has dipped down to 88-90 from the 91-94 it was at earlier, but it has helped his control as he’s no longer overthrowing.
6/24/2004
Don't look now, but the Rox have won their last three series, taking 2 of 3 from Boston, Baltimore, and now Milwaukee with a 3-0 win at Miller Park this afternoon.
Shawn Chacon has converted 5 of his last 6 save chances, and just might have turned a corner. The bases-loaded 1-out jam he wriggled his way out of last night was the type of performance typical of any great big league closer, and he fanned two in today's game to strand the leadoff hitter on first base in the 9th. Chacon has tweaked his mechanics to make them more similar to how they were when he was successful last season (the biggest change is a move back to the right side of the rubber; why he went away from what made him an All-Star is anyone's guess). When his fastball is cutting at 92-93 mph, it's a tough pitch, and once he gets more and more confidence in his curveball, the ninth inning will no longer be a Jerry Bruckheimer production for the Rockies.
Aaron Cook found his sinker again today, scattering 8 singles over 8 shutout innings. Last season, Cook was fifth in the National League in groudball/flyball ratio. When his sinker is moving, Cook tends to get a lot of balls down, and the Rockies infield has range enough to make plays for him when he's on his game. After an awful start last time out against Boston, it was nice to see 'AC' do well.
Winners of 6 of their last 9, the Rox now head to Cleveland, where they'll see some familiar faces. Jake Westbrook, among the AL leaders in ERA with a 2.70 mark, and Jody Gerut were formerly in the Rockies system.
Shawn Chacon has converted 5 of his last 6 save chances, and just might have turned a corner. The bases-loaded 1-out jam he wriggled his way out of last night was the type of performance typical of any great big league closer, and he fanned two in today's game to strand the leadoff hitter on first base in the 9th. Chacon has tweaked his mechanics to make them more similar to how they were when he was successful last season (the biggest change is a move back to the right side of the rubber; why he went away from what made him an All-Star is anyone's guess). When his fastball is cutting at 92-93 mph, it's a tough pitch, and once he gets more and more confidence in his curveball, the ninth inning will no longer be a Jerry Bruckheimer production for the Rockies.
Aaron Cook found his sinker again today, scattering 8 singles over 8 shutout innings. Last season, Cook was fifth in the National League in groudball/flyball ratio. When his sinker is moving, Cook tends to get a lot of balls down, and the Rockies infield has range enough to make plays for him when he's on his game. After an awful start last time out against Boston, it was nice to see 'AC' do well.
Winners of 6 of their last 9, the Rox now head to Cleveland, where they'll see some familiar faces. Jake Westbrook, among the AL leaders in ERA with a 2.70 mark, and Jody Gerut were formerly in the Rockies system.
6/21/2004
I’m back from Steamboat Springs after a nice little 4-day break from real-world responsibilities, and I return to a Rockies team that’s just about the same as it was when I left, save two very big additions.
Preston Wilson. Larry Walker.
The 2003 NL RBI leader and a former 30-30 man. A career .314 hitter and the 1996 NL Most Valuable Player. These two men are offensive forces, and they’ll add plenty to a lineup that has produced much more than previously anticipated. Wilson’s impact has already been felt – in Saturday’s 11-6 victory over Baltimore, he went 2-3 and drove in 4 runs.
The Rockies batting order now looks like this:
1) Aaron Miles (.320/.341/.423)
2) Royce Clayton (.297/.355/.466)
3) Todd ‘How the hell am I not going to be an All-Star?’ Helton (.338/.460/.599)
4) Preston Wilson (.282/.343/.537 in 2003)
5) Larry Walker (.284/.422/.476 in 2003)
6) Jeromy Burnitz (.287/.363/.574)
7) Vinny Castilla (.283/.353/.570)
8) Charles Johnson (.267/.364/.515)
Can you imagine if these guys hold true to this form for the remainder of the season (and with the exception of Miles, who may or may not be a fluke at this point, that’s not entirely unreasonable)? Oh my goodness. Burnie, Vinny, and CJ immediately become the best 6-7-8 punch in baseball, and this team starts scoring runs at a clip that will bring back memories of years past.
With the recent quality pitching from, well, everybody in the Rockies starting rotation (save Aaron Cook, who looked like he’d turned a corner for a little bit there before getting lit up again against the BoSox), who knows what July could hold for the Rox?
One thing’s for sure – things are about to get a little more interesting, if not much better standings-wise.
Preston Wilson. Larry Walker.
The 2003 NL RBI leader and a former 30-30 man. A career .314 hitter and the 1996 NL Most Valuable Player. These two men are offensive forces, and they’ll add plenty to a lineup that has produced much more than previously anticipated. Wilson’s impact has already been felt – in Saturday’s 11-6 victory over Baltimore, he went 2-3 and drove in 4 runs.
