In praise of Carlos Gonzalez
by Rox Girl on Aug 26, 2009 12:56 PM MDT
in Thoughts From Up High
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PrintWith all of the heroics of the last couple of days from Ryan Spilborghs and Troy Tulowitzki, one story that I think might be getting overlooked is the toughness of one Carlos Gonzalez. Remember this is a player whose attitude was called into question frequently as a prospect for Arizona an attitude issue which led many scouts and observers (unfortunately including me at the time via secondhand information) to suggest that he wouldn't make it as a major league player.
Let nobody question this man's desire or heart again. For the early part of the month, his bat carried the team when others were going silent (he's still hitting .381/.438/.762 in August). For the last two nights, despite being physically unable to swing a bat, Gonzalez has found himself playing in Rockies rallies in the season's two most important games (thus far) against our two biggest rivals. Last night's key bunt single led to Tulo's heroics. Look, I know being an Internet baseball writer means I should be cynical when it comes to the subject of grit or passion, I know that we should dismiss the team's 35-8 record when he starts, but really, Gonzalez just deserves a lot of respect from Rockies fans right now. It's not quite Matt Holliday's bloody chin, the steak knife accident ranks up there as a pretty silly off field injury, but give him props for being willing to put himself out there for the sake of the team the last two nights. And I'm going to lose my blogging credentials for writing this, but the way he plays the game probably has something to do with the way the Rockies perform when he starts.
At any rate, G-Gon, we salute you and you honor the #5 jersey. May Rockies fans see many more years of your outstanding play in it.
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I agree
he genuinely seems to be hustling constantly and enjoying playing baseball with us.
I think it may be due to the difference in expectations of him between Oakland and Colorado, at least from management. At Oakland he was the centerpiece of the huge deal for Haren, and when he didn’t perform instantly he was labelled an underachiever in an organisation that expects instant results from their prospects.
When he came to Colorado most of the MSM were ready to write him off as someone who would never make it, the Rockies front office quietly allowed him to tear up AAA for 2 months, and then when he struggled in his first month in the bigs they kept showing faith in him, and making sure he could contribute in other areas like baserunning and fielding until he got his confidence up.
I think this has clearly reaped dividends now, and I salute the way he has been handled by the front office and the management as well as the player himself.
by djmbluemoon on Aug 26, 2009 1:21 PM MDT up reply actions 2 recs
agreed all around here
and moreover, it could just be a kid growing up.
For all of his grit, and want to play
I really hope he comes back soon and reclaims center field, because we absolutely need him to be there for all of his tools (apologies to EY2). With him and Smith starting everyday because of Dex’s injury, and having Spilly and EY2 as backups, the loss of Dex may seem less apparent.
The Matt Holliday trade may be the best trade Dan O’Dowd has ever made, because it’s not easy to say you successively replaced the best hitter on your team, along with adding another great piece in Huston Street. Just imagine if Greg Smith can ever perform for us.
Carlos Gonzalez, us Rockies fans salute you for the demeanor and skill you’ve shown with your time here.
Great write-up.
And amen.
"Don't tell me about the world. Not today. It's springtime and they're knocking baseballs around fields where the grass is damp and green in the morning and the kids are trying to hit the curve ball." -Pete Hamill
Troy Renck asked him what his preferred nickname was while in Spring Training
well after he had CarGo circulating around these parts. “G-Gon” was CarGo’s response. I think the whole community has boycotted it until that reference.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 26, 2009 1:37 PM MDT up reply actions
Do you say it like you have a stutter?
Or is it Gee-Gon?
Gladly sharing a name with Dexter Fowler!
by ShadowPenguin on Aug 26, 2009 1:42 PM MDT up reply actions
I believe the latter
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 26, 2009 1:46 PM MDT up reply actions
I reluctantly disagree
you don’t get to choose your own nickname, nobody does. I’m not sure that G-Gon (G-Gone?) makes any sense.
by Teekalong on Aug 26, 2009 2:40 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
That sports illustrated article linked to on a fan shot
said Cargo’s nick name should be “the knife”. I think that is awesome
Your best? Losers alway complain about their best. Winners go out and f*** the prom queen.
-John Mason (Sean Connery)
by squalene203 on Aug 26, 2009 2:49 PM MDT up reply actions 2 recs
I approve of this
Unique and fitting in at least two contexts. The best nicknames are exactly that.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 26, 2009 2:53 PM MDT up reply actions
That nickname really cuts to the heart of the matter, don't it?
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
Yeah, I don't like G-Gon either
CarGo, CarGon, Gonzo, or The Knife all work much better ;-)
Gladly sharing a name with Dexter Fowler!
by ShadowPenguin on Aug 26, 2009 2:56 PM MDT up reply actions
But he has a quadrophonic Blaupunkt!
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
love cargo
yesterday just made me smile with that perfect bunt and him being hurt and still going out there…love itt
we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE
"TuLoRocks2008 had the most comments I've seen in any game thread this year (322)...Can such a feat be eclipsed?" ..... Bring it on!!
