Sunday Rockpile: Who could have seen Jason Hammel being so good? And Yankees writers still don't get it.

by Rox Girl on Jun 28, 2009 9:48 AM MDT in Rockpile Comment 34 comments

Jason Hammel is good, and also very tall. These are things you'd know already if you've been reading Purple Row all year.

Browse more photos »

Big Rocks:

Denver Post:

Hawpe undergoes quiet transformation - From super man, to super-duper man.

Krieger: Holliday's free agency pickle

Renck: Mets just a flawed fraud - Troy Renck goads the Mets. I've got a bigger post coming this afternoon that takes a close look at who we can expect to get rocked off the playoff contention boat in the next few weeks and who will stay afloat. The Metropolitans are in deep danger right now with an injury situation that could sink their season, but I'm not going to go so far as Renck does in writing them off just yet.

Hammel's Streak doesn't shock Apodaca - It doesn't shock me either, but nobody ever asks me anymore. Can I just take a moment to gloat about how right I was about the trade for him, though? No? Okay, sorry about that moment of pride, then.

Gonzalez hitting his stride

Pebbles

Grand Juntion Sentinel

Roling along: Baseball is way of life for Central graduate - Kiel Roling's one of the few Rockies minor leaguers that have Colorado ties, this Sentinel article checks up on him.

Crazy Flatlanders:

NY Times:

Okay, this first one's not so crazy and is actually an excellent read by Alan Schwarz about Jeff Francis

Jeff Francis of the Colorado Rockies has spent his time recovering from shoulder surgery to indulge a physics jonesthat he must usually keep under wraps.

Side note before we go on. Jim at the AZ Snakepit has written an excellent primer on labrum surgery in the wake of Brandon Webb's decision to go under the knife and outlines the difficulties players have coming back from it. We hope Francis is one of the lucky ones in recovery, and that Webb, well, is lucky so long as it's not as a D-back.

NJ.com (Bergen County Record):

Could Rockies closer Huston Street be fitted for a new set of pinstripes? - NJ.com

In addition to the Marquis plus Spilly to Philly possibility, there also was apparently a strong chance that Huston Street would wind up in New York. This writer seems to think that the Rockies will fade and that possibility will come about again. As I'll explain in my later post, I don't think he should get his hopes up.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

Are the Colorado Rockies headed to a Rocktober Redux? | Texas Rangers | Star-Telegram.com
The Colorado Rockies are putting together a run that has a familiar look.

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Comments

Joel Sherman has

a piece on the Mets’ playoff competitors and has a quote from a scout:

An NL scout: “I don’t believe in a team that depends this much on Jason Marquis.”

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

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Jun 28, 2009 10:00 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I can promise my look at it this afternoon will at least be better than Sherman's.

Is that setting too low a bar?

by Rox Girl on Jun 28, 2009 10:08 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

That wasn't Sherman but a scout that said that

but your point still definitely stands. We have three starters with a better ERA and tRA than Marquis. His wins are clouding everyone’s mind.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 28, 2009 10:13 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Besides how many playoff teams in the last five years have depended on Marquis for one fifth of their starts?

by Rox Girl on Jun 28, 2009 10:16 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Five?

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 28, 2009 10:18 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's had at least 28 starts and 167 IP in each of the last 5 years, all for playoff teams

Never had more starts in his career than in 2006 for the WS Champion Cardinals (and he was AWFUL that year)

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 28, 2009 10:22 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was obviously a thoughtless statement

If a WC contender didn’t have a “hole” like Marquis, it likely wouldn’t be a WC contender, it would be running away with its division.

Free Seth Smith!

by FooMan on Jun 28, 2009 10:25 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know there's poor journalists out there

but i held scouts in higher esteem. I’ll take his job.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 28, 2009 10:47 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I said this before when we got him...

Jason Marquis is our playoff good luck charm. He takes all of his teams with him.

by Since1993 on Jun 28, 2009 12:36 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm really starting to suspect that he's one of the most underrated pitchers of our time.

