Tuesday Rockpile: Just keep winning, just keep winning

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 23, 2009 9:06 AM MDT in Rockpile Comment 77 comments

The many views of the streaking Rockies

Just in case you have missed it, ESPN's John Kruk shows why he is a baseball writer and analyst despite really being neither at all. In his latest story, he defined the Rockies winning 17 of 18 as a "small streak" and that the Rockies are not a threat to take the Wild Card. Instead, the bumbling Mets and Phillies are despite providing zero analysis or insight as to why. Note the banner at the top of the home page now.

If you're curious, the Rockies are given a 39.21% chance of making the playoffs, fourth in the NL behind the Dodgers, Cardinals and Mets. Also, Jim Tracy now has more wins than Clint Hurdle in 2009 - with 23 fewer losses. We also have the second best Pyth. W-L in the National League.

A month ago, we were writing off the season, citing that lightning does not strike twice. There's no way this team could win 21 of 22. Except even that is attainable now. We just need to win four straight, and that is certainly possible with Jim Tracy's top two starters taking on the Angels followed by two games against Oakland, who has been one of the worst teams in the league.

Colorado Rockies on a tear under Jim Tracy - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
Arnie Stapleton is a bit more detailed and open-minded in his story, at least compared to Kruk's "annoying-Rockies-shoo-just-disappear-so-I-can-talk-Phillies" tone. He gives all the credit to Tracy for the turn around based on multiple player quotes. I'm starting to have difficulty refuting the presence of a manager in this case.

Hurdle knows the spark behind red-hot stretch - The Denver Post
Speaking of which, erstwhile manager Clint Hurdle spoke on MLB Network last night and cited Jim Tracy as the entire reason for the streak, saying "It starts at the top with the manager." Troy Tulowitzki puts it specifically and bluntly:

"[Tracy] is the exact opposite of Hurdle. You had a guy who was very loud, very intimidating and sometimes you didn't know what you were going to get with your lineup. Tracy is low maintenance, very mild-tempered, will let you know if you aren't playing."

Prior to the move, I had been skeptical of appointing Tracy. Both had reputations of being a player's manager, and clearly a complete change in philosophy was needed. You have to think that complete change has been found by the quotes coming from the players.

Anaheim victory Rockies' 9th straight on road - The Denver Post and Rockies rout stretches joy ride to 17-1 - The Denver Post
Troy Renck is so excited he posted the same story twice with different headlines. Or at least most of the same story. He touches on Cook's franchise best 59th win. Also, the Rockies have already set a franchise record for June wins despite having lost the first three games of the month.

Kiszla: Respect for franchise must start here - The Denver Post
Mark Kiszla is confused. He blames Rockies fans for not embracing their team and making Denver a baseball town - despite their very respectable draw at the gate through losing season after losing season. That general apathy has turned the national media's attention away, apparently. Then he seamlessly transitions back to the home line of saying the Rockies' fans deserve to be treated better by the Monforts and that they are cheapskates.

Comments

"I'm starting to have difficulty refuting the presence of a manager in this case."

Using the image of a “spark” is probably a pretty good way to put it. Who knows exactly what caused it and in what proportions—if it were something that could be engineered, teams would go on runs like this more often, and teams would never underachieve in the W-L dept like they did under Hurdle. But Tracy deserves some credit. Heck, even Chauncy Gardiner would, right?

I still have a problem with the fact they had to can Hurdle in-season. If he had all those problems with the players, why wasn’t he replaced in the off-season, or years earlier? Not that it matters much now that the team has redeemed the season, and nothing can be done to change the past anyway.

Free Seth Smith!

by FooMan on Jun 23, 2009 9:21 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

it was the elephant in the clubhouse

they were losing for him, costing him his job, and apparently they thought he was a jerk, too. So firing him just removed a lot of that atmosphere.

Chris Iannetta status: DOOM
Seth Smith status: Badass
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for CarGon
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY

by Andrew Martin on Jun 23, 2009 9:45 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with this.

But I do believe the 2007 resurgence gave the management reason, obviously, to keep Hurdle around.

I have come up with this thought lately. Hurdle was a great manager when he came around. He came in with the youth of the club, and I feel he really clicked with developing this club. That was his talent was developing young talent, and getting them playing time and making sure they grew into good ball players. Look at the massive amount of talent that came into fruition while he was here, and compare that to how unwilling to play young players the franchise was before he came about. Sure this isn’t all on him, but he, in my belief was a driving force of all of this.

But when we won. The end of 2007 was like a parent getting to watch his kid play with friends for the first time. They were playing hard and were having so much fun, he didn’t really feel the need to interject. I don’t really think he had to manage during this streak, and the team did overcome his managing shortfalls.

But after we won, the team needed to stay on track and reboost. Hurdle kept with his old style of managing, getting gobs of players playing time, and shuffling things and just his normal mistakes. The team had learned how to win, ala 2007, but Hurdle didn’t.

I give Hurdle credit where credit is due. The young talent we have developed has been great, but this isn’t young talent anymore. This team is expected to win, as they did so with a team just as young in 2007.

by roxintober on Jun 23, 2009 9:48 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

Fair assessment

As an admitted Hurdle guy (saw him come up while living in KC in the 70s), I feel about the same. Very good with forging young players—dealing with the ups & downs and the discipline required. Maybe that’s because it summed up his own playing career, i.e., dealing constantly with adversity. Late ‘07 was probably the high water mark for Hurdle’s style with the Rockies, by early ’09 it was clearly time for a change.

Caught Hurdle on MLB Network yesterday (thanks to tip from Russ)—he’s a natural on TV as many of us knew he would be. I think he could have an ESPN or FOX gig in a second if he wanted it, but I personally think his next job will be managing a young MLB team with some talent—maybe replacing Trey Hillman as KC Royals manager in 2010? Just a thought.

Clint is supposed to be on at the same hour today on MLB Network (4PM MT) plus another hour during the evening highlights show.

by DeepPurple on Jun 23, 2009 2:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the FO gave him the benefit of the doubt

Due to the amount of injuries last season, although the writing was on the wall when coaches got fired. The Monforts didn’t want to pay him for his last season without giving him a shot. But this team had more talent than he could pull from them and his constant jerking around of the lineup was horrible.

Tracy is a much more calm steady ship kind of guy. While we can debate whether Cargo should be in the lineup Tracy will give him ABs. Hurdle would have jerked him around like Stewart.

by Roxfan24 on Jun 23, 2009 9:49 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

While I do debate that point...

I love the guy and want him to hit. But I do like Tracy for giving him a shot, and everyone else is preforming in their spots, like Spilly in the 4th outfielder and Smith in the pinch hitting role. If all three were doing bad, I’d say we need to shuffle things up, but things are working just fine right now.

And also, I’ll take a 0-4 from Cargo if it means we can use Smith at any time to pinch hit.

by roxintober on Jun 23, 2009 9:51 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

i don't mean to pick a fight here

but if Smith can go 1-3 with BB and that hit is a double, wouldn’t you rather have that than 0-4

Chris Iannetta status: DOOM
Seth Smith status: Badass
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for CarGon
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY

by Andrew Martin on Jun 23, 2009 10:25 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

Depends. Would you rather have him go 1-3 with a walk and a double and have that be wasted because no one is on base, or the guys behind him don’t do anything? Or would you rather have him come off the bench after we have 2 men on and the top of our line-up coming up?

I know you aren’t picking a fight, but sometimes a pinch hitter that solid transcends the stats he could build. Plugging him in whenever you want him to bat, and not waiting for his spot is priceless.

But to be clear…Smith should be a starter. But it’s nice to see CarGo get a chance. I’ve always been a huge fan of Smith, and I thought Smith would be an immediate replacement to Hawpe. But knowing he isn’t going anywhere, it makes it easier to know we can ship CarGo in a package somewhere and lose not much.

by roxintober on Jun 23, 2009 10:31 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

i guess the issue is that there probably would be people on base

or there to drive him in

but i see your point, he’s a great weapon to bring off of the bench

Chris Iannetta status: DOOM
Seth Smith status: Badass
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for CarGon
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY

by Andrew Martin on Jun 23, 2009 10:34 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

CarGo better show he can hit MLB pitching before we ship him anywhere

Some found him overrated as a prospect after his bad year with Oakland last year, and he’s not really helping his cause now.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 23, 2009 10:35 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mechanically

he’s not stepping striding with his hands in the proper position. He’s out of rhythm so to speak.

I’m ok with trading CarGo if he still has value, but if it’s dropping then yeah that would be a problem captain.

by Redhawk on Jun 23, 2009 10:40 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's his problem.

He can mash at AAA but not at MLB for a very obvious reason.

Bad pitches at AAA (like bad pitches, like garbage not in the zone) are less filthy than bad pitches at the MLB level.

People always speak of AAA making more mistakes than MLB, but in my mind, he is a Vlad type hitter. Just hacks at whatever is close, and can make something out of it. So a typical trash breaking ball will break more at MLB than AAA. He’s hacked at those before with success, but now they are just moving much more than before. If he gets a pitch in the zone to hit, which if I remember right he’s had 3 total in all his AB’s so far, he will take it. His problem is that he hasn’t warmed up to the trash yet.

by roxintober on Jun 23, 2009 10:48 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can't Don Baylor

work with him? Get his swing straighted ot.

by Since1993 on Jun 23, 2009 11:17 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's time for that

CarGo needs to take that step. Fix his mechanics, fix his pitch recognition and what he can hit at this level and what he can’t. It’s hard to do when the guy you are replacing has done absolutely nothing wrong. (Seth Smith) besides not being as high touted of a prospect.

CarGo needs to play everyday. But he’s better than AAA pitching and has nothing to learn there anymore. Yet He’s not the Rockies best Left Fielder when it comes to hitting, and the best hitting line up for the Rox wouldn’t have Gonzales in the line up.

It’s nice to have too many OF’ers

by Redhawk on Jun 23, 2009 11:29 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

When we were doing poorly and it looked like we were not

going to make playoffs, developing young players is ok. Now, the situation is different. Spilly doesn’t have Hurdle jerking hin around into every batting postion imaginable, so his hitting has come around, and he is a good fielder. Smith has turned into a great pinch hitter. For this season, this time, Spilly should be in left field. Plus if he continues to excel he will be valuable trade in the off season

by indianrox on Jun 23, 2009 2:35 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep, I would.

"I've had pretty good success with Stan Musial by throwing him my best pitch and backing up third." - Carl Erskine

by pedalpusher on Jun 23, 2009 2:09 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not really a spark

Changing the Manager usually gives a 3-4 game spark. This one has been much longer (duh) and all the players are getting involved. Each night it seems like a different player comes through at the exact moment that a play needs to be made. Is that the result of changing the Manager? It appears so, but looks can be deceiving.
I was glad the canned Hurdle (there I said it, and I ain’t taking it back…) but, like everybody else, I NEVER expected the team to play the way they have.

As more comes out, I have a feeling that the fans will find out what was really going on in the clubhouse that was causing the years long funk.

by rockieprogress on Jun 23, 2009 9:51 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kruk article

not surprising to me. Do you ever watch these talking-head shows with the sound off and in closed-caption at the gym or whatever? I’m always shocked at how little these guys actually say when you read it rather than hear it. Just not programmed by the mothership for thoughtful analysis. Sound bite. Controversy. Sound bite. Buzz.

As for Tracy, I certainly didn’t think it could make a difference and now, like RG, its hard to argue. Still not sure how his “changed attitude” has made the rotation pitch great but whatever, never look a gift horse in the mouth.

by Teekalong on Jun 23, 2009 9:37 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

When I heard him talk...

He mentioned that too many young players don’t know what to do when we get there. He brought up Iannetta, Smith, Fowler, and Uball I believe. Yet he doesn’t seem to realize that this basic same exact team was in the WS, and has that ‘essential-or-you-are-gonna-choke-on-you-own success-you-are-too-good-to-give-credit-because-young-guys-always-go-17and1-but-seem-to-fall-off-the-radar-when-they-realize-they-aren’t-an-east-coast-team’ type experience.

I actually thought Baseball Tonight was pretty funny. You have the two hottest (or recently in the Angels case) teams in baseball playing, both with the best interleague records, yet they still manage to show Rockies clips last….30 minutes into the show…and there were 4 games last night. Great job.

by roxintober on Jun 23, 2009 9:42 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

"like RG, its hard to argue"

Did she say this somewhere or are you confusing me with her? Should I take that as a compliment?

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 23, 2009 10:16 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

My bad, I was confusing her with you

but the comparison should be taken as flattery…

by Teekalong on Jun 23, 2009 12:05 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kruk

These ESPN guys do not even watch the Rockies. Kruk is a so called expert, who is with other so called experts who do nothing but talk about east coast teams and LA teams.

If all other things were the same, but the Rockies were in the east, Kruk’s article would be about how we were going to overtake the Dodger’s.