Forgive me for saying this...
But Hawpe might have to be traded after this season. I long for a CarGo, Fowler, Smith outfield. Hawpe has peaked (and may be past it as well), and his value will be highest ever after this season.
I love Hawpe, but said outfield would be amazing.
There's a fanpost about this from a couple of days ago. Good discussion.
by blooming rock on Aug 26, 2009 1:48 PM MDT up reply actions
It may even be the prevailing opinion
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 26, 2009 1:50 PM MDT up reply actions
Great!
I’ve been a huge fan of Seth since his call up 2007. The assertion by the club that he was the best hitter in the organization was not a lie.
Best swing among prospects maybe, but I highly doubt they said best hitter in the organization
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 26, 2009 2:05 PM MDT up reply actions
Hmm
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 26, 2009 4:02 PM MDT up reply actions
I think
What they meant was just best overall hitter. Not like best power hitter but they were very high on him.
Certainly not.
Hawpe is my favorite player, and I still lean in the direction of trading him in the offseason, barring unforeseen circumstances such as injuries.
by Greg Stanwood on Aug 26, 2009 2:17 PM MDT up reply actions
I agree
We have a stacked outfield, and Hawpe would net us the best return in a trade. We have some excellent pitching prospects at various levels of the organization, but I think our AA and AAA hitting prospects are suspect. I think big Hawpi could bring us one or two great prospects; preferably corner infielders.
Your best? Losers alway complain about their best. Winners go out and f*** the prom queen.
-John Mason (Sean Connery)
Tracy
seems to be having this kind of effect on a lot of players. He must be calm, soothing, and encouraging. …Gee, it’s actually making me feel warm and fuzzy and I don’t even play for the Rockies… I wish my dad would’ve been more like Jim Tra… er, um, anyway, I guess I’m just saying that Tracy himself might be that organizational change Cargo needed.
Oh, and Rox Girl, if they take away your blogging credentials, I think you can just pick up another one pretty easily. Grab a couple, in case another one gets revoked. ;-)
Good article!
My thoughts exactly...
I was telling my wife last night that I could listen to Tracy’s press conferences for hours. He is intelligent and not at all condescending to the MSM, even though they may deserve it.
by GreeleyRoxFan on Aug 26, 2009 3:24 PM MDT up reply actions 2 recs
totally.
…as opposed to hurdle’s pressers, in which he was a little too “cool” for my taste. i’m not a hurdle hater either—i actually like the guy—but the “what? you didn’t know that already?!” attitude wore a little bit after awhile.
and you can tell when tracy’s irritated—he was kind of sharp with dave krieger the other night—but he still manages to not treat people like they’re idiots. which is probably a plus for a young player like CarGo.
Well said, RG
I think it also pays to remember that G-Gon is still quite young, and attitude problems are many times a result of emotional immaturity. (And no, I’m not ranting on young people. Some of my favorite Rowbots are young. And some older people I know have attitude problems the size of Texas.) As you mature, some things become less important and some things just finally click. But the organization’s nurturing of him this year has almost certainly been factor as well.
I'll have another beer, please.
Other Venezuelan Players might also have something to do with it...
At some point the Rox had 6 players from Venezuela in their 25 man roster (Bettancourt, Chacin, Rincon, Morales, Torrealba and Gonzalez). He might have gotten some guidance from some of the older players that he could really relate to since they share so much.
by Latrock on Aug 26, 2009 3:23 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
I don't care what Hitler said
I love you CarGo! Playing hurt the last couple of days does deserve special kudos.
(and Seth Smith…too…and depending on who had the latest biggest hit)
by Redhawk on Aug 26, 2009 3:46 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
How does trading Barmes sound?
Trade Barmes for prospects after the season because like Hawpe, his value will be highest.
Assuming EY2 would get the job (somewhat big assumption), and assuming we will non-tender Atkins, and trade Hawpe. My dream roster and rotation looks like this.
CF – Fowler
LF – GarGo
1B – Helton
SS – Tulo
3B – Stewie
RF – Smitty
C – Iannetta
2B – EY2
Assuming we will sign Marquis (big if)
Rotation – Ubaldo, Marquis/Cook, Cook/JDLR, JDLR/Chacin/Hammel, Chacin/Hammel/Hynick
Big assumptions I know. We have a lot of stuff to look at during the offseason for sure. Jeff Francis will figure into the rotation (Lord willing) next season too. At some point you wonder if Matt Miller will be trade bait because his position is block, and he might just be the second coming of Joe Koshansky
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewrightshot/
Good article
CarGo was overlooked by so many people, but I had no problem with him, as I saw him as the Rockies’ version of Renaldo Balkman minus the DUI
"I shoot so many 3's because I can't shoot 4's"
Please stop calling him G-Gon
It’s a dumb nickname and the fact he came up with it himself completely disqualifies it from ever being used!
Yours
The Mighty Amazningness
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