And before people jump on me, I’m not saying he’s great or All-Star worthy or anything like that, I’m saying that there seems to be a perception of inadequacy with him, when he’s only been in that category once in his career. The problem is that since he’s never risen above the level of mere adequacy, either, people toss him aside too quickly, but something has to be said for year in, year out, yeoman type of work like that. He’s not the leader of the staff, he’s a sailor, but he’s the kind of sailor you’re happy to have.

by Rox Girl on Jun 28, 2009 10:26 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Adequate

adequate

Dave: “Bill McNeil is …adequate… I’m sorry Bill.”
Bill: “Sorry? Sorry, you weren’t singled out and deemed adequate?”

“…After all adequacy is the hallmark of great journalism.”

“What is adequate journalism if not great journalism?”

“We’ll finish this later, after I fulfill my duties with my customary adequaucivity.”

“It’s one thing, of course, to know you’re adequate, but, to have a fellow member of the press stand up and say ‘Yes, you sir are adequate,’ Let me tell you it is a very special feeling.”

“Well, I’m off to astonish the world with more feats of adequataqaticism.”

Dave: “Everything going adequately?”
Bill: “Very adequately sir, I’m virtually bursting with adequatulence.”

“…Ok, look, you think I don’t know adequate sucks.”

� Bill McNeil on Newsradio, played by the late, great Phil Hartman.

Link.

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

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Jun 28, 2009 10:29 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was a great show

by Teekalong on Jun 28, 2009 11:05 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just watched that episode last week

One of my favorite shows ever

by Muzia on Jun 28, 2009 11:31 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no perception of inadequacy with Jason.

In fact, I feel we have a real chance to win whenever he takes the mound.

"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 28, 2009 12:26 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not saying you or Rockies fans are underrating him.

But you read opinions about him elsewhere, and you’ll see that what this scout says is more the norm from fans than not.

by Rox Girl on Jun 28, 2009 12:33 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know you didn't mean us. When we got him, I thought it was a great move just to get rid of Vizcaino.

And an inning eater who would keep us in the game to boot. After almost half of the season, I now feel that he is much more than that. A stopper and someone who is going to win more often than not. I’m thinking it may be DOD’s best trade.

"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 28, 2009 12:41 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Street

I’m not so sure they’d trade him even if the Rockies took a bit of a tumble and fell out of WC contention.

At any rate, I wonder how many of these writers had Street set in their mind as a target (and the Rockies as sellers) and just don’t want to take the effort to actually look for new stories.

Free Seth Smith!

by FooMan on Jun 28, 2009 10:14 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Valid second argument there

Someone out there has written about Street being traded once a week since his acquisition.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 28, 2009 10:16 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huston Street

nearing Jason Street levels of esteem with me.

by Teekalong on Jun 28, 2009 11:05 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Holliday's contract

Everyone seems so sure he’s not going to get a big contract but I wonder. Krieger mentions the Yankees, and seems to assume they’ll re-sign Bay. I’m not so sure about that—Bay is not a good fielder, so that even with Holliday’s rough year with the bat and Bay’s great one, they’re pretty close in overall value. Vlad’s contract in LA of A is expiring, the Mets look pretty bad in the corners…that’s 4 big market teams who will be looking for a corner guy. One of them will likely go for Bay but that still leaves room for healthy demand. Who knows who else might be interested…the Mariners have a lot of money coming off the books.

I suspect if Holliday doesn’t get his deal and has to sign something with a lower AAV than what the Rockies offered, there will be a JD Drew-like out clause in it that allows him to become a FA again.

Free Seth Smith!

by FooMan on Jun 28, 2009 10:23 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Holliday Road

(saw European Vacation yesterday…love that movie)

Krieger said he thought Holliday would be hard pressed to get 3 years $10mil/per type deal. But I"m with you. There is going to be enough demand, and not that much supply of good in their prime hitters that some one will over pay. Angels, Mets, NYY, Mariners, Cardinals all could use Holliday. Bay looks to be staying with the Boston. But if he doesn’t then you have 6 teams, 4 major market teams, and two of the strong middle class teams and only 2 players.

