Wednesday Rockpile: Don't Panic (Seriously), Ian Stewart Injury Update, and Player Profiles

by Jeff Aberle on Mar 4, 2009 7:00 AM MST in Rockpile

Well my fellow Rowbots, after one week of spring training, not much has been good news for the Colorado Rockies--having lost all seven games they've played in while suffering poor performances all around as well as some few injuries along the way. Good thing none of it matters as long as the team is ready to play come Opening Day--and with the emphasis being placed on fundamentals by Clint Hurdle and staff, we'd better hope that the Rockies will be ready to go when that date does come. My gut, scientific instrument that it is, tells me that in the long run this past week will do the Rockies more good than ill, though I'd rather they had snagged at least one victory in their first seven games. Just remember this classic Monty Python song:

Some things in life are bad,
They can really make you mad,
Other things just make you swear and curse,
When you're chewing life's gristle,
Don't grumble,
Give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best.
And...

Always look on the bright side of life.

The moral of the story is that Rockies fans shouldn't panic. Yet. Wait until early April for that. Or whenever Manny Ramirez finally signs with the Dodgers (the sky is falling, I tell you!). Today the Rockies have only a "B" game at Hi Corbett against the Diamondbacks, which is closed to the public, in which Jason Marquis will get in some work--so no game thread (or wrap) today.

Troy Renck checks in in his blog with injury updates on Ian Stewart and Jeff Baker as well as news that Ubaldo Jimenez will be starting the Dominican Republic's game against the Cardinals on Thursday. Also, he outlines the pitching restrictions that the Rockies have been adhering to:

For the record, the Rockies’ pitchers have been under strict orders to throw fastballs. The plan is to throw a outside strike, followed by two inside pitches. The only freedom the pitchers had is if they fell behind in the count. However, they were still throwing almost exclusively fastballs. As the pitchers make their third appearance, the restrictions are expected to be gradually lifted.

My opinion as a former pitcher is that fastball location is a categorical imperative for success in MLB, so I heartily approve of trying to nail this concept down early. I'm not sure if the same outside-inside mix should be used every time, but I'm not wholly opposed to the notion.

Of course, Renck disagrees with me on this point, raising the valid point that the pitching and hitting rules (and the team-wide failure that has ensued) are damaging to team morale.

Hurdle stressed that the focus is on success for the long haul, not in the first week of the Cactus League. Fair enough. But I think he has proved his point. Now it's time to let the players loose.

What I most like about the article is the fact that "eschew" is in the title (I just love that word). Renck writes about the rules in more detail in the article.

The Post also profiles Clint Barmes (highlighting his versatility) and Greg Smith (and his second outing adjustments).

Not to be outdone by his print media colleagues, Thomas Harding writes the obligatory "Alan Embree is a veteran leader" article, as well as a Seth (Dixie) Smith impresses article--because Dixie is the one guy that has consistently performed well so far this spring for the Rockies.

Finally, Chris (insert D adjective here) Iannetta played for the USA WBC team, striking out in his only at-bat.

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Way to speak

for your boss about not having a game thread or game wrap. I was thinking of experimenting with a “Choose Your Own Adventure” Game Thread today.

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

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Mar 4, 2009 7:21 AM MST reply actions 1 recs

YES

Let’s do a Choose Your Own Adventure Game Thread!

I am still proud of the fact that I wrote and directed 2 CYOA plays while in college, for some reason…

by Muzia on Mar 4, 2009 8:58 AM MST up reply actions

and I hate when my browser doesnt publish my first comment...

I need to stop posting on crappy work computers.

by Muzia on Mar 4, 2009 9:01 AM MST up reply actions

Reminds me of:

Dark Helmet: What? You went over my helmet?
Rico: Well, not exactly over it, sir. More on the side. I’ll always call you first. It’ll never happen again. Never, ever!

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Mar 4, 2009 10:18 AM MST up reply actions

Is anyone else thinking about making a trek up to Vail?

I mean how many times to you get a chance to see Madonna.

(ARod Madonna relationship reference.)

by Rox on Mar 4, 2009 8:53 AM MST reply actions

I have to disagree with Renck as well

These are major league players, not my 9 and 10-year old little league team. They all know this is preparation and outcome of these games don’t count for anything. If losing spring training games is going to affect team morale, then there is a much bigger problem that they need to worry about this season. I don’t care if they lose every spring training game they play, as long as they are using the time productively to put some things together to be ready for opening day and to lead us to another purple rocktober.

by RockiescastScott on Mar 4, 2009 9:33 AM MST reply actions

Learned helplessness yo

by Resolution on Mar 4, 2009 11:12 AM MST up reply actions

Don't they preach that concept...

…in the DP editing room?

I swear, the wrong Denver paper shut down.

Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave

by Mondogarage on Mar 4, 2009 11:30 AM MST up reply actions

I'm not from CO

so I’m not familiar with the media’s approach to the Rockies. In NY they’re pretty harsh and are drama queens about things but you can make the arguments that when you have payrolls like NY teams or a (recent) history like the Yankees, the harshness is more warranted… Is the Denver Post a big Debbie Downer regarding the Rox?

by Resolution on Mar 4, 2009 11:58 AM MST up reply actions

The columnists always seem to be down on everybody regardless of the sport

The beat writers not so much.

by pedalpusher on Mar 4, 2009 12:32 PM MST up reply actions

roger that

damn columnists and their learned helplessness influence

by Resolution on Mar 4, 2009 6:51 PM MST up reply actions

Well

At least this saga is finally over. I’m not thrilled to see Manny in the NL West still – but we all knew it was coming.

"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch

by Hizilla on Mar 4, 2009 10:06 AM MST reply actions

Subscribers to Baseball America should check out all the Rockies love

They are showering on us, Jhoulys Chacin is currently their front page superstar in an article detailing the Rockies wait and see approach to International signings, which has currently netted us someone that sounds like a really solid outfield prospect in Julian Yan. Plus Jack Etkin’s Rockies Organization Report is featured and talks about the return of Kyle Hancock, our 2005 third round pick that went AWOL after signing a big bonus. The team’s going to see where he’s at right now and if there is anything salvageable.

I also linked these pieces in my first Rockies Farm Report for the Row which takes a position by position look at our 22-24 year old prospects/players, and is scheduled to be published at 3:00 (MST) this afternoon.

by Rox Girl on Mar 4, 2009 11:21 AM MST reply actions

For local folks

Just a heads up – “21 Days, The Rockies Run for the Pennant” is airing tonight at 6:30 pm on FSNRM. If you haven’t yet seen it, it’s a wonderful recounting of Rocktober.

Having lost my DVD, I’ll have the DVR set for sure!

I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better. -Georg C. Lichtenberg:

by rockhead on Mar 4, 2009 12:39 PM MST reply actions

I must have

watched that 5 or 6 times last year, usually just after the sting of a bad loss. It could be done so much better (more highlights) but its still fantastic.

by Teekalong on Mar 4, 2009 2:28 PM MST up reply actions