This article got my ire like idiot Steve Phillips did two years ago when he declared Braun a shoe in for the ROY when Tulo was having a much better season. Phillips had not even considered Tulo.

I really liked the banner when I opened Purple Row.

by brian8065 on Jun 23, 2009 9:46 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

They don't even talk about...

how we’ve gained 5+ games or whatever it is….and not one game was played in the division. Or that we have 3 in LA just two series away. Being 7 games back or pre-all star break is nothing to say “OMG NOT CATCHING THEM HAHA”.

Plus, every analyst seems to think this team will never lose again with Manny back. I think they might lose at least 1 or 2 when he gets back.

by roxintober on Jun 23, 2009 9:53 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

PS.

We probably aren’t catching them, but it’s not exactly an insurmountable lead. It’s not the same as being 9 back in the Wild Card.

by roxintober on Jun 23, 2009 9:55 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's going to be tricky, at best...

LA’s a very good team this year. I definitely underestimated them.

by Rox Girl on Jun 23, 2009 10:08 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

So Rox Girl

Pre-season you liked our chances against the Dodgers. I remember a post about how our OBP was going to be better, and we had a real chance.

Our OPS+ is 101, and their’s is 103. Moving Stewart to third and benching Atkins will more than make up for that difference and give the Rockies the edge, even after Manny returns, (or so I hope, but it has been established that I am more optimistic than Rox Gilr.)

Our defense is better.

Our ERA+ is 103, which isn’t close to the Dodger’s 119. Our pitching has been as good as the Dodger’s lately though.

I give us a chance of catching them.

by brian8065 on Jun 23, 2009 10:46 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh there's a chance, especially if their arms start to fade

As they should, we just haven’t seen any sign of that happening yet, and if it doesn’t, or if it doesn’t enough, we can forget about it.

by Rox Girl on Jun 23, 2009 1:15 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't be so quick to give LA the division...

Last year the Dodgers only had 2 relievers with more than 55 appearances (Beimel-71, Broxton-70). This year they are on pace to have 5 relievers with that many appearances:

Belisario-36…..on pace for 83
Broxton-32….. on pace for 74
Troncoso-32….. on pace for 74
Mota – 32….. on pace for 74
Wade – 24 ….. on pace for 56

The Rockies only have 2 relievers on that pace (Street-76 , Embree-65). Corpas and Grilli were also on pace, but obviously won’t reach that platform. The Dodgers have a chance to blow out their bullpen by September with the workload they are getting.

Check out my Rockies comic strip at:
Rock Drive 1.4

by Charlie77 on Jun 23, 2009 1:14 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not giving it to them, but I'm not ignoring what they've already done, either.

A nine game deficit with less than a hundred left is no easy feat. I know the Rockies have a better chance of beating the Dodgers this year than anybody else in the division, including the team that’s between us in the standings, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be anything close to easy.

by Rox Girl on Jun 23, 2009 1:17 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rockies are gaining confidence but the Dodgers are

out of control, Manny won’t even stand out when he comes back, right now they just think they will win without showing up. That could turn out to be in our favor if they have a few minor injuries, and if the rumors of tired bullpen arms is true. Dodgers historically have a reputation of blowing out pitchers arms

by indianrox on Jun 23, 2009 2:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is entirely possible. Just look back at:

1951 Dodgers up 15 games in the loss column on 8/9 and ended up losing to NY Giants in the Shot Heard Round the World

1964 Phillies blew a 6 1/2 game lead by losing 7 straight from 9/20 to 9/27. Monumental collapse.

2007 Mets blew a 7 game lead with 17 games left.

And I’m sure there are other examples.

So yeah, it can happen. The secret is to just take care of our business and play smart baseball. The rest will take care of itself.

"I've had pretty good success with Stan Musial by throwing him my best pitch and backing up third." - Carl Erskine

by pedalpusher on Jun 23, 2009 2:29 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, Kruk's right...

No way we catch the Mets. Come on, they’re in NEW YORK. Our streak is only a distraction from the big story in baseball: Yankees/Red Sox.

by Since1993 on Jun 23, 2009 11:21 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

HEY

ESPN covers ONE west coast team:

The Cubs

by Redhawk on Jun 23, 2009 11:30 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice line from a commenter on ESPN

“Hey cut Kruk some slack he grew up in West Virginia where the longest school bus is shorter than a Mini Cooper. "

Hey I'm on Youtube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gAlLTZsGUg

by wolf213 on Jun 23, 2009 11:31 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kisla is a hack

and the biggest hack in Denver Sports reporting. With Woody Paige and Jim Armstrong writing stuff, that’s pretty big acomplishment.

He ends this “the Rockies need to have the fans respect” by saying that if O’Dowd would empty the farm for Roy Oswalt or Jarred Washburn, then the fans would give the Rockies respect, or would be respectable. I’m not sure the point (paraphrasing of course).

Really? Emptying the farm system to bring in old pitching which is a crap shoot at elevation is the answer? I thought the reason the Rockies were/are where they are is because they refused to do just that. Before the 08 season, every trade talks started and ended with the other team asking for Ian Stewart and Franklin Morales.

The Rockies do have surplus in the OF, and middle infield depth in the minors. Trade from that surplus if they need to BUT if the Rockies need another pitcher I’d take my chances with Hynick, Hirsh, or even Adam Eaton or any of our AA guys like Rodgers, Roe, Deduno, or “the machine” Chacin (assuming they are healthy at the time of need) before I’d take on the likes of Jerrod Washburn

Roy Halladay is a different story.

by Redhawk on Jun 23, 2009 9:49 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Mark Kiszla is dumber than 100 dogs.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.

by Franchise26 on Jun 23, 2009 9:55 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

…that made me laugh!

Check out my Rockies comic strip at:
Rock Drive 1.4

by Charlie77 on Jun 23, 2009 12:52 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

+10

He just wants big names to write about. Could we use a reliever absolutely. but we can skip DLR if you need to when we have off days. This team went from having no farm system to one of the better ones. Should we have a little higher payroll? maybe but you don’t have to spend 200 mil to win.

by Roxfan24 on Jun 23, 2009 9:56 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not really

When Kiszla writes about an individual, like a High School athlete, he does a really good job and is an interesting read.
He gets paid to create a “buzz” about the pro teams, but all he does is annoy the readers with his venom…

by rockieprogress on Jun 23, 2009 9:56 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

As a writer myself, I’ve tried to tell people disgusted with Kiszla that he’s actually a very good writer. What annoys people is what he writes, not how he writes. Many papers have a guy like this on staff, whose job it is to take a contrary position merely for the sake of fomenting controversy. I’d guess he doesn’t really believe some of the arguments he espouses.

You’re quite right; when he writes a human-interest feature about an athlete, he’s usually quite effective.

by alex colfax on Jun 23, 2009 1:20 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Adam Eaton is never the solution.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Jun 23, 2009 9:59 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

At one time he was a very good pitcher

helped that Petco Park was his home park…but he was a good pitcher at one time. In very small sample size at Colorado Springs he’s done surprisingly well. And Colorado Springs is the opposite pitching environment then Petco in San Diego is.

by Redhawk on Jun 23, 2009 10:02 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

You may want to look at some other numbers

Like, literally everything he’s ever done in his career outside of San Diego and 10 innings in the Springs. Adam Eaton is the suckiest suck that ever sucked.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.

by Franchise26 on Jun 23, 2009 10:08 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm specifically ignoring those, thanks

plus the Rockies have really done quite well in trash heap reclamation projects. So well that too me, I’m even giving the Rockies the benefit of the doubt in fixing Eaton

by Redhawk on Jun 23, 2009 10:14 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

BtB has us projected to win the Wild Card...

Link

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Jun 23, 2009 9:55 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Projected to have the 2nd best record in the NL

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 23, 2009 10:19 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

That too.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Jun 23, 2009 10:23 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not too worried about Kruk's opinion

Mostly it’s good things in his column, and just the end is a weird turn, which kind of sounded like “don’t turn off ESPN, Mets fans!”

Just weird to pick them when the only thing you can say is they suck to watch. There’s nothing there to back it up, as Poseidon mentioned.

So how about “Where John Kruk’s Opinion is Unsubstantiated” for the banner?

Listen, this signature line is a big part of who I am.

by frightenedinmate#2 on Jun 23, 2009 9:56 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

This

Mostly it’s good things in his column, and just the end is a weird turn, which kind of sounded like "don’t turn off ESPN, Mets fans!"