I think Holliday will get paid..but not as much as the Rockies offered $20 mill per year for 4 years. Interesting how Krieger seemed to think that Holliday would entertain the Rockies and a return. Gonzales/Smith/Murton appear to be good LF’s and inexpensive.

by Redhawk on Jun 28, 2009 7:20 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sheesh.....

Does Renck know anything? Does he even read John Kruk?

by jcd823 on Jun 28, 2009 10:32 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Well I am embarassed

I guess I should read the article before making a stupid joke. I didn’t realize that Renck blasted that Kruk article in the third paragraph. Very good article though.

by jcd823 on Jun 28, 2009 11:50 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Renck on Atkins: Braves?

The Mets, Braves and Cardinals represent potential fits, but Atkins’ $4 million in remaining salary is prohibitive

Have the Braves given up on Kotchman?

Free Seth Smith!

by FooMan on Jun 28, 2009 11:04 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Love the Renck article

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

by TuLoRocks2008 on Jun 28, 2009 11:05 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

All-Stars

Lack of Rockies that’s pretty much what I see here. I am amazed that Brad Hawpe doesn’t even make an appearance much less Todd Helton. On one hand, I think it’s good that they are not going so they can get the time off ,on the other hand I feel that it’s kinda of a slight but seriously why is Lance Berkman even getting votes?

by lizardlad01 on Jun 28, 2009 11:33 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Helton won't be going

but there’s a good chance Manual will choose Hawpe as a reserve

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 28, 2009 11:45 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

In fact, if you check out their roster projections

It projects just that

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 28, 2009 11:47 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hawpe should really be on it

6th in batting average, 6th in RBIs, 3rd in slugging. You would think that those are numbers that the most casual of fans would take notice and vote for. Of course, All-Star voting seems to be a popularity contest more than anything. Jimmy Rollins is second for shortstops.
Some of the blame should also be put on the Rockies fickle and fair-weather fan base. The Brewers whole outfield is in the top 10 wile Hawpe is not even close to that. Ryan Braun is second while putting up similar numbers to Hawpe, while Mike Cameron and Corey Hart are seventh and tenth.
What really bugs me is that stupid rule where the All-Star game determines the home field advantage for the World Series. If the All-Star game is going to actually mean something, then do what the NFL does and have it be 1/3 fans, 1/3 players and 1/3 coaches.

by jcd823 on Jun 28, 2009 12:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Happy 60th Birthday to Don Baylor

Free Seth Smith!

by FooMan on Jun 28, 2009 11:54 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Playoffs??? Who's talking about playoffs????

Anticipating your much smarter analysis, RG, here’s my take:

Rox – If we’re not just on a streak and we’re really this good, we can easily do it. We need bullpen help though.

Giants – Say what you want about their offense but that’s still great pitching and I for one, believe.

Cards, Cubs, Brewers – One of ’em will win the division and the other two are good enough teams that if they add a piece, I like their chances.

Florida – Yes, really. They’re probably too young to get in but if they get hot like we have gotten hot, it could happen.

Mets – Nope! Injuries and choke-tastic nature preclude it.

by Since1993 on Jun 28, 2009 12:56 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

My playoff run down

is about the same.

2 small differences: I’m not sold on the Giants, but I probably should be. And I think one of the Cards/Cubs/Brewers will fade. Not sure who, but that’s too much mediocrity, and just an injury, bad spell, will doom one of them.

by Redhawk on Jun 28, 2009 7:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

That Hawpe article...

was amazing. I love that man

if you're reading this, it means my undying support for your team will result in its failure.

by fantasyfencing on Jun 28, 2009 1:46 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Didn't Iannetta get a degree in Math?

If he did then we could have (have had?) the smartest battery ever with Francis and CDI. I like this idea.

"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 30, 2009 2:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs