Purple Row: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Around SBN: Can Tebow Say No To Anything?

Saturday Rockpile: Hawpe will miss World Baseball Classic; Greg Smith struggles; Rockies ticket sales down with the economy; List of candidates to replace Matt Holliday and Willy Taveras.

Top of the morning to you, Rockies fans. There's a lot of Rockies-related news out there, so I'll cut to the chase.

BRAD HAWPE OUT OF WBC

According to Troy E. Renck, Brad Hawpe injured his left pinky finger sliding into second base in yesterday's game, and will miss the World Baseball Classic. Hawpe needed stitches to close the wound, which will probably affect his ability to throw and get a good grip on the bat. Here's to a speedy recovery for Brad.

GREG SMITH'S LESS THAN DESIRABLE OUTING

In his typical "negative Nancy" fashion, Woody Paige suggests that Greg Smith's performance will be something that the Rockies can expect to see a lot of this season. Look, I know that Smith wasn't exactly brilliant on the mound yesterday, but come on Woody - it was the THIRD GAME OF SPRING TRAINING. The Rockies season (or the world, for that matter) is not ending because of a bad game by the newly-acquired lefty, who gave up three hits, three walks, and three runs in two innings. Woody also mentions that the Rockies will possibly never go into Spring Training with all 5 starters set. I'd like to see who does? Every team in the league has at least one spot in the rotation that they're unsure of at the beginning of each season. The real problem right now is the barely-existent offense, who I believe has more to prove than the pitching staff. What are your thoughts?

THE ECONOMY IS DOWN, AND SO ARE THE ROCKIES

In what I'm sure is a surprise to virtually nobody, the Denver Post reports that ticket sales and corporate sponsorship are down this year as compared to last year. Of course, the Rockies did not generate as much excitement for this year as they did the previous year, but that isn't really where the problem lies. In a down economy, just about everybody suffers. Still, the Monforts believe the team, and baseball in general, has value and that people will eventually come out to Coors Field. I agree wholeheartedly with the portion of the article which states that the Rockies need a fast start, more than ever, to regain the public's interest.

BIG SHOES (AND A LOT OF SPACE) TO FILL IN THE OUTFIELD

Thomas Harding checks in with a piece chronicling the club's attempt to replace Matt Holliday and Willy Taveras in the outfield. Just in case anybody has forgotten (or hasn't looked at our constantly-updated roster toward the bottom of the left sidebar), the Rox have a plethora of possibilities for the outfield. Front-runners include Ryan Spilborghs, Carlos Gonzalez, Seth Smith, Matt Murton, and possible convert Ian Stewart - five guys for two spots. Dexter Fowler, Dan Ortmeier, and Scott Podsednik are vying for the openings as well. I sincerely hope that Clint Hurdle and his staff pay extra special attention to each of these guys in Spring Training and come out of the pre-season with two clear-cut replacements.

ROCKIES VS. DODGERS

The Rockies battle the Cactus League's newest team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, today in Tucson. You can listen to the game with MLB.com's Gameday Audio if you're not in a town that is part of the Rockies Radio Network. Also, as is the case with every other game, there will be a game thread here at Purple Row.

0 recs  |  Comment 22 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Around SB Nation

Resurrection of Melky-mania?

Apr 2009 from Pinstripe Alley - 37 comments

Greg Smith to Jax State

Mar 2009 from From The Rumble Seat - 0 comments

WBC is hardly a 'Classic'

Mar 2009 from Pinstripe Alley - 16 comments

Comments

Display:

Ryan Spilborghs Mother Passed Away Today

Poor guy. He’s left camp to be with family.

by WolfMarauder on Feb 28, 2009 9:24 AM MST reply actions   0 recs

ouch. :(

Thoughts to his family.

by Squeaky on Feb 28, 2009 9:26 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Thoughts with his family.

"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Feb 28, 2009 9:45 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Story

"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Feb 28, 2009 9:48 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Poor Spilly

His mom meant a lot to him, he even moved the family to Denver so she could have the best care. Nothing but good wishes and love from Rockies Nation to Ryan and family.

Aue tehan-deoes shaj do’ ai poyene slueden!

by Silverblood on Feb 28, 2009 9:51 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Take your time coming back.

My prayers are with you and your family.

"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK

by jrockies on Feb 28, 2009 10:14 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

More Bad News

Joining Hawpe and Stewart on the day-to-day list is Jeff Baker with muscle soreness. We’re already beat up just 3 games into ST. Oh well, better to take care of it now than later, I suppose.

by WolfMarauder on Feb 28, 2009 9:48 AM MST reply actions   0 recs

Better now

than a week before the season starts.

by Tom (RFTN) on Feb 28, 2009 9:59 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Any chance Krieger will replace Woody so he (Woody) doesn't take up valuable space in the paper?

Also, Dick Monfort’s comments about building a team were pretty sad:

“I don’t think we left any room (to add salary). We got Marquis because of the uncertainty with Jeff (Francis),” Monfort said. “We just can’t get ourselves in that position again where we don’t have (pitching depth. …But this is who we are. It’s more fun. I like the challenge that you bring young kids up and you see them progress and get better. And then you hope you hang on to them as long as we can.”

The chances of us ever building a long term winner as long as the Monforts own this club are nil.

by pedalpusher on Feb 28, 2009 9:53 AM MST reply actions   0 recs

Presented without comment:

“Who are we going to get that understands the organization as well? And how long does it take to get to know the organization? That’s the important thing, the organization,” Monfort said. “To bring someone in new, well, Clint and Dan know our limitations financially, they know our plan. They are brilliant guys. So who are we going to get to replace them?”

Aue tehan-deoes shaj do’ ai poyene slueden!

by Silverblood on Feb 28, 2009 9:58 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Glad you saw that, too.

"What's money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do." -Bob Dylan

by theoldgrizzlybear on Feb 28, 2009 10:31 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

And the Woody Paige Piece

demonstrates perfectly why wins and losses are irrelevant. That is all he shows, but those numbers don’t take anything else into account, to show how bad the pitching staff will be. Do your homework Woody.

"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK

by jrockies on Feb 28, 2009 10:18 AM MST reply actions   0 recs

I'm twitching and foaming at the corners of my mouth after that article

Hey woody – even if the guys all win that many games, they might all have ERAs of 5.00! If the offense shows up, it’s totally plausible!

YOU’RE AN IDIOT

/convulses

Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/rockiesmagicnum

by Andrew Martin on Feb 28, 2009 12:37 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Woody-less

I can spend 5 minutes on here and read something more informative and entertaining than Paige can put out in an entire month. Most of his stuff is just plain gibberish crap.

by roxhead on Feb 28, 2009 11:50 AM MST reply actions   0 recs

After seeing him on the four letter network

I almost wonder if he has no opinion and insight and just chooses a side just to be belligerent

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 28, 2009 12:16 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

I think you're exactly correct, Poseidon.

He tries to creat controversy plus all his attempts a being cute with his comments are childish at best.

by pedalpusher on Feb 28, 2009 12:35 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Skip Bayless?

Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/rockiesmagicnum

by Andrew Martin on Feb 28, 2009 12:36 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Bayless

Bayless is the worst ever.

He even puts Woody and Marrioti to shame in terms of just being obnoxious as part of his schtick.

by MADness on Feb 28, 2009 1:41 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Bayless

is everything that is wrong with modern sports media. Controversy for controversy’s sake.

As for Woody, sure his takes are generally shortsighted and reactionary attempts at populist rabblerousing. But at least his style is interesting (even if its generally a shameless Vonnegut knockoff). Plus, I can’t help but love the guy for his ESPN sellout, anyone who remembers his old chubby-with-a-mullet byline photo has to appreciate his facelift/fakeandbake look cultivated at the WWLIS. Nothing like TV to show us the “true beauty” of a newspaper guy…

by Teekalong on Mar 1, 2009 1:41 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Him too

Their PoV’s aren’t really consistent or well explained.

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 28, 2009 2:18 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about the Colorado Rockies, established 28 April 2005.

Community Guidelines

Start posting about the Rockies »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Tailgateapproved_small
Rockies fans...get what Foxsports.com Fantasy 2010 Guide says...
Tailgateapproved_small
Calling ALL Rockies fans in Missouri
Img_0128_small
Stewart and Mora
Hoodie2_small
Rockaholics Anonymous: The Things That So Easily Upset Us
Spring_break_128_small
(OT) The super Superbowl thread
Fire2_small
Which Evil Empire Team do we hate the most?
39135485-59af19dbb26654095f910f34176af094_4ae8a81e-scaled_small
Predictions Group
Small
O'Dowd Radio Interview
Bucco_bruce_small
2010 Rockies
2079194195_835e49fc8a_small
MLB.com 2010 Top 50 Prospects

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Blogroll

Colorado Sports Blogs

Mile High Report (Denver Broncos)
Mile High Hockey (Colorado Avalanche)
Pickaxe and Roll (Denver Nuggets)
The Ralphie Report (CU Buffaloes)

Top 30 PuRPs

  1. Christian Friedrich, LHP
  2. Tyler Matzek, LHP
  3. Jhoulys Chacin, RHP
  4. Esmil Rogers, RHP
  5. Eric Young, Jr., 2B/CF
  6. Wilin Rosario, C
  7. Hector Gomez, SS
  8. Michael McKenry, C
  9. Rex Brothers, LHP
  10. Casey Weathers, RHP
  11. Chris Balcom-Miller, RHP
  12. Tim Wheeler, OF
  13. Charlie Blackmon, OF
  14. Samuel Deduno, RHP
  15. Nolan Arenado, 3B
  16. Brandon Hynick (traded to CWS), RHP
  17. Chris Nelson, SS/2B
  18. Juan Nicasio, RHP
  19. Cole Garner, OF
  20. Chaz Roe, RHP
  21. Kiel Roling, 1B
  22. Parker Frazier, RHP
  23. Delta Cleary, OF
  24. Darin Holcomb, 3B
  25. Shane Lindsay, RHP
  26. Matt Reynolds, LHP
  27. Mike Zuanich, OF
  28. Scott Robinson, OF
  29. Edgmer Escalona, RHP
  30. Ben Paulsen, 1B
updated 9/14/2009


Managers

Rocktober_shirt_small Russ Oates

Rox_girl_small Rox Girl

Staff

Liquid_small Silverblood

Seth_smith_0004_2_small Andrew Martin

Sleepy_jeff_small Jeff Aberle

Coorsfield3_small theoldgrizzlybear

67880020--bled-slovenia_small Andrew T. Fisher

Rowbot Radio

Deep_forest_small WolfMarauder