The Rockies batting order now looks like this:
1) Aaron Miles (.320/.341/.423)
2) Royce Clayton (.297/.355/.466)
3) Todd ‘How the hell am I not going to be an All-Star?’ Helton (.338/.460/.599)
4) Preston Wilson (.282/.343/.537 in 2003)
5) Larry Walker (.284/.422/.476 in 2003)
6) Jeromy Burnitz (.287/.363/.574)
7) Vinny Castilla (.283/.353/.570)
8) Charles Johnson (.267/.364/.515)
Can you imagine if these guys hold true to this form for the remainder of the season (and with the exception of Miles, who may or may not be a fluke at this point, that’s not entirely unreasonable)? Oh my goodness. Burnie, Vinny, and CJ immediately become the best 6-7-8 punch in baseball, and this team starts scoring runs at a clip that will bring back memories of years past.
With the recent quality pitching from, well, everybody in the Rockies starting rotation (save Aaron Cook, who looked like he’d turned a corner for a little bit there before getting lit up again against the BoSox), who knows what July could hold for the Rox?
One thing’s for sure – things are about to get a little more interesting, if not much better standings-wise.
6/16/2004
Yeah, the Rockies have been pitiful this season, but these last two nights have been a blast.
The Rockies win again tonight, holding on for a 7-6 victory in front of another large Coors Field crowd. The Rox managed 7 runs off of Curt Schilling in 6 innings, including 3 big ones in the 6th that ended up being enough for the victory. Todd Helton went 2-4, Vinny Castilla drove in 3 more runs, and the bullpen once again held up, this time supporting a decent performance from Jason Jennings (6-6). JJ went 6 and gave up 3 runs on 6 hits, but his walk-to-strikeout ratio continues to be a serious concern (5 BB, 4 K tonight).
It's time to admit it: I'm starting to fully enjoy the Shawn Chacon Experience. There aren't any rides at Six Flags Elitch Gardens that provide the thrills of watching Chac working the ninth with a lead. Tonight, protecting a 7-4 lead, he once again retired the leadoff man, punching out Ortiz on a heavy fastball, but then proceeded to allow singles to Manny and Nomar. After Trot Nixon fanned on a 95 MPH heater, Jason Varitek and Kevin Youkilis each singled and drove in a run. When Pokey Reese pinch-ran for the hefty Youkilis and took second on defensive indifference, the Sox had the go-ahead run on second with David McCarty up. Chacon actually struck out McCarty on a 1-2 fastball, but first base ump Ed Montague blew the call, saying McCarty held up. On the 3-2 pitch, McCarty flew out to right, and the game was over.
Yeah, blowing late leads is painful to watch, but since the Rox aren't going anywhere, why not enjoy the wild ride that is Shawn Chacon? Since he's apparently ditched his off-speed stuff (out of 30 pitches tonight, I think 5 were breaking balls) and started just trying to overpower hitters, he's calling to mind a young Rob Dibble, only less volatile. Until Clint Hurdle irrationally moves him back to the rotation, I'll enjoy watching him snatch near-victory from the jaws of certain-victory.
The Rox have won two straight. Denny Hocking has not seen action in either game. Coincidence? Probably yeah, but I'd keep sitting him nonetheless.
The Rockies win again tonight, holding on for a 7-6 victory in front of another large Coors Field crowd. The Rox managed 7 runs off of Curt Schilling in 6 innings, including 3 big ones in the 6th that ended up being enough for the victory. Todd Helton went 2-4, Vinny Castilla drove in 3 more runs, and the bullpen once again held up, this time supporting a decent performance from Jason Jennings (6-6). JJ went 6 and gave up 3 runs on 6 hits, but his walk-to-strikeout ratio continues to be a serious concern (5 BB, 4 K tonight).
It's time to admit it: I'm starting to fully enjoy the Shawn Chacon Experience. There aren't any rides at Six Flags Elitch Gardens that provide the thrills of watching Chac working the ninth with a lead. Tonight, protecting a 7-4 lead, he once again retired the leadoff man, punching out Ortiz on a heavy fastball, but then proceeded to allow singles to Manny and Nomar. After Trot Nixon fanned on a 95 MPH heater, Jason Varitek and Kevin Youkilis each singled and drove in a run. When Pokey Reese pinch-ran for the hefty Youkilis and took second on defensive indifference, the Sox had the go-ahead run on second with David McCarty up. Chacon actually struck out McCarty on a 1-2 fastball, but first base ump Ed Montague blew the call, saying McCarty held up. On the 3-2 pitch, McCarty flew out to right, and the game was over.
Yeah, blowing late leads is painful to watch, but since the Rox aren't going anywhere, why not enjoy the wild ride that is Shawn Chacon? Since he's apparently ditched his off-speed stuff (out of 30 pitches tonight, I think 5 were breaking balls) and started just trying to overpower hitters, he's calling to mind a young Rob Dibble, only less volatile. Until Clint Hurdle irrationally moves him back to the rotation, I'll enjoy watching him snatch near-victory from the jaws of certain-victory.
The Rox have won two straight. Denny Hocking has not seen action in either game. Coincidence? Probably yeah, but I'd keep sitting him nonetheless.