This is exactly it. I mentioned this in the fanshot, but If he had left off that last weird prediction (best left to a quick hit, not in what was otherwise analysis of one team), I don’t think most people would have a problem with it.

by holly96 on Jun 23, 2009 2:11 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Denver Post Kisla/Paige rant part 2

ok, I"m old. Well, older then most of you on this site. I still love reading my paper in the morning with my coffee. Best way to wake up slowly and it’s a habit I’ve had for so long I don’t know any different.

But the Denver Post and especially Kisla’s column was so bad, I felt dumber after reading it. There are at least a dozen writers/posters here on the Purple Row that know baseball and the Rockies better then the writers at the Post do. It really brought home to me in a real way WHY papers are dieing. I can get better articles, better editorial comments, on specific sports and teams that I follow online then I can with that paper that cost me what seems like a crap load of money.

(My paper renewal bill is sitting on my desk at the moment….for the first time in a long time, I’m considering NOT taking it….well, I’d get the Sunday paper)

Now back to your regular Rockies talk.

by Redhawk on Jun 23, 2009 10:13 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I can't find an image

But Kruk = Heddo from Rookie of the Year. You know, the guy who struck out on an underhand pitch.

by mkorpal on Jun 23, 2009 10:35 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

That movie pisses me off...

an underhand pitch to strike the last guy out? Really, that’s the best you could come up with, Hollywood?

It’s not even legal!

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Jun 23, 2009 10:40 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

The movie is about a kid that breaks his arm and can throw 100 mph once it heals

and THAT’S the part that pisses you off about the movie?

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.

by Franchise26 on Jun 23, 2009 11:01 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, yes it is.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Jun 23, 2009 5:09 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

If you are looking for a mid 1990’s movie about a kid in the major leauges then Little Big Leauge is definatly the way to go. Much much better flix.

by jcd823 on Jun 23, 2009 11:04 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with that

Little Big League was my favorite movie when I was younger. I’ve just never owned it because I couldn’t find it. I made my parents rent it ten times

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 23, 2009 12:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I should also add

that it has some of the most impessive baseball action that you will ever see in a movie.

by jcd823 on Jun 23, 2009 12:11 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love that movie!!!!!

They play it on ABC Family all the time.

The team also kind of reminds me of the ‘07 Rockies. Didn’t they have a Tiebreaker that went into extras, after being on the edge of being eliminated the entire time?

by Rockie4Ever on Jun 23, 2009 3:26 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here!

by roxintober on Jun 23, 2009 10:53 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was watching SportsCenter this morning

At the end of the Rockies/Angels highlights from last night, their anchor said:

“The Angels basically gift wrapped this one for the Rockies.”

Because the six wild pitches led to all 11 runs and put all of those runners on base, right?

"Good teams win games, horse**** teams have meetings." - Ozzie Guillen

by free7694 on Jun 23, 2009 11:31 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Dude i saw that too

Completely absurd. They do this for every game. After tomorrows game, watch sportscenter, and the highlight reel will be always centered around the team that we play. If they win, they were the merciful conquerors of the little rockies. If we win, we somehow overcame being an inferior team, or the other team gave the game away. ESPN is the biggest joke around.

Plus they have that ESPNchicago website, which pisses me off also. Apparently they feel bad that their east coast and LA bias is getting in the way of their Chicago bias, so they give chicago their own website.

"It's like an owl without a graduation cap; Heartbreaking!!" -Tracy Jordan

by 303buff on Jun 23, 2009 12:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I bet that's largely thanks to the radio station, ESPN1000

Which can be heard all across the Midwest (and I even picked it up in Vermont) at night. It gives them huge coverage and is definitely bent toward Chicago area sports.

by Rox Girl on Jun 23, 2009 1:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I find SportsCenter & Baseball Tonight

unwatchable, so I don’t care what they say.

Originally I thought Kruk might become BT’s Charles Barkley, someone who certainly can’t be called an “expert” but is funny & interesting. Turns out Kruk’s dumb and boring.

I’ll try to catch Hurdle on MLB Network tonight.

by J. Henry Waugh on Jun 23, 2009 12:12 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I quit watching

anything but actual games on ESPN years ago. This has saved me much aggravation and a few ulcers. I understand the feelings of frustration/anger being shared here today, but ESPN isn’t going to change. And they are loving all the extra clicks on their website today as well.

And how far back are we now?

by rockhead on Jun 23, 2009 12:53 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Somewhere along the line we lost the war for content

(Btw, great blog, content and good conversations)
Now, it’s just a big race to find “the narrative” and a which matchup would be the better story.

And they’re all so FULL of it. Think about how self satisfied they all are when they talk about “parity” in the NFL, how Title IX and scholarship limits have been great for college football and the BCS is so unfair to the “little guy”(Ironically after they lost the BCS games to Fox they got loud about that.), but not a single one of them has spilled a drop of ink about the fact that the Yankees and Red Sox were floundering, go-nowhere franchises until they turned baseball into a Soviet-USA $ arms race(Almost literally). As long as the little guy plays a sport they don’t care about, they love em. And they love “parity” in the NFL because it means they can stop talking about the game, and harp on their fantasy teams.

I will give Kruk credit, it’s very difficult to pout, throw a tantrum and arrogantly dismiss a team that’s won 17 of 18 in one article. Even more difficult when you present zero evidence of anything.

But honestly, getting pissed at him is a waste, he’s just toe-in the party line. And the whole thing that really grates me is that the Broncos have been to six Super Bowls, even won a couple of them, the Avs have two Stanley Cups. Neither sport plunged into sponsorship chaos as a result, announcers weren’t let go and they didn’t have to start playing hockey on half frozen ice(except in Dallas but that was another thing).

If there are any billionaires trolling today, I’m telling you, all you have to do is start a “red state” sports network, and find a way to remove the political implication from the name, and you can start printing money. All I want is lifetime sideline passes to SEC and BIG XII football for coming up with it.

by jredwine12 on Jun 23, 2009 2:12 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've got to agree, and do wonder why it was Kruk that set off this reaction here and not

Ken Rosenthal, for instance, who’s been saying basically the same thing and is a much more worthy foe to take on.

by Rox Girl on Jun 23, 2009 2:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rosenthal is a git

and I mentioned this a few days ago in another thread…albeit in an early morning lack of coffee snarky ranty way. :)

"Oh, by the way: I was being sarcastic..."

by WalkInRight on Jun 23, 2009 3:14 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's the jackets

really hard to take Rosenthal seriously.

Listen, this signature line is a big part of who I am.

by frightenedinmate#2 on Jun 23, 2009 3:18 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Welcome to Purple Row and good analysis of the situation

"We made too many wrong mistakes." ~Yogi Berra
"The ballplayer who loses his head, who can't keep his cool, is worse than no ballplayer at all." ~Lou Gehrig
JFK

by jrockies on Jun 23, 2009 3:31 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is anyone else going to the game tonight?

Check out my Rockies comic strip at:
Rock Drive 1.4

by Charlie77 on Jun 23, 2009 1:36 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

My wife and I will be in section 204.

Check out my Rockies comic strip at:
Rock Drive 1.4

by Charlie77 on Jun 23, 2009 2:36 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

have fun!

I was hoping to be out in the area under the pretense of visiting relatives – and just happen to catch a rox/angels and rox/dogears game in the process – but lack of moulah nipped that idea in the bud…

"Oh, by the way: I was being sarcastic..."

by WalkInRight on Jun 23, 2009 3:20 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm out unfortunately

and not happy about it. I managed to get home last night in time to see Street take the count to 2-2 on Morales in the 9th…just too long of a trip under the circumstances. Angels radio and TV guys were pretty respectful of the Rox though, which was nice. Not the usual Dodger condescention.

Have fun, looking forward to your thoughts on the experience…

by Teekalong on Jun 23, 2009 3:58 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have a great time

And yell DEX KNOWS!! every time Dex the Wonder Fowler gets on base.

Better yet, yell out, “U Bald Oh? Try Hair Be There!”, as the halos fans won’t know that one…

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

by Mondogarage on Jun 23, 2009 5:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vizcaino got DFA'D

Again this time Cleveland. Wow i can’t believe we got Marquis for this bag of balls

by Roxfan24 on Jun 23, 2009 2:43 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

This may be one of DOD's best moves.

"I've had pretty good success with Stan Musial by throwing him my best pitch and backing up third." - Carl Erskine

by pedalpusher on Jun 23, 2009 2:47 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Roflcopter

It is indeed one of his better moves…I’m kinda of amazed that anybody took Luis Vicaznio but the fact that we got Marquis for him? That is like incredible!!!!!!!! I hope this streakiness continues it would be kinda of ironic if people in Colorado got so enamored that they went bonkers in jubilation. ROFL

by lizardlad01 on Jun 23, 2009 3:12